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Notable Quote
“We begin to learn wisely when we're willing to see world from other people's perspective.”
— Toba Beta
Feature Article
Expectations – What is Best?
By Roxie Nestlerode, Early Learning Specialist
When children enroll in your program, it’s important to share expectations with families and children, and for families to share their expectations with you. Many of the things you do during the enrollment process helps children and families transition into your program and provides opportunities to share expectations. For instance, you ask families to visit your program and to attend an orientation meeting. You meet with families to review program policies and procedures before enrolling their children. Teachers meet with families to get to know more about them. After children enroll, you continue to get to know all children and families, and keep all families informed about what is happening at child care. The year starts, and it seems that everyone is settled, satisfied with activities, and supportive of your program, but then come the questions – about play, about learning, about getting ready for kindergarten, about what you are doing and not doing – and you wonder, what do families really expect?
Top of PageDistance Education Highlights
NEW Better Kid Care On Demand Feature –
Prepayment of Multiple Lessons!!!
You can now pay for more than one Better Kid Care On Demand professional development lesson at a time!
To access the new prepayment option, go to the On Demand System page for details and instructions. It's easy to get started! We hope this meets a requested need for center directors and others to purchase lessons for their staffs. Questions can be directed to Better Kid Care at Betterkidcare@psu.edu or 800-452-9108.
Are you aware that Penn State Better Kid
Care provides comprehensive curricula in early childhood
development? The curriculum follows the Pennsylvania 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 meet your
professional development needs. Two types of lessons are
offered: on demand web lessons and lessons by mail. You can
view the comprehensive list of professional development web
lessons and lessons by mail. To access the entire Penn
State Better Kid Care Distance Education curriculum on line,
visit us at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
and choose your course of study today!
For more professional development lessons, view Penn State Better Kid Care’s comprehensive list of on-demand web lessons and lessons by mail.
New On Demand Lessons:
Playing Detective About Biting [K1C1, CDA 8] Biting is a distressing but common behavior for children between the ages of fourteen and twenty-four months. Biting has many causes. This lesson will explore causes and suggest solutions to biting problems. (1 hour)
Safe and Smart Supervision [K7C1 CDA 1] Keeping children in your care safe is the most important part of your job. The more you know about child development, the better you will be able to keep children safe. Learn how to keep children safe indoors and outdoors. (1 hour)
These are available as On Demand web lessons. To complete any of these lessons on your computer and receive credit and a certificate, you will need to register.
Research Collections:
The Framework, developed by the Office of Head Start with assistance from the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, is a vital tool for early childhood education and care providers seeking to build effective engagement strategies. While the Framework is intended for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, its lessons are useful and applicable to a much broader audience of early childhood programs.
The Framework highlights a set of seven desired outcome areas with examples of strategies to achieve each outcome area and examples of family progress for each outcome area. While the Framework recommends specific ways for programs to work towards these outcomes, the strategies are flexible and adaptable to local needs.
Handbook on Family and Community Engagement – "Making Data Matter in Family Engagement "
Harvard Family Research Project's Heather Weiss and M. Elena Lopez, Harvard Family Research Project, authored this chapter that explores how to make student data accessible, meaningful, and actionable for families, and profiles examples of districts currently using data to enlist families as partners in supporting educational goals. States and school districts have spent over one billion dollars in the last decade to build and implement student performance data systems. Yet families are rarely brought into discussions about the important implications of all of this data.
Additionally, the chapter highlights how data on schoolwide performance can support parent and community organizations as they advocate for change. Armed with meaningful information about how their child is performing in school, families are better able to support learning and school success. Collective data about student performance can help families and community leaders take action with schools on improvement strategies. The Handbook on Family and Community Engagement, published by the Academic Development Institute and the Center on Innovation & Improvement, is available from Families-Schools.org.
Inspirations
Tip Pages –
Embrace, enhance, and recharge your knowledge in working with children
Advocacy – Spreading the Word
Applying Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Exploring Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Intentional Early Language Development
Shaping the Plan: Elements to Consider in Approaching Teaching
Temperament – What is it?
