Carla Snuggs's Blog
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Good news for Americans: Vice President Biden announced that through the federal economic stimulus bill signed by President Obama, states will share $2 billion for child care programs.
According to an Associated Press article, "Biden said $2 billion will be available to the Child Care and Development Fund to help states pay for child care for more parents who are either working, looking for work, or are getting job training or furthering their education". This couldn't have come at a better time, given the state of our economy. More and more parents have found themselves unemployed, are in search of work, and are in need of quality child care to do so.
An additional $300 million in funding be given to the Centers for Disease Control to help those in need receive vaccinations and disease prevention (vaccination) education.
This further supports the importance of and need for vaccinations in early childhood, which are required for entrance to kindergarten.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
September holds some very exciting and informative conferences and continuing education opportunities.
If you are in the Los Angeles area, look forward to California Association for the Education of Young Children's Training the Early Childhood Education Trainer Conference. If you train staff, parents, and teachers, this is the conference for you. This conference will be held September 12-13, 2008 in Anaheim. Enjoy keynote speakers Dr. Debra Sullivan, Luis Hernandez, and Stacie Goffin.
If you're in the Portland, Oregon area, you may want to attend the Child Welfare League of America's Western Region Training Conference. The theme is "It Takes Courage and Compassion to Serve Children and Families," which promises to provide you with "a greater understanding of how to be a more effective caregiver, direct-service worker, advocate, or administrator serving America's at-risk children and families". It will be held at the Portland Hilton on September 15-17, 2008.
If you're near Virginia, The Virginia Alliance of Family Childcare Association's 17th Annual Training Conference. It will be held in Fredericksburg, Virginia on September 19-21, 2008. This is a three day conference with workshops, keynote speakers, and a variety of vendors.
There should still be time to register and/or arrange for hotel accommodations.
Happy Conferencing!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Skimming the news today, I came across an article about a unique approach to kindergarten readiness and choosing a preschool that ties in with my series of articles about learning through play.
Hirsh-Pasek, co-author of A Mandate for Playful Learning: Presenting the Evidence, says that parents should select a preschool with a kid-friendly environment and the five “Cs”.
Those five C’s are: collaboration, communication, content, creative innovation, and confidence.
When selecting a quality preschool, look for one that fosters a strong social environment. Consistent with my articles on learning through play and verbal cues, there should be a balance of guided and unguided play (creative innovation). Also be sure to look for a healthy amount of dialogue and communication in the classroom.Your use of verbal cues is an important component of creative innovation and communication.
There should also be a balance of objective (content) focused learning and social and creative learning. The school should also foster a sense of confidence by allowing opportunities for students to try new things and take harmless risks.
When you think along these lines you may increase your chances of choosing a preschool that will best prepare your child for kindergarten.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I just discovered the cutest book: The Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas by Joani Schultz, Patty Anderson, and Christine Yount Jones. It’s an excellent resource for Christian preschool teachers and daycare providers. It’s filled with Bible stories, crafts, games, finger plays, prayers, and even snacks!
What I love about this book is that it’s well organized and comprehensive, making it easy for preschool teachers and child care providers to create a complete lesson play relatively effortlessly. First you pick a Bible story from either the Old or New Testament. Then, based on the Bible Story, the authors provide you with activities in various categories along with the supply lists and the verbal cues necessary to enhance learning.
My favorite snack activity is the Jericho’s Walls where kids can build the Walls of Jericho on a paper plate out of graham crackers and cream cheese.
I also like the “edible ark”. Using pretzels and animal crackers, children are encouraged to outline an arc on paper plates, then to identify and match animal pairs. As they snack children can discuss each animal and how each animal is special.
The lesson plans are fun, easy to implement and creative. I would definitely consider adding this to your preschool resource library.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
The news can be filled with disturbing stories about situations that happen in preschools and daycares all over the world. So when I read about positive things that preschools are doing, I’m stoked and can't wait to share them with you.
Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) has launched an awesome and inspiring community-benefit program which will enroll children in foster care (or relative care) into high-quality preschools at no cost! The purpose of this program is to help properly prepare this population for kindergarten and beyond.
According to a Business Wire article [June 2008], studies show that only 18 percent of eligible foster children in Los Angeles County currently attend preschool. I was also shocked to find out that 73 percent of publicly preschools in Los Angeles County have waiting lists!
The article explains that 25 percent of foster care children are placed in special education, and in the state of California almost 75 percent of foster children function below grade level.
In many of my articles, I discuss the importance of quality daycare and kindergarten readiness. When a child receives quality childcare, they are more likely to do well later in life. They are more likely to lead healthier lives, more likely to earn a higher income, and are less likely to be involved in crime.
If you are a foster parent or you are caring for a relative’s child, you can enroll him or her by visiting Los Angeles Universal Preschool or call (866) 581-5287.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Behavioral issues and how to effectively manage them is usually a topic of concern for preschool teachers, daycare providers, and parents. I've rounded up my top articles that address behavioral issues that are most common with the preschool set:
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
Many preschool teachers wonder if their students have ADHD and how to manage ADHD behaviors in the classroom. These articles answer a lot of questions:
Preschool Biting
The majority of questions come from parents and center on issues with biting. I always tell my readers that child safety comes first. If your child is being traumatized by a biter, remove the child until the situation can be resolved.
Preschool Temper Tantrums
In the three and two year olds, temper tantrums are common. Don’t despair! There are easy tips in the following articles for dealing with temper tantrums in the preschool classroom:
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Just in case you didn’t know, July is National Ice Cream Month! Apparently in 1984, Ronald Regan declared July National Ice Cream Month and, additionally, the third Sunday of the month National Ice Cream Day. I couldn’t resist doing a short blog on a few ice cream themed daycare or preschool activities.
In honor of National Ice Cream month, I suggest the following activities:
- “I is for Ice Cream” letter activity. First School has convenient ice cream activities and worksheets
- Ice cream nutrition activities which focus on the importance of dairy and calcium. You can make ice cream in the classroom, letting children take turns adding fresh ingredients to the ice cream maker.
- Physical activity using Play and Freeze Ice Cream Balls. I recently came across this item which is loads of fun for children. Basically it’s a specialized ball that you add ice and rock salt in one end and ice cream mix in the other. Next, let the kids pass, toss and shake the ball around, and in no time you have homemade ice cream.
I don’t know about the weather where you are, but it’s sweltering in the west. Take care in implementing outdoor activities and pay close attention to weather advisories.
Happy Ice Cream Month!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
As I was preparing for my trip to Cabo San Lucas and going over some of the particulars, a smile came across my face as I realized my resort is “adults only”. Hoorah!
Then, as my slight attention deficit disorder began to kick in, I thought about parents who need vacation daycare and what their options for childcare might be since I’m always interested in new and emerging childcare trends.
In my research I came across a handful of vacation childcare sites. One such site is Babysitters Los Cabos. If you are vacationing in Los Cabos, Mexico you can make a reservation with this company which claims to provide high-level child-care services, on a 24-hour basis. The sitters are supposedly trained in CPR, childcare, and first aid.
So, say you have a day of parasailing ahead or a romantic evening planned and you need childcare. You can arrange to have your child(ren) taken care of by their babysitting services for a particular window of time, anytime of the day.
I am by no means endorsing or condemning this service. I’m just letting my readers know what’s out there.
I would suggest exercising caution, as with any childcare service, and I would advise you to do your research and evaluate your options carefully. I’m not sure how I would feel about leaving my kids with an unknown babysitter in another country, but it is a convenient option for some parents. Apparently, this is now a trend toward vacation childcare that may warrant some consideration and/or investigation.
