March is a vibrant and refreshing month, the time of year we await the arrival of early blooming flowers, the first tiny leaves on the trees, and the sounds of birds chirping.... all synonymous with spring. As we think about these things and leaving the winter behind, we can enjoy longer days of spending time outdoors, growing food in gardens and exploring new adventures with the children in our care.
This month in our newsletter, we are focusing on nutrition, health, and wellness activities for young children to learn, move and grow as we anticipate more sunshine and beautiful spring days.
With the arrival of spring one inspiring activity with children is rhyming and poetry. Through rhymes and poems, children learn to recognize patterns, and through patterns, they learn to understand what a sequence is, both of which help with learning math skills later. A popular author for rhyming with children is Jack Prelutsky and his book, Read-Aloud Rhymes for the very young, is an excellent resource you can find in your local library. Repeating rhymes also impacts kids' physical development. Research shows that in addition to their cognitive benefits, rhymes also offer valuable opportunities for enhancing physical coordination as they repeat action rhymes and movement. Action rhymes such as Hokey Pokey; I'm a Little Teapot; Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear; Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Children love them all!
Thinking of the outdoors and incorporating many experiences, did you know we have some fantastic resources in our state to tap into as you organize your lesson plans? The first is one that our Family Child Care Home providers have had the opportunity to be trained in Thrive meetings hosted by Tracy Hinton, North Central Business Consultants and Ryan Sierra, Northeast Business Consultant. Offered through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture workshops that bring together Project WILD and Project Learning Tree (PLT) curricula to foster environmental literacy and stewardship in the next generation. These workshops are designed to empower educators with practical tools to connect students to the natural world through inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and active exploration. You can find out more by visiting the department website.
Another excellent resource for child care providers in our state is Oklahoma Shared Services. Whether you are a frequent user or not familiar with the website, it was designed to be a one-stop location for templates, discounts and tools to assist child care providers. There is a terrific section that provides connections to activities and services in nutrition, health and safety. We invite you to explore the articles, activities, and resources we have gathered to share ideas and inspirations for the month ahead.
Choose Water for Healthy Hydration
All living things need water to survive. Along with milk, plain water is the best drink choice for kids. Why? It is super healthy with zero calories and no added sugar. It is good for the body, keeps joints, bones, and teeth healthy, helps the blood circulate and can help kids maintain a healthy weight into adulthood. Being well hydrated improves mood, memory, and attention in children. And it's economical—tap water is much less expensive than sports drinks, sodas, and juice.
We Have the Moves! Physical Activities Resource
The National Association of Family Child Care Homes along with the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services with the help of Sesame Street friends developed a physical activity resource with sections for fun movement activities no matter large or small spaces, connecting with families for healthy habits at home and in child care, and learning links tying movement and curriculum areas. Child Care Centers can also utilize this resource. So, as you read each section, you’ll find that you are already doing many physical activities with your children. Adding just a few more moments to your daily routine can make a big difference in helping them have fun with movement. Click this link to the pdf of this useful guide.
Creative Nutrition Activities for Preschoolers
Teaching children how to make healthy food choices can help them develop positive habits early on, supporting their overall growth and development. This article from Brightwheel discusses the importance of nutrition in early childhood development and offers simple, creative activities for your nutrition curriculum. When children have a nutritious and balanced diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, they can stay healthy and reach their growth and development milestones. A healthy diet boosts children’s immune systems and lowers the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, making a balanced diet extremely important to a child’s overall health. Read the entire article here: Creative Nutrition Activities for Preschoolers
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!
Everyday Steps towards Reading and Writing
an article from NAEYC
Did you know that children begin their path to reading as babies when they hear and respond to a human voice? Literacy—the ability to comprehend and communicate through reading and writing—begins as babies understand your spoken words. Listening, talking, reading, and writing are all parts of early literacy learning—and they’re all connected. Research has shown that reading together with infants and young children significantly strengthens their relationships with parents and caregivers, promoting early brain development and attachment during crucial growth stages.
On the road to becoming readers and writers, young children need many opportunities to hear and understand spoken language. This helps them become aware of the different sounds of language. They also need to learn about print—letters and words seen in books and all around them at home and in their community. Young children need writing to help them learn about reading and reading to help them learn about writing. However, they need to talk and listen before learning about both! Read more about everyday activities and ideas Everyday Steps to Reading and Writing | NAEYC
NC Article
What Dr. Seuss Knew About Children’s Brain Development
“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
As we celebrate Dr. Seuss this week, we recognize there was perhaps no one better at creating unique and memorable stories for children of all ages. His rhymes fill classrooms across the globe and continue to inspire generations of young readers. But what makes the books of Dr. Seuss so special? Perhaps it’s his ability to incorporate rhythm and rhyme in every one of his stories and the impact this has on a child. Read the entire article Here
NE Article
Promoting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Health
NAEYC: Promoting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Health
Jeannie Ho, Suzanne Funk
In a preschool classroom, some of the 3- and 4-year-old children smile, laugh, and giggle during free play; are curious about what happens next during story time; ask what and why questions while doing hands-on activities; and use words to express feelings and needs. In the toy area, Tom and Juan both reach for a small blue car. Tom says, “May I please have it first, then you have it later?” Juan replies, “You have it for five minutes and then I have it for five minutes.” Noticing this exchange, their teacher says, “Tom and Juan, you are talking about taking turns. What a great way to play together!”
