Happy May!I was struck this week by the message in the email I get from Child Care Exchange. It was about a book called “Happiness is Running through the Streets to Find You: Translating Trauma’s Harsh Legacy into Healing”. The message talked about how we are all wounded. I think after more than a year of Covid, we can probably relate to that.
The author, Holly Elissa Bruna goes on to talk about the many ways we are wounded, and how hard most of us try to hide our wounds. I think it’s human nature to keep the worst things that happen to us hidden, or at least we try to. We may not want to acknowledge the trauma for fear of making it more real, or of being embarrassed. Sometimes I just don’t want to give it any more of my energy or attention. The problem is of course, this doesn’t usually help. We may need a friend, we may need some actual services, or we may need professional counseling.
The question she asks in the book is rather “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” As early childhood professionals, we are in such a great role to put this into practice. The way we help, guide, and support children is at the core of our work; we make them feel safe, cared for, and even loved. Because the children come into our care when they are so young, they likely won’t remember the difference you make, but that doesn’t mean you don’t make a big difference. We also have a role to help and support parents, often it’s the first time they have left their precious child in anyone else’s care for any time. What a gift!
Even more reason to care for your own wounds. Your feelings are valid, and none of us can give the most wonderful care to children if we don’t take care of ourselves first. Sometimes I like to picture everyone I know with a sign around their neck that tells me what hurt they’re carrying around, because then I would be reminded to be caring, kind, and thoughtful. Just as people would be able to see my sign and remember to be gentle to me. I think that would be a gift. A quote from Henri Nouwen, a professor and theologian, to carry with you: “Nobody escapes being wounded, we need to take care of ourselves first, then use what we’ve learned from our challenges to help others.”
Shirley
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Coaching Cornerwith Megan Monaghan and Adley Kent
Strategies to Support Brain Development
The first years of development are an opportunity to create healthy brain architecture. Early childhood educators are in the unique position to positively impact their students brain development. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, babies’ brains are developing more than 1 million new neural connections every second! Young brains are built through serve-and-return interactions, the Center explains: “When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills.”
Here are 6 strategies to boost brain development. These strategies are aimed at infants and toddlers but can also be effective with preschoolers and older children.
1. Find 25-minute blocks of time to concentrate on having conversational turns.
2. Turn daily routines and activities into opportunities for talk.
3. If there must be screen time, turn it into interactive screen time.
4. Double down: Your child’s brain development will thank you.
5. Tune in and respond.
6. Avoid interrupting or not responding.
Excerpt from the LENA website Blog
https://www.lena.org/six-simple-strategies-to-support-early-brain-development/
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Champions for Children
Welcome to a new section of our newsletter – Champions for Children!
When I think about being a voice for children, a champion for children, or even an advocate; I like to start with the idea that we know how important the first years are for children, that we have a wealth of content knowledge, and that children cannot speak for their own concerns or needs – they need us to do that. Our goal for this part of the newsletter is give you the information, links, and connections to be a strong voice for children.
Wherever you live in Colorado, you have the Governor, one state senator, and one state representative that people in your community, maybe even you, elected. They serve in our state legislature. The easiest way to know who those people are and to contact them is here: https://leg.colorado.gov/. This is a site you will want to bookmark because it has information on legislators, bills past and present, budget, schedules, and committees. The Colorado legislative session is happening right now; by law they have only 120 days to pass legislation, unless the Governor calls a special session. The icons on the main page help you find your legislator or find a bill; give it a try.
Probably the biggest news in Colorado and the early childhood world is the soon to be introduced bill that will propose the creation of a new Department of Early Childhood. This would be a cabinet level department, so significantly raised from the office of early childhood. The hope is that this department will consolidate the many funding streams, rules, and qualifications. This department will (if passed) administer the funding from Prop EE for Universal Preschool. When this bill is announced we will all have a chance to be vocal Champions for Children, urging our representative and senator to vote yes. When this happens, we will send it out for you and your organizations to review and hopefully endorse! Kids First, ECN, and RMECC are partners with the Colorado Children's Campaign; they help keep us up to speed, especially as things happen rapidly during the legislative session - https://www.coloradokids.org/.
You also have a US House Representative and two US Senators. The senators represent the entire state, and each representative represents their district. Eagle, Garfield, Lake and Pitkin Counties are in US District 3. Right now Colorado has 7 representatives, but because of an increase is population shown in the most recent census, we will be adding 1 more, so the areas will no doubt change. This site gives good information, https://www.congress.gov/. You can even watch live broadcasts then they are in session… I think it’s a little harder to navigate so if you find a better way, let me know.
Of course, then you have the President and White House site - https://www.whitehouse.gov/. There is a lot of reading here, you can learn more about the American Families Plan for example and how it will benefit childcare.
