Manage Your Money

Financial goals are the specific things you want to do with your money within a certain period of time. Goals give targets for different periods in the future. Goals need to be in writing and SMART.

S- Specific. Set goals you can clearly name.

M- Measurable. Determine the amount of time and money it will take you to reach them. Mutual. If you share money with other family members, goals that you agree on will be easier to achieve.

A- Attainable and Achievable. Maybe it’s impossible to save $100 a month right now; adjust your time and try for $25.

R- Realistic. You may need to be more     practical about the goal you have set. Relevant. Make sure your goals fit your needs and situation.

T- Time bound. Set a target date.
    For example NOT “spring 2012”
    BUT April 16, 2012

"A few manners every child should be taught"

1.  When asking for something, say "Please"

2.  When receiving something, say "Thank you"

3.   When you have doubt about doing something, ask permission first

4.   If you bump into someone, say "Excuse Me"

5.   Cover your mouth when you sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public

6.   As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else

7.   When people ask how you are, tell them and ask them how they are

8.   Don't reach for things at the table, ask to have them passed

 Cindy Webb

9.   Do not make fun of anyone for any reason, it is crue

10. When asked to help an adult, do it without grumbling

Loving my "Parents" magazine...

Running for Cindy

 You may remember reading from a few weeks ago that I, Deborah am running a 10k to raise funds for Partners In Learning.  Well, I am still training and planning to run a 10k on April 16, 2011 however the focus of my goal has changed.  Recently our co-worker Cindy has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will have surgery one week from today to remove both breasts.  We will be giving all proceeds from this blog donation  directly to Cindy, please share this with your friends and co-workers or anyone else you know who has been touched by Cindy.

How many times have you seen this?

What a common occurrence.  These two young children obviously do not have the social skills to express their feelings without using physical expression.  They have also not developed the problem-solving skills that would give them the social competence to successfully manage challenging situations such as this one.  When parents or teachers step in to resolve these challenging behaviors, they are missing the opportunity to teach children strategies to resolve their own social challenges.

A week in the life of a parent with a child with special needs

As I was trying to schedule some sessions this week, I realized how difficult it must be for the families of children with special needs.  Below are two emails from two of our families that we serve.  Can you imagine?  We need to support these families that are doing everything possible to help their chld succeed. 

I read your email early this morning but was not able to reply at that time.  Let's get in the make up time next week.  I will come out to the center one time if that is ok with you.  Here is my schedule for next week.  It is pretty much open and flexible.  Monday is Shelby (Speech Therapy) is coming at 1:45.  Tuesday morning I have a doctors appointment with my husband. After that Tuesday is clear.  Wednesday is our time at 1:00 (play therapy). That same day I have occupational therapy at 3:45 (at Salisbury Ped's).  Thursday Shelby (speech therapy) is suppose to come back in the morning.  That afternoon and Friday is also clear.  - Parent of a child with autism

So the schedule could work like this for the week:  - Parent of a child with Downs Syndrome

Monday: Open

Tuesday: Physical and Speech Therapy

Wednesday: CBRS in the classroom

Thursday: Speech Therapy

Friday: Occupational Therapy in pool with Beth  

Wellness Nuggets for Success

1. The minimum you need to stay healthy: Muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week, plus 2.5 hours a week of moderate activity like walking or 75 minutes a week of more intense activity like jogging.


2. Get fitter faster. A more intense workout burns more calories in less time. You can walk a 5K race in 40 minutes, jog it in 30 minutes, or run it in under 20 minutes. Either way, you are burning the same amount of calories.


3. No-sweat workout. Even office workers can handle a 15-minute daily exercise break. Start with a 100-minute walk in the hallway or outdoors, then add a few exercises with resistance tubes and a couple of side bends.


4. Mix it up. Exercise programs need variety. If you do the same thing all the time, your body adapts and you stop making progress.

"When I exercise for my lunch break, I come back to work more
motivated and ready to finish my day with a BANG!"
Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

ABC's of Discipline

A  VOID GIVING IN:  Respond to challenging behavior or ignore it.  LESS IS BEST!

A  TTEND TO GOOD BEHAVIOR:  Always praise good behavior! Give attention to the behavior you   
                                                                want to see more of.

B  EING A GOOD EXAMPLE:  Remove yourself from a challenging situation as you would your child

B  OUNDARIES:  Make your expectations clear.  Describe the behavior you want to see.

C  ONSEQUENCES:  Logical consequences...consequences that are practical and enforced

C  ONSISTENT:  Once you make a rule...FOLLOW THROUGH!











Partners In Blogging: Where Do You Want Your Dollars Going????

Partners In Blogging: Where Do You Want Your Dollars Going????: "Today I had the unfortunate experience of sitting in a courtroom for most of the morning. Many of the defendants were young, under 30 would ..."