Hope you’re having a great summer so far
Posted by Carla Snuggs
As I was working on a recycling preschool lesson plan for preschool aged kids, it got me thinking about some environmentally friendly things that preschool teachers and daycare providers can incorporate into their programs, curriculum, activities or atmosphere. I've been reading about organic preschools, such as Le Petit Paradise in Manhattan, and I'm blown away by how people, businesses, and young children are taking the intiative to care for our earth.
Right now the trendy thing to do is to “go green”, but it’s much more than a trend in my eyes. Learning about and getting in the habit of considering the environment and its precious resources is a lifestyle worth examining and something that children should participate in early on.
Some simple things early childhood educators can do in their classrooms with kids:
- Grow an organic garden and/or trees
- Teach the children about recycling and practice it in the classroom everyday
- Serve items with organically grown ingredients for lunch and snack
- Use recycled materials for crafts
- Use nontoxic cleaning products and recycled paper products like toilet paper and paper towels
In the classroom, you can start with simple steps and behaviors and know that you are planting the seeds of change.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Cooking with kids age 2-3 can be tricky because their gross and fine motor skills are still developing. I know that when I work with kids these age, I’m most concerned with safety issues and the amount of cleanup the activity will entail.
When you’re cooking with kids this age, they usually can help with the following tasks:
- Stirring and mixing
- Mashing (think bananas)
- Pouring from a large measuring cup into a bowl
- Patting or packing ingredients in a measuring cup like brown sugar.
- Using a plastic butter knife to spread soft foods like butter or jelly
- Shaking ingredients in a plastic container with a lid
- Using a cookie cutter on soft cookie dough
In this hot weather you may be hesitant to cook but try making simple, cool snacks with no heat necessary. Here are some suggestions:
- Ice cream sandwiches (using graham crackers and ice cream)
- Homemade ice cream (let the children pour ingredients into the ice cream maker)
- Fruit and yogurt parfait using whipped topping, pudding, and raisins and nuts for garnish
- Fruit smoothies (let kids select fruit and pour ingredients into the blender)
Always be sure to check for food allergies and have all the children wash their hands before beginning any cooking activity.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
As I was reading through my daily newsfeeds, I was moved by the number of articles about childhood obesity as well as those concerning food contamination issues.
It got me thinking about the many health and nutrition related questions to which many parents and child care providers need answers and practical solutions.
Are hand sanitizers safe? What kind of shots does your child need for preschool? How can you minimize the spread of illness in your classroom? How can we keep food safe in the classroom? How can I enhance my nutrition curriculum?
I’ve rounded up my top articles on health and nutrition in the daycare and preschool setting which my answer many of these questions.
Nutrition Articles and Blogs
Nutrition Activities for Daycare
Health Articles and Blogs
Controlling Illness in Daycare
Daycare and Preschool Handwashing
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Did you know that your local realtors and leasing agents can be an excellent source of advertising?
When I moved into my apartment home late last year, I received a welcome package and directory. Included in this directory, along with important service numbers, were many of the local businesses’ pamphlets, flyers, and business cards, including one for a nearby daycare center. I continue to refer to it when I need to locate the best and most convenient services in my area.
You should have a variety of marketing strategies in your family daycare business plan. Advertising is the best way to promote your in-home family daycare. While some advertising options can be very expensive, there are some great inexpensive ways to market your daycare business.
If you haven’t already, create pamphlet or flyer that looks professional and polished and that details all of your contact information and high quality services.
Approach your local realtors and leasing agents and ask them to include your brochure or flier in the packet of information they distribute to their clients. Remind them that your reliable and affordable daycare services are an additional selling feature of the neighborhood.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Fall is already on our heels! This is the perfect time for a roundup of kindergarten-readiness articles.
It is normal to have questions and concerns about your child's development, especially when it comes to how he or she is progressing in preschool. It is also important to know whether or not your child will be prepared for kindergarten.
I have compiled my top articles and blogs about kindergarten readiness for your convenience:
- Kindergarten Readiness Programs
- Signs of Kindergarten Readiness
- Transitioning to Kindergarten
- Preparing for Kindergarten
- Kindergarten Readiness Camps
Remember, it is never too early to look ahead into your child's future and understand what will be expected of him or her as they enter elementary school. This knowledge will ease your child's transition from preschool to kindergarten as well as help keep you and your child's teacher on the same page.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Surfing the net today (a valuable yet addictive hobby) I came across a website called Supporting Providers. While they offer printables and articles, I think their best feature is that they provide access to free daycare forms for daycare providers and preschool teachers. There are over 300 forms in MS Word document or pdf form and they are arranged in neatly organized categories. All of the forms have been donated to Supporting Providers.
On the Supporting Providers, you can print:
- Business forms such as applications and staff record forms, changes in care forms, and financial forms
- Registration and enrollment forms
- Contract and policy forms like Parent Agreements, fees, and illness policies
- Health and medical forms such as accident and injury reports and allergy forms
- Report and logs, which includes daily reports, attendance, and safety logs
- Authorization forms. Very important for field trips and other outings
I believe it is important to support websites that make it easier for early childhood educators manage and market their businesses and this one is a virtual gold mine.
P.S. Be sure to respect the copyright laws of the forms you use.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Every preschool teacher and daycare provider needs a fully stocked library in order to succeed in the world of early childhood education. This will keep you abreast of the latest in education and developmentally appropriate practices and help you improve your daycare business.
As a preschool teacher or daycare provider, you should have a personal library of professional books, journals and magazines. You should have also have resource books for lesson plans and activity ideas so that you can spice up your curriculum as needed.
It's also nice to have an abundant library for the children you educate filled with colorful, diverse, intellectually stimulating, and age-appropriate books.
I've compiled a list of my top articles, each one chock full of book suggestions sure to beef up both your personal and preschool library. While the early years are the most important learning years, you're never too old to continue to educate yourself.
Top Articles about Preschool, Daycare and Business Books
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Over the weekend my sister, who has a 3 year old in preschool, shared a funny preschool related story with me which reminded me about how important preschool daily reports are. So I thought I'd jot down some tips about daily reports. They are an essential part of parent-teacher communication.
Preschool daily reports are handy, effective and resourceful for both the child care provider and the child's parents. They truly do establish a bond with the childcare provider, open the lines of communication, and give insight into how your child is behaving when you are not around. It is also helpful because it allows parents to nip some behaviors in the bud and work on pertinent issues at home in conjunction with the childcare provider.
Items to include on a daily preschool report:
- Disposition (behavior/mood): Was the child cheerful, tired, talkative, mischievous?
- What the child ate for breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Things they liked that day
- How long they napped and comments about naptime
- Diapers and potty times (note the times you checked and if the child was wet or dry)
- Special activities they did that day
- Any concerns
- Any supplies that the child is missing (wipes, clean clothes, diapers, etc.)
You can make your own daily or weekly report, or you can print out this free Preschool Daily Report from the Nurturing Nest and make copies.
Parents will certainly appreciate it, and you will have documentation about the activities and behaviors that go on during your watch.
Related Article: Books for Home Daycare Businesses
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Preschool teachers and daycare providers are responsible for providing the tools to help children learn and grow through artistic expression. If you're like me and could use a little help in planning and teaching art activities, I whole-heartedly suggest Growing Artists: Teaching Art to Young Children by Joan Bouza Koster.
This book isn't just a project book. It combines theory and curriculum, so that early childhood providers can get a firm grasp on the importance of art education and the correct way to foster an artistic, creative environment.
Why I appreciate this resource:
- I like that the author doesn't just tell you WHAT to do but WHY you should be doing it. This should never be taken for granted.
- Koster truly keeps costs in mind and offers budget friendly ways to accomplish activities. For example, in some of her supply list for art projects, she will explain what items are necessities and what you items you can add if you have additional funds.
