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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 activities that are the easiest, cheapest, and most fun to do—such as singing, playing games, reading, storytelling, and just talking and listening—are also the best for child development.” –Professor Jerome Singer, Yale University
Spring Resources
Spring is an exciting time for teachers of young children. It signals changes are coming and is often a time to reorganize, exercise, connect with nature, plan fresh ideas, learn something new, and follow up on observation and assessment of the children who have been in your care all year. It’s a wonderful time of year to look back at how children have grown and plan for new growth. For some programs, it signals an end to the year together and for others, it is a hint to start planning for summer!
Spring Resources explores: Warmer weather: Get Outdoors!, Exercise and Energize!, Connect with Nature, Observation and Assessment, Learn Something New, New Feelings to Explore, and Lunch and Snack Ideas. View Penn State Better Kid Care’s Spring Resources here.
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.
Brain Dance: What Do We Know about Dance, Movement, and Learning?by Christine Belinda
There is no doubt about it: Children love to dance and move. Anyone who works with young children knows that movement is a part of almost all play; it’s as if children dance everything they do. Their little legs kick and sway as their diapers are changed. When you look around the room, there is motion. The children often invite you into a tango, twirl, or mild sway as they tell you what they had for dinner last night. Is all this moving and dancing really that important? What do we know about dance, movement, and learning?
References found at the end of the article
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Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
Learning, Arts, and the Brain, a study three years in the making, is the result of research by cognitive neuroscientists from seven leading universities across the United States. The report is from the Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization with particular interests in brain science, immunology, and education. View the report here.
The Changing Face of the United States: The Influence of Culture on Early Child Development - The cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors within a family all have an impact on early child development. A new report, The Changing Face of the United States: The Influence of Culture on Early Child Development, is an important review of the issue and a summary of the latest research dealing with the impact of culture on early childhood services. This research summary was made possible through generous funding by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Bernard van Leer Foundation. Download here.
The Role of Parents in Building Early Literacy Skills - A new report from the National Early Literacy Panel, “Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel, A Scientific Synthesis of Early Literacy Development and Implications for Intervention,” presents a meta-analysis of research and recommendations for early childhood educators on promoting foundational literacy skills. The report addresses the role of parents in helping to foster such skills.
Distance Education Highlights
Music, Dance, and Drama Course
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The Music, Dance, and Drama Course includes three one-hour professional development lessons: Dramatic Play, Let’s Make a Parade, and Music Magic. The Dramatic Play lesson will help you learn about dramatic play, how it benefits children, and what you, as a childcare provider, can do to encourage better quality dramatic play. |  |
| The Let’s Make a Parade lesson is about simple yet fun and educational projects that the children in your childcare can do with your help--making their own parade! The children will think they are just having fun playing–only you will know that they are actually learning important skills as they play. When it comes to fun as well as children’s learning and development, there’s nothing like music. Music Magic will explore how music helps children learn new words and become aware of how sounds relate to words. | ||
Try the entire Music, Dance, and Drama Course today or simply register for your favorite:
For a complete listing of all Distance Education curricula, courses, lessons, and information about how to register, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page. (http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page02a.html)
The National Resource Center’s Parent’s Checklist for Good Dental Health Practices in childcare checklist helps parents identify policies and practices that promote good dental health for their young children in childcare/early education settings. View the checklists at http://nrckids.org/dentalchecklist.pdf
Additional dental resources that may be of interest:
Toddler Two-Step, by Kathi Appelt, published by Harper Festival , ISBN 0694012440. Enjoy moving and dancing to the rhythm of a catchy poem.
Baby Danced the Polka, by Karen Beaumont, published by Dial, ISBN 0803725876. Each time the adults set out to do a chore, Baby escapes the crib and boogie-woogies, cha-chas, or shooby-doobies with a different stuffed-animal companion.
Baby Dance, by Ann Taylor, published by Harper Festival, ISBN 0694012068. A father croons to his baby daughter while engaging in a spontaneous and steadily more exuberant dance.
Dance! With Bill T. Jones, by Susan Kuklin, published by Hyperion Book CH, ISBN 0786803622. The renowned performer and choreographer shares his deep love for dance and movement in this poignant photo-essay.
A Dictionary of Dance, by Liz Murphy, published by Blue Apple Books, ISBN 1593546130. This introductory exploration of the world of dance offers one term, step, or type of dance for each letter of the alphabet, from an arabesque to zones of the body, and shares a broad view of dance.
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 childcare providers.
Click on graphic to read the entire article 
Have Fun Outdoors
by Nancy Wilson
Early Childhood Program Specialist
When the weather cooperates, there is no better place for your child to be than the great outdoors. To be healthy children need to get fresh air and exercise. A bonus is all the learning that takes place while your child is playing in your yard or maybe at a near-by park or playground.
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March 26, 2009
Art Appreciation 101 for Young Children
K2C1 topic code 19 / CDA Competency 2 /
PA Early Learning Standards Key Learning Area: Creative Arts
Believe it or not, even infants can begin to appreciate art. Learn how to introduce and talk with children of all ages about art made by them and others. Try creative ways to react to art.
About participating . . . Each workshop lasts two hours, including satellite broadcast time, discussion, and group activities. 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 Satellite Workshop link for more information. Missed a show? Visit the Past Satellite Workshop page to view video online.
Need CDA help? Visit Better Kid Care’s CDA Information link and get answers to your CDA questions! Call Christine at 800-452-9108 or E-mail your CDA questions to Christine at crb16@psu.edu.
From the Council of Professional Recognition…
Call for Success Stories - The CounciLINK is soliciting stories about success achieved upon receiving the CDA credential. Please email your success story to newsletter@cdacouncil.org and put "success story" in the subject line.
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Professional Development Highlights |
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
Workshops for Kindergarten Teachers across the Commonwealth - The Office of Child Development and Early Learning is excited to announce a full-day professional development opportunity for kindergarten practitioners for 2009.
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Announcements of Interest |
EARLY EDUCATION
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Better Kid Care Resources |
Spring Resources from Better Kid Care - Use the following lists and links to find great information to support your work while entering the spring season.
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, childcare providers will receive several free publications in the mail. Family home childcare 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 childcare 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 childcare and children's issues.
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Reflections...
We would love to hear from you! E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.
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