Another Successful Conference!

Saturday was a wonderful day in more ways than just the weather!  We had our 3rd annual Special Needs Mini- Conference.   It always warms my heart to see families connecting with other families.   I would love to tell you more, but will leave it to the comments from families and providers. 

What did you enjoy the most?

• I thought I would be bored, but I wasn’t!
• Excellent Presentations
• Great advocates for some disabilities
• Meeting people with the same challenges as I have.
• Met wonderful people
• I really knew nothing about Down syndrome so the workshop helped me learn things, that will help me help children with Down Syndrome.

 What will you change/do as a result of the conference? 

• Watch for contributing factors of child behaviors and analyze them and address them appropriately.
• Promote more music opportunities to express feelings and promote positive self-esteem.
• Becoming an better advocate for children in our early childhood center, educate parents to become advocates for their children with or without disabilities. 

More pictures of the conference on our Facebook page.

Norma W. Honeycutt, Executive Director

Kindergarten Here I Come...

What does your mommy or daddy gut tell you about your child starting Kindergarten this year? Is your child ready to move on to the "big" school? Teachers are not looking for you to drill your children on academic skills: ABC's, numbers, shapes, and colors.

 There are equally, if not MORE, important readiness skills that set the stage for your child's learning. Raising an eager learner is the goal, and it can be achieved easily through play and day-to-day activities.

Top Readiness Skills Teachers Look for:

• Enthusiasm toward learning
• Solid oral-language skills
• The ability to listen
• The desire to be independent
• The ability to play well with others
• Strong fine-motor skills
• Basic letter and number recognition

Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Be a Hum-Bug

Sing Your Way to Happiness

Have you ever been standing in the checkout and witness someone that has the “bah humbug” written all over their face as they grimace and grumble through the lane? After encountering just such a customer, one clerk, rather than engaging the customer in her woe, simply started to sing in a friendly tasteful tone. It was a peaceful, happy, and comforting tune. At first, the grump looked at the clerk as if she were crazy. She was so uptight that even this benign gesture seemed to bug her. But after a few minutes the customer began to visibly relax. She became much friendlier and seemed to let down her guard and almost smiled.

There is a big difference between a humbug and a hum-bug. When we remain calm and happy in the presence of those who are definitely not, our positive energy rubs off on them, just like static electricity. Singing, humming, or playing a tune ushers in an atmosphere of calm and happiness.

So, next time you are face to face with a grumpy Grinch, try something similar. Subtly invite them into a sunnier climate. Present yourself as a person who is content and likes life. Even if you aren’t in the best of moods yourself, act as if you are - whether by smiling or singing or simply making a conscious effort to unfurrow your brow - can help you get there. So, give a whistle, hum a tune, sing a song. At worst, people will think you’re crazy and leave you alone. At best, you’ll brighten somebody’s day and possibly their life.

Happy Day!!

Persistance Pays Off!!!

 

 Once upon a time I was not able to hold my head up...

I CAN NOW

Once upon a time I was not able to roll over...

I CAN NOW

Once upon a time I was not able to sit up...

I CAN NOW

Once upon a time I was not able to crawl...

I CAN NOW

Once upon a time I was not able to pull up...

I CAN NOW

Once upon a time I was not able to walk...

I AM WORKING ON IT!!!!!

Just like all the other milestones I have been persistent I know that one day I WILL WALK!!!!

Deborah K. Howell, Assistant Director and ITFS Play Therapist

Early Childhood Friendships

I love to watch two small toddler or preschool friends greet each other with big bear hugs. It’s so sweet. Did you know that these early friendships can also promote important social and emotional development? Though some friendships can start as early as 30 months, it is more common to see early friendships emerging with three and four-year-olds. Some benefits of these relationships include:

• learning the concept of give and take

• developing greater confidence

• building self-esteem

• developing empathy

• gaining a broader understanding of the world around them

Rhonda Little, a teacher at Central Child Development Center in Kannapolis, gave me a wonderful example of the lasting impact of some early childhood friendships. Her brother, she tells me, met his best friend in Kindergarten. Now adults, one is a police officer and the other an architect, they have maintained their early friendship through many live changing experiences and currently get together at least once a week.

My best friend is named Janice Todd. She was my neighbor growing up. We can go a year or two without seeing each other in person, yet we can pick up a conversation as if we’d seen each other the day before. Do you have a truly great friend from childhood?

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director