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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: "We all smile in the same language."- Unknown
By Christine Belinda
Children begin to recognize differences at very young ages. They see what goes on around them by listening, observing, and exploring. We live in a diverse world where children will be exposed to many different people and experiences. As adults caring for children, we can show the positive aspects of differences. Often children, and we ourselves, may be sorting out our ideas about differences. Exploring similarities and differences in a positive way is a good place to start.
Explore groups of things: What is the same? What is different?
Explore things the children are interested in. For example, a child may love cars. Ask questions about what is the same? What is different? Who drives cars? Why do they drive? Asking good questions is important. It';s also important to have materials to look at books, pictures, drawings, and charts that show similarities and differences between these items.
Talk about similarities and differences among the children in your group. This brings it to a more personal level.
When children are in a safe and familiar environment, learning about differences can be fun and informative. Sharing differences about the group we are in is important. Learning how we are all the same and different can lead to acceptance and tolerance.
Another great way to celebrate our differences is to invite families in to share. Encourage them to share the ways they celebrate an occasion or their special hobbies, interests, music, etc. Learning about families within the group creates a sense of unity and understanding.
It's also a good idea to have photographs of families on display as well as posters, books, dolls, and puzzles that represent diverse groups. If you can, offer different skin-colored paints, markers, crayons, and paper for art projects. (∗See note below about the "Children of the World" theme kit available through Penn State Cooperative Extension Offices)
Celebrating our differences is an ongoing discovery. As caregivers of young children, we need to encourage the positive aspects of similarities and differences throughout all we do with children on a regular basis.
∗In Pennsylvania, a theme kit, "Children of the World," (which contains multicultural dolls, children's books, and art resources.)and additional resources on diversity are available from your local county resource library. Contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office near you for more information.
Another Better Kid Care publication focusing on celebrating our differences, "People are Different," can be viewed online: Caring for Kids - Volume 2.2
Resources used for this article:
Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children, by Louise Derman-Sparks and the A.B.C. Task Force, published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; A World of Difference: Readings on Teaching Young Children in a Diverse Society, by Carol Copple, published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; Meeting the Challenge of Diversity, by Elizabeth Jones and Louise Derman-Sparks, Young Children (magazine article), January 1992.
By Katherine Cason
The most common nutritional disease of childhood is dental caries, more commonly known as cavities. Keeping teeth healthy takes a lifetime of commitment to daily care. A child's teeth are important for chewing, smiling, and speaking. Sometimes we don't worry about baby teeth, but those teeth are saving space for permanent teeth and tooth decay now can create problems in the future.
Almost all foods contribute to dental caries. However, sweet foods are most often to blame. And, chewy, sticky foods tend to cause more cavities than comparable amounts of non-sticky sweets such as liquids. Limiting sugary snacks that stick to the teeth and drinking water to rinse the teeth help maintain clean teeth between brushings. Eating foods high in calcium helps strengthen teeth from the inside.
Try this tasty treat for healthy teeth:
1 12-ounce box of frozen mini waffles
(48 waffles)
8 ounces fruit flavored yogurt
Spread yogurt on one waffle. Use just enough to cover top of 24 waffles (about 2 teaspoons). Then top each waffle with another waffle, making a sandwich. Place in individual sandwich bags, and freeze until firm.
Makes 24 mini waffle sandwiches.
For more tasty treats for healthy teeth go to: Lunch and Snack Tips, Volume 3-6
By Sheila Milnes
Get to know each child's family. Mother or father, grandparent, step-parent, aunt, uncle, and family friend are all important to the children in your care. So try to involve as many family members as possible. Start with an orientation meeting or home visit and invite all family members to participate. This is a chance for you to learn about the family as well as a chance for them to learn about your child care. Take the time to learn about the cultures of these families. Studies show that people are the most confident about their children's care when they feel that their children's caregiver is interested in them as people. Look for the strengths of each family member. This helps you work together in a respectful and positive way.
This is a selection from the Better Kid Care Distance Education lesson, Secrets of How to Get Parents Involved. If you would like to read this lesson in its entirety, click the title link.
