New Years Resolution

We have a wonderful staff member battling cancer.  She has a care page that she uses to keep us all up to date on her fight for her life.  Today she posted the following and asks readers for their New Years resolution.  After reading her post, mine is to be grateful for my life and health.  

What is yours?

 WOW!!!!! What happened? I actually slept in this morning; I got up at 6:30. Chemo day, again, and YES! I am dreading it.  No matter how I try to keep telling myself it's all good, come morning my stomach gets in knots, my nerves go haywire, my stress level rises, I pace, I talk a lot and louder than normal, and I become a wreck from the process of today and the next few days. I have learned I can not compare it to any of the past treatments, because each one seems to be different. So I am taking a deep breath and find the numbing cream and do what I have to do.
Gary says that I give a whole new meaning to a chameleon because my skin changes colors all week, from pale, white, grey, green, peach, and my normal color RIGHT!!!! Today I guess I am pale from worry, it's all good!!!!
I have a few stubborn hairs on my head that simply refuse to fall out, but after today I think these stubborn hairs will fall out. The three things that I don't have to worry about are; shampoo, razors, and a hair brush, HA HA, but I have been using a lot of lotion.
 

Happy one year anniversary Heather and Drew, I can't believe it's been a year already, where has 2011 went, and speaking of years, New Years is just four days away and I have been thinking about my New Years resolution. Got the losing weight under-control, got a new hair dew under control, new wardrobe with my hats, I got the exercising down-pat with the sit up from my naps. I got the traveling under control I go to Winston once or twice a week. Meet new people, I do that once a week. Surround your self with family and friends, that's good. Laugh a lot, I am handling that, I GOT IT!!!!WORRY LESS!!!! THAT'S IT, when the NEW YEAR comes, I AM GOING TO WORRY LESS.  I am going to try and worry less, no I am going to think about worrying less, and then I will pretend to worry less. HA HA
So have you thought about your NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS? Would love to hear them.
Have a bless day - Love Ya All

THE UGLY GREED OF CHRISTMAS



The recession has had an impact on almost every family in this county.  Rowan County has been hit especially hard during these past few years.  Many of us have lost jobs, homes and a way of life that we’ve known for decades. And now it’s Christmas, the most spending and materialistic time of the year.  I have spoken with many parents who worry about disappointing their children on Christmas Day.  Somehow, the amount of STUFF we buy for our children has become symbolic with how much we love our children.



I don’t remember much about the STUFF I received for Christmas.  I do remember my uncle Abe buying a large box of crayons for me because, as he explained, he was told that I like to draw.  I wouldn’t have remembered the gift, though, had it not been for the fact that Abe, a very busy young man, sat down next to me and drew pictures using my new box of perfect crayons.  That was truly the gift he gave me that Christmas.  He made me feel important.    

It snowed here in Rowan County last Christmas; a very rare event.  I don’t remember it though.   I was too busy trying to make Christmas perfect for everybody in my family.  The recession has hit my family too, so there won’t be as much STUFF under the Christmas tree.  I’m alright with this fact, because this year I will remember the lesson my uncle Abe taught me.    

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

Christmas Tree Tradition

Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas. One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth.

Merry Christmas
May your holidays be happy days, filled with love and laughter.

May the ones you hold dear come from far and near,
to fill your house with joy and music to the rafters.
And may each day bring joy your way, in the year that follows after!

christmascarnivals.com

Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

The spirit of giving

Modeling one of her new "cool hats"

One of our beloved staff, Laura Medford has been diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma (a from of invasive breast cancer).  The Doctor said that only 20% of women have this type of cancer because it does not show up on any test and is usually invasive before it is found.

Laura began chemo a couple of weeks ago.  She is battling all of the elements that go with the treatments, but is still always thinking of others.  She had the length of her hair cut off for locks of love before it started falling out.  Another example occurred after visiting the doctors office last week.  She saw some cute little hats and asked how much they cost.  She was told they were free to cancer patients.  She took the last one and when she got home began  making more to donate to others that are losing their hair to chemo.  That is so Laura - giving to others!  Please join the PIL team in praying for her healing. 

You can find out more or keep up with her updates at  http://www.carepages.com/carepages/LauraMedford/patient

LIFE WITH CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY PET



For many of us, pets are an important part of our lives.  I have enjoyed the companionship of a family pet most of my life.  A gentle and loyal German Shepard, a trouble-making thief of a cat named Alex and a small terrier-mix with an extremely large personality are to name a few of the animals that have kept my secrets, demonstrated endless patience with me and loved me unconditionally. 

