Spirits Soar

Do you love summer as much as I do?  I realize we live in a community that is all about winter, and I enjoy winter, but I love summers! What’s not to love – being outdoors, It’s warm, we don’t need a coat and boots, we can wear sandals almost everywhere, go camping, have picnics, getting on or at least near the water, and all that sunshine!

For many of us the love of outdoors and summer started as a child. Most of us are attracted to this place because of experiences growing up. What are your best memories from your childhood – bike rides, camping or just playing in sand or mud and water? I had all of those and more – growing up in the Midwest, I didn’t discover palm trees and ocean beaches until I was an adult. We do understand however, why so many images of “paradise” include palm trees and sandy beaches. We’ve all spent a year mostly missing those get-a-ways along with many other social gatherings, so is it any wonder we are all so ready for our beautiful summer?

We want our kids to have that opportunity to soar, especially now. What better way than to give them the creative time, materials, and discoveries of the outdoors. You probably already do a great job of this! Let’s look at our outside world through the eyes of a child, and from that level. we see twigs, leaves, clover in the grass, bugs, worms, and of course dirt, water, and sand. Sand is so basic sometimes we forget just how awesome it is to a child. You can mold it, sift it, sculpt it, dig, and pile it. Children find sand fascinating – whether they see each tiny grain or are making the biggest mountain. That is the beauty of letting a child create their own play. You probably have a sandbox and they really do provide hours of fun. Sand can be messy and sometimes it’s oh so hard to keep it in the sandbox. You’ll also want to make sure you can cover it or keep cats out of your sandbox.

The best thing is to mix sand with water, it’s almost magic and think of all the science you’re learning without even trying: measuring, pouring, building a dam, breaking down a dam, floating and sinking things. Take a bag with you on a walk and have your child pick up sticks, leaves, small stones, and other natural things they spot. Now you have even more things to add to your sand and water experience. Anything left over can become an art project for another day.

Even though each of us spent some time as a child, it’s easy to forget how “new” everything is to a young child. Every day is an exploration and it’s how they learn. Our job as early childhood teachers is give them the rich materials, the space and time, and the freedom to play. As adults we need to remember how important play is for our physical health, our mental health, and even our cognitive development. We want to soar this summer and we want to see kids soaring. Won’t you join me while i put my toes in the sand?
                                                                     Shirley 

Let's Play in the Mud!!

There’s a reluctance in our culture to “get dirty”.  Annually we join others around the world in a day of splashing, rolling, squishing, sliding, making mud pies, and more! On June 29th, International Mid Day.  

We find that children initially approach the mud cautiously, We ask parents to encourage their children to join in the fun and not to worry about their clothes. ( we also offer clean activities as an alternative). The children give us a curious look as if they’re saying  “Are you serious, you’re telling me I can play in THAT?”

Tentative explorations begin with single fingers poked into soggy soil or sticks dipped into gooey muck and then… finally… a splatter is made, a giggle erupts and before long…gleeful squeals of pure delight ensue as the players (both children and adults) let go of their trepidations and literally jump in with both feet. We can only hope the  impact of Mud Day give children the messages of freedom, creativity, & exuberant play,  to connect to the Earth and to each other. And at the end of the day we hope they say,” We need more mud”.

Health and Safety
Robin Strecker, RN

Anytime you welcome a new infant into your child care program, or anytime you are caring for an infant, is a great time to talk about safe sleep. If you work for a child care program, or are caring for a baby in your own home, show families where their baby will sleep. Talk about the sleep environment you use and explain why you use a firm mattress, place babies on their back alone and how often you check on babies while they sleep. If you are watching a baby in the baby’s own home, ask to see where the baby is sleeping. Talk about what you know about safe sleep and why it is so important. 
 
If you’re working at a licensed child care provider, you’ve probably already taken the Safe Sleep course on the Colorado Shines PDIS to meet licensing requirements. If you aren’t a licensed child care provider, you can still take this course! You can also learn more about practicing safe sleep on the Safe Sleep Landing Page on Colorado Shines. Be sure to also share our Safe Sleep Checklist with families, providers and anyone caring for infants in your community.  
 
Every parent, caregiver, child care provider and anyone caring for a baby has the ability to make sure babies are in a safe sleep environment. 
 
Colorado licensing rules state that you may care for four or fewer children, with no more than two being under two without a child care license. If you are caring for more than four children or more than two children under two, you need a child license. Learn more about applying for a child care license here. Child care licensing has specific rules for safe sleep for infants,  download this flyer that reviews licensing rules for safe sleep and infants. 
 

Wildfire Smoke Effects Young Children

Wildfire season is here, the impacts from smoke and other forms of air pollution can affect us all.  Young children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.  Smoke can travel hundreds of miles from the source of a fire. Pay attention to local air quality reports during fire season, even if no fire is nearby.  Stay alert to smoke-related news coverage and public health advisories. Find out about local air quality and follow the fires in your area on the AirNow web site.

Health effects:  Children who breathe in wildfire smoke and ash can have chest pain and tightness; trouble breathing; wheezing; coughing; nose, throat, and eye burning; dizziness; or other symptoms.

If a child has asthma, allergies, or a chronic health condition, they are at high risk from health effects related to wildfire smoke and ash. For children with asthma, follow the asthma action plan. Do not rely on cloth face masks, like those used for COVID-19, for protection from smoke. Properly fitted N95 or KN95 respirator masks can protect you from particles in the air but not from poisonous gases. 

What you can do:  Keep the indoor air as clean as possible.  Portable air cleaners can be used indoors to filter out particulate matter such as dust, dander, pollen, and mold.  Never use an ozone-generating air cleaner.  When air quality is good, open windows and let in the fresh air. Monitor the air quality through AirNow.gov and know when to increase indoor time for children when air quality is poor.  The EPA’s School Flag Program has Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools based on the EPA’s air quality index. 

Have a safe summer!

Robin Strecker, RN
Kids First Child Care Health Consultant

Kids First is offer a parenting class that can benefit both caregivers and parents.

Join this Zoom, Lunch Time class. 

Positive Solutions for Families is a Pyramid Model based curriculum and provides information on how to promote children’s social and emotional skills, understand their problem behavior, and use positive approaches to help children learn appropriate behavior. Some of the topics covered include building relationships, using play to learn social skills, emotional vocabulary/how to handle big feelings, and strategies to promote positive behavior. Each session will end with goal setting and an opportunity to put the strategies into practice. The materials is evidence based, user friendly, and constructive for families, caregivers and early childhood teachers.

Early Childhood teachers that complete all six sessions will receive a training certificate for 6 clock hours

Positive Solutions for Families

6 Lunch Break Sessions