- Koster truly takes the time to walk the reader through the setup of each activity and explains the most appropriate group composition.
- The activities include modifications for special needs.
- Art activities include verbal cues which are so important in implementing activities that support curriculum objectives.
For more information about preschool arts and crafts, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
It is common for parents to be concerned with the infections and illnesses that their child may pick up at daycare or preschool playing amongst other children. However, I recently read an article which asserts that daycare may reduce leukemia risk. To be more specific, the researchers at University of California, Berkeley contend that children who attend daycare or play groups are about 30 percent less likely to develop leukemia.
While this sounds suspicious, the basis for theses studies comes from something called the "hygiene hypothesis”. Supposedly, when children are exposed to certain infections early on it helps them develop stronger immune systems. Those that have pets and older siblings also tend to develop stronger immune systems. I’ve read about this hypothesis applied to everything from asthma to atopic dermatitis to the flu.
I contracted chicken pox and mumps as an infant because of early social contact, and I’m glad I wasn’t old enough to remember any of it. Had I been isolated or not had older siblings, its possible I would have gotten those illnesses at a much later age. I wasn’t sick very often as a child and I’m not very often ill as an adult, and it may be that early social contact was a factor.
I think what we can take away from this study is that it is definitely beneficial for young children to have early social contact in groups. It not only benefits their health as well as all other areas of development. In contrast, isolation is definitely counterproductive to any child’s development.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Evaluating and selecting daycare is an important and sometimes daunting task for parents. I frequently get asked questions about what to look for in choosing child care. I also get emailed many questions about policies and regulations. With that in mind, I thought it was time for a roundup of pertinent articles and list some quick but important tips with regard to selecting daycare.
- Trust your instincts. If your gut instinct causes you to doubt a childcare provider for any reason, don’t ignore it. Ask questions, investigate, and if you are not satisfied and confident with your choice, keep searching!
- Pop in unannounced. Many times parents schedule appointments because they don’t want to intrude. I say, don’t hesitate to show up announced so you can get a true feel for your child’s child care environment before and after they are enrolled.
- When interviewing daycare providers, always be prepared. Make a list of the important questions you need to ask about the facility, the staff, the childcare program, and center policies. Make your concerns known and leave no stone unturned.
Top articles about evaluating daycare
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Not too long ago, I wrote an article about the many methods of marketing your family daycare. The internet is your friend when it comes to publicizing your family daycare or childcare center. One of the most effective means of doing so is through creating a weblog.
A weblog (usually called a blog) is an online journal or diary. Your blog can stand alone or can be a component of a website or webpage. My favorite blog site is Blogger. It’s a free website that allows you to publish your blog using simple yet professional templates. If you are ambitious and would like to create a blog from scratch, more power to you! There is a great tutorial from Howstuffworks.com on how to create a blog which is definitely worth checking out.
Create an informal, entertaining, and personal blog which talks about your current activities, lesson plans, and your day-to-day experiences. You can talk about things like your daily menus, your policies, behavioral strategies, and developmentally appropriate practices. Update it regularly and encourage others to post comments. Upload photos, make it personal, and get creative.
The blog benefits you in two ways: It creates visibility for your business and it also creates a platform for parents and childcare providers to also share their ideas and experiences, which can never be bad for improving your business. So get blogging!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
April is Garden Month according to the National Gardening Association. As we continue with spring themed activities and lesson plans, take the opportunity to celebrate garden month by adding fun garden themed activities and crafts to your daycare or preschool curriculum.
The most interactive way to observe garden month is by planting a small garden with children. The easiest plants for children to grow are sunflowers, lettuce, radishes, snow peas, cherry tomatoes, nasturiums, carrots, potatoes, bush beans, and pumpkins. These seeds are easy to grow and have a short growing season.
If you are not able to plant a garden, because of the weather or you don't have the space, try reading books about gardens, gardening or nature. I like The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow by Joanna Cole [Scholastic, 1995] It's an exciting adventure and in the process children learn about the growth of living things. And there is always one of my favorite classics The Little Red Hen which is about planting and harvesting wheat.
For language and alphabet lessons you can create or print out gardening themed coloring sheets such as "G is for garden", "L is for Leaf or Lilly" and "D is for Daisy".
You can also spend time talking about farmers and their role as a community helper.
As always, have fun and be creative!
Happy Garden Month!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I just had to make mention of a great learning and networking opportunity.
If you're going to be in the New Orleans area try to get to the 24th Annual NACCP National Conference sponsored by the National Association of Child Care Professionals. With the theme "How Successful Directors Manage" it is the perfect conference for preschool and daycare owners as well as preschool directors and administrators. It is being held April 16-19 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.
Don't miss this chance to see keynote speaker Dr. Harvey Karp of Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block fame. I'm definitely a fan of Dr. Karp.
Some sessions of interest include "Taming Toddler Tantrums", "Ten Musts to Motivate and Energize Staff and Prevent Turnover", "Building Enrollment", and Influenza Prevention.
Along with over 30 sessions there are also exhibitors and cool entertainment opportunities like jazz and karaoke. The conference offers 20 hours of training in management and administration as well as CEU credits.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Today as I was sifting through the news, I came upon a news story about a 24-hour daycare facility that was approved by the Mississippi State Board of Health. Heaven Sent, a daycare center in Scott County, will now be able to offer around the clock daycare for newborn babies and children through the age of 5. This daycare facility offers changing areas, a shower, and a bathtub. In addition, children sleep on mattresses at night instead of mats or cots.
So I decided to do a little bit of research and found that 24 hour daycare facilities are not new. There are plenty of 24-hour daycare centers around the country, and I assume they must be pretty popular and convenient.
I applaud a daycare center that offers extended childcare hours in order to support those parents who work the late shift. I believe that there should be all sorts of affordable daycare options for parents who work regular 9 to 5 shifts, weekend, and nights, or for those who need emergency childcare. However, my second instinct is to think about those parents that will abuse this service. I imagine parents dropping their kids off and flying to Jamaica for a week, but that is the cynic in me. I figure there must be some regulations with regard to how long you can leave your child in the daycare center. I also feel that as a parent I would be concerned with various safety issues. At any rate, I am having a mixed reaction to what is, for me, a new discovery.
I have created a new discussion thread because I would love to get your opinions, comments, and experiences about 24 hour daycare service.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
March is Irish-American history Month.For preschool teachers and daycare providers, this provides a great opportunity to teach children about different countries and cultures. I would begin with a simple lesson that about Irish history. You can take out a map or a globe and show kids the location of Ireland for starters. Talk about what the Irish flag looks like, discussing the colors of the flag and what each color represents.
Next, I suggest you explore and explain the significance of the color green. Discuss that green tends to symbolize hope and nature. Have the children name some things that are green in nature.
In conjunction with Irish-American history Month, you can include a lesson about St Patrick’s Day. Talk about the significance of the 4 leaf clover and leprechauns, and of course include a small history lesson about St. Patrick. Introduce the children to the national emblem of Ireland: the shamrock. Make sure to use plenty of visual aids when introducing new concepts to children.
Keep it simple in terms of activities. Read simple picture books about Irish history, let the children decorate your bulletin board with personalized shamrocks, present an “L is for Leprechaun letter activity”, or make an Irish flag of construction paper. Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day [Millbrook Press, 2000] by Kathy Ross has tons of ideas for simple crafts for preschoolers perfect for celebrating Irish history.
Dont overwhelm them with too much information. Keep it easy and fun! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Today's rates of childhood obesity are alarming and frightening. I believe that early childhood educators are called to protect and educate children as well as support their emotional and social well-being. Nutrition education along with children seeing adults model proper health and nutrition behavior is essential.
