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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: "Do you understand how there could be any writing in a spider's web?" “Oh, no," said Dr. Dorian. "I don't understand it. But for that matter I don't understand how a spider learned to spin a web in the first place. When the words appeared, everyone said they were a miracle. But nobody pointed out that the web itself is a miracle." ~ E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web
Celebrate!
April 19-25 is Week of the Young Child - Week of the Young Child is held each year to honor young children and thank teachers and all those who make a difference in young children’s lives. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) encourages state and local Affiliates, early childhood programs, and organizations who work on behalf of young children to plan WOYC events that will bring your community together. Tools and information for Week of the Young Child will help you plan exciting events to celebrate children and raise awareness of their needs. Check out these resources and start planning ways to bring your community together for children! Visit https://www.naeyc.org/about/woyc/
May 8 is Provider Appreciation Day! Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere. 
Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. Today's child care professionals are the world's unsung heroes. This profession is one of the most underpaid occupations in the country; yet research shows that early childhood is the most critical developmental period in a child's life. It takes a special person to work in this field and the contribution these individuals make to the quality of children's and families' lives too frequently goes unnoticed. Provider Appreciation Day offers a unique opportunity to recognize and commend the unselfish dedication, commitment and compassion that child care providers demonstrate every day. Find out more about Provider Appreciation Day and what you can do to celebrate at http://www.providerappreciationday.org/about/
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.
Using Reflection to Connect and Inspire Learningby Christine Belinda
An important goal in early education is to connect and inspire learning in young children. Many early educators are gaining significant results in encouraging learning by simply embracing the use of reflection. Reflection as a tool for learning has many facets to explore and understand. What do we need to think about when considering reflection as a learning tool?
Reflection may be described as To think quietly and calmly, To express thought and opinion, or To form ideas as a result of meditation. A helpful term to consider when thinking about reflection as a learning tool is metacognition, or "to think about thinking." In order to understand reflection as a learning tool, we need to explore how we think and reflect. What strategies do we use for reflection? How do we already use reflection in our work with children? Why consider reflection as a learning tool?
Using reflection as a way of working with children comes naturally to some, while others may need specific strategies and planned intentions to use reflection as a learning tool. Either way, it takes a conscious effort to be sure reflection is used often and evaluated.References found at the end of the article
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Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
Living with Autism Study - In cooperation with the Autism Society of America, Easter Seals surveyed over 2,500 parents of children with autism and typically-developing children -- about daily life, relationships, independence, education, housing, employment, finances, and health care. Visit Easter Seals web site.
Order in the House! Association among Household Chaos, and the Home Literacy
Environment, Maternal Reading Ability, and Children’s Early Reading - This study, from the National Center for Children and Families, examines whether associations exist between household chaos and children’s early reading skills. Results suggest that the degree of household order is significantly and positively associated with early reading skills among children whose mothers are of above-average reading ability. These results suggest the potential for new approaches to encouraging literacy development in the home. View the report.
Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project – CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy) has published two new research briefs as part of its ongoing Charting Progress for Babies in Child Care project. Both briefs also examine how state policies can improve care for babies, offer specific policy ideas, and link to online resources for state policy makers. Similar resources are available on several other infant/toddler child care topics through the project page.
Distance Education Highlights
Are you aware that Better Kid Care provides comprehensive curricula in early childhood development? The Better Kid Care curriculum follows the PA Core Body of Knowledge and offers multiple course titles to choose from. Each course offers numerous Distance Education lessons, providing a well rounded approach to obtaining your professional development. View the entire Better Kid Care Distance Education curriculum on line and choose your course of study today! Register for a lesson or try an entire course! WE CARE!
Observing Children's Progress Course
| The Observing Children's Progress Course includes two one-hour lessons titled Stepping Stones to School Readiness and Getting to Know the Kids through Observation. Try the entire Observing Children's Progress Course today or simply register for your favorite. |
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| In Stepping Stones to Readiness, learn what children need to know to be ready for school and what child care providers can do to help children succeed in school. Kindergarten teachers say that what children need most are the social and emotional skills to begin school. These are things like taking turns, working in a group, making friends, and solving arguments with words instead of hitting. In Getting to Know the Kids through Observation, learn how you can really get to know the children in your care through observing them. You have many opportunities to observe each child at play, during eating and sleeping times, and when parents pick up and drop off. Observing the children carefully during different times of day can give you clues to help you better understand them. Knowing and understanding the children will help you choose the best activities and find real and lasting solutions to behavioral problems.. |
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. To learn more about the history of the month, see examples of Presidential and State proclamations, and find strategies for engaging communities and supporting families, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site.
Collaboration With Early Childhood Programs – Find organizations and Web sites that offer information on ways child welfare and child abuse prevention programs work with early childhood programs to improve services to children and families, including State and local examples by visiting The Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site.
Strengthening Families and Communities: 2009 Resource Guide - This Resource Guide was written to support service providers in their work with parents, caregivers, and their children to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. The guide includes information about protective factors that help reduce the risk of child maltreatment, strategies for changing how communities support families, and evidence-informed practices. It also offers suggestions for enhancing protective factors in families, tools to build awareness and develop community partnerships, information about child abuse and neglect, a directory of national organizations that work to strengthen families, and tip sheets in English and Spanish on specific parenting topics. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site.
Birdsongs, by Betsy Franco and Steve Jenkins, published by Margaret K. McElderry, ISBN 0689877773. The day is filled with birdsongs, from start to finish. Realistic, textured collages of familiar birds and lyrical language, along with a bit of information about birds.
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly, by Jane O’Connor, published by HarperCollins, ISBN 0061235881. Nancy is going to her grandparents' special anniversary celebration, but must miss her friend Bree’s butterfly-themed birthday party.
Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move, by Joann Early Macken, published by Holiday House, ISBN 0823420434. Poetic versions of words that make a unique statement of sharing the many ways seeds get to where they can grow.
Little Green Frogs, by Frances Berry, published by Walker Books Ltd., ISBN 1406306711. Pages are filled with frogs to eventually create a frog-filled blue pond with lily pads and introduces the growth of frogs.
The Bunnies’ Trip, by Lezlie Evans, published by Hyperion Book CH, ISBN 0786818980. A family reunion creates work and fun for each member of the Bunny family. Written in rhyme and colorfully illustrated.
To view the entire April Delights reading list from Reading Rockets Web site.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.
Talking Times and Listening Times
by Nancy Wilson
Early Childhood Program Specialist
It’s good to spend time talking with your child. Focus on talking with your child and not just talking to your child. It’s just as important to listen to what your child has to say as it is for you to do the talking. Here are some things to remember:
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May 14, 2009
Sparking Kids' Curiosity
K2C2 topic code 11 / CDA Competency 2 /
PA Early Learning Standards Key Learning Area: Approaches to Learning
What's so great about curiosity? Explore how to help kids to grow curiosity. Uncover clever materials to spark children's creative thinking and learning.
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…
CDA: Frequently Asked Questions – Do you have questions about the CDA credential? The Council for Professional Recognition wants to answer them! To find answers to your CDA questions, visit the Council’s FAQ link at http://www.cdacouncil.org/res_faq.htm
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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, 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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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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