Activity Pages –
Meaningful activities to connect to children's development, interests, and curiosities
It's Time to Get Ready / Winter is Coming/Find Your Body Parts / Same and Different
Seasons / Apple Prints / Action Game (Falling Leaves) / Toddler Tunnels
Winter Fun Art / Snowball Poem / Finger Puppets / Toddler Talk / Freeze!
Lunch & Snack Ideas –
Nutritious, delicious, and good for you recipes & information
Our full collection of Caring Ideas is available on the Better Kid Care website.
Turn the Page
Things to Do
This month’s list of books is from the Family & World Health Series. These books are in English, Spanish, and Bi-Lingual versions.
We Like to Eat Well (Nos Gusta Comer Bien) by Elyse April, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1935826019
We Like to Help Cook by Marcus Allsop, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1935826057
We Like to Live Green by Mary Young, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1935887008
We Like to Move – Exercise is Fun by Elyse April with Regina Sara Ryan, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1935826026
We Like to Play Music by Kate Parker, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1890772857
We Like to Read by Elyse April, published by Kalindi Press. ISBN: 1890772802
Connecting with Families
Ideas and resources that you can use for involving families in your program, engaging families in early learning, encouraging family time, and supporting families in need. This month our topic is…healthy eating.
Childhood overweight and obesity is an increasing problem. It is important that both programs and families work together to help children learn to eat healthy. These resources can be used to help families understand the importance of healthy food choices, serving meals and foods that meet the recommended dietary guidelines for children, and guiding their children in establishing good nutritional habits.
Childhood Overweight and Obesity – From the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The website offers information on the health problems associated with childhood overweight and obesity and resources for prevention and treatment.
Choose MyPlate – From the USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture). Information for children and adults about the new dietary guidelines and resources for making healthy food choices.
Color Me Healthy – Color Me Healthy is a program developed to reach children ages four and five with fun, interactive learning opportunities on physical activity and healthy eating. Parent newsletters and posts are included so that program ideas and information can be used at home as well as within the child care program.
Fruits & Veggies Matter – From the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Meal ideas, recipes, and budget tips for planning healthy meals that families can use.
Go Families and Parents! – Go Families and Parents is a series of four seasonal activity guides for families that feature food activities and physical activities.
More resources for families:
Building Self-Confidence: “Talking and Teaching About Self-Confidence” is an article from Whyzz.com for parents on ways to help boost children’s self-confidence.
Better Kid Care Resources for Families:
Great I.D.E.A.S. for Children from Military-Connected Families:
Information,
Developmental understanding,
Educational resources,
Action ideas, and
Supportive practices
Caring for children from military-connected families requires a comprehensive understanding of their unique needs and strengths. Each month, Great I.D.E.A.S for Children from Military-Connected Families features research-based information to support and increase the quality of caring for children from military-connected families. This month’s highlight is on …resiliency.
Becoming Resilient: Ideas to Build On
Developed by Christine Belinda, Early Learning Specialist
Resilience, as defined by The American Psychological Association, is “the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress (APA 2011).” Resiliency helps us to ‘bounce back’ from adverse circumstances – something every human being needs. As professional caregivers, it is important to gain an understanding of resiliency and discover what we can do to help children build resiliency.
“The best documented asset of resilience is a strong bond to a competent and caring adult, which need not be a parent. For children who do not have such an adult involved in their life, it is the first order of business …” (Masten & Reed, 2002)
Read the full article in the newest Great Ideas! Resource page Becoming Resilient: Ideas to Build OnMore Discussion Starters have been added for vodcasts.
Discussion Starters can be used for self-reflection or group discussions to guide your viewing of the vodcast.
More for You:
Visit the CYTTAP website to find out even more information as well as access helpful resources.
School Age Child Care
STEM Learning in Afterschool: An Analysis of Impact and Outcomes
This report by the Afterschool Alliance outlines how afterschool programs are a good setting for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities and projects. The design of afterschool programs can support extended projects, have diverse enrollment, and reach youth from underrepresented and underserved populations that have less access to STEM careers. Research is showing that participation in STEM activities at afterschool programs can lead to improved attitudes towards STEM fields and careers, increased knowledge and skills in STEM learning areas, and an increase in the likelihood of pursuing a STEM career.
More School Age Resources –
BAM! Body and Mind – A website from the CDC with helpful information for kids 9 – 13 years old to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Girls Health - A website from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services for girls 10 – 16 to learn about health and growing up. Contains useful health information that is easy for kids to understand.