Tell us what else you want to know about being a Champion for Children, and we will bring it to you in future newsletters!
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Check out this great resource!
Family Matters Newsletter ...improving health together
The Family Matters…improving health together is a free monthly newsletter provided in English and Spanish to help families and caregivers of children (age’s pre-K through 5th grade) make informed decisions to promote healthful eating and active lifestyles. This newsletter is one of Colorado State University Extension’s responses to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) priority area of childhood obesity.
The Family Matters newsletter includes a feature article on health, physical activity, nutrition, food safety and/or child safety. Each issue includes a featured topic, a “Let’s Talk” section that encourages adults to not only model suggested behaviors, but explain to children why these behaviors are important. The last section is a call to action that offers a healthy and easy recipe for families to prepare together.
Feel free to make copies for your families. Email me at glenda.wentworth@eaglecounty.us and I will email you the monthly copies or it is available to download at: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/family-home-consumer/family-matters-newsletter/
Glenda Wentworth
Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent
Colorado State University Extension
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Don’t let April be the only month for Child Abuse Prevention
River Bridge Regional Center’s Outreach and Awareness Committee “planted” pinwheel gardens from Aspen to Parachute, in Meeker and eastern Eagle County in order to bring awareness to April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2020, River Bridge saw 240 children needing forensic interviews, mental health therapy, medical exams or consultations, and families needing advocacy support throughout the process.
But don’t let April be the only month that brings awareness to this issue affecting many children in our neighborhoods, schools, and communities. River Bridge has resources for parents and caregivers to talk to their children about child abuse prevention, body safety, and keeping children safe online. It’s never too early to start! Children’s books, videos, podcasts and more can be found on our website https://www.riverbridgerc.org/family-center/
Interested in volunteering at River Bridge? We will be starting to need volunteers for the playroom and making survey calls. Please contact Mary Cloud at mary@riverbridgerc.org |
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What’s Happening Here…
Health and Safety FYI
Robin Strecker RN
Kids First offers many incentive programs to local childcare programs, I would like to introduce you to our Child Health Liaison Program. This is a program that Kids First has offered annually since 2016, to one early childhood educator from each licensed childcare program within our community. The educator interested in this position works closely with the nurse health consultant to focus on health and safety education, outreach, and improvements in their program.
Incentive requirements include; taking specific online education modules focused on early childhood health and safety, meeting with the nurse health consultant on a frequent basis to review education modules and relevant health topics, sharing health and safety information within their program and reviewing program health and safety policies. Upon fulfilment of the program requirements, Kids First awards each liaison a monetary incentive at the end of the year for their participation.
This year we have 7 childhood educators participating in the Health Liaison incentive program. Health liaisons meet with the nurse at individual meetings and now, since the advent of the pandemic and the popularization of virtual meetings, have been joining the nurse health consultant in monthly group Zoom meetings where we review and discuss journal articles, best practices, and listen to guest speakers about their impact on early childhood health in our valley. This group opportunity is fun and informal and allows liaisons to connect, learn, share, and be inspired by other educators in the same position.
Health liaisons have championed program specific projects such as updating classroom spills, first aid, and emergency evacuation “to-go” kits, increased the rate of parents providing updated student health and immunization records, offered parents child nutrition information as well as increased communication with families and fellow staff about health information through program newsletters, email updates, and meetings. Over the past year, all liaisons played a large role in updating program illness policies, in addition to creating and implementing COVID-19 safe policies and operational procedures in each of their programs.
This incentive program challenges early childhood educators to increase their health and safety knowledge and to use that knowledge to improve the environment and outcomes within their programs. I’m partial, but I love to see and hear how empowered teachers create healthy spaces and changes in their childcare programs.
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Welcome Springtime!
Don’t you just love the beginning of new seasons?!
This spring, Early Childhood Network would like to remind you that you are teaching no matter what you are doing. The following is a good example of how, when, and what you are teaching in your everyday interactions with young children.
“…..If you work with children, you are a teacher. EVEN IF YOU ARE JUST STANDING IN A ROOM WITH CHILDREN, you are a teacher!
Children learn. That is all they do. It’s their job. They learn from what you do and what you don’t do. They learn from what you say and what you don’t say.
They learn from what you allow and what you won’t allow. They learn from what you act on and what you don’t act on.
They learn from what you notice and what you don’t notice. Children will learn from you how to treat people and what to expect of others.
IF CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, THEY ARE LEARNING.
If you are present, you are teaching.”
Written by Debra Ren-Etta Sullivan
So go forth and teach! You are shaping the minds of the future generations for years to come!
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Licensing CornerIt is hard to believe it has been thirteen months since our world shifted and facemasks, social distancing, routine temperature checks and hand sanitizer were introduced into our daily practice. While we can’t let these new practices slip by the wayside quite yet, the days ahead hold promise of “soon” and for now at least, lots of fantastical, outdoor time with the kiddos! We cannot share enough kudos for the unwavering navigation of these unprecedented times.
