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Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter - A newsletter for those caring for children.
Notable Quote: "Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them." - Richard L. Evans
Plan Now for Week of the Young Child: April 13-19, 2008 Ideas to plan:
Check out more resources and start planning ways to bring your community together for children! Visit NAEYC web site links below: New for Week of the Young Child 2008: |
Do you have a great tip or good thing? Send us your best tips in writing and your tip may end up in our newsletter! Email Christine at crb16@psu.edu or contact the Better Kid Care Program at 814-865-7894 or 800-452-9108 (within PA).
by Christine Belinda
Most adults caring for children have experienced and offered playing with play dough and modeling materials, often called "clay." But have you ever tried using natural or real clay?
Because clay comes from the earth, it's a natural material. Since children love natural materials (think rocks, sand, water, mud, pinecones, and sticks) clay will probably be a hit, too. Natural materials are also a springboard to creative thinking and a connection to nature and the arts (along with many developmental skills!).
Play with clay: You and me
Some early childhood providers believe that playing with natural clay should be a regular experience for young children, just like outside time, water play, or painting. There are other adults who have never experienced natural clay.
This brings up an important question: When we offer children materials to play with, shouldn't we know what it's like to use these materials? And for that matter, shouldn't we understand what developmental skills they support and how they benefit children? Before introducing clay to children, try playing with clay yourself to get an idea of what it's like.
Observe children as they play with clay. Each child is different, so adapt the experience to their abilities, needs, and interests. When working with clay, there really is no right or wrong; just what works best for the children and your program.
Children and clay
Introducing clay to young children provides multiple creative outlets for their individual ideas, feelings, and development. For young children, clay holds no preconceived ideas as to what it is or how it is supposed to be used; a new play relationship begins. Children will show many parts of themselves through clay experiences:
~Along with many discoveries in getting to know children through their experiences with clay, we can also easily identify many Early Learning Standards! Visit your state's Department of Education to learn more about Early Learning Standards. In PA go to PA Department of Education site.
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Tips for clay play
Safety first - Any material for children must be safe. Choose clay that is clearly labeled Certified Non-Toxic and meets the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 
All children need to be well supervised. Be aware of and do not offer any choking materials for children ages three and under.
Introducing six new one-hour, web-based, distance education lessons. Visit the Web-Based learning link for more information. Preview the new lessons by clicking the title links below:
View a complete listing of all distance education lessons and information about how to register by visiting the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
New Distance Education Brochure Now Available!
Click on graphic to download (pdf) or call 800-452-9108 to request brochure.
Updated Vaccine Schedules
Every January the nation's experts release an updated schedule of the vaccines that children should have. Look for this schedule on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site.. The 2008 Immunization Schedule was released January 2, 2008.
Turn the PageGreat Books to Read with Children: Love, Love, Love |
Mommy Loves, by Anne Gutman, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811846164. Animal mommies show their love to their babies in many special ways.
Max's Valentine, by Rosemary Wells, published by Viking Juvenile, ISBN 0670036684. Uh-oh! Ruby uses all the candy to make her valentine cards! What about Max? Find out what Max's grandma does to be sure he gets a special treat.
I Love You Just the Same, by Erica Wolf, published by Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0805071288. This story reminds us how important it is to be loved.
If You'll Be My Valentine, by Cynthia Rylant, published by Harper Collins, ISBN 006009270X. A little boy creates and presents valentines to his pets, family members, and even his teddy bear!
I Will Kiss You: Lots & Lots, by Stoo Hample, published by Candlewick, ISBN 0763627879. Mother rabbit kisses her way through this tale of parental love, sharing places and things she will kiss to amuse her child.
More stories about LOVE:
The Day It Rained Hearts, by Felicia Bond, published by Laura Geringer, ISBN 0066238765
I Love You the Purplest, by Barbara Joosse, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811807185
What Is Love, Biscuit? by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, published by HarperCollins, ISBN-13: 9780694015177
Are you looking for articles to share with your families? Do you need information for your parent/family bulletin board? Family Time / Work Time shares easy-to-read articles for busy parents and caretakers with a focus on Building Strong Families.
You are welcome to print and share these publications with your friends, family, and other child care providers.
The Power of Words While testing new sounds and rhyming words, a young child might accidentally say a word that you consider a swear word. If you react too strongly to the use of that word, your child will probably repeat it at other times just to get that reaction again. What should you do? |
Better Kid Care Satellite Season 2007-08
Welcome to the 2007-08 satellite season! Satellite workshops offer opportunities for child care providers to learn form experts and to share their experiences with other child care providers nationwide. Professional development hours are available. Mark your calendars now with the following dates and topics:
Next up! March 13, 2008
Science for Young Thinkers
Professional Development Code K2C1/ Topic Code18 / CDA 2
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to help future scientists learn the basics. Find out how to make science activities really fun for children and adults.May 15, 2008
Improving Transition Times
Professional Development Code K2C2 / Topic Code 13 / CDA 1
Moving from place to place, activity to activity, is often filled with tears, screaming, and tantrums. Learn how you can smooth transitions to make them productive, fun times for children and stress free for adults.