School-Age Resources available from Better Kid Care
CDA Notions
“YourCDA” is now fully updated! You can now apply for both your initial CDA and renewal your current CDA through the online application process “YourCDA” on the CDA Council’s website. On “YourCDA”, you can now
CDA + Better Kid Care = Success!
Check out our revised materials that reflect recent updates from the CDA Council!
Penn State Better Kid Care and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs are teaming up to bring you "Go Green for Kids," a monthly tip to help you provide a healthier and safer environment for the children in your care. IPM works to promote healthy alternatives for pest management to lower children’s exposure to both pests and pesticides through a variety of educational programs. Resources for children, teachers, and parents are available on the IPM website. This month's focus is on… safe craft materials!
Contributed by Amber Brunskill, PA IPM Program, abrunskill@psu.edu, 814-865-7994
It’s time to get crafty!
Holidays are a time for creativity, decorations, and art and craft activities. But did you know not all craft materials are created equal? Some materials may contain toxic ingredients that can trigger allergies, asthma, headaches, and nausea when they are used or stored around children. This can create a serious risk to children’s health and well-being. Children can be exposed to these harmful chemicals by inhalation, ingestion, and through skin contact. Inhaled vapors and dust from craft materials may damage the still-developing lungs of children. Also, children are more likely to ingest the chemicals in the materials because they often put their hands and art tools in their mouths. And on many occasions, art and craft time can be messy. Paints, markers, inks, and other materials can end up on children allowing chemicals to be absorbed into the body through the skin. What can you do to make sure art and craft time is safe for children in your care? Here are some simple tips:
For more information on the safety of art and craft materials check out the attached factsheet from the Children’s Environmental Health Network’s Eco-Healthy Child Care Program. Also visit our website, the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program (www.paipm.org), for more information on safe, effective pest management. You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to our blog through our website.
Professional Development Highlights
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
PA Keys to Quality - Professional Development Training Calendar - Are you looking for training specifically in your area? Visit the PA Keys to Quality web site to locate and search the professional development training calendar. Go to PAKEYS.ORG and Log in, Click on Calendar, Search the Calendar, and Contact the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality office with any questions at 800-284-6031.
Nov. 2-5 – 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo, Orlando, FL. (Registration open July 1, 2011) NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo conference information
Nov. 4-6 – Project Zero – Educating for Today and Tomorrow: Arte, Ethics & Learning in the 21st Century, Atlanta, GA. Project Zero conference information
Nov. 6-8 – Parents as Teachers 2011 Conference – Early Childhood’s Role in the Education Continuum, St. Louis, MO. Parents as Teachers 2011 Conference registration information
November 11-12, 2011 – 14th Annual Penn SACCA Conference, Harrisburg, PA.
Nov. 17-19 – DEC2011: The 2th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs & Their Families, National Harbor, MD. DEC2011 conference information
Nov. 18-20 – Preparing 21st Century Minds: Using Brain Research to Enhance Cognitive Skills for the Future, Boston, MA. Preparing 21st Century Minds conference information
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 – 2011 Early Childhood Education Summit: Keeping Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Programs Strong!, State College, PA. http://earlychildhoodsummit.org/
Dec. 7-9 – Healthy Behaviors Conference: Changing Lives, Saving Lives, San Diego, CA Healthy Behaviors conference information
Dec. 9-11 – 26th Annual National Training Institute: Zero to Three Conference, Washington, DC. Zero to Three Conference information
Dec. 9-13 – 28th Annual Head Start Parent Conference, New Orleans, LA. (Registration open August 1, 2011) Head Start Parent Conference information
2012
Feb. 16-18 – Teaching the Whole Child and Brain: Using Brain Research to Develop Smart, Social, Happy and Healthy Students, San Francisco, CA. Teaching the Whole Child and Brain conference information
Feb. 27-29 – 2nd Annual Green Schools National Conference: Growing Green and Healthy Schools for All Children, Denver CO. Green Schools conference information
Feb. 29-March 2 – 10th Annual NorthWest PBIS Conference, Portland, OR. NWPBIS conference information
March 6-10 – NACCRRA – The National Child Care Policy Symposium, Washington, DC. NACCRRA Symposium information
March 14-16 – Early Education and Technology for Children Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. EETC Conference information
March 28-31 – ACEI 2012 – Annual International Conference: Global Summit on Childhood, Washington, DC. ACEI 2012 Annual Conference information
March 28-31 – 9th Annual National Training Institute on Effective Practices/Supporting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Development: Addressing Challenging Behavior, Clearwater, FL. Addressing Challenging Behavior National Training Institute registration information (Registration is limited)
April 2-4 – 2012 NAA Annual Convention, Dallas, TX. 2012 NAA Convention information
April 18-19 – Save the Date! 2012 PA Council of Children, Youth and Family Services: Lighting The Way To A Brighter Future, Harrisburg, PA.
