Skip the navigation and go directly to the content.
Subscribe to receive Newsletter
Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter - A newsletter for those caring for children.
Notable Quote: "Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family." ~ Virginia Satir
Effective July 1, 2006, the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality will continue its efforts toward an integrated early learning system by introducing the Pennsylvania Keys to Professional Development. Functions of PA Pathways will be transferred to the PA Keys to Professional Development, and new services will also be available. Visit www.pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031 for more information.
Enjoy the following tip by Tom Copeland of Red Leaf National Institute www.redleafinstitute.org.
All About Me Boxes
Get to know more about the children you care for by offering the experience to create an "all about me box". Collect shoe box sized boxes or boxes children can work well with. Before creating the "all about me" boxes, send home a note to families and children describing the project. Families can help send in items to decorate the boxes; items to share their interests, cultures, backgrounds, and families (photos of family, friends, family traditions or special activities, cut outs from magazines, recipes, special trinkets, items collected such as a baseball card, nature items).
Families also can help the children decide what to bring to put inside their box that represents the child (favorite toy, book, stuffed animal, collected nature items, etc). Provide on-going times for children to work on their boxes as well as materials to do so (paint, paper, beautiful collage materials, magazines, scissors, glue, markers). Boxes can be displayed, shared at various times, and even offered as a "Guess who?" The children will love seeing the early educator's box, too! All about me boxes are a great way to start a new year and get to know each other a little better.
-- Contributed by Patty Wells
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From early educators and practitioners, 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, c/o Christine Belinda, 253 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801or E-mail crb16@psu.edu
by Christine Belinda
As the month of August rolls in, early educators and practitioners start to think about the upcoming year of caring for children. For some, August is a fresh start in meeting new families and children, while many other practitioners have been working all summer and will continue to do so with the same families and children. For both, it is a valuable time to look at relationships; building new or rekindling old. It is this building and rekindling of relationships that weave wonderful webs into our community of early care. Without positive relationships, we can have little success.
Relationship can be described as "a state of connectedness between people (especially an emotional connection), and the state of being related or interrelated." The key word is connectedness; how do we bring forth connectedness to our relationships?
It's interesting to stop and think of how we feel connected to important relationships in our lives; what makes us feel connected? Is it someone who listens, makes time for us, shows empathy, or is available if we need help?
Relationships take time and effort. Let's look at the following simple yet effective actions (and thoughts) we can take in building or rekindling relationships in our work in early education and care:
Nice to meet you
The start of all relationships is to meet or be introduced. Early educators will benefit from writing an introduction letter to share. You might include the following information:
Tip: Introduction letters are a perfect format to invite parents to be part of the team and begin valuable relationships that strengthen our work with children and their families.
Create opportunities for families to introduce themselves to you, too. Invite families to bring in family photos and encourage them to share information about themselves and their children. Try creating a simple questionnaire for families to fill out: Who lives in your family? How does your family like to spend their time together? What are your family's favorite foods or places to visit? What are you looking forward to in our program?
If you worked all summer with your program and will continue with the same group, try writing a “summer's reflections” letter. What memories were created? What changes occurred? What projects of interests happened and how did they unfold? What are some interesting plans for fall? This gives a sense of celebrating (yet ending) the summer, sharing what to look forward to, and presenting a welcome for the upcoming season. It's a good way to rekindle warm ideas with families and children!
Welcome!
All relationships benefit from the feeling of being welcomed. Consider the following for welcoming those in your program:
Display a WELCOME sign in your program. Individualize by adding family or children's photographs and names.
Warmly greet others by name.
Surprise children and families by periodically sending out postcards, e-mails, and notes, especially at the beginning of a new year.
Develop environments that reflect the children's interests and their work, as well as the families' interests and work.
Create public space for thank you information; "Thanks to Sarah and her family for weeding our garden."
Foster interactions
Think of how it feels when a friend says "Stay!" or "Come and visit!" We feel valued, needed, and special. When we foster and make time for interactions and conversations, we truly begin to form relationships with others. We see others' ideas, how they think, and begin to have a sense of who they are.
The value of each
It is our responsibility as early educators to value the role that each relationship has in our work, and to value each person (parent, child, co-workers, and directors) as competent and vital. It is in this sense we may want to think, "How might I want to be treated?" When we honor the role relationships play, we set the stage for success.
Tip: Become a better listener (for both adults and children). Brush up on skills such as making eye contact, using others' names, restating what was said, and offering your full attention.
Remember your teammates!
An early childhood team may consist of a lot of players: children, families/parents, volunteers, specialists, and of course, staff. Making time for all players presents us with opportunities and dialogue for establishing and connecting the whole team—for building and rekindling relationships.
Learn Lots on Your Time
Enjoy the following highlights from one of the many Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons. Participate in Distance Education training in the convenience of your home.
Better Kid Care Distance Education Program awards:
The group of children you care for is a community of learners. As part of a community, young children are learning not only about themselves, but also about the feelings, needs, and thoughts of others. When we teach children how to help each other, make decisions, and solve problems, we teach them how to live in a community.
There are three great ways to start building community in your child care programs:
Ask the children to work together on jobs. As time goes on, jobs are rotated. The children teach each other and learn how to work together as a team.
Create a child care calendar. Young children have difficulty understanding time in the same way adults do. A calendar helps children remember events and share with parents the interesting things that are happening at child care.
Use puppets to act out real-life situations and talk about them as a group. Through these talks, the children can learn new ways of getting along.
View the complete distance education lesson Behavior Is Contagious. Find out how to make a “job wheel,” create a community calendar, and learn some great ideas of how to use puppets. Learn discipline tips that can help create a positive child care community.