Visit the Satellite Workshop link for more information.
Missed a show? Visit the Past Satellite Workshop page to view video online. If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your local extension educator for information to attend a workshop in your area. Outside Pennsylvania view Out-of-State Information link.
CDA Professional Development Record is a tool to help keep track of your CDA Professional Development Training. A free, downloadable resource from Better Kid Care!
Council for Professional Recognition: Online Assessment! The Council's Online Assessment is expected to debut in September 2008, and information about the system is now available online at http://www.cdacouncil.org/CDA_online.htm. There you can access a brochure and a video about the new process. Visit the Council Web site to find out more.
Visit the Better Kid Care "What is the CDA?" newly revised link and get answers to your CDA questions! Call Christine at 800-452-9108 or e-mail your CDA questions to crb16@psu.edu.
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners.
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
Outside Pennsylvania:
More professional development resources:
Volunteers Needed for Child Development Study - Early Childhood Practitioners are needed for a study looking at the effects of a social-emotional assessment called SEAM. The study involves early childhood providers participating in: 2-hour training on how to use a social-emotional assessment (SEAM) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), using the SEAM and ASQ with at least one parent of a child who is 6 to 36 months (estimated time to administer is under 60 minutes), and completing a brief practitioner demographic form and satisfaction survey.
For information contact Dr. Marisa Macy, the Pennsylvania Field Coordinator, at mmacy@psu.edu or call (814) 232-0342. Free SEAM & ASQ training, materials, and compensation will be provided.
The Family: America's Smallest School -
A new study conducted by the Education Testing Service (ETS) examines factors that influence learning gaps, beginning in early childhood and persisting into adulthood, and found large discrepancies in home life variables and achievement. The authors suggest that reform efforts focus not only on improving schools, but also on improving home and community learning environments.
http://www.ets.org/familyreport
Kindergarten, Here I Come! - The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is pleased to announce the availability of the newly-printed Parent Activity Resource Guide, Kindergarten, Here I Come!, free of charge, to kindergarten and pre-kindergarten practitioners for distribution to families with young children. To obtain copies, e-mail contact and shipping information to: fulfill@wavelinedirect.com or contact Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126, 717-787-7489. Copies are also available to download below:
"Kindergarten, Here I Come!" (Microsoft Word)
"
Kindergarten, Here I Come!" Calendar (PDF).
Helping Your Child Learn -
Mathematics is part of the president's efforts to provide parents with the latest research and practical information that can help them both support children’s learning at home and understand what they should expect from their children’s schools. This booklet (pdf) includes a range of activities for families with children from preschool age through grade 5.
The Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program links National Park units with teachers from low-income school districts. Under this program, selected teachers spend the summer working as park rangers, often living in the park. Then, during the school year, these teacher-rangers bring the parks into the classroom by developing and presenting curriculum-based lesson plans that draw on their summer experience. For additional information vist the Teacher Ranger program page.
Baby Steps - ZERO TO THREE has just launched Baby Steps, its first online e-newsletter devoted to parenting issues in the birth-to-three crowd. Each month, they will feature topics near and dear to parents--like potty training, power struggles, and picky eating. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, or a professional who works with parents, there is something for everyone in Baby Steps. Preview the first issue now.
Get Ready to Read! - an early literacy program designed to help parents, early educators, and child care professionals ensure that young children are equipped with the fundamental skills necessary for learning to read. Visit the Get Ready to Read! Web site for ideas.
PA Department of Education - Attention Early Learning Program Directors: Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts pre-kindergarten program could bring quality pre-kindergarten to more than 11,000 three- and four-year-olds next year. Learn more at the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts web page.
American Star of Teaching - The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is accepting nominations for 2008 American Stars of Teaching until March 31. To nominate a teacher, go to: http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html.
African American History Month - February is African American History Month. During this celebration of history and culture, take a look at informative and inspiring materials from the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Department of Education. You'll find links on influential African American artists, inventors, civil rights figures, entrepreneurs, and others. For additional resources on African American history and culture, check out USA.gov™ web site link: Culture and Ethnic Groups, to research genealogy, learn about plans for a new national museum, and find web sites that celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
Preview notebook contents: Tip Sheets, Activities Pages and Lunch and Snack Ideas
All publications are available online to print and share with your friends, family, and other childcare providers. Select issues are also available in Spanish.
New Staff Orientation curriculum is specifically designed for new staff members in child care centers. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Order at no cost by calling 800-452-9108.
Home-Based Caregiver Orientation - Meets the Keystone STARS Core Series Training Requirements. Order at no cost by calling 800-452-9108.
Do you have questions about caring for other people's children, such as:
Call the Better Kid Care Mentoring Line at 800-859-8340 or e-mail your questions to betterkidcare@psu.edu for information about child care and children's issues.
New subscribers can join by sending an email to:
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Upcoming Feature Article in
March E-Newsletter:
Early Educators: Why you are important
Reflections…
We would love to hear from you! E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.
Disclaimer: Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
Hold a kick-off breakfast for family and community