Here are some benefits of owning a family pet:

• Taking care of a pet can help children develop social skills.

• Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others.

• A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.

• They provide a connection to nature.

• They can teach respect for other living things.

• They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts--children often talk to their pets, like they do their stuffed animals.

• Physical activity

The Scottish terrier featured in this blog is our 11-year-old dog, Bailey.  (This time of year, though, she is also known as Noel, Santa’s Christmas dog.)

http://aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/pets_and_children



Carolina Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Partners In Learning was honored to be asked to attend the preview night of the Carolina Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway by Miller Davis Studios.We were told we could take two bus loads full of children and it would all be free.  I decided to invite our staff with children and families of children of special needs first.  I was going to open the remainder of the seats to the rest of our families.  I began by sending out an email to my staff and families of children with special needs.  To my surprise, within 2 days I had filled two buses with mostly families of children with special needs.  Everyone was so grateful for the opportunity to attend the event.  We had a wonderful time and you can read more about the magical night in the Salisbury Post.

 

What's Cooking?

Mommy and Madison, 5, making homemade macaroni and cheese. We layer macaroni noodles, shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese, and cheese sauce: a blend of milk, flour, egg and extra sharp cheddar cheese

Chef Madison say: Cheese....

The end result after 30 minutes of baking in the oven: Homemade MACARONI-N-CHEESE! Yummy...

Cedric Jr. "CJ", 20 months, learning how to chop celery at the PUSH of a button!

Time to EAT!

Involve your children in food shopping and preparing meals. It gives you the opportunity to teach your children about nutrition, and provide your kids with a feeling of accomplishment. Children will be more willing to eat or try foods that they help prepare.




Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY A GUILT-FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD AVOID READING THIS BLOG

The holidays are upon us again. We’ll celebrate them with friends, family, gifts, lights, decorated trees and homes and food-----lots of food. I hate to be the Thanksgiving spoiler, but let’s look at the caloric content of a typical Thanksgiving dinner.
Before dinner snacks:
1 celery stalk with cream cheese 45
1 cracker with cheese 70
1 ounce tortilla or potato chips 150
1 tablespoon dip for chips 75

Beverages:
1 mixed drink 250
1 glass wine 120
1 glass cider or sparkling grape juice 120
1 cup eggnog 343

Dinner:
6 ounces cured ham 300
6 ounces white and dark turkey 340
½ cup stuffing 180
½ cup cranberry sauce 190
½ cup mashed potatoes 150
½ cup gravy 150
1 baked potato with sour cream 150
½ cup green bean casserole 225
½ cup candied sweet potatoes 150
1 dinner roll 110
1 pat of butter 20

Dessert:
2 small chocolate chip cookies 150
1 piece apple pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 410
1 piece pecan pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 480
1 piece pumpkin pie (1/8 of 9-in pie) 180
½ cup whipped cream 75
½ cup ice cream 145
1 small piece of fudge 70

You do the math.
http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm
Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

Tips for keeping children with Autism safe

One of the many challenges in cring for a child with autism is that they could wander or run off at any moment, without any warning.  This happened recently in Salisbury.  See the article below:

The all-out search Sunday afternoon for a 21/2-year-old boy ended happily for his family and rescue teams when he was found sitting quietly in tall weeds just 30 feet from the end of his parents’ yard.

During the two-hour search, numerous people were within a few feet of David Croyle without knowing it. The youngster displays autistic-type behavior and has therapists who visit him weekly at his Archer Farm Drive home.   He ... READ MORE

 These tips below may help:

• Use a stop sign and teach your child how to stop and go using the sign.  It may take months/years to teach this new skill.

• Use baby M&M's (or his favorite treat) to get your child to come to you when you call his name.   Get the entire family too assist in this.  Call him/her, dad brings him to you, to clap really big and give him a tiny treat.  Repeat it several times every day.

• If your child ever wanders off, call 911 immediately.  Let them know that the child has autism and will not answer or come to his name. 

• Inform Your Neighbors – Give them a handout with a picture of your child, physical characteristics, emergency contact information and details about how to effectively approach/communicate with and calm your child.

• Place STOP or DO NOT ENTER signs on doors – These powerful visual cues and reminders can help stop a child from wandering.

