Using Technology with Children with Special Needs

Technology is a controversial and growing topic in education, especially with early education. While technology has many benefits, we need to limit and supervise it's use appropriately.

Technology includes TV, phones, tablets, etc. How often does your child watch TV during the day?

 

Appropriate use of these devices would include an interactive approach. You, as the parent, can make any screen time into an educational experience. While watching your child's favorite cartoon, sit down with them and ask questions about what you are watching. For example, ask "What color is the dog?" or "How many clouds are there." You can do the same thing with your phone or tablets; make screen time fun and educational while limiting it's use rather than using technology as a babysitter.

 What is your opinion of the use of technology with children? With children with Special Needs?

Come share your ideas at our "Using Technology with Children with Special Needs" workshop. Learn from therapists about techniques and programs to work with your child. We will demonstrate some great apps as well as the features that you want to look for in apps.

Come ready to share ideas with other parents!

Childcare and dinner will be provided.

Tuesday, September 24th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

 Please RSVP to ashlee@epartnersinlearning.org or 704.638.9020.
Facebook Event - Using Technology with Children with Special Needs

Katie Zink, Infant-Toddler Family Therapist

Happy 60th Anniversary NCaeyc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Cutting the 60th year anniversary cake)

This years conference marks 60 years of a dedicated group of early educators that came together to form the North Carolina Kindergarten Association to "promote the professional growth of its members, to increase community understanding of the kindergarten child and to work toward the attainment of standards established by the state department of public instruction."  

 

 

This past weekend we had the great opportunity to go to this amazing conference. We got to recharge our batteries and pack our brains with great info to bring back to our classrooms.

Some of the great classes I got to take were:

• How Poverty Can Change the Brain and 25 Things Teachers Must Do.
• Building Positive Relationships is CLASSy
• Giggles & Wiggles! It's Circle Time.
• What is a Child's Identity Composed of?
• Creating a Foundation for Healthy Social Emotional Development

Along with all these classes we got to hear a keynote from Dr. Becky Bailey who is an award-winning author, renowned teacher and internationally recognized expert in childhood education and developmental psychology.

 

 

 

We had a great time and we cant wait to get back in the classroom, see our children and start teaching the new things we learned!  

Apples Apples Everywhere !!

Apples Apples Everywhere !!

This past week the children wanted to learn about apples. Why?? Well as we all know it is almost FALL and some of the teachers are starting to pull out fall stuff, within these fall items there was apples, so the teacher put the apples around the classroom. When the teacher asked the children what they wanted to learn about the children said APPLES. So that is what we have been talking about in the classroom.

Apple counting tree!!

 

Making apples in housekeeping!

 

Making apple pie playdoh!

 

Doing apple prints!

 

Having a apple race!

 

The children loved learning about apples and ALL the things you can do with them. Fall is very near and we can't wait to teach the children the different colors, smells and foods fall has to offer!!

 

 

Can't wait till fall,

 Amanda Marshall 



Benefits of Children helping in the Garden

Did you know it’s not too late to plant sunflower seeds? The children have been helping in the garden all summer. Why do we let the children help and how is it benefitting them?

Gardening provides different forms of engagement for children, including designing, planting, and maintaining gardens; harvesting, preparing, and sharing food; working cooperatively in groups; learning about science and nutrition; and creating art and stories inspired by gardens.

 

 

Last week Mrs. Kelly cut dry sunflowers out of the garden, she then let the children pick the seeds out of the middle and put them in a bowl. After the children did a counting game with the seeds she then let the children plant the seeds to make more sunflowers. As the children were planting, Mrs. Kelly was talking about the seed and how if we planted it, it would grow more sunflowers.

  

The children are picking out the seeds from the middle of the sunflower.

 

 

The children are now planting the seeds back in  the garden to watch the sunflowers grow.

 

 

 

A study of children with learning disabilities who engaged in gardening found that they increased their nonverbal communication skills, developed awareness of the advantages of order, learned how to participate in a cooperative effort, and formed positive relationships with adults.

Some more benefits of children helping in the garden would be:

Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables.

Children who garden are more accepting of others who are different from themselves.

 

Do you let your children help??

 

 

Amanda Marshall

 

Home Visits

Home visits are hands down one of the most influential aspects of any quality early childhood program.  The National Association for the Education of Young Children highly recommends them to be a part of any accredited program.   A home visit is arranged for every child that is enrolled in our program, regardless of the age.   It gives the teachers a chance to meet the child, begin a positive relationship with their family, and talk about hopes for the school year.   It is amazing what a difference these 30-45 minute home visits can make through the course of the school year!
First and foremost, it is wonderful as teacher to be welcomed into a family’s home.   Each of the children are so proud to have the undivided attention of their teacher.  In the picture below, a child enjoys showing their pot belly pig off to their new teacher. 

Second, these short visits establish a very powerful and important home to school connection. Having a glimpse into the home life of one's child helps immensely when working on their social and emotional development skills.  The teacher is able to discuss individual strengths and hopes that parents have for their child in an environment that is non-threatening and familiar. 

In the above photo, one of our NCPrek teachers interacts with a child in his home.  The child is so proud to show her how he can work a puzzle. 
 
Being invited into a family's home allows teachers to develop a rapport with parents and work as partners to help a child succeed. Effective home visits help parents understand why they should be involved with their child's learning at any age.  Our interactions in the home give parents a fresh look at why learning is important and how they can be involved. 

Home visits have the power to break down barriers, offer a positive and proactive parent-teacher relationship, and is an opportunity to let your expectations as a teacher be known. 

Norma Honeycutt, Executive Director