Tom, Juan, and their classmates are a model of social and emotional health in preschool. Children who are socially and emotionally healthy tend to demonstrate, and continue to develop, several important behaviors and skills (adapted from McClellan & Katz 2001 and Bilmes 2012). They
Are usually in a positive mood
Listen and follow directions
Have close relationships with caregivers and peers
Care about friends and show interest in others
Recognize, label, and manage their own emotions
Understand others’ emotions and show empathy
Express wishes and preferences clearly
Gain access to ongoing play and group activities
Are able to play, negotiate, and compromise with others
Why social and emotional health matters
Children’s social and emotional health affects their overall development and learning. Research indicates that children who are mentally healthy tend to be happier, show greater motivation to learn, have a more positive attitude toward school, more eagerly participate in class activities, and demonstrate higher academic performance than less mentally healthy peers (Hyson 2004; Kostelnik et al. 2015). Children who exhibit social and emotional difficulties tend to have trouble following directions and participating in learning activities. Compared with healthier peers, they may be more likely to suffer rejection by classmates, have low self-esteem, do poorly in school, and be suspended (Hyson 2004; Kostelnik et al. 2015). Thus, children’s social and emotional health is just as important as their physical health, and affects their capacity to develop and potential to lead a fulfilling life.
Teachers can promote children’s social and emotional health in many ways, for example, by organizing a material-rich environment to stimulate social interactions among children. This article focuses on two of the most important practices: building trusting relationships and conducting intentional teaching.
Reading corner
Infant/Toddler
My Very First Book of Food by Eric Carle (Author),
Feast your eyes on the latest split-page board books from Eric Carle. In the sumptuous My Very First Book of Food, children can match each animal with the food it eats. Do you know what a squirrel eats? How about a seal? In My Very First Book of Motion, children can match each animal with the way it moves. Which animal hops? Which one waddles? Only you can match them. These fun books are full of bright animals and are lots of fun for young children.
Preschool
Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You! All About Staying Healthy
by Tish Rabe (Author), Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator)
Laugh and learn with fun facts about eating healthy, being active, avoiding germs, and more—all told in Dr. Seuss’s beloved rhyming style and starring the Cat in the Hat! Now featuring 16 bonus pages of kid-friendly recipes and fun ways to get moving, created with Partnership for a Healthier America. “I’m the Cat in the Hat and I’ve come here to say: to be healthy, be active—an hour each day.” The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series combines beloved characters, engaging rhymes, and Seussian illustrations to introduce children to non-fiction topics from the real world! Take care of yourself and learn why it is important to: • move your body every day • eat colorful foods • wash your hands • and much more! Perfect for story time and for the youngest readers, Oh, the Things You Can Do That Are Good for You! also includes an index, glossary, and suggestions for further learning.
Purchase on Barnes & Noble: Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You! All About Staying Healthy by Tish Rabe, Aristides Ruiz, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®
School Age
Super Foods for Super Kids Cookbook: 50 Delicious (and Secretly Healthy) Recipes
Kids Will Love to Make by Noelle Martin, MScFN, RD
Pizza for breakfast? Nachos made from apples? There's something delicious going on in the kitchen, and your mission is to find out exactly what it is―and learn how to make it yourself. Find here on Amazon: Super Foods for Super Kids Cookbook is your sidekick on this cooking adventure.
This kids' cookbook has cool kitchen tutorials that teach you how to read a recipe, talk like a chef, and safely use the tools needed to sizzle, chop, and simmer your favorite foods. With easy-to-read instructions and 50 recipes for yummy treats, snacks, and meals, you can whip up fun dishes like Out-Of-This-World Oatmeal Pancakes or Banana Sushi.
Parent Corner from Ivy Learning Family Support Specialists
Family Support Specialists: Amber Huston, Northeast and Angela Turner, North Central share a tip sheet from Zero to Three about Screen Sense.
Events
Upcoming Ivy Learning Events
The Thrive April Meetings will be in Oklahoma City at the Thrive Summit.
Don't miss the presentation by Tracy Hinton and Ryan Sierra at the Summit!
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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