• Secure Your Home – Use deadbolt locks, keep doors and windows locked and install an alarm system/alert, chimes on doors. Consider motion detectors and window bars.

• Teach Your Child to Swim as soon as possible – Because people with autism are drawn to water, such as pools, ponds and lakes, swimming lessons can be invaluable.

• * Eliminate Triggers for Wandering – If your child has a fixation on certain sounds or objects that draw him/her to investigate and wander, eliminate those distractions when ever possible

• Get an ID Bracelet/Necklace – List emergency contact information on personal IDs and on tags for personal belongings. Another idea is to place the emergency information in their shoe.  Police know to look there

• Use a Monitor/Camera at Bedtime – A sound or video monitor provides constant surveillance, even when you are in a different room.

• Install a Fence – Set latches high and out of reach on the outside of gates.

Norma Honeycutt, Early Intervention Specialist

 

Carolina Christmas Opportunity

Miller Davis Studios has been kind enough to offer Partners In Learning the opportunity to take take two bus loads of children and their parents to be one of the first to go through the Carolina Christmas.  This will be totally FREE to the families!  We have opened this up to all families of children with special needs in our community.  We only have 65 slots so it will be offered on a first come first serve basis.   Carolina Christmas is one of the largest holiday light shows in the United States, featuring more than 600 LED light displays boasting 3 million lights. Carolina Christmas also offers a Christmas Village with a realistic Bethlehem-themed village, a Festival of Trees, photos with Santa and areas with food and music.Carolina Christmas will expand to be bigger and better in 2011. Visitors will love the extended route, reaching nearly 5 miles in length, filled with Christmas lights and displays. Carolina Christmas goers will enter the light park at zMAX Dragway, pass by The Dirt Track at Charlotte and into Charlotte Motor Speedway where a drive on the 1.5-mile superspeedway is part of the holiday fun.  If you would like for your child to be able to participate, please call 704-638-9020.

The Simple Things that Make Children Happy!

Our 2/3 classroom was on the field playing this week and the children discovered a drain. They hovered around the drain to look inside to see what they could find. Mrs. Cindie bent down to discover with the children and she asked a  few of them to run to the other drain on the field so that they could talk back and forth. The children's eyes lit up as they ran down to the other side of the field. Click on this video to hear their excitement:

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you make look back and realize they were the big things.”

 ~Robert Brault

Today, be thankful for the simple things that make you happy...

Dedicated to the Starfish Class.


Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Problem Solving with Toddlers

What to do when three children want to all swing at the same time? Children aren't too young to work through this type of issue in a diplomatic way. Here the teacher is problem solving the issue with the children and eventually fairness prevailed and one child was able to happily swing and the others went to play elsewhere.

Cooper has a problem his car is stuck and he is not sure how to get it out of this parallel spot. However, persistence pays off and Cooper gave the car a great big push and went over the edge of the wood to get the car out of a tight spot.

Deborah K. Howell, Assistant Director

working on small motor skills

Fine motor skills are those skills that allow you to develop the ability to do such things as write and manipulate small objects. Try these simple activities to help your children along the way. 

- Painting. Try to alternate between large, stubby brushes and smaller, finer brushes. The smaller the brush is, the more control they need over their hands. Also try getting them to do some painting with cotton swabs. This affords some really fine work and allows them to develop their pincer grip; needed for learning to write.

- Puzzles. For younger children; start them off with large peg puzzles. Take advantage of natural moments like the one in the video.  Me and my daughter took my granddaughter to Cracker Barrel.  At only 16 months old, she was able to master the peg board and it entertained her while we waited for our meal.

- Playdough. Children will get some great fine motor skill exercise out of Playdough especially if you add some extra equipment such as rollers and cookie cutters. 

- Cutting. Bring out the scissors and some old magazines and let them get to work. Cutting requires a lot of coordination. For younger children who are just getting used to manipulating scissors, you can buy them without any metal. They can start by cutting playdough.

 Norma Honeycutt, Executive Director

Report Card Time!!!

Madison's Kindergarten class on their first field trip.



Make ense of what the report card is really telling you. Read the comments written by the teacher . These comments give you a better idea of how your child is performing overall.

Attend the Parent-Teacher Conference. The teacher has spent hours a day observing your child in the classroom. Often they can paint a better picture of where your child is headed academically.