April 25-27 – Save the Date! 28th Annual NACCP National Conference: How Successful Directors Manage, San Antonio, TX. 2012 NACCP Conference information
April 25-28 – 2012 BOOST Conference: Redefining Leadership in Out-of-School Time, Palm Springs, CA. BOOST conference information
April 26-29 – International Symposia for Contemplative Studies, Denver, CO. Symposia information
April 30-May 3 – Save the Date!2012 National Smart Start Conference, Greensboro, NC. Smart Start conference information Registration to open Dec. 1, 2011
June 10-13 – Save the Date! NAEYC National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, Indianapolis, IN. Institute information
June 18-20 – Save the Date! Head Start 11th National Research Conference: Effective Practices in an Age of Diversity and Change, Washington, DC. Registration to open in February 2012. National Research Conference information
Great Resources
By topic: Early Education, Nutrition, Nature, Health and Well-being, Grants, Funding, & Opportunity
Harvard Graduate School of Education – Jack Shonkoff, researcher, whose work is referenced in Mind In The Making, explains some of the science behind early childhood development and how education can help in the Harvard Edcast (podcast) “Protecting Children’s Brains”.
Parent Engagement – In What Can Community Organizing teach Us about parent Engagement? Five Simple Ways to Rethink the Bake Sale, a commentary from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, discusses strategies for increasing parent engagement.
CACFP Resources – NSFMI (National Food Service Management Institute) and Team Nutrition (USDA) have resources for child care providers participating in CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program).
Breastfeeding – The Speak Up campaign from the Joint Commission has a new brochure for mothers about breastfeeding Speak Up: What you need to know about breastfeeding.
America Recycles Day, November 15 – America Recycles Day is dedicated to promoting recycling throughout the nation. Check out the America Recycles Day website for toolkits and information about the campaign.
New USDA Water and Milk Requirements for Schools – The USDA recently updated guidelines for offering water and milk in compliance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Several resources are available from the Food Research and Action Center with ideas for implementing the new guidelines.
Flu Season – It is that time of the year again. HealthyChildren.org has a detailed fact sheet on the flu, and FLU.gov has a flu shot clinic finder.
Grants, Funding, & Opportunity
Creativity
LEGO Children's Fund – Grants for programs with specific, identifiable needs primarily for early childhood education and development that is directly related to creativity and for technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. Deadline: January 15
Early Childhood Reading
We Give Books - A new digital initiative that provides access to award-winning children’s picture books for reading to young children online. The program was created by the Penguin Group and Pearson Foundation.
Reading Resource Project Free books for preK-2 literacy programs. Programs pay for shipping. Deadline: Rolling
Verizon Foundation – Grants for education and literacy programs. Grant applications available here: Deadline: Rolling
Feature article references:
Christian, Linda Garris. “Understanding Families, Applying Family Systems Theory to Early Childhood Practice.” Young Children, 61, no. 1 (Jan. 2006): 12-20.
Souto-Manning, Mariana. “Challenges To Consider, Strengths To Build On.” Young Children, 65, no. 2 (March 2010): 82-88.
NACCRRA. What Do Parents think About Child Care? Findings From A Series Of Focus Groups. NACCRRA, Arlington, VA, 2007.
NACCRRA. Parents’ Perceptions of Child Care in the United States: NACCRRA’s National Parent Poll –November 2008. NACCRRA, Arlington, VA, 2009.
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Reflections…
Let's hear from you! Email your ideas to Roxie or call(814) 867-4687.
Disclaimer: Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
