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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: The man in the moon, looked out of the moon, looked out of the moon and said, 'tis time for all children on the earth, to think about getting to bed. ~ Bedtime Nursery Rhyme
For the Birds
A child in my class asked why the birds weren't singing much anymore, which led to great explorations on migration and song birds. We are housed in an old, large church and can hear birds outside our windows and even sometimes even see them in the sanctuary! Fall and winter create inviting times to explore birds, their homes, and their behaviors, such as migration.
I like to create interesting display/play areas with bird-related materials to explore such as artificial nests, eggs, feathers, and bird families (craft stores are good sources), as well as nesting materials (dried grasses, leaves, ribbon, twigs, shredded paper) and books about birds. I will often make up little bird stories to share with the children at story times. I like to bring in real nests, eggs, and feathers, but display these in clear plastic cases to avoid any germs. I will also play bird recordings (and nature sounds) and make sure I put out lots of craft feathers in the art area.
We try to photograph the birds we see near our program and display these and use them in charting, etc. We work on simple charting, graphing, and categorizing by color, sound, size, same, different, etc. We like to enlarge the photos to get really close-up views of the birds. I've mounted these onto foam board and hung them from the ceiling in our room. The children have also glued feathers and such on the enlarged copies.
We find out what we know, don't know, and want to know. We like to see what direction these materials lead the children and explore their questions, ideas, and interests. ~PA Preschool Teacher
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).
Sweet Dreams: Thinking about Sleepby Christine Belinda
Ahh…sleep…something many of us would like more of. We know sleep is important, but what does sleep mean to healthy child development? Sleep experts have built a strong case for including sleep as an integral part of understanding healthy child development.
Sleep is such an automatic part of our lives; something we do every day, yet sleep may not be something we think about often. Sleep experts recommend we start thinking and learning about sleep for many reasons (not just sweet dreams). Research suggests that while our bodies are asleep, overall development in many areas is greatly influenced:
When we do not get enough sleep, we may be:
References (found at the end of the article)
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Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
Children with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders at Risk for Anxiety
A University of Michigan study concludes that children with sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more likely to have anxiety, which is in turn often associated with hyperactivity. OSA is most common in preschool-aged children. Information on this and other issues related to children's sleep is available at a Web site developed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Role, Relevance, Reinvention: Higher Education in the Field of Early Care and Education
Research has continually shown that in order for children to have exceptional, high quality early care and education, they must have teachers and staff with specialized knowledge, skill, and experience. In a newly released paper, eight national organizations request that every college president address this by asking two questions: What is the current state of our early care and education programs? How can we make them better? The national partners recognize that this is a defining moment to establish public expectations for the care and education of young children, and the qualifications of those who provide early care and education services.
Present, Engaged and Accounted For: The Critical Importance of Addressing Chronic Absence in the Early Grades
One in ten kindergarten and first grade students are chronically absent. This National Center for Children in Poverty report looks at how schools and communities can work together to significantly reduce chronic early absence and help families understand the impact of early attendance on their children's futures.
Distance Education Highlights
Do lessons in your home — when it's convenient and you have time!
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?
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Register today for a lesson or register for the entire Course! Try the following recommended Course:
Growing Up Healthy Course
Register today for a lesson or register for the entire course! Try the following:
View a complete listing of all distance education lessons and information about how to register by visiting the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play
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Turn the Page:Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear, by Martin Windell, published by Candlewick, ISBN 15640255. Little bear is like many children who are getting ready for bed; he doesn’t want to. One more hug, one more light turned on, one more drink…but father bear knows how to be loving and supporting and get little bear ready for bed!
When Sheep Sleep, by Laura Numeroff, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, ISBN 0810954699. When you can't fall asleep, then try counting sheep! But what do you do when the sheep are asleep?
Five Little Sleepyheads, by Andreas Nemet, published by North-South, ISBN 0735821380. One by one, the little sleepyheads fall asleep after many nighttime routines.
More sleepy time stories:
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 |
The Best Toys for Kids Some of the best toys for kids have been around for a long time. They are simple, durable, fun, can help your child build skills, and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. They are blocks, balls, and books. |
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December 4, 2008
I Want! I Want!! I Want!!!: Building Good Consumers
Advertising captures children. Take a close look at what advertising doesn't want you to know. Learn the effects of marketing on children.
Professional Development Code K2C1 topic code 13
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.
From the Council of Professional Recognition - Dr. Josue’ Cruz, President and CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition, presents Child Development Associate: National Model for Preparing Child Care Personnel. http://www.cdacouncil.org/res_presentation.htm
| Need more CDA help? Visit Better Kid Care's "What is the CDA?" 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. |  |
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Professional Development Highlights |
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
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Announcements of Interest |
EARLY EDUCATION
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Better Kid Care Resources |
Fall Resources from Better Kid Care
What does fall mean to early educators and families? This time of year often means getting ready for school, child care, and celebrating the season. It also is an important time for planning and preparing quality child care programs. Use the following link to find great information to support your work: http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page17.html
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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Upcoming Feature Article in
December E-Newsletter:
Exploration with Light
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.
Healthy Child Care America and the American Academy of Pediatrics provide easy steps to create safe sleep environments in your home, family child care, or child care center. In the brochure "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play," you will learn about the importance of tummy time, how much tummy time infants should have, and answers to sleep practices and tummy time questions. The brochure also provides contacts to National SIDS resources. Remember…Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play. 