Put it in context. Some school years are more challenging than others. Certain grades are transition years, such as the first year of high school, or the shift from early to middle school, that are challenging to all students, regardless of their academic abilities.

Go to the Source. If your child’s report card contains some surprises, ask the one person who would know best: your child. But before you do, take some time to read the report card by yourself. Identify the subjects that are the biggest concern and address those concerns when you sit down together and go over the report card. Remember to remain calm—you and your child are allies in education, not enemies.

Take Action NOW. A bad report card can be a serious roadblock to opportunities for the future. But it doesn’t have to be. Just because the school year is out doesn’t mean that parents have to wait until the school year begins to get their children back on track. The report card is a red flag. If parents don’t act now, the urgency of the bad report card will be forgotten and there will be no progress made.


Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Tips for Holiday Savings

 

 

In a few short weeks the holiday season will be upon us.  Some of us greet this time of year with excited anticipation while others are filled with dread.  For some the money is the biggest source of stress.  Parenting magazine has offered a few tips to help deal with the stress and to find ways to enjoy the holidays without going broke.

 

Some of the tips include: 

     Give the gift of time to relatives, friends or neighbors by offering a much needed service or help local agencies in the community.

 

     Start a new tradition with your family making gifts together and sharing your talents with relatives, friends and others less fortunate.

 

     Cut your electric bill by switching to led lights on your tree and outdoor decorations.  Incorporate nature's bounty from your yard for eye catching holiday greenery.

 

     Many stores will be offering 100 gifts under $10.00 and online retailers are offering free shipping.  Layaway programs are showing up again so make your purchases early and pay a little each week.

 

For more information to make your holidays stress free and to spend less, click on the link below:

 

 

http://www.parenting.com/article/money-saving-holiday-season?cid=searchresult

 

 

Colleen Carman

Finance/HR Director

ENCOURGING CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITES

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, Partners In Learning sponsored a Fun Run for children aged two and older.  The event took place at one of Catawba College’s athletic fields, and the challenge was for the children to complete two laps around the track; the equivalent of one-half mile.  Some children had participated in similar events prior to this Fun Run, while this was the first such event for others.

There was a great deal of anticipation at the start line.

Dakota runs while looking back to encourage Ceci during the first lap. 

Ceci’s little brother Peter, age three, runs to keep sight of his sister.

  He was determined to complete the race though he needed the support of his dad running beside him during the second lap.

 He finished his first Fun Run and received a medal as a reward for his determination.

All the children completed the race, challenging their bodies while building confidence in their abilities.

Children need to take risk!

My granddaughter has learned a new skill.

Anyone who has ever had a toddler understands the concern of a mother watching them climb and take lots of risk.  These risk are necessary in order for the child to learn.  According to Erik Erikson, child development theorist; children go through a set of stages.  Between 18 Months to 3 Years children learn to master skills for themselves.  


Here children have the opportunity to build self-esteem and autonomy as they gain more control over their bodies and acquire new skills, learning right from wrong. And one of their skills during the "Terrible Two's" is their ability to use the powerful word "NO!" It may be pain for parents, but it develops important skills of the will. 

It is also during this stage, however, that children can be very vulnerable. If they're shamed in the process of toilet training or in learning other important skills, they may feel great shame and doubt of their capabilities and suffer low self-esteem as a result.  The most significant relationships are with parents.

Norma Honeycutt, Executive Director

 

Home Visits

Home and school are a child’s two most important worlds. Young children must bridge these two worlds as they enter the world of preschool. Home visits are a positive way to connect with families and help the child transition into school and feel secure. Without that connection children may be apprehensive, fearful, anxious or timid. This could ultimately suffer the relationship with the child transitioning into to school and take much longer to establish. Many parents also worry that this is a "check up" of some kind... Don't worry, the teacher isn't coming to see if you have nice furniture, or check on your cleaning skills. The purpose of the home visit is to build a relationship with the family by getting to know them in a non threatening environment. Learning family background, home life, strengths and weakness aids teachers is building the curriculum around the children; instead of building the children around the curriculum. Because of this, the teacher may ask you to give input into some of your child's skills, abilities, and developmental patterns. The information provided from the family will help the teacher cater the program to your child. When teachers build partnerships with families they demonstrate that they truly value the family’s role in education.

Developing partnerships begins with the teacher’s willingness to visit the child where he/she is most secure – in his/her own home.