With that said, in support of National Nutrition and Health Month, I have a fabulous book suggestion. I usually don't review books that are not yet released because readers will have to wait to purchase them, but I was so excited about this one that I couldn't wait.
The title that I suggest parents and educators get enthusiastic about is Food and Health in Early Childhood: A Holistic Approach [Sage Publications, 2008] by Deborah Albon and Penny Mukherji, a book and CD Rom combo with a release date of April 17, 2008. For educators, this is a must because it discusses healthy eating guidelines and policy development in early childhood education. I am impressed with the food related socio-cultural information and psychological tie-ins, as the authors discuss food, culture and identity as well as food and emotion. The text is supplemented with case studies, supporting activities, and vital links to website and related pertinent information. A must-read!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Parents: do you wonder if your kids are getting the proper nutrition at daycare or preschool? Daycare providers, are you aware of the new (2005) food pyramid guidelines for children?
With March being National Nutrition and Health Month, I am urging you to check out the MyPyramid.gov website, a site sponsored by The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Here you will find guidelines for kids (and adults) and a wealth of materials. There are games, tips for families, coloring pages, and worksheets. For teachers, there are also classroom materials.
There are a host of cool nutrition related preschool activities at one of my favorite resource sites First-Preschool. My suggestion is to engage the children in activities in which they prepare healthy foods using fresh fruits and vegetables, plant a garden, or learn about healthy bodies.
Now is also the perfect time to evaluate your daycare meal plans and mealtime environments to make sure there is balance, variety, and moderation.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which is coming up on March 2nd, I am directing you to Seussville! He is one of my most beloved authors and, FYI, my favorite of his works is Hop on Pop.
Not only is the site simply interesting and useful for providing an opportunity to learn about Dr. Seuss’ life and accomplishments, but planning activities for your preschool or daycare with a Dr. Seuss theme is easy once you experience all things Seuss.
This well-maintained and easy to navigate website includes everything you need to stay abreast of Seuss happenings. Seuss’ biography is extensive and interesting. In addition, there is a fun “playground” section with all sorts of games and activities – great for circle time and craft idea production. The ‘catalog” section is a grand resource for an overview of all of his books sorted neatly into categories by reading level. You can also purchase books and Seuss related music, clothing, and gifts. The “Events” section will link you to Seuss and Read Across America events.
What are you waiting for? Off to Seussville you go!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Wasn’t it just Christmas? This year is whizzing by!
In order to help you stay abreast of upcoming possible unit themes, I have compiled a short list of possible themes/holidays for February and March. This should help you get a head start on fun activities and engaging lesson plans.
February
Black History Month
National Children’s Dental health Month
Library’s Mother’s Month
Valentines Day (February 14) --A Friendship theme is appropriate
President’s Day (February 18)
March
National Nutrition Month
Irish-American history Month
National Pig Day (March 1)
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday (March 2)
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
Spring Themes (Spring begins March 20, 2008)
Easter (March 23, 2008)
Vincent Van Gogh’s Birthday (March 30)
For free online preschool activities, see Online Preschool Lesson Plans.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Valentines Day is February 14. I was thinking of a simple Valentines Day activity or craft to share and decided on a simple but Valentines Day mail box.
First, take ordinary shoeboxes with their lids and let the children decorate them with Valentines Day themed decorations. This can be anything like pieces of Valentines Day themed wrapping paper, pink, red and white tissue paper, confetti hearts, heart shaped stickers and lace.
Once the boxes are decorated, cut a slit in the top and it now becomes a mailbox.
Throughout the week, your toddlers and preschoolers can be working on those fabulous creative valentines for each of their classmates. A great site with Valentines Day Card Crafts is Everything Preschool. There are loads of ideas there. You may also buy pre-made cards, but for children, making the actual cards is half the fun.
Then, on Valentines Day, the children can “deliver” the cards to each child’s mail box, and the children will delight in receiving mail.
Happy Valentines Day!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
This year is already moving super fast! It's almost February and February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA) in an effort to raise oral health awareness.
On the ADA's website they provide numerous activities for teachers to help them promote oral health awareness. There are posters, presentation resources, and really cute activity sheets including coloring sheets, puzzles and games.
A great book to read within this theme is Brushing my Teeth by DK Publishing [DK Preschool, 2007] a cute board book which explains to chidren how to brush, how often to brush, and why they need to go to the dentist regularly.
Have fun with it! You can find all kinds of dental health arts and crafts, songs, and lesson plan ideas on the internet.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Conference time!
Two upcoming conferences of note:
Early Years Conference 2008: Valuing all Children
January 30 - February 2, 2008
Fairmont Vancouver
Vancouver, BC, Canada
For those located in or near Vancouver, take advantage of this early childhood development conference sponsored by the University of British Columbia Interprofessional Continuing Education. The conference offers four days of workshops, events, and keynote speakers. The emphasis of the conference is on child care and children with disabilities. There are also 2 pre-conference events on January 30 and January 31 which are open to the public. This conference offers professional credits.
NHAEYC-VAYEC Administrator's Conference, 2008
February 8-9, 2008
Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee Vermont
Keynote Speaker: Paula Jorde Bloom
The New Hampshire and Vermont chapters of the National Association for the Education of Young Children are holding a 2-day conference perfect for preschool and daycare administrators. Topics include (among many) marketing, grants, child development theory, power dynamics, best practices and staffing.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
January 21, 2008 is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr day. While the children in your daycare or preschool may or may not be able to grasp the concepts of slavery and racism, the themes of peace and unity may be a simpler concept to create an activity or unit around.
A “Unity Hand Wreath” activity simply involves panting then cutting out construction paper hands in the colors of red, yellow and brown and white (skin tones) and gluing them to a paper wreath made of a heavy paper plate with the center cut out. The wreath then symbolizes cultural unity.
I also recommend The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore and Amy Wummer (Illustrator) [Ideals Publications, 2002]. This is a simple, charming board book which provides a very succinct overview of the life of Dr King.
It does not have to be a complicated historical explanation at this age. My point would be to get across the basics with regard to the concepts of harmony, cooperation, peace.
Happy MLK, Jr. Day!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
While I have never worked in a preschool that utlizes grandparent volunteerism, I have been reading more and about this trend and its benefits especially in Head Start Prograns. If you don't know what I mean, I'm talking about older adults (usually age 55 and older) who, as part of Foster Grandparenting programs, volunteer at preschools and daycare centers. They help with school readiness, reading, and games. They may also sit and have lunch with the children. I'd imagine it would be great to have additional caring adults to provide extra care, kindness, and attention. Some programs also provide the grandparent with an hourly stipend, meals and transportation. So that, coupled with the extra help a educator receives, and in addition to the ability to provide an opportunity for a retired or semi retired person to feel a sense of utlity, it is pretty much a win-win situation for all involved.
I'm very curious about those of you (parents and educators) whose daycare or preschool participates in foster grandparenting or grandparent volunteerism and how it is working out for you. Join the discussion here.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
As the year closes and I am looking back on the articles I’ve completed this year, I realized, sadly, that I have overlooked a very important issue in family daycares and preschools across the United States. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome affected our family in a tragic and unexpected way in 2004, as my nephew of 4 months old died of SIDS on his very first day of daycare. At the time I vowed to do my part, even if in some small way, to help others become aware of SIDS, and how as child care professionals and educators we can all do our part to ensure that SIDS rates are reduced. While SIDS cannot be prevented, reducing SIDS risk is simple. My recent article Reducing SIDS in Daycare is another way that I am supporting the reduction of SIDS, so I hope that it reaches those in need of this vital information.
