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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 being seen and heard in shared public spaces is the hallmark of a vital community ~ PLAYLINK (Play Policy excerpt)
Tips for Early Educators and Practitioners |
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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
Consider the descriptive vocabulary associated with the word structure: Arrange, organize, construct, and form. These words describe the actions we often see children doing and enjoying Structure, by definition, is the action of building or constructing something or arranging in a definite pattern of organization.
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Close your eyes and try to envision times you have seen children creating structures. What comes to mind? What materials were they using? Where were the children? What were you saying to them? Were the structures large or small? What ages were the children? Were they working alone or with others? |
Children naturally create structures. We see clear examples of this when children are in outdoor environments or when they are given interesting, loose materials to work with. They may line up sticks, arrange rocks, build mini-forts, or create clever combinations of natural materials. The material and space act as inspiration, joining with their ideas, and structures are created: big, small, and otherwise! The children are challenged in finding out how the materials can be used and how they work in relation to their ideas.
Common and uncommon thoughts on structure
A common structure familiar to early educators might be a block tower or building, but the word structure invites more meaning than just block buildings. Structures cannot form without ideas, materials, and skills.
Structures may surface in many areas of an early childhood program. They will surface where children are inspired, offered resources to connect to their ideas, and where children can build/construct (using pattern and organization). You may see structures in the block area (towers), art areas (sculptures, collages), dramatic play (tents, tunnels), sand/water table (bridges), outside areas (forts), music and dance (parades, songs), and even in food (stacked cheese cubes!).
Egg Cooker-Zoopty-Doo-1166549
Some structures may show clear connections to children's life experiences, such as a child creating a bridge, building, or house. Others tap into fantasy and creativity, such as a fairy house, a dragon city, or the self-titled egg cooker-zoopty-doo-1166549 (shared by Anna Pearl, age 3, after painting a portrait of her block structure). Structures show relationship to developmental skills and age. A very young child may be developing skills to use materials, such as an older infant grasping and mouthing blocks. Toddlers may attempt stacking and organizing materials. Preschoolers may draw and write plans to symbolize their ideas as well as use complex language and understanding in portraying structure, such as balance, weight, gravity, and symmetry. The adult does not often see the ideas and skills a child may use in creating a structure. An adult may see a child's work (that took an hour or more) as a big blob. The child sees (and knows!) the blob as something quite complicated, intricate, and visionary. But without observation and listening to the child's ideas, the adult may miss the process, creativity, skills, and accomplishments involved. |
The adult's role in planning structures
Adults who observe carefully and listen wholeheartedly will begin to have a sense of the child's work. When creating structures, children use prior knowledge, experience, and skills. Asking open-ended questions can help 
discover this information: Tell me about what are you working on. Do you need any materials? What will you do first? How did you make it sturdy? Along with offering insights, these types of questions provide direction in organizing thoughts and ideas.
The adult's role will also consist of providing inspirational materials and environments. Fill spaces with interesting, safe, and developmentally appropriate materials to structure with. Choose areas where materials can be explored freely (with enough space) and provide suitable bases to work from (table, floor, tray, etc).
Some teachers like to create design areas with clearly labeled and stored materials to work with. But remember that structures can be formed in many areas with various materials. Invite discussions about the materials, and model structure vocabulary (heavy, light, base, foundation, wobbly, sturdy, balance, pattern, symmetry, design, and geometric shapes: square, rectangle, etc.).
What might structures have to do with quality early education?
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The National Institute for Early Education Research states several items critical for children in regard to quality in early education programs. One example stated is, Children's natural curiosity is used as a powerful motivator. Their interest in everything in their environment as well as ideas and concepts contribute to the design of activities and curriculum. - NIEER, Preschool Policy Matters, November 2002 |
Programs that support the broad concepts of structures, common or uncommon, will support children's natural curiosity and factors contributing to quality early education. The experience of creating structures sparks relationships, logical exploration, and application of developmental skills. Previous knowledge and skills are reinforced while new learning opportunities are also presented.
Structures allow children to work over periods of time and process ideas and strategies while participating in enjoyable experiences. Be open to planning for structures without an outcome in mind. Structure size, concept, and materials used are best planned from children's ideas: Let the children lead.
Possible Materials Used for Structures
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Distance Education Highlights
Caring for Mixed Ages
Have you ever watched a toddler tenderly pat a crying baby? Or seen a preschooler run and get a toy for a toddler? If you have cared for a group of mixed-age children, you probably see kindness between older and younger children often. Mixed-age grouping gives children a chance to learn things that they don't learn in same-age groups. Need ideas for activities and spaces for all ages? This unit will tell you how kids learn from kids and how to keep everyone safe.
Preview and register for the distance education lesson: Caring for Mixed Ages.
View a complete listing of all distance education lessons and information about how to register by visiting the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Parent's Checklist for Good Dental Health Practices in Child Care
The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC) is pleased to announce the availability of a one-page Parent's Checklist for Good Dental Health Practices in Child Care. The checklist encourages parents to look at the dental practices their young children are experiencing in child care/early education settings.
You may request a packet at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/pdc.htmand copy as many as you wish for parents or providers. You can also download as many copies as you wish from the Web site at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/dentalchecklist.pdf.
The Frog Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta, published by Charlesbridge Publishing, ISBN 0881064637. Introduces the letters of the alphabet by describing a frog or other amphibian for each letter, from the Amazon horned frog to the zig zag salamander.
