The beginning of a new year is an exciting time to reflect on where we have been and to decide where we are going! Often in the world of childcare, we make our biggest plans according to the beginning of the school year as new children transition to care and current children transition to the school setting. But many of us can use this beginning of a new year to rejuvenate our teaching energy and revise our goals for our programs and ourselves.
We can also discuss what the new year brings as we encourage the children in our care to recall special milestones or events of the past year. You can model it by sharing your memories or talking about the wonderful things month by month you experienced together to prompt their thoughts. “Remember the time when we had a visitor who brought…….” Even small children remember birthdays, holidays, field trips or family trips. A fun time of reflection and appreciation together as a group.
Also, as you think about your goals and dreams, we want to remind you to be on the lookout for the Ivy Learning team’s special project of Intentional Growth Planning training which are offered throughout the year. Early Childhood Educators are caring individuals who often sacrifice their own goals and dreams to provide the best experiences and support for young children. This training helps put you on the path of mapping out your individual goals and dreams both professionally and personally. Please check the events section of the newsletter or reach out to jboomer@ivylearning.org
Outdoor Play on Winter Days
Outdoor play is essential for children, especially during winter days, as it allows them to use their large muscles and work off extra energy. National health and wellness standards recommend daily outdoor play and daily physical activity for children of all ages. Find ideas for outdoor play activities to get those extra wiggles out. Read the entire article here.
The Power in Our Collective Voices: Building Your Skills as an Early Childhood Advocate
The beginning of the new year is also a good time to think about trying new things that we haven't done before. Things like communicating with local, state and federal legislators on behalf of children. Sometimes we may think to ourselves, "oh, I don't know what to say" or "that will take too much time" or "what difference can I make?"
As early childhood educators, we are the best voices to advocate for the important young voices of each child in our care. There are many great resources for discovering how you can advocate, and your voice does make a difference! NAEYC has a great article to explain some simple steps to do just that. Read here https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/summer2023/power-collective-voices. An excellent organization for advocating is Child Care Aware of America. Have you visited their website? You can easily access many of their resources on the website that also walk you through advocacy: Advocacy - Child Care Aware® of America. Take time to check it out and you might be surprised by how easy it is to advocate for young children and share your perspective with leaders.
Fantastic FREE Telehealth and Teletherapy Services for you!
Have you heard the news about the FREE telehealth/teletherapy services being offered to all licensed childcare providers by Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness? Taking care of your health is very important and OPSR has an outstanding opportunity for you to do that remotely at a time that is convenient for you as you care for children.
Find out more information about it Here and enroll now!
NC Article
Project Learning Tree: 10 Outdoor Winter Activities for Preschoolers
If you’re a teacher in a cold climate, you know that winter is here! With preschoolers that are in need of fresh air and learning activities that get them up and moving, you need to find a way to take advantage of those cold, snow-covered months. Read the entire article here.
NE Article
5 New Years Resolutions for Your Child Care Business
As the new year begins, we begin thinking about making New Years Resolutions.
Are you wanting to make some big plans for your small business this year? See click on the link below to this helpful guide to get started!
Reading corner
Infant/Toddler
Babies in the Snow Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Book
by Ginger Swift (Author), Cottage Door Press (Author), Ariel Silverstein (Illustrator)
Introduce your baby or toddler to arctic animals including polar bears, whales, caribou, walruses, seals, and more in this adorable lift-a-flap board book. Simple sentences reinforce future language structure while grasping and lifting the sturdy flaps helps develop fine motor skills. A perfect first book!
Welcome to the world little one! Come explore Babies in the Snow Lift-a-Flap board book filled with surprises. Perfectly sized for little hands and fingers to open and close the flaps. 6 chunky and sturdy flaps are extra strong so your little one can open and close again and again
Purchase on Amazon Here
Preschool
The Giving Snowman: A Children’s Bedtime Story about Gratitude
by Julia Zheng (Author), Graziella Miligi (Illustrator)
On a snowy night, Snowman lends a helping hand to Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler when they are in need. The next day when the sun comes out and melts Snowman, Bird, Rabbit, Farmer, and Traveler work together as a team to rebuild Snowman. The Giving Snowman is a book about kindness and gratitude. Children can learn through the story that giving to others is a virtue that connects all of us and makes our lives more beautiful.