I am thankful at the close of this year to my faithful readers. I am also thankful to Suite101.com for providing me with the opportunity to have a voice in this online community.
SIDS Organizations
Posted by Carla Snuggs
New Year celebrations aren't just for adults. Ring in the New Year with cute new year-themed crafts and music and movement activities as part of your preschool or family daycare curriculum.
Make new years hats out of cone paper drinking cups. Use crayons, stickers, confetti, paint, colored macaroni, glitter, yarn, or any other decorative scrap materials you may have on hand.
For music and movement, you can be creative and make your own noise makers by adding noise makers (beans, rice, etc) to coffee cans or boxes, or you can purchase them. Turn up the up-tempo music and let 'em go!
Confetti is always part of a good New Year celebration, but with small children it needs to happen in a very controlled environment or you end up with a big mess. With that in mind, kids like Confetti Collages. You can either make your own confetti or buy pre-made confetti. Using the confetti and any other new year-themed decorations, create a huge collage or let the children make individual colorful collages.
Happy New Year!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I’m always on the lookout for outstanding daycare or preschool related books and music so I’m really excited to share this good news with you.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children, one of the largest early childhood education associations, has launched its new magazine Teaching Young Children! Hooray!It’s about time! This magazine is specifically for preschool teachers and offers articles about best practices, research, teaching ideas, and other preschool related topics. While the NAEYC also publishes Young Child, this publication is a scholarly, peer reviewed journal. Teaching Young Children has shorter articles and is written in an informal and friendly style. All of the articles support the standards set forth by the NAEYC.
If you are interested in purchasing the magazine, you can order by the issue or subscribe for an entire year. Therefore, you can test drive one issue before you make the commitment. There is also an online community and they will soon be launching a discussion board associated with the magazine so that teachers can share ideas, tips and strategies.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
With Thanksgiving behind us, it’s time to prepare for the end of the year holidays. I came up with a short list of my favorite sites for winter crafts and songs to get you off on the right foot.
I love First-School’s holiday activity pages because they have free printable crafts that are both religious and secular. They also include crafts for additional popular holiday celebrations such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. I also like Preschool Education’s holiday arts and crafts page for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa crafts submitted by parents and educators.
Everything Preschool has a small but useful selection of easy to sing preschool Christmas songs.
DLTK has a great page of Christmas songs, plays and prayers. Many of the songs include sheet music and there is even a really sweet preschool pageant that you may want to check out.
It’s time to get crafty. Have fun. Happy Holidays!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
The holidays sure did arrive very quickly! In honor of Thanksgiving, I would like to suggest two cute Thanksiving songs that toddlers like to sing. I am not sure who authored these, but toddlers and preschoolers love them!
Five Little Turkeys
Five little turkeys by the barn door,
One waddled off, then there were four.
Four little turkeys out under the tree,
One waddled off, then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do.
One waddled off, then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,
One waddled off, then there was one.
One little turkey - better run away!
Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.
I Eat Turkey (sung to the tune of "Frere Jaques")
I eat Turkey,
I eat Turkey.
Yes, I do
Yes, I do
Turkey in my tummy,
Yummy, yummy, yummy.
Good for me
Good for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Here are some of the best early childhood education conferences and workshops offered this month.
November 7-10, 2007 -- Chicago, IL
NAEYC annual Conference and Expo
Sponsored by the National Association for Education of Young Children, this conference is a great opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity to be among more than 20,000 early childhood education professionals. There will be ECE conferences, exhibits, munch and mingle, and even sightseeing tours.
November 8 - 10, 2007 -- Minneapolis, MN
International Early Education Leadership Conference
This conference is sponsored by Association of Christian Schools International. Enjoy three days of seminars and speakers on such topics as preschool curriculum and environments, grant writing for Christian preschools, and strategic planning. Christian educators, try not to miss this one!
November 19 - 21, 2007 -- Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)
This 3 day forum on the topic of healthy development for children is sponsored by Wesley Urban Ministries and Our Kids Network. Enjoy excellent keynote speakers on a wide variety of topics, such as infant-parent attachment, cultural sensitivity, and quality indicators of child care. Great opportunity to network! FYI, some portions of the conference are free for professionals working in Halton or the region of Hamilton/Niagara.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I am now in love with the CD The Ultimate Most Relaxing Classics for Kids in the Universe [Savoy, 2007].This compilation of 29 classical tracks from brilliant composers such asJohann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Fryderyk Chopin, and Claude Debussy is so calming and so relaxing; I can barely keep my eyes open by track 5.
My favorite tracks are Satie’s "Gymnopedie No. 1", Chopin’s "Piano Concerto No. 1 – Larghetto", and Jules Massenet’s "Meditation from Thais”. If you are looking for superb tranquil classical music to play during naptime (or anytime you need a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the classroom) this CD is a great selection.
Not all preschool teachers use music during naptime, but I recently read a study about how music affects naptime sleep onset. The study found that on the days when music was played during naptime, children fell asleep faster than on days when no music was played. In addition, the study also found that preschoolers took longer to fall asleep than toddlers.
For more information on preschool and daycare music, see Preschool Music and Movement.
Source: "Music Enhances Sleep in Preschool Children," Tiffany Field, Early Child Development and Care, Vol. 150, 1999.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Am I out of the loop? I just got word about a new website that will target preschoolers. Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group is launching myNoggin this November. It is a fee/subsciption based website with educational games for children ages 3-6 and their parents. The games support and follow school curriculum and are guided by national standards for preschool education.
According to an article in CNN money, "myNOGGIN features simple icon-driven site navigation and game-based learning that gives the sippy cup set a fun way to learn math, literacy, and languages in a completely engaging environment."
I tried a demo game. It seemed a little advanced for a three year old, but the games do adjust to the child’s level of development. I did like that myNoggin is ad free, user/child friendly and utilized vibrant colors. Are preschoolers really online? I know that kids are being introduced to computers at an earlier and earlier age but are computer based education now used in preschools and are computer skills now part of the preschool curriculum? Is online curriculum based play the newest wave in education? Your thoughts?
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I am working on a series of articles dealing with toilet training in the daycare or preschool setting. The articles will discuss signs of developmental readiness with respect to potty training. They will also discuss the role of the child care provider or preschool teacher in potty training and how they can work effectively with parents to ensure success. I will also be tackling the pros and cons of potty training chairs.
As I was completing research for this article, I came across many guidebooks that claim that you can potty train a child in a very short period of time--say one to three days. The experts I interviewed weighed in on the issue of whether or inot it is possible to toilet train a child in a very short period of time and if it is a proper practice. It was very interesting to see the wide range of responses.
My opinion? I think I am less concerned with whether or not potty training in one day is possible, and more concerned with whether or not adults should rush child development in any area. While I understand a parent or child care provider's frustration when potty training does not go as smoothly or quickly as anticipated, I feel the consequences of rushing this type of development can have long term negative effects on the child. Hopefully the experts' guidelines will help those that are struggling and provide some well needed tips and strategies. Stay tuned!
In the meantime I'm interested in hearing about your daycare potty training experiences in discussions.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
My fall leaves activity is a fun, creative way to incorporate a fall theme and help practice gross motor skills. In keeping with the fall/autumn theme, I thought I’d suggest more fun leaf-themed preschool and daycare activities.
Art/Creative
Leaf Wreath
- Take the children on a nature walk, collecting leaves, pine cones, acorns. Cut out the center of a paper plate, let the children paint the plate brown, then let them glue the items to the plate to create a wreath.
Leaf Cookies
- Cut cookie dough from leaf shaped cookie cutters and bake. Let the children decorate them with autumn colored frosting (red, brown, yellow, orange)
Cognitive development
Matching Leaves
- Collect or (create from construction paper) various types of fall leaves. Arrange two of each kind of leaves and ask the children to match the pairs.