 
 
Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Weekend Fun

 

Partners In Learning is celebrating 15 years of serving

children and families in our community. 

 

Join us this Saturday for a day of fun,

festivities, and celebration

 

Start the day off right and find that special purchase during our yard sale. 

Hours are from 8-5pm

 

Calling all youngsters to participate in our Special Olympics Young Athletes event which is designed to encourage children of ALL ability to participate alongside one another.

Hours are 1-3pm

 

Our annual Fall Family Fest is a little more special than in the past.  There will be something for everyone to enjoy.  Wear your non scary costumes and enjoy games, cake walks, hay rides, food and fun for the whole family.

Hours are 3-5pm

Top off this special day with an evening Family Fun Walk/Run.  This is an opportunity for your whole family to participate.  A Kids Fun Walk/Run for ages 12 and under starts at 5:30pm.  The course will be 2 laps around the Catawba College track.  For older family members, try the Prediction Run which starts at 6pm.  Participants will predict how long it will take them to walk/run a mile.  Remember a winner is one who finishes a race.

Family faces are magic mirrors -
looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future.

Gail Lumet Buckley b.1937

Colleen Carman

Finance/HR Director





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

How to teach step by step directions

I have a dear friend that is an Occupational Therapist for the Rowan Salisbury Schools, Susan Brady.  She shared this video with me that she made and used with a child on the autism spectrum.  She stated that they had been working so hard to teach this new skill and once he watched the step by step video, he was able to do it.  It's so exciting and rewarding to see a child succeed!  Children on the spectrum learn in steps.  Remember to break things down and use visuals. 

Norma Honeycutt, Early Intervention Specialist

What's So Great About Wednesdays?

 

 

 

For the Best Prices Shop Wednesdays!

 

 A smart way to stretch your dollars. 

 

In our area, this is the day the local grocer advertises the sale prices for the week.  Shop early, stock up and ask for a rain check if an item runs out.

 

Gas prices are usually the lowest on Wednesdays.  Be sure to fill up before the weekend when the price per gallon will be higher.

 

If you need to purchase airline tickets, the lowest prices can generally found on Wednesdays.  Compare ticket prices on more than one website and don't forget to check your airline's pricing, also.

 

Most department stores will have the steepest discounts on clothes and household goods on Wednesdays.  Also, this is usually the day for senior citizen discounts.

 

Internet sales are hopping with discounts... when? on Wednesdays.  Remember to get those coupon codes in too.

 

Make "Hump Day" work for you...Shop and Save!

 

Visit usaweekend.com for more information on Wednesday shopping deals

 

Colleen Carman

Finance/HR Director

 

 

 

 

 



Want to be a Frugal Shopper?

Here are a few tips to become a frugal shopper from "The Frugal Shopper.com":

• Make a shopping list and stick to it.
• Think of alternative sources of proteins such as beans, eggs, cheese, and fish
• Check out local sources for fresh fruit, veggies, and meat markets
• Look for bargains on the higher and lower shelves
• Look for in store bargains and unadvertised specials
• Track sales and stockpile regularly used items when on sale
• When affordable, buy a freezer and freeze fresh items for use in off season
• Look at the unit prices...larger is not necessarily cheaper
• Sale prices may not mean a better buy...use your math skills or apps on your phone to determine the best prices
• Convenience foods, splashy packaging, disposable, and name brands equal higher prices...try generic.  If not satisfied with quality or taste, most stores will refund your purchase
• Be sure to ask for a raincheck on sold out items

Following these simple tips can reduce your shopping total by as much as 50 percent.  Remember, to save money you should invest time!

For more frugal tips and shopping advice, along with free samples, click on the link below:

http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/tips/grshopping.shtml

Colleen Carman

Finance/HR Director

No Such Thing as Bad Weather...

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. This is a well known saying in the world of early care and education. This child is dressed perfectly for a drizzly day on the playground!

 

It's fun to catch the dripping water in a bucket or a cone!

We are learning about taking turns, gravity, full and empty, fill and dump. 

Max enjoys feeling the water as it drips from the roof and Robbie is watching his bucket get full.

These children are having a "meeting" under the make shift tent on the corner of the playground.

Caleigha is making discoveries in the wet dirt!!!

There is a world of learning available for children who are allowed to play in the rain and dirt. Parents and teachers need to remember the rule, NO BAD WEATHER, JUST BAD CLOTHING!

Deborah K. Howell, Assistant Director