Purchase on Amazon Here
School Age
How to Catch a Snowman by Adam Wallace (author) and Andy Elkerton (illustrator)
Our heroes' entry for the snowman contest has magically come to life―and ran away! Can YOU help catch it? Get ready for snow much fun as you travel through a winter wonderland with running, skating, and bouncing through trap after trap to catch the snowman and claim the winning prize. Will the snowman teach our heroes a lesson they'll never forget? Who snows! This delightful picture book for ages 4-10 is filled with silly rhymes, fun art, and STEAM connections perfect for families and educators. Buy it on Amazon
Parent Corner from Ivy Learning Family Support Specialists
Family Support Specialists: Amber Huston, Northeast and Angela Turner, North Central
The Ivy Learning Family Support Specialists want to share information about an exciting program!
This Free Program is:
Designed specifically to help people who are pregnant, people caring for newborns, and anyone caring for children through age 5. This includes grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
Available in person and online, and in English and Spanish.
Offered 3 times per year in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Each class focuses on different topics.
https://sunbeamfamilyservices.org/earlybirds/ click this link for more information.
Events
Upcoming Ivy Learning Events
CPR Certification Training
Cost: $75 per person
Saturday January 11, 9:00 A.M.
Location: Bear's Cub House
815 N. Pine St.
Sallisaw, OK 74955
Instructor: Lana Pitts, NE Infant Toddler Specialist, please reach out for more information lpitts@ivylearning.org or 918-397-4911
Upcoming Northeast Region Thrive Family Child Care Network events:
Saturday January 25th: Project Wet and Wild 10:00am-2:00pm
presented by Jack Hilgert, OK State Coordinator
Location: Vidalia's Cafe
319 N. Muskogee Ave. Tahlequah, OK
Please reach out to Ryan Sierra, NE Business Consultant for more information:
Ryan Sierra, rsierra@ivylearning.org or 918-766-6758
Upcoming North Central Thrive Family Child Care Network events:
Saturday January 11th: Partnering with Parents, 10:00am-2:00pm
presented by NC Family Support Specialist Angela Turner and NC Regional Director Jan Boomer
Location: Carolyn Renfro Event Center
445 Fairview Ave. Ponca City, OK
Please reach out to Tracy Hinton, NC Business Consultant for more information:
Tracy Hinton, thinton@ivylearning.org or 918-766-2577
Intentional Growth Planning Training
Thursday January 30th, Northeast Vo-Tech Claremore Campus, 6:00-8:00pm, 2 hr. training credit
Located in Claremore at: 1901 OK-88, Claremore, OK 74017
Reach out to Jan Boomer at jboomer@ivylearning.org or 918-914-3614 for registration
Ivy Learning is here to serve you!
Ivy Learning Child Care Resource & Referral serves the North Central and Northeast Regions of Oklahoma, which includes 20 counties. For more information and to contact your regional representative, expand the section below.
North Central Region: Kay, Lincoln, Logan, Noble, Nowata, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers and Washington Counties
Northeast Region: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Ottawa & Sequoyah Counties
Request Technical Assistance from our Resource and Referral Specialists
Ivy Learning Child Care Resource and Referral can provide technical assistance to childcare providers. Technical Assistance services help providers improve or enhance the quality of childcare through structured and intentional services which supports the development of specific skills and practices. As a result, providers will be able to implement knowledge about quality in their individual care giving situations.
More Resources for Information and Webinars
Early Childhood Investigations Webinars
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR)
Additional Resources
918-397-3007 Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program 866-343-3881 Insure Oklahoma/OEPIC 888-365-3742 Oklahoma Child Care Services Oklahoma Professional Development Registry View the Statewide Training Calendar Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP) | Centers for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD) 888.446.7608 FREE phone support and consultation for child care providers regarding behavior, development, health, and safety issues. Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm Automated system available 24/7. Questions? Email: warmline@health.ok.gov Information, Resources, & Trainings Oklahoma Partners for School Readiness (OPSR) |
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