Storytime
- Leaves! Leaves! Leaves! By Nancy Elizabeth Wallace [Marshall Cavendish Children's Books, 2007] Children learn about leaves and trees with Buddy Bear and his mom.
Physical
It has been my experience that collecting leaves is, in itself, a fun activity for kids. Take a nature walk with the children. Discuss what you see and hear. Collect leaves, pine cones and acorns. When you return sort and separate the items, discussing their colors and textures. Have fun with it!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
My niece was recently involved in an accident at her preschool in which she lost part of a tooth and I was shocked to discover that my sister did not receive or sign an incident report. So in the interest of preschool teachers, daycare providers, and parents, I would like to quickly discuss the necessity of incident reports.
A quality preschool or daycare should have in their health and safety rules and regulations, policies about accidents/injuries. I would like to stress two important policies that you should look for in your preschool or daycare:
- If a child is injured at preschool or daycare and the situation necessitates that the child receive medical attention, the parent must be notified and asked to pick the child up or meet the child at the emergency room.
- If your child is injured, an accident report should be prepared and you should be required to sign and date it when you pick your child up. This report should be in your child's file and you should also receive a copy of it. You should also receive and sign an incident report if your child harms another child.
Here is an example of a proper daycare incident report. In most cases, failure to document an incident is in violation of the licensing, so make sure you have one in hand when your child has an injury or accident at school.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Wow September sure has flown by! This is a short posting highlighting of just a few of the really fantastic early childhood education conferences going on in October.
October 6, 2007—Orlando, FL
Sponsored by the Florida Kindergarten Council, this conference is day of workshops for educators of children age 3 through grade 3 on everything from cooking to poetry to literacy projects.
October 12, 2007— Highland Park, PA
Implementing the Wanna Play Program for Social Development and Behavior Management
Workshops for parents, teachers, and daycare providers on topics such as The Wanna Play Program Curriculum, Tools and Strategies to Help Develop Social Appropriateness, and Social Skills Lessons and Activities.
October 28 - 30, 2007---San Diego, CA
13th Annual NESA National Conference
Sponsored by the National Even Start Association this conference will feature a keynote speaker motivational storyteller DJ Eagle Bear Vanas and workshops related to the topics of early childhood education, parenting education and program management and evaluation.
If any of you attend conferences, be sure to post your experiences in the discussion board. I’d love to get some feedback.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Fall is right around the corner --- it sure did sneak up on me! The first day of fall is September 23, fyi. It is so nice to revel in the beauty of autumn--the leaves changing to yellow to orange brilliance, the appearance of humming birds, and crisp, cool air.
Every time I think of fall, I think of a preschool activity I presented that was great for physical gross motor skills called Fall Leaves. I found and collected a large amount of crisp yellow and orange fall leaves and filled a small kiddy pool with them. I invited the children over to the area and encouraged them to jump into the pool and hop in the leaves, which enhances rebound and airborne activities. I also scattered some of the leaves on the ground for raking and sweeping, which provided an opportunity to practice projectile management. Most of all, it was just plain crunchy fun—they loved it!
If you live in Southern California as I do, the changing of the seasons is very subtle. But that is no excuse not to welcome in beginning of autumn with related daycare and preschool activities.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Recently, my article on preschool music and movement recommended that musical experiences for toddlers and preschoolers should include age appropriate toys that make controllable musical sounds. So, when I read about a consumer recall for one such item, I felt the need to make my readers aware.
On September 4, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys, imported by Fisher-Price, Inc., manufactured in China.
The toy's surface paints contain excessive levels of lead, and is in violation of a federal law which prohibits lead paint on children's toys.
The recall includes two bongos: One with a yellow and green plastic drum base with a blue drum surface; the other has a yellow and green plastic drum base with an orange drum surface.
If your product contains product number K9343 and A date code between 139-7SH and 232-7SH, stop using the toy immediately and contact Fisher-Price at (888) 496-8330 or visit the company's website at www.mattel.com/safety for information about returning the product and receiving a free replacement toy.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
My nieces and nephew just started back to school today and it reminded me of that nervous anticipation that most kids get when they return to school.
If your child is apprehensive about going back to daycare or child care, or it is their first day of preschool, there are a few things you can do to ease him or her back into it. I highly recommend advanced preparation and helping your child becoming familiar with new surroundings.
Visit the teacher and the classroom. Take your child for a brief meeting with the teacher. Let him or her explore the classroom setting. Play on the playground. Let them get a good sense of how the layout of the school.
Review the route to school. Take a casual walk or drive to the school. Point out landmarks along the way. Let them meet the crossing guards. This gives them a taste of the route and will give them a sense of familiarity. If driving, show them where you will drop them off and pick them up.
Have a mock lunch: Pack two lunches similar to what you will pack for your child for a normal day of school. Sit with them and have lunch, discussing that this is similar to how lunch will be at school. This way you will see if they struggle with handling usual lunch items.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
There are some exciting early childhood education conferences for September across the country. I am hoping to attend the Infant Conference in Seattle! Many of them offer the necessary continuing education units to those who attend the workshops, so keep that in mind as you consider attending.
September 15, 2007 --West Windsor, NJ
Our Role in Children's Lives -Sponsored by National Academy for Educators and Caregivers Join the NAEC for a day of fun, informative early childhood workshops for child care professionals. It’s a great workshop if you need fresh ideas about music, literacy, and art for your childcare center.
September 29, 2007--East Hanover, NJ
Planting the Seeds for Success --Sponsored by National Academy for Educators and Caregivers
For a day of workshops and the opportunity to earn ECU units, consider this NAEC sponsored conference. Admission includes your choice of four one-hour workshops, entrance to the keynote address, breakfast, and lunch.
September 29, 2007 Seattle, Washington
2nd Annual Seattle Infant Conference -- Sponsored by HCNR
E-mail: MaryJo.Dostal@seattlechildrens.org
This one day conference focuses on connecting with infants, toddlers and their families, and fostering respectful relationships in group care.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
Flyers are one of many ways to promote your in-home or family daycare business. I’ve compiled some helpful tips for making, posting and handing out flyers:
- Keep the flyer colorful but simple with the name of your daycare in large letters
- Create a simple, but attractive and relevant logo
- Make sure to list your days and hours of service, the age ranges of children you will care for, describe your meal service, and include your phone number
- As a security precaution, Do NOT list your full address on the flyer. Simply describe the area (for example: A quiet, safe residential area near downtown Huntington Beach)
- If your daycare cooperates with government subsidized programs, list this information
- Make sure to list the best and/or unique features of your daycare. For example if you or your staff has an FCS degree or has acquired a certain number of ECE units, has special certificates or has attended special workshops, you offer infant or extended hours, or all organic foods, be sure to highlight these aspects of your business
Flyers can be distributed door to door and placed on cars parked in family friendly places.
Flyers can be posted in laundromats, churches, community centers. For flyers you will post in public areas, make sure to use regular letter sized sheets and include convenient tear away sections on the bottom which include the name of the daycare center and phone number.
For more for in-home or family daycare, see Books for Home Daycare Businesses.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
It’s just about back to school time!!! This is just a gentle reminder to make sure that your child’s immunizations are up to date. Immunizations make daycare and preschools a healthy place to learn and grow. Check with your preschool or daycare center and follow state requirements. In general, and in the state of California, preschool children must have:
- four doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine ( DTP)
- three doses of polio vaccine
- one dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
- Hib flu vaccine
- three doses of hepatitis B vaccine
- one dose of varticella for chicken pox (or proof they've already had chicken pox and have immunity from chicken pox).
