This is Cooper, he is loving being in control of his paint brush, he was painting with green jello that smelled like lime.  He would get really close so he could smell, then he would look at me and smile. He also liked watching his paint brush go back and forth across the paper, he would twist it a lot also and watch it make the paper spin.

He realized that if he put his hand on the paper it would stay still for him and not move while he painted. He also go some of the gritty, sticky jello on his hand and couldn't decide which was more fun, painting or feeling his hand open and close while sticky.

So during this seemingly simple activity what could this child possibly be learning? Cause and effect, problem solving, identifying smell, tactile discrimination, creative expression, and the list goes on. Don't think that because it looks like nothing, that nothing is being learned.

Deborah K. Howell, Assistant Director

Three Major Elements of Social Emotional Wellness in Infancy

• Forming close and secure relationships


• Experiencing, expressing, and regulating emotions

• Exploring the environment and learning

Infants and toddlers depend heavily on adults to help them experience, regulate, and express emotions

Through close, nurturing interpersonal relationships with parents and other caregivers, infants and toddlers learn what people expect of them and what they can expect of other people

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning



A VERY SPECIAL LITTLE GUY

He's 3 years old and loves playing blocks, reading books, singing, dancing, and playing with his friends just like any other child.  If life were only as easy for him!  Jacob was born with Down Syndrome.  He had to fight for his life right from the start, undergoing numerous surgeries.  He has had to work harder for everything he has achieved, but he does it all with grace.  Our hearts and prayers will all be with Jacob next Tuesday as he returns to Baptist Hospital for his biggest open heart surgery.  There is no doubt that with his determination, he will do fine and return to school where he is loved and valued!  Your teachers lap will be open for more reading when you return to your school.   Please join us all in lifting him and his family up in our prayers. 

Norma Honeycutt, Executive Director

Manage Your Money

Money management skills and good financial practices are needed no matter how much or how little money you have.


Don't CLASH over CASH!

Save arguments for important issues and major expenditures. Families set their financial goals based on their values. One family’s goal list will be different from another family's list. Include your children when planning.

Pre-K classroom counting their dimes they are

collecting for Rely for Life. They counted 966 dimes!!

Their goal is 1000 dimes to equal $100.

Giving Children Reasonable and Limited Choices

Most children are not born with a built-in ability to make decisions and then to accept the consequences. Learning to take responsibility for actions requires lots of support and practice.  A child that is not taught how to make choices may struggle as an adult taking responsibilty for one's actions.  A good way to help your child develop these skills is to offer limited, reasonable choices throughout the day.


Giving a child a "choice" is easier than it seems.  All it requires is for you to make a conscious effort and to be aware of the opportunities that are available in everyday situations. 

• French fries, mashed potatoes, or tater tots?
• What do you want to wear today? 
• Stay up for 30 minutes or go to bed?
• Red shirt or blue shirt?
• Sit on couch or in bean bag?
• Play Legos or puzzles?

Giving children the opportunities to make choices while they are small will help them later on in life be able to make choices between right and wrong.