If anyone is feeling exhausted, anxious, uncertain, or just wanting to talk to someone—you are not alone. Some free resources are available. - Group Support for Child Care Providers:
https://www.mindspringshealth.org/colorado-spirit-initiative/ Drop-In Zoom Meetings https://coloradocrisisservices.org/ There is no wrong reason to call or text
If anyone is feeling like business tips could help build a stronger foundation for moving forward, new individualized consultation and business development trainings are available. Free through local Small Business Development Centers! - Current on Demand Training:
Budgeting, Cash Flow, and Taxes for Child Care Providers
*Must attend 9 modules and 2 consultation sessions for PDIS hours*
Consultation Contacts by County
To receive information on upcoming Small Business Development Trainings, as well as grant opportunities, Sign up for Preschool Development Grant notifications.
For now, we continue to navigate with unprecedented flexibility. For example, we are currently continuing to do most inspections virtually, including annual supervisory visits. We will let everyone know when that changes. Also, you may be aware that the PDIS Credential System is down (not to be confused with the PDIS Training System, which is working). Since the PDIS Credential Submission interface is temporarily disabled, and to support individuals using an Early Childhood Professional Credential to meet child care qualifications at a licensed child care facility, the Department will be allowing a 6-month Credential extension from the date of their expired Credential. This extension does not require additional documentation or a waiver (e.g. Credential expired 03/30/2021, extension is until 09/30/2021). If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact your Licensing Specialist for further guidance. Regarding updates on COVID guidance, your local Public Health agency is your best resource.
Wishing everyone a hopeful and beautiful Spring….
Your Child Care Licensing Crew
Mark Lapka, Sandy Jennings, Monica De La Espriella & Rebecca Romeyn
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Springtime at Raising A Reader (RAR) signals that summer reading is near and it’s time for Blue Bag Library Days. This program introduces students to their local libraries so that they and their families can access books and other free resources during the summer months and beyond. This spring, more than 400 preschool and kindergarten students from Aspen to Parachute will receive their own RAR library book bags and shiny new library cards to check out their first books. Garfield County Libraries is donating 1,500 storybooks to include in the blue canvas bags to help foster a love of reading in our community’s youngest learners. Although we aren't yet able to facilitate school field trips to the libraries, we can still empower parents with the resources and inspiration to read with their children every day.
Click on the library name to access children’s resources at your community library.
GARFIELD COUNTY LIBRARIES
PITKIN COUNTY LIBRARY
BASALT REGIONAL LIBRARY
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Emerging and Expanding Child Care Grant Program
The Emerging and Expanding Child Care Grant Program has been created for the purpose of expanding access and availability of licensed child care throughout Colorado and especially in areas where there are child care deserts. Eligible programs may apply and include: 1) Currently open and operating licensed programs, serving children birth to five, with a permanent or provisional license which are expanding their current licensed capacity; OR 2) An applicant actively pursuing a child care license through the Division of Early Care & Learning Child Care Licensing Division.
Currently licensed programs and those who are actively seeking a child care license will be eligible for a grant award from $3,000 up to $50,000 in expenses related to the expansion of current capacity or the opening of a new child care program. Programs must serve children ages birth to five to be eligible.
Child Care Licensing Specialists and Early Childhood Councils will provide support at the local level including offering consultation to prospective programs on how to become licensed, and assisting existing child care programs to expand their licensed capacity.
“Program” refers to both licensed and those seeking a license that are family child care homes, or child care centers serving children birth to age five. Existing programs that have outstanding violation corrections from a recent inspection or be under the adverse licensing process, must meet these requirements before funds can be awarded. Programs that receive 100% of funding from public sources such as Head Start/Early Head Start or the Colorado Preschool Program will not be eligible. The intent of this grant is to offer working families more access to early education programming. Programs applying for this grant are required to provide full-time programming to be eligible for grant funding.
Reach out to Stacy Petty if you are interested in applying or if you have any questions! 719-486-7273
rmecc@mtnvalley.org
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TRANSITIONSChildren experience many transitions during their childhood. Transitions can be stressful for some children and a breeze for others. Each child reacts to transitions differently depending on where he or she is in their development, their temperament, and prior experiences during similar situations. While one child reacts at school drop off with fear and sadness, another may express joy and excitement. It is important to keep in mind that there are no good or bad reactions to change. No matter what, children should feel free to express their feelings, receive comfort from adults, and receive support to build their own ways of coping with change. It is important to understand how development affects children’s reaction to transition. See the example Transitions Tip Sheet below.
For more information on ELDGs, check out this link: https://earlylearningco.org/parents-caregivers/transitions/ |
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