From Tadpole to Frog, by David Stewart, published by Franklin Watts, ISBN 0531153355. Clear illustrations and simple descriptions of the life cycle of a tadpole to a frog.
A Frog Thing, by Eric Drechman, published by Kidwick Books, ISBN 0970380933. When a determined frog sets his mind on flying, everyone laughs at his unsuccessful efforts to become airborne, and his parents assure him that he is capable of doing any frog thing.
More books about frogs--Ribitt! Ribitt!:
The Frog House, by Mark Taylor, published by Dutton Juvenile,ISBN 0525461744
The Story of Jumping Mouse, by John Steptoe, published by Harper Trophy, ISBN 068808740X
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.
Get Out of the House and When the weather is nice, turn off the television and the computer. Get out of the house and go outdoors with your child. Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine together. Children benefit from playing in the yard and going for walks. Whether you live in the city or in the country, your child will learn about nature and things going on in your neighborhood. Play ball together. This is fun with children of all ages. If your child is older, go for bike rides. You can have a picnic in the yard at meal times. Go out in the evening sometimes. Once it gets dark, look at the stars in the sky and other lights that might be in your neighborhood. |
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Better Kid Care Satellite Season 2007-08 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 date and topic: |
Next up! 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.
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.
From the Council of Professional Recognition:
The Council is designing and testing a new option for CDA assessment. Future CDA candidates will be able to select one of two ways to demonstrate their competence: (1) the new online assessment; or (2) the traditional paper and interview assessment.
CDA On-line Assessment PowerPoint - The Council presents CDA the On-line Way. Watch a Power Point tutorial that demonstrates the steps in the CDA on-line assessment process.
Funding available for CDA Assessment Fee
Visit the PA Keys for information regarding Professional Development Tuition Reimbursement and CDA Assessment Fee Voucher. Flyer and information here: Download PDF 
Download the CDA Assessment Fee Voucher Application
*Applications must be received 30 days prior to the expected date of application to the Council for Professional Recognition.
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
Outside Pennsylvania:
More professional development resources:
PA Tuition Reimbursement is available for practitioners working in a Keystone STARS facility, STAR 1 or higher, and pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. For more information, visit http://www.pakeys.org/profdev/FinancialSupport.aspx, and Download PDF
Promoting Healthy Families in your Community: Resource Packet 2008
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, its Child Welfare Information Gateway, and the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention created this resource packet targeted specifically for service providers who work with parents, other caregivers, and their children with the common goal of promoting healthy families.
PA Search for Child Care Programs On-line
Parents interested in finding child care can now search online for child care programs by location, STARS level, ages of children served, even if transportation is available to/from nearby schools! Download PDF
Project LAUNCH - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is soliciting applications for Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health), a new grant program designed to promote the physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health of young children, birth to 8 years of age. Those interested may download the Request for Application announcement (No. SM-08-011) and application forms at http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2008/sm_08_011.aspx or call SAMHSA's Information Line at 877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1 800-487-4889]. Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line using www.grants.gov. Applications must be received by June 12, 2008 to be considered for review.
Target Local Store Grants The Target grant program focuses on three areas: Arts, Early Childhood Reading, and Family Violence Prevention.
Funding is still available through PHEAA loan forgiveness program - If you are an early childhood educator who obtained a bachelor's or associate's degree in early childhood education or in a related field between September 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006 - even if you've applied before - you may now be eligible for PHEAA's Quality Early Education Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information call 800-233-0557, extension 5473.
National Environmental Education Foundation provides environmental information to help Americans live better every day. They provide resources and opportunities to improve the health of the planet.
International Year of the Reef
2008 marks the launch of a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and to motivate action to protect them.
Pa Early Childhood Care and Education Research:
Early Childhood Best Practices Revised April 2008 (Summary of Research Findings) - Download PDF
Quality Pre-Kindergarten and Early Childhood Development Revised April 2008 Download PDF
PK - 3 Programs Revised April 2008 Download PDF
The Safe Start Center is a national resource center designed to support the Safe Start Initiative, which provides community investment in evidence-based strategies for reducing children's exposure to violence.
Child Care Bureau releases new child care subsidy study - The latest information about Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) expenditures and participation in those years as well as additional information about training and technical assistance and child care-related research.
Child Maltreatment Data 2006 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released Child Maltreatment 2006, an annual report that marks the start of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Does Art Make You Smart? - New research from a consortium at seven universities reveals close correlations between training in the arts and improved math and reading skills. Find our more by visiting http://www.dana.org/news/brainwork/detail.aspx?id=11604
Challenging Common Myths about Young English Language Learners - Scientific studies suggest that young ELL children are quite capable of learning subject matter in two languages. To access this research Download PDF
Tangible Steps Toward Tomorrow: New Designs for Early Education, Ages 0-8
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has recently announced a new publication entitled Tangible Steps toward Tomorrow: New Designs for Early Education, Ages 0-8, which provides a set of ideas on transforming early education in ways that are culturally and community-responsive. Download PDF (Large file -- may take time to load)
Better Kid Care Kit
Need ideas in your work caring for children? When you enroll in the Better Kid Care Program and sign up for the Better Kid Care Kit, child care providers will receive several free publications in the mail. Family home child care providers will also receive The Basics of Caring for Children in Your Home notebook to organize and store your Better Kid Care publications. Have you signed up to receive a Better Kid Care Kit yet? Complete our online registration form or call 800-452-9108 to order.
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:
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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.
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