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: Professionalism requires the presence of personal responsibility and accountability. ~ M. Parker Anderson
Beautiful, Functional Doors: Hide the Clutter
The Bennett Family Center came up with a great way to hide some of their useful, but "clutter" materials. For your shelves and open cabinets, use canvas stretched frames (found at art supply stores) to fit to size and adhere with hinges and screws. To hold the doors closed, attach latch units to the canvas (sold at hardware stores). The concept of keeping the doors closed would be a good problem solving activity to present to children. The children, as well, can be the artist to design the look of the canvas: paint, collage, or draw. This is also an opportunity to involve moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas, and grandpas who are handy with tools!
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.
by Christine Belinda
See also, Embracing Professionalism Part 1: Where to Begin?
Forward visions in professionalism require intentional planning to garner early childhood knowledge and develop an awareness of ethics, standards, requirements, and advocacy. By embracing these concepts, early educators have the opportunity to envision and map out meaningful professional paths and deepen the understanding of what it means to be a professional.
References found at the end of the article
 |
Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Families During an Economic Crisis - When the economy takes a downturn, it often hits the most vulnerable families the hardest. This brief from First Focus highlights the devastating impacts of poverty and economic shifts on vulnerable families, provides evidence for the increased risk of child abuse during an economic crisis, and identifies federal policies that can be implemented today to help states address the needs of high-risk families during this difficult economic period.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) released Workforce Designs: A Policy Blueprint for State Early Childhood Professional Development Systems, a report for the major components of early childhood professional development systems: professional standards, career pathways, articulation, advisory structure, data, and financing. The report discusses how states should design policies around each of the above areas so that they adhere to four core principles: quality; integration with other policies and with all sectors of the early childhood field (e.g., child care, Head Start, pre-k); diversity of programs and staff; and compensation parity.
A new paper from the National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education, titled
Ensuring Effective Teaching in Early Childhood Education through Linked Professional Development Systems, Quality Rating Systems and State Competencies: The Role of Research in an Evidence-Driven System, offers a process by which states can more effectively link core competencies, professional development experiences, and QRIS efforts to improve program quality.
Distance Education Highlights
New in '09!
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 curricula online at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu and choose your course of study today! Register for a lesson or try an entire course!
New in ’09!
2 - Hour Lessons (Mail- or Web-based lessons)
1-Hour Lessons (Web-based only)
For a complete listing of all Distance Education curricula, courses, lessons, and information about how to register, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) immunization schedules are out as of January 2, 2009. According to The Department’s Child Care Certification regulations, each child’s health report must include a review of the child’s immunized status according to recommendations of the ACIP (see 55 Pa. Code §§3270.131(d)(5), 3280.131(d)(5) and 3290.131(d)(5)). Additionally, the ACIP schedules provide information to providers in applying the requirements relating to retaining children who do not have timely immunizations (see 55 Pa. Code §§3270.131(e), 3280.131(e) and 3290.131(e)).
The 2009 ACIP schedules are available online at the Center for Disease Control Web site and may be printed from the site. Or, you may download PDFs of the schedules directly for Children 0 to 6 years of age and Children 7 through 18 years of age, or the catch-up schedule for Children 4 months through 18 years of age.
For an overview of changes in the schedule since the last release, please see: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#mmw. For those interested in learning more about vaccines and immunizations, visit the CDC webpage on Vaccines & Immunizations site.
The love of a blanket (and sometimes other endearing items) means many things to many children: comfort, security, and friendship. Read the many great blanket love stories below.
The Red Woolen Blanket, by Bob Graham, published by Candlewick, ISBN 1564028488. Julia loves and carries her blanket everywhere. Julia has treasured her blanket and carried it for years until it is nothing but a small rag. Find out what happens when she starts school.
Alfie Gives A Hand, by Shirly Hughes, published by Red Fox, ISBN 1862307857. When Alfie is invited to Bernard’s birthday party he is a bit nervous about going on his own so he takes his special blanket with him. But Alfie has so much fun that he finds he doesn’t need his blanket after all – and he even makes a new friend too.
Jamaica’s Find, by Juanita Havill, published by Scholastic, Inc., ISBN 0590425048. Jamaica finds a wonderful stuffed dog at the playground. She really likes it, but should she keep it?
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, by Mo Willems, published by Hyperion, ISBN 0590425048. The creative illustrations in this book give delight and life to Trixie, who goes to the Laundromat with her father and misplaces Knuffle Bunny, her favorite stuffed toy.
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.
Click on graphic to read the entire article 
Routines Can Help
by Nancy Wilson
Early Childhood Program Specialist
Do you have trouble getting your child ready for child care in the morning? Is cleaning up toys a struggle every day? Maybe bedtime has become a time of day you’d rather avoid. If you have a young child, you might want to try having some routines to help make those times go smoother at your house. Young children often do better when they know what is coming next. Routines can help.
 |
March 26, 2009
Art Appreciation 101 for Young Children
K2C1 topic code 19 / CDA Competency 2 /
PA Early Learning Standards Key Learning Area: Creative Arts
Believe it or not, even infants can begin to appreciate art. Learn how to introduce and talk with children of all ages about art made by them and others. Try creative ways to react to art.
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 the Penn State Better Kid Care CDA Information resource and get answers to your CDA questions! Call Christine at 800-452-9108. E-mail your CDA questions to crb16@psu.edu.
 |
Professional Development Highlights |
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
 |
Announcements of Interest |
EARLY EDUCATION
 |
Better Kid Care Resources |
Winter Resources from Better Kid Care - The season of winter brings many new things to think about for early educators and families. Winter is often the season of reflection and planning ahead. Ideas reflected may be: spirit of community, kindness, and generosity, health, celebrations (seasons, holidays), diversity and culture, recharging our energy, getting a handle on stress, music, and overall reflections and observations of children and programs. Use the following lists and links to find great information to support your work while entering the winter season. http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/page18.html
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:
 |
|
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.
Subscribe to the BKC E-Newsletter!
New subscribers can join by sending an email to:
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Reflections...
We would love to hear from you! E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.
Disclaimer: Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