Vaccines do have side effects such as fever or soreness and or redness at the site of injection.However, the risks of minor side effects do not outweigh the vaccine’s ability to immunize children against horrible, preventable diseases. As an infant, I was exposed to and had measles, mumps, and chicken pox but in my lifetime, fortunately, I’ve never seen a case of devastating diseases such as polio, diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis thanks to vaccines. In some cases exemptions are allowed for medical, religious or personal reasons. Be advised that those children who are not fully immunized may be barred from attending preschool or childcare if an outbreak of one of these diseases occurs. Immunize now to avoid that back to school rush. For more information on health related daycare issues see my article Controlling Illness in Daycare.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
This month there are three exciting conferences that I’d like to bring to your attention.
August 14-17, 2007: Washington, DC.
The Creative Curriculum and You!
Teaching Strategies, Inc. is sponsoring The Creative Curriculum and You. The Creative Curriculum® approach is used extensively in Head Start programs in the United States and helps early childhood educators implement high-quality early childhood programs. The conference will introduce to you a system which integrates curriculum, assessment, training, and program evaluation and is a great opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units.
August 15-18, 2007: Anaheim, California
17th Annual NAFCC National Conference
Sponsored by the National Association for Family Child Care, and hosted by the California Association for Family Child Care, the Annual Conference is titled Family Child Care: Foundations for the Future. The conference, held at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel, will feature distinguished keynote speakers and address how to improve the quality of the field and discuss modern early childhood education practices.
August 28-30, 2007: Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Spirit of Leadership, 2007 National Conference
Sponsored by National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) and held at the Mohegan Sun Resort, this conference offers the opportunity to learn about tribal curriculum and culture and tour tribal child care centers. The conference features three days of workshops with Tribal leaders on a variety of topics such as “Natural Playgrounds”, “Being a Role Model for Physical Activity”, and “Infant/Toddler Curriculum”.
Registrations ends soon for many of these conferences so get registered ASAP.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
It’s nearly back to school time and some preschoolers heading to kindergarten may be riddled with anxiety. No doubt this is mostly due to the unknown.
Reading through the news today, I was surprised to see that some cities across America offer kindergarten readiness camps!
So what is kindergarten readiness camp? It sort of walks children and their parents through what the typical kindergarten experience entails.
For example, The Learning Train, a camp in Greensborough, North Carolina offers a week long day camp for 85 dollars which gives students practice in the classroom for about three hours each day. The former preschoolers get to experience kindergarten type activities such as circle time, and walk through practical things like how to go through the cafeteria line with their trays. The children are also screened in terms of emotional, physical, and academic kindergarten readiness before and after the camp. I find this perk to be most valuable as some school districts don’t screen children until they are already in kindergarten. Parents are also provided with practical information such as how to interpret their child’s report cards.
While I think it’s a clever idea, I don’t remember this being offered in my day and I don’t remember it being necessary. It would be interesting to see if these camps are truly beneficial in the long run. My thoughts are that if they reduce anxiety, make the transition from preschool to kindergarten smooth, and help parents understand more about the nature of education, then camps of this nature may be worth the money, especially if your child is particularly apprehensive about entering kindergarten.
Feel free to express your thoughts in discussions.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
For the past two weeks my articles have focused on toddler biting. The idea came to me after I recently witnessed a toddler get frustrated and attempt to bite an adult. Since it was a public incident, the parent was embarrassed and didn’t know how to react.
It brought me back to the many times I’ve had to deal with biting in the preschool setting. Back then, I would have an emotional reaction when I was bitten by student, but I was a teacher’s aide just starting out and wasn’t quite sure how to handle these types of incidents. I would yell “OUCH” and sometimes I would laugh nervously. I now know this is exactly the opposite of what the pros want you to do. I also know that these types of reactions promote biting in toddlers. I’d forgotten what a prevalent issue biting can be.
So for those who want and need more advice on dealing with biting in the preschool, daycare, or any childcare environment, I suggest reading No Biting: Policy and Practice for Toddler Programs by Gretchen Kinnell. Yes, another book recommendation. Kinnell is an expert in training child care providers and also presents workshops on toddler biting.
No Biting provides an overview of why toddlers bite and how to handle biters in greater detail than my articles. It also explains how to deal with ongoing biting and has practical information for dealing with parent teacher relationships with regard to biting incidents. For those of you who work in group daycare setting with multiple staff the book gives practical advice for working together to control biting.
And finally, there are sample policy forms that you can duplicate. I like the book because it’s not just for toddler programs it’s also applicable to parenting.
I also recommend a book for children about biting titled No Biting by Karen Katz. This colorful board book with the theme of discipline shows kids in a playful way many behaviors that are acceptable and unacceptable. It also shows them all the fun things they can do in place of harmful behaviors.
For more information on biting in daycare, see my article Controlling Biting in Daycare.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I don’t know about the weather where you are, but right now in Southern California, it is scorching hot! There’s not a cloud in the sky, it’s a gorgeous sun-drenched day, and I’m sure most kids are begging to play outdoors.
Unfortunately, infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children are at greater risk for heat related conditions like dehydration and heat exhaustion so it is important to take precautions.
Daycare providers, preschool teachers, and parents must make careful decisions about when to let kids play outside and when to keep them indoors.
Some key points to remember during times of extreme heat.
- Always check the weather for ozone warnings and weather advisories.
- Peak sun hours are from 10am to 4pm, so limit children’s time in the sun during these times.
- It is very important to stay hydrated. Have the children drink water before outdoor activities, as well as during and after. Make sure children take regular and frequent breaks when playing outdoors.
- Dress children in loose-fitting, light fabrics.
- Sunscreen is a must! Protect children from UV rays with a sunscreen that has an SPF value between 15 and 30. Apply 30 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply every two hours.
- Try to incorporate water related activities, such as water balloon tosses, water games with toys that spray water, or sprinkler fun.
If there is an ozone warning, or the weather is just entirely too severe, keep children indoors as much as possible. If you must keep children indoors they can become bored and finicky. To combat this:
- Double-up on your usual fun group activities. For example, play an extra indoor game or read an extra story.
- Arrange a story time and an activity at an air conditioned public library
- Make cool refreshing treats with the children. Try making “Apple Snow”: Using a blender, blend together 1.5 cups apple juice, a tablespoon of honey, and 3 cups cracked ice. Put in a cone shaped paper cup and serve. Serves two.
- Modify the activities that you normally do during rainy or snowy days so that they have beach themes. For example, set up an indoor scavenger hunt for beach related items.
I love the lazy days of summer, but it is important to be mindful about how the sun affects small children. Keep kids protected, be creative with your activities, and always have fun with it!
Posted by Carla Snuggs
There has certainly been a lot of media hype recently about alcohol based hand sanitizers and the dangers they may pose to children. Because they are sometimes used in the daycare setting I felt this situation should be addressed or discussed. The warnings come after recent accidental or improper ingestion cases involving alcohol based hand sanitizers.
However, experts say these warnings are due to media hype about isolated cases.
In a recent article distributed by Electronic News Publishing titled Hand Sanitizer Use Safe, Despite Internet, Media Hype, experts confirm that these claims have gotten out of hand. “It is most unlikely that accidental poisoning would occur in a child who licked their hands after application of hand sanitizer gel," says S. Rutherfoord Rose, PharmD, FAACT, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Virginia Poison Center in Richmond. "Most of the alcohol contained in these products evaporates into the air upon application."
