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Ivy Learning Resource & Referral Newsletter | December 2024




December is getting colder but it's still a great time for outdoor adventures!

The weather is getting colder, but children still need time outdoors to play, explore, and use up their never ending energy supplies. Some providers are concerned when the weather gets cold and opt to stay indoors. Although it may seem better for the children to stay inside, the outdoors hold many benefits even in the cold. See the guidelines below to learn more!



 

NC Article

Compassion Fatigue

The desire to provide the most attentive, loving, and safe environment possible for as many children as possible is real and honorable, and yet it must not be in competition with the desire to attend, love, and create safety for ourselves. In the article, "Navigating Compassion Fatigue with Compassion," author Shoshanah Findling shares some of the ways of thinking that can lead us down the road towards unhealthy helping:


"The invitation that welcomes compassion fatigue into your life often starts with having thoughts such as, "I am here to help and I want to make a difference." This is usually followed by, "I am responsible for those I help and the outcomes that follow." When you develop the misguided belief that your reputation depends on these outcomes, you also develop a false sense of control or ownership over the end result of your work. It is normal to want to be competent and successful, but you must maintain realistic expectations under increasing demands for effectiveness, when the result of your work is completely based on the decisions that others make in their lives."


It is not the act of service or care that creates dysfunction, it is when we decide that the responsibility of providing support is solely on our shoulders that physical, mental, and emotional fatigue are most prominent. It is healthy and necessary to remind ourselves that we are not responsible for the future, only for our slice of the present. It is beautiful to say no, at times, to rest, and to take off what we are carrying. It does not mean we do not care; it is a sign that we include ourselves in the web of those deserving of grace and gentleness.


 

NE Region

Holiday Creations

Are you looking for some fun ways to engage imaginative minds this Holiday Season? Check out all these great ideas for simple and beautiful creations to make with the children in your care. Most of them will be great for children to take home to their families as well and remember for years to come!


 

Reading corner 

 

Infant/Toddler 

Merry Christmas Mouse by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond:

This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for toddlers, who will enjoy this simple introduction to numbers. Mouse adds ornaments to his tree, one by one. A great opportunity for the littlest ones to practice counting along with the ever-popular Mouse.


Preschool 

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Erik Litwin:

Spend the holidays with your favorite blue cat! In this rockin' spin on the traditional tale The Night Before Christmas, Pete the Cat proves that giving your all in the spirit of Christmas is the totally groovy thing to do.

This edition of Pete the Cat Saves Christmas features a gorgeous and ornate foil jacket.

The fun never stops—this book includes a sheet of full-color stickers and a link to a free downloadable song!

There are even more Pete the Cat songs and read-alongs on YouTube for you and your children to enjoy!


School Age


My Weird School Special: Deck the Halls, We're Off the Walls!: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Dan Gutman


It's Christmas, and you know what that means! Santa Claus is coming to town! Or at least to the local mall. But what happens when kid rapper Cray-Z gives a Christmas concert at the same mall and all his fans go bananas? One thing's for sure—if A.J. and the gang from Ella Mentry School want to save the day, they will need a Christmas miracle.

Bestselling author Dan Gutman brings his kid-friendly sense of humor to this special series of after-school, holiday-themed chapter books featuring hilarious stories and thirty-two pages of games, puzzles, and more. This is one weird Christmas special you won’t want to miss!

 

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 that many of the communities and counties they serve offer the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to families. How it works: Click here to find out if it is in your area: https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/


And if it is available in your area, register to receive the books for your child. Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high quality, age appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. Countless parents have shared how excited their child is when their new book arrives each month!



















Events 

Ivy Learning Events

 

CPR Certification Training ($75 per person):


December 17 at Stepping Stones Academy

1400 HENSLEY DRIVE

TAHLEQUAH, OK 74464

Taught by Lana Pitts, please reach out to her for more information at 918-397-4911


Upcoming Northeast Region Thrive Family Child Care Network events:


December 21: Self Care During the Holidays

Vidalia's Cafe, Tahlequah please reach out to Ryan Sierra for more information:

Ryan Sierra, rsierra@ivylearning.org or 918-766-6758


Upcoming North Central Thrive Family Child Care Network events: 


January 11th: Partnering with Parents

Carolyn Renfo Event Cetner, 445 Fairview Ave. Ponca City, OK

Reach out to Tracy Hinton at thinton@ivylearning.org or 918-766-2577 for more information! 

 


 

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

Ivy Learning

918-977-3600


Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program

866-343-3881


Insurance Assistance

Insure Oklahoma/OEPIC

888-365-3742


Oklahoma Child Care Licensing

Oklahoma Child Care Services


Oklahoma Professional Development Registry

View the Statewide Training Calendar


Child Nutrition Program

Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)

​Centers for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD)

888.446.7608


Oklahoma Child Care Warmline

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)

(405) 429-4219


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