To view a complete listing of all distance education lessons and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Questions or concerns about Distance Education? Contact Patty Wells at plw8@psu.edu or phone (814) 865-9837.
In the spring of 2006, national experts changed the recommendations for use of influenza and hepatitis A vaccines. This change comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Child care providers in Pennsylvania are required to document that enrolled children are up-to-date with the current national recommendations of the AAP and ACIP.
New Shots Needed: Influenza Vaccine and Hepatitis A Vaccine. For more information on these vaccines and the new requirements, visit Healthy Child Care Pennsylvania at www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org or call 800-24-ECELS.
For more information on vaccines, visit www.cdc.gov/nip
Reading 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:
Will You Come Back for Me?, by Ann Tompert, published by Albert Whitman & Company, ISBN 0807591130. This is a question many young children hear in their own thoughts: “Will you come back for me?” Find out four-year-old Suki's thoughts and how her mother reassures her of her return.
The Good-bye Book , by Judith Viorst, published by Aladdin, ISBN 0689715811. “Don't go!” are the words we so often hear young children say to departing parents. This story tells of a little boy who will do anything to avoid an evening with the babysitter.
The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, published by Tanglewood Press, ISBN 1933718005. Discover a truly delightful story of finding comfort in the transition of saying good-bye (with a kiss on the hand to take with you!).
More books on saying good-bye:
You Go Away , by Dorothy Corey, published by Albert Whitman, ISBN 0807594423.
Going to Day Care (Mr. Rogers' First Experience), published by Putnam Pub Group, ISBN 039921237X.
Contact your local children's library or your local Penn State Cooperative Extension office to find out about more books on making friends and child care. Reading with children creates lifelong readers. Enjoy your time reading with children!
October 26, 2006
Fighting Children's Obesity Through Active Play
K2C2 - Topic Code 15
The percentage of children in this country who are overweight has doubled in the last ten years. Keeping children active is one way to help fight childhood obesity. How much active play time do children need each day? Learn great active play ideas for keeping children moving indoors and out.
December 7, 2006
Obese Kids: They are what they eat
K7C2 - Topic Code 79
Childhood obesity is a national problem. What children eat is critically important. It doesn't matter if you care for children in a center or a home, every adult that works with young children needs to be aware of what children are eating. This workshop will have lots of ideas to get children to eat healthy snacks and lunches and tips to share with parents.
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.
Enjoy the following from Family Time / Work Time:
Teach your child good habits and promote positive attitudes. Be a good communicator and listener. Show your child how to be a problem solver. There is so much for you to teach your child and it takes all those years and months from birth until she is old enough to start school.When Do You Start Getting Your Child Ready for School?
By Nancy Wilson
The answer to this question may surprise you. As your child's very first teacher, you begin this process when your child is born. You teach your child how to eat, how to play, how to be comforted, and so many other things.
Being ready for school is a process that includes many things. It's much more than reciting ABC's or learning how to count. A child who is ready for school will be able to do some things independently and also be able to work with others. He will be self-confident and eager to learn new things. Self-control and the ability to share are important to succeed in school. So are being able to pay attention and follow directions.
Click on graphic to read entire publication
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners:
Pennsylvania Home Child Care Providers Association (PHCCPA) 26th Annual Conference, co-sponsored by the Northwest Regional Key: October 13-15, 2006, Erie , PA. Contact 1-800-294-3324.
2nd Annual Early Childhood Conference: Collaboration and Best Practices in Early Childhood October 29-31, 2006. Sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office of Child Development (OCD) and Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and Pennsylvania Association of Federal Programs Coordinators (PAFC). Visit http://www.pafpc.org/ for more information; click on conferences.
National Head Start Association 23rd Annual Parent Training Conference, December 15-19, 2006 in New York , New York . Visit www.nhsa.org or contact 1-703-739-0878.
Pennsylvania Child Care Association: Continuing Our Journey toward Excellence and Professionalism, October 19-20, 2006. Visit www.pacca.org for more information or call 717-657-9000.
National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Atlanta , Georgia , November 8-11, 2006. Visit www.naeyc.org .
Providers in the CDA (Child Development Associate) Program Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons are now coded in a format to help in planning CDA training (based on the 120 hours of formal education /training needed and the eight content areas). View codes and lesson titles in the Penn State Better Kid Care Distance Education Brochure.
For information regarding Child Development Associate, contact Christine at 814-865-7894 or email: crb16@psu.edu.
Do you have questions about caring for other people's children, such as:
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.
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, family 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.
Notebook Contains: Tip Sheets, Activities Pages & 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 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 videotapes. The easy-to-understand information is reinforced with activities and assignments. Units are designed to be used during nap time or other small blocks of time as staff/child ratios permit. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Click on the New Staff Orientation link for more information and to view the materials online (also available in Spanish).
Home-Based Caregiver Orientation Meets the Keystone STARS Core Series Training Requirements - This three part series shows how to establish, run and maintain a successful child care business and presents important information about understanding and supporting the developmental needs of each child. Visit: Home-Based Caregiver Orientation to view materials online.
New subscribers can join and have this newsletter delivered to their e-mail
mailbox by sending mail to:
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
No subject or message text is required. The system picks up the name and address from the e-mail headers.
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Upcoming September E-Newsletter:
Look for information on Planning Strategies: What's the Rhythm of Your Day?
We would love to hear from you! We want the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter to be informative, useful, and inspiring to you! Please contact the Better Kid Care Program with your ideas. Is there something you want to see more or less of? What information is most important to you? What topics are you interested in? How is the newsletter helpful to you? E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.
