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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: "When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become." – Louis Pasteur
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From child care providers, of course! The following tip is from Bonnie Caldwell of Clearfield County. Bonnie wears many hats in child care. She is a child care provider, president of Keystone Child Care Professionals, Early Care and Education Coordinator, and works with the League of Social Services.
"As a family child care provider, often times we feel isolated and alone. In Clearfield County we found a solution to this problem. With the help of agencies within our community and fellow providers we created a support group for providers. We meet on a monthly basis, discuss issues they may have, offer training to providers, provide them with resources, provide child care during our meetings, and offer incentives that they can use in their programs (finger paint, books, etc.). Snacks and door prizes are also provided at each of our meetings. Just recently we received our non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service. This support group has been a huge resource to providers and has helped them to address the needs and concerns they face every day. The providers take field trips together and provide drop-in care for those who need a day off. We just recently participated in our county fair parade with Penn State Cooperative Extension. We distributed candy, balloons and a flyer listing child care providers in our county that participated in the parade. I encourage each of you to form a support group in your area!"
If you have questions on starting your own support group for providers, contact Bonnie at cclssts@hotmail.com
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From child care providers, of course! Do you have a great tip or good thing? Send us your best tips in writing and your tip may end up in our newsletter! If your tip is chosen for the newsletter, you will receive a little something from the Better Kid Care Program. Mail tips with your return address, place of work, and the number and ages of those you care for to:
Better Kid Care Program
Tips from Child Care Providers
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
E-mail to: crb16@psu.edu
By Christine Belinda
School readiness starts well before kindergarten and preschool. Readiness starts in infancy and progresses through the preschool years and well into kindergarten and primary years. Readiness is a continuous process for children, where the family is the primary influence on child development.
Research shows that the first three years of life are significant to children's learning. This is a crucial time for brain development. How do we promote and prepare for school readiness during these early years?
Before we think about concepts such as counting, colors, and the alphabet, we need to be aware of the experiences children have early on with their parents and their primary caregivers, such as babysitters, child care providers, and preschool teachers. These early experiences are what set the tone for readiness to learn.
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in healthy, nurturing relationships with their caregivers will benefit. Young children need the consistent presence of caring adults who can meet their physical needs, such as food and sleep. Equally important is support for emotional development. Emotional development is supported by positive relationships and experiences, such as eye-to-eye contact, talking, singing, reading, hugging, and snuggling. When children are experiencing emotional difficulties such as frustration, sadness, anger, and separation, adults can offer comfort and model patience.
Play time is an important part of the daily routine. It's an opportunity for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to have positive interactions with their caretakers and other children. This is a good time to find out what the child's interests are, offer stimulating materials and conversations, and support one-on-one time as well as small group encounters. Keep in mind each child's developmental ability during play.
Young children who have positive social and emotional experiences have greater success with cognitive experiences. Cognitive development can be enhanced by a variety of activities, such as puzzles, books, sensory motor play (sand, water, play dough), writing/drawing opportunities, problem solving, art experiences, and block play. Fostering good early experiences helps young children feel confident exploring their environment, pay attention, get along with others, follow routines, and feel ready to learn. Remember that each child is unique and has his own way of learning.
Many children are in some form of child care. Child care facilities and families, as well as community resources, can serve children well by communicating, sharing information on readiness to learn, and addressing any issues that may interfere with a child's ability to learn.
Stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick!
Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by:
To help stop the spread of germs:
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing:
Resource taken from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, Cover Your Cough, January 2, 2004, http://www.cdc.gov/. Printable formats of Cover Your Cough can be downloaded from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm. Flyer and poster sizes are available.
By Sheila Milnes
When you ask almost anyone what children need to be successful in school, they will tell you that they must know their ABC's, colors, and numbers. Surprisingly, if you ask a kindergarten teacher you'll hear a very different answer. Kindergarten teachers say it is the social and emotional skills that children need to be a success in school, and more and more children are entering school without these critical skills.
To succeed in school, children need a sense of personal well-being that is created from stable, caring relationships at home and in child care in the early years. Children learn important social and emotional skills when they have to solve problems that arise in play with others. With the guidance and support of their caregivers, children can face these problems and learn the skills needed to be successful in school and in life. Play is also one of the best ways to help children gain the mental skills they will need for school. Make play a cornerstone of your child care program. Encourage children to explore reading and writing by practicing being readers and writers. Help them be aware of math by using it in real problems from daily life. By doing these things you will give children a strong intellectual foundation for school.
This is a selection from the Better Kid Care Distance Education lesson, What Children Need to Know to Start School. Complete distance education lessons to earn PA Department of Public Welfare, PA Pathways training hours. For a complete listing of our distance education lessons (includes mail-based and Web-based) and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education Web 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:
The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, ISBN# 08786855, published by Child and Family Press. Chester Raccoon learns about his mother's love while going to school. His mother shares her wonderful secret of the "kissing hand" to make the transition from home to school a smooth one. Find out about the secret of the kissing hand.
Going to Daycare, by Mister Rogers, ASIN 039921237X, Published by Putnam. Explore both family day care and center day care in this realistic representation of a child's experience. It gently explores the real issues of the day: sleeping, eating, going to the bathroom, and leaving the family. Realistic photos are a nice touch.
I Love You All Day Long, by Franceska Rusackas, ISBN 0060502762, published by Harper/Collins. Owen, an adorable little pig, is going to his first days of preschool. Owen's mother finds a way to reassure him of her love throughout all his experiences away from home. "I love you when you make new friends," "I love you when you make a mistake," "I'll love you all day long."
Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen, published by Aladdin, ISBN 0689713339
You Go Away by Dorothy Corey, published by Albert Whitman and Co., ISBN 0807594423
Contact your local children's library or your local Penn State Cooperative Extension office to find out about more books on going to school and child care. Reading with children creates lifelong readers. Enjoy your time reading with children!
10-21-04 See as a Child, Feel as a Child
PA Pathways Professional Development Code K1C112-02-04 The Ins and Outs of Good Circle Time
PA Pathways Professional Development Code K2C103-31-05 Hot Topics for Center Directors: A Key to Quality Child Care...Implementing, Supporting, and Using Child Observation
Professional Development Code K4C2 / Topic Code 4104-14-05 Easy Ways to Boost Kids' Brain Power
PA Pathways Professional Development Code K2C105-26-05 Changing Spaces
PA Pathways Professional Development Code K2C2
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.
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 music and young children and books on music.