Where Do You Want Your Dollars Going????

Today I had the unfortunate experience of sitting in a courtroom for most of the morning. Many of the defendants were young, under 30 would be my guess. There were numerous law violations being covered, things like Misdemeanor Child Abuse, Assault, Possession of Controlled Substance, traffic violations, just to name a few. Most of these cases were continued until another court date, which in my opinion is a waste of time and money. When a person knows they have broken the law not only should they be held accountable for their actions but should be held accountable to seek counsel in a timely manner as to not waste the courts time.

While watching all of this taking place I couldn't help but think to myself..."I wonder if any of these defendants were enrolled in a quality early childhood program?" If so would the outcome of their lives and choices have been different? I don't have the answer but ask that the question be pondered.... Where would you rather have your hard earned tax dollars go????

Oh, dear. What is this child trying to say?

All behavior is a form of communication.  Challenging behavior is generally used to obtain something, such as attention or a desired object, or to avoid something.  Teaching children to identify and articulate their feelings without using hitting, kicking or yelling is an important skill for young children.  Without the ability to self-regulate, a toddler or preschooler will be unable to grow in other areas of development. 

Inclusion

 
 Seven reasons why Inclusion is BEST! 

1. Ethical - Early childhood professionals should be committed to the well-being of all children
2.  Research shows inclusion is beneficial for all
3.  The children of today will be the adults of tomorrow. 
4.  We can create opportunities for children with and without special needs to learn how to live, work and play together. 
5.   It is not okay to discriminate against children with special needs – to keep them apart from their non- disabled peers.
6.   Every child is a part of a family, a neighborhood, a community and has a right to be included on all levels.
7. If you don't believe the first six, the video will definitely convince you!

"Developing A Strong Emotional Vocabulary"

5 WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP A STRONG EMOTIONAL VOCABULARY

1. Talk about feelings
2. Ask your child to tell you how he/she feels
3. Teach new emotion words (e.g., frustrated, confused, anxious, excited, worried)
4. Reflect on situations and discuss feelings
5. Accept and support your child’s expression of feelings

By developing a stronger emotional vocabulary your child will be able to...

• tolerate frustration better
• get into fewer fights
• be less impulsive
• be more focused
• have greater academic achievement



Four Year Old Fun

This child is excited because she is making a Valentine to send to her friend and she will get to put it in the big box when she is done.

Boys in the Home Living area? Isn't that for girls? NO WAY, these boys are having the best time trying to figure out how to use chopsticks to pick up food!! Best of all they are practicing their hand-eye coordination and taking turns.

Construction of objects is one of the best learning experiences teachers and parents can offer their children. Not to mention all of the skills that are learned like spatial relationships and problem solving. This is something that will occupy most children for long periods of time.

We are ALL visual learners

How does learning take place? We receive information through our five senses. Most people agree that sight is the sense that we are most dependent upon. This is especially true with our youngest learners who are preverbal or only beginning to acquire language skills. During this stage of development, children think exclusively in pictures. As an Inclusion Specialist, I have learned the consistent effectiveness of visual prompts to reinforce learning concepts.

       

Run, Deborah, Run

10 Weeks to a 10K and $2,000.00 for our children!  Deborah made it 1.5 miles today without stopping.  Do you think she can do it?  Show her your support by donating to early care and education at Partners In Learning.

Healthy Snack Suggestions for Kids

Snacks are an important part of a growing childʼs diet. Healthy snacks give children extra calories and nutrients between meals. 

Skip a pre-packaged snack food and have some fun with your child! Here are a few ideas:

• Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.

• Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese, top with raisins.

• Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.

• Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.

Four year old classroom made fruit pizza's for snack: low sugar cookies, low fat yogurt, fresh fruit.

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See why we love what we do!

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"Rules" for Rules...

When establishing household rules for children, allow them to take ownership and help come up with the rules they intend to follow...

• Pick only 3 to 5
• State the behavior you want to see (be descriptive...what does the behavior look like?)
• Pick rules that can be applied in a lot of situations

By allowing children to take ownership they are more than likely to follow through in challenging situations

Here is an example of classroom rules in a Pre-K classroom...

Note that the rules are worded in a positive manner with pictures

Running for a Dream

 

Have you ever had a dream?  Our Assistant Director, Deborah Howell has dreamed of becoming a runner, and running in an organized race.  She is getting the opportunity to see her dream come to a reality while raising money for Partners In Learning's Wellness Program.  This program provides nutrition and fitness opportunities for the young children we serve.  Please consider sponsoring Deborah.  Any amount will help!  Fresh vegetables and fruits are expensive.  Your donation will help us provide additional healthy foods to the children.  The 10K Deborah will be running is on Saturday, April 16th in Salisbury.