Secrets of How to Get Parents Involved is a two-hour lesson consisting of an educational video, workbook, and assignment questions and is available as a Mail-based or Web-based training. If you are interested in completing this lesson for Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, PA Pathways training hours, complete the registration form. For more information and a complete listing of our distance education lessons, visit the Distance Education Program page.
Great Books to Read with ChildrenReading aloud with children is a wonderful activity. Children of all ages love to be read to. Support the love of reading for children in your care by trying the following books:
Elmer, by David McKee, published by Harper Collins, ISBN# 0688091717. Elmer is an elephant who is very funny! Most of his elephant friends are gray. He is patchwork color. This is not funny to Elmer. Read about his search to find the color gray for himself, which ultimately leads him to his own beautiful patchwork color.
Black is Tan is Brown, by Arnold Adoff, published by Harper Collins, ISBN#0064432696. Renowned poet Arnold Adoff tells a poem-story of a multi-cultural family filled with love and warmth. Enjoy the celebrations of what makes families special.
Other stories you may enjoy that share our similarities and differences:
All the Colors We Are/Todos los colores de nuestra peil, by Katie Kissinger. In Pennsylvania, providers can borrow this book from your county resource library. Contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office in your area.
Horace, by Holly Keller, published by Greenwillow, ISBN# 0803710402
Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox, published by Voyager Books, ISBN#015216405
Mama Zooms, by Jane Cowen, published by Scholastic, ISBN# 0590457756
Yoko, by Rosemary Wells, published by Hyperion Press, ISBN#078603959
A Color of His Own, by Leo Lionni, published by Knopf Books, ISBN# 0375810919
Contact your local children's library to find out more books on diversity. Reading with children creates lifelong readers. Enjoy your time reading with children!
The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, will sponsor its annual celebration, Week of the Young Child, April 18-24. This year's theme is Children's opportunities--our responsibilities. Visit NAEYC to find out how you can get involved and celebrate!
Join with many other caregivers at live satellite training workshops offered in Pennsylvania and across the states. To participate in these workshops, visit the Satellite Workshop link.
March 18, 2004 (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET)
HOT TOPICS FOR CENTER DIRECTORS: The Nuts and Bolts of Operating a Successful Center
Center Directors repeatedly say some of the hardest parts of their jobs involve writing job descriptions, setting fees and wage scales, developing or updating the center's policy manual and dealing with the financial aspects of operating a quality center. Several experienced directors will address these topics, share their experiences, offer tips and answer faxed or phoned-in questions from center directors.
April 22, 2004 (7:00 - 9:00 PM ET)
The Art and Science of Playing with Young Children
Children's play can be even better with a little adult help. Learn when to step in and when to stand back. Find out what can you say and do to help make play more valuable for children.
May 27, 2004 (7:00 - 9:00 PM ET)
Dealing with Anger - The Children's and Yours
Everyone gets angry at times. How that anger is handled is the key. Learn ways to help the children and yourself to work through angry times without hurting others.
New Staff Orientation - The New Staff Orientation curriculum is now available to child care centers in Pennsylvania. This curriculum is specifically designed for new staff members in child care centers. Included are a thirty-page workbook and thirty units on seven video tapes. Each video unit has a numbered page in the workbook. The easy-to-understand information is reinforced with activities and assignments. Units are designed to be used during naptime or other small blocks of time as staff/child ratios permit. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards.
Click the link for more information about New Staff Orientation and to preview the materials on your computer.
Better Kid Care Kit - Do you provide care for children in your home? Have you signed up to receive a Better Kid Care Kit yet? Complete our online registration form and receive material in the mail.
Ask the Experts - Do you have a question you would like to ask a child care professional about a child you are caring for, or about something related to caring for children? You can e-mail your questions to betterkidcare@psu.edu and receive an answer by return e-mail from one of our child care professionals.
Additional Child Care Information -- PA Pathways Professional Development for Child Caregivers has information, training, and educational opportunities for child care providers across Pennsylvania. Visit PA Pathways or call toll-free 800-492-5107.
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Look for information on gardening with young children and books on gardening.