I’m no expert, but I tend to agree that if alcohol based hand sanitizers are used as directed they are reasonably safe. I also believe they can be useful and handy, but are not absolutely necessary. None of the daycare facilities I have worked in used alcohol based hand sanitizers. Personally, I tend not to use them unless I am in an environment where there is absolutely no soap and water available. The moms I know, and I’m sure hosts of other mothers, use these practical products everyday without incident.
I think that alcohol based hand sanitizers are generally safe when used with caution and in moderation; there is no reason to stop using them if you are already doing so and have not had any problems with them. Again, this is my opinion and I am in no way making light of the isolated cases that are being reported.
The thing I’d take away from these news stories is to pay careful attention to directions for proper usage when using any potentially harmful substances around children.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
From time to time, my blog posts will include books I love and recommend. That’s the librarian and bibliophile in me, so bear with me! I will always include helpful, interesting books on the topic of daycare, childcare, preschool, or child development.
I have just discovered Circle Time for the Very Young by Margaret Collins.
Circle time is important because it helps develop speaking and listening skills, increases confidence, and raises self-esteem. So, child care providers and preschool teachers, this is the book for you if you:
- Are too busy to develop circle time activities
- Are not sure how to develop themed and/or developmentally appropriate circle time activities
- Simply need more ideas for circle time.
Circle Time for the Very Young covers eight Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) themes: Friends and Friendships, Growing and growing up, Keeping safe, Self esteem, Keeping healthy, Feelings and persuasion, Citizenship, and Loss, grief and separation.
The main reason I recommend and love this book is because it is so versatile and easy to use with two different age groups. For each theme, on one page you will find a circle time plan for children in age group 3-5, and on the opposite page the same plan is modified for children ages 5-7. Therefore, the book is useful through the primary grades and you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
I strongly suggest that daycare providers and preschool teachers buy, borrow, or steal a copy of this book.
For more information, see my articles on Day Care Activities
Posted by Carla Snuggs
If you have selected family day care for your child(ren), be sure to find out what types of activities the children will be participating in. Some family child care settings offer video games as a form of entertainment or recreation.
In terms of child development, I believe that children learn best, in all areas of development, from real life. Their interactions with other children and adults and their experiences and activities are important to learning and impact school readiness.
Lilian Katz in her article Another Look at What Children Should Be Learning recommends that daycare activities should be evaluated for whether or not they promote development in skills, knowledge, disposition, and feelings. Therefore in terms of social development, do video games help develop social skills or knowledge about social expectations? Does it help them acquire the ability to acquire a friendly, helpful, or cooperative disposition, and does it help them feel safe, secure, confident and competent.
Studies vary, but most show that when children are focused on video games, it interferes with this type of social development. In fact their social interactions become disorderly, rushed, and unproductive.
As a parent you should be aware of the possible effects of of video games on early childhood development. Make it a point to find out if video games are being used in your child’s daycare environment. I tend to believe there is good and bad in everything and that balance and moderation is key.
I think it’s also important to find out what games are being played, to find out how often, and to ask the provider what type of learning they are encouraging by offering specific games. Whatever your position, be clear, and make your voice heard.
For more information about family daycare, please see my article In-Home and Family Daycare.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
I recognize that proper eating habits should start at an early age and begin at home. But if young children are in daycare throughout a parents long work day, the “burden” of meeting a child’s dietary needs shifts to daycare providers.
As daycare providers, it is important to meet the health and nutrition requirements for the children you care for. I constantly hear the buzz words “all natural” “trans-fats” “free range” “organic”.
What do these terms mean and are these types of foods more expensive? New studies and reports are released daily. They can contradict each other and become confusing and overwhelming.
There are companies such as Real Food for Real Kids, a Canadian company which offers healthy, organic, free range, refined sugar free, trans-fat free, meal delivery to childcare centers, but it is relatively expensive.
While you may not be able to afford delivery service, there are some things you can do.
Arm yourself with knowledge and arm the children in your daycare around you with knowledge. For parents who send your children to daycare with home lunches and for daycare providers who provide breakfast, lunch and snacks to children it is important to have knowledge of age appropriate, balanced nutrition.
I suggest reading: The Yale Guide to Children's Nutrition by William Tamborlan, which is a comprehensive guide to children’s nutrition and a good place to start to learn the basics.
I also love The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine. Lapine is really on to something with highly creative, healthy dishes that get finicky eaters to eat healthfully.
I also suggest How to Teach Nutrition to Kids by Connie Liakos Evers, which helps child care providers teach children about a balanced diet.
Even making a few simple additions to your daycare menus can make a big difference. One child care center designates two days each week as “salad bar days”. Get creative and really mix up the fruits and veggies. Just make sure they are age appropriate and fresh.
Educate the children about the benefits of eating healthy, and then model healthy eating in the food you serve. For more fruit and veggie theme and activity ideas, see my article Nutrition Activities for Daycare.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
When I tout the benefits of daycare or preschool in articles, I usually describe how daycare promotes school readiness, and stress the importance of young children learning to share, interact, and socialize with other children and non-parental adults.
But did you know that high quality daycare might also be linked to the quality of mental health later in life?
A fascinating article in Reuters News titled “Good Daycare Boosts Poor Kids' Later Mental Health” discussed a study conducted to observe depressive symptoms in 104 21 year old adults.
“The young men and women had, in infancy, been randomly assigned to full-time daycare up to five years of age, or a comparison "control" group. Researchers visited the homes of all of the children and used a standardized scoring system to gauge the quality of home life”.
According to the study, the worse a child’s quality of home life (i.e., poverty or unstable environment) the more the child is at risk for depression later in life.
However, children with a low quality of home life that were placed in a daycare where the staff was well paid, and where there was “developmentally appropriate education and stimulation” and a high level of interaction and play, were less likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression. These children also had less depressive symptoms than those children who didn’t attend the daycare program.
So what do we take away from this? As a parent, no matter what the quality of your child’s home life, you must recognize the importance of selecting daycare where the staff is appropriately educated and the rate of staff turnover is low. This usually helps promote a safe, family-like environment.
For me this study only reinforces how important it is to closely evaluate the daycare program to make sure that the educational focus is not performance driven. Rather, children under the age of two should be allowed to learn naturally through play and interaction.
For more information on assessing daycare, please see my article How to Select a Daycare Provider.
Posted by Carla Snuggs
As tension over school security issues increase, I can’t help but think about the security issues many daycare facilities face and how they are planning to respond. My sister and I were scouting for new daycare facilities for my niece and I was shocked at how easily one can come and go and browse without being questioned.
At one facility my sister and I toured an entire day care facility on our own. The gates had no locks, the front door was open and no one was at the desk. We were there almost ten minutes in one empty classroom reading about their schedule and the activities they would be doing that month before someone asked us if they could help us. Disturbing.
Recently I came across an article in the Chester Chronicle titled “Nursery’s Digitally Enhanced Security”. Guilden Sutton Day Nursery in the United Kingdom is using fingerprinting technology to enhance safety at their daycare facility in order to prevent persons without daycare affiliation from entering. A biometric system allows parents to have their fingerprints scanned at the door and once they are recognized they allowed to enter.
Barriers to implementing fingerprint identification systems are accuracy, cost, and privacy. As I was discussing this with a few parents, most expressed concern about having their fingerprints scanned.
What makes this system less controversial is that the fingerprints are not photographed; rather the system identifies and recognizes “up to 70 unique points on each person's fingerprint and converts them into numbers”. So far the parents at this UK daycare center have responded well to the system. But is it affordable and is it reliable?
Security is always a concern for parents as they search for the appropriate daycare for their children. While nothing is foolproof, this extra level of security is more than most daycare facilities. The important thing is that when selecting daycare facilities, be sure to ask about their security measures.
For more tips on questions to ask daycare providers, read my article How to Interview Daycare Providers
