Skip the navigation and go directly to the content.
Subscribe to receive Newsletter
Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter - A newsletter for those caring for children.
Notable Quote: “There’s something powerful about that sense of wonder and exploration. It is what has taken humankind to the inside of a cell, the depths of the Atlantic, the summit of Everest, the moon; it is what has taken us to the deeper, the higher, the more complex regions of understanding. And the limits of the understandings will continue to expand because the children of today will stretch them.” ~ Gretchen Owocki, foreword from Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools; Science in the Early Childhood Classroom, by Karen Worth & Sharon Grollman
Inspire Kindness Inspire Kindness - Think of what inspires you to be kind. It probably is not being yelled at or made to feel bad, but rather being encouraged, witnessing acts of goodwill, or having an understanding of others’ needs. When we are surrounded by others who show kindness, it motivates us to be kind, also. The environments and experiences we prepare for young children can have a powerful effect on kindness. Inspire kindness: |
 |
Create caring rituals: make cards for those absent, pass a hug, and sing welcome and “see you tomorrow” songs.
Read more about inspiring kindness ( http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/TIPS/TIPS708.pdf)
Do you
have a great tip or good thing? Send us your best tips!
Email Christine at crb16@psu.edu or contact the Better Kid Care Program at 814-865-7894 or 800-452-9108 (within PA).
Move On: Reversing Children's Sedentary Lifestylesby Christine Belinda
There are two words that continually surface in research associated with young children’s health and physical activity: Obesity and Sedentary. When thinking of children, these words seem unnatural or out of place, but the number of obese and overweight children has doubled in the last two decades and physical activity has severely declined. Although the list is long, sedentary lifestyle is a leading cause of unhealthy children. Considering the amount of time children are spending in out-of-home care (such as preschool and child care), the early educator and the program play a key role in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
Let’s move on
Simple changes can help children move past sedentary lifestyles. This does not mean implementing a strict physical education program, but rather gathering knowledge and planning for physical activity that supports optimal health, enjoyment, and builds life-long practices.References (found at the end of the article)
 |
Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
The Learning Connection: The Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools – This Action for Healthy Kids special report documents how the rise in poor nutrition, inactivity, and youth obesity is adversely affecting academic achievement and possibly costing schools millions of dollars each year in addition to the direct adverse health consequences.
Childhood Overweight: What Research Tells Us - Key findings from research into the background and health consequences of childhood obesity, as well as information on physical activity and nutrition in schools, are summarized by the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools.
Early Childhood Assessment: Why, What, and How - The assessment of young children's development and learning has recently taken on new importance. Private and government organizations are developing programs to enhance the school readiness of all young children, especially children from economically disadvantaged homes and communities and children with special needs. Early Childhood Assessment addresses issues by identifying the important outcomes for children from birth to age 5 and the quality and purposes of different techniques and instruments for developmental assessments. Copies of Early Childhood Assessment: Why, What, and How are available to order online from the National Academies Press; or by phone at tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242.Distance Education Highlights
Do lessons in your home — when it's convenient and you have time!
Course Work
Are you aware that the Better Kid Care Distance Education lessons are grouped by Courses? Better Kid Care Courses offer a comprehensive overview of early childhood professional development. The course titles are organized by early childhood and child development topics. You can sign up for one lesson or the entire Course.
Why try a Better Kid Care Distance Education Course?
|
 |
Register today for a lesson or register for the entire Course! Try the following recommended Course:
Understanding Children’s Behavior
View a complete listing of all distance education lessons and information about how to register by visiting the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
American Academy of Pediatrics Releases New Statement Regarding Children and Heart Health
| The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised their recommendations on cholesterol screening for children with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease as discussed in the clinical report, "Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood." Reduced-fat milk (2%) is now being recommended for children between 12 months and 2 years of age for whom obesity is a concern or who have a family history of obesity or cardiovascular disease. These revised guidelines, published in the July issue of Pediatrics, stress the importance of children maintaining a healthy diet, as set out by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. View the AAP’s clinical report “Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood,”. |
 |
Source: National Dairy Council, August 2008, http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/nationaldairycouncil/health/digest
Turn the Page:The following books are recommended from the Pennsylvania State Library brochure titled “Healthy Bodies: Promoting Good Nutrition and Movement with Preschoolers through Picture Books.”
Books to promote movement:
Baby Dance, by Ann Taylor, published by HarperFestival, ISBN 0694012068. A playful poem that has a father and child dancing lovingly across the pages.
Bouncing, by Shirley Hughes, published by Walker Books Ltd, ISBN 0744536529. A girl and her family enjoy the many different kinds of bouncing.
Little Yoga: A Toddler’s First Book of Yoga, by Rebecca Whitford, published by Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0805078797. A playful introduction to nine simple yoga exercises for young children.
More books to promote movement:
Off We Go, by Jane Yolen, published by Little, Brown Young Readers, ISBN 0316902284
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, by Steve Scott, published by HarperFestival, ISBN 0694011622
Dancing in My Bones, by Sylvia Andrews, published by HarperFestival, ISBN 0694013161
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.
Click on graphic to read the entire article |
Getting Along with Others One of the best things you can teach your child is how to get along well with others. This will help him at home, at child care, and all through life. Here are some ways you can help your child:
|
 |
October 16, 2008
What Does "Time" Mean to Children?
What do children of different ages know and understand about time? Why do children and adults struggle when it's time to clean up? Learn ways to build on children's understanding of "yesterday," "today," and "tomorrow."
Professional Development Code K2C1 topic code 14
CDA Competency 2 - Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development
Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards Key Learning Area: Social Studies
Want to share your ideas from past satellite sessions or ideas for future satellite sessions? Contact Better Kid Care by e-mailing us at betterkidcare@psu.edu or by phoning 800-452-9108 to share your comments.
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. Live outside of Pennsylvania? Visit the Out-of-State Information link.
 |
Sign Up for the Councilink Newsletter! The Council of Professional Recognition (CDA) now has a link to sign up to receive their online Councilink Newsletter. Stay in touch with the CDA Council; sign up today! View the current Councilink here. |
CDA Information session and Council Representative Refresher
Currently scheduled CDA information and Council Representative Refresher sessions:
October 10-11 - Portland, OR, Oregon AEYC Conference
October 23 – Atlantic City, NJ, New Jersey AEYC Conference
November 5-7 - Dallas, TX, NAEYC Conference
Contact the Council at 800-424-4310 for more information.
Washington, D.C. Scholarship News:
The National Black Child Development Institute has funding for a limited number of CDA scholarships for those living or working in the District of Columbia (DC) area. Scholarships will partially cover the $325 Direct Assessment fee, $225 second setting, and the $50 fee for renewal. Contact The National Black Child Development Institute at (202) 833-2220 or visit www.nbcdi.org.
| Need more CDA help? Visit Better Kid Care's "What is the CDA?" newly revised link and get answers to your CDA questions! Get CDA support! Call Christine at 800-452-9108. E-mail your CDA questions to Christine at crb16@psu.edu. |  |
 |
Professional Development Highlights |
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
 |
Announcements of Interest |
EARLY EDUCATION
 |
Better Kid Care Resources |
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:
 |
|
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.
Subscribe to the BKC E-Newsletter!
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
November E-Newsletter:
Sweet Dreams: Thinking About Sleep in Early Education
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.
