© 2011 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

October 2011

Colorful laces Practicing with two

different-colored laces can help your youngster learn to tie his shoes. Tape one end of each lace to a table, about an inch apart. Refer to the colors as you talk him through the steps. (“Make a loop with the red lace. Wrap the yellow lace around it.”)

Investigate a pumpkin Your child can practice science skills by exploring a pumpkin. Ask her how it looks (orange, round) and feels (hard, smooth). Then, carve it open so she can describe what’s inside (stringy pulp, white seeds). If you bake muffins or a pie, she can discover the pump-kin’s taste, too.

Happy birthday! A birthday party gives your youngster opportunities to practice manners. If he’s the host, remind him ahead of time to thank guests for his gifts—even duplicates. When he’s a guest, encourage him to wish his friend a happy birthday and thank the parents before he leaves.

Worth quoting “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” Mary McLeod Bethune

Just for fun

Q: Why did the moose paint himself all different colors?

A: So he could hide in the crayon box.

What keeps your child from whining in a store or grabbing a friend’s toy when they’re play-ing? The answer is self-control, and it’s a lifelong skill that your youngster can develop now. Here’s how.

Practice problem solving. Encourage your child to find alternatives when he can’t have his way. For exam-ple, talk about how he might pass the time while waiting his turn for a toy (spin a top, practice juggling). Or help him brain-storm ways to distract himself if he gets upset in a store. Tip: Make a “problem and solution” list together. Write down the ideas, and let him illustrate them.

Use signals. Together, come up with silent reminders that can boost your youngster’s self-control. For instance, tapping your forehead might remind him to think before he topples his brother’s block tower, while putting

Let’s write! Does your child make wavy lines and pretend she’s

writing? Is she starting to print some letters or words? Try these tips for supporting her as she builds writing skills:

●● When your youngster draws a picture, encourage her to label items by using letters she knows (f for flower, s for sun). Or you can say, “Tell me about your picture,” and then ask her to write the words under her drawing.

●● Keep paper and pencil handy. You might play house and have your child make a shopping list or imagine you’re at a restaurant and ask her to write down your order.♥

KIDBITS

a finger to your lips could tell him to lower his voice. With practice, he may learn to control his impulses just by thinking of the signals.

Play together. Stretch your child’s self-control with silly games. For example, try “The Staring Game.” Look directly at each other and try not to be the first one to smile. Or play hide-and-seek and ask funny questions as you search for one another. (“Are you hiding in your back-pack?”) The goal is to keep from laugh-ing and giving away your location.♥

Developing self-control

Early Childhood ProgramsMargie Murphy, Administrator

O U R P U R P O S E

To provide busy parents with practical ways to promote school readiness, parent

involvement, and more effective parenting.Resources for Educators,

a division of CCH Incorporated128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630

540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.comwww.rfeonline.com

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October 2011 • Page 2

Stress-free bedtime My son Robert often falls asleep dur-

ing rest time at day care, so he comes home full of energy. He usually isn’t ready to go to sleep at bedtime, but he’s often tired in the mornings. After several evenings of bedtime battles, I came up with a plan that has worked for both of us.

Robert still goes to bed at 8 p.m., but he doesn’t have to try to sleep right away. After I read a bedtime story and tuck him in, he can look at a book, listen to a story on CD, or draw a picture using a clipboard. I often hear him telling his stuffed animals about his day at school.

This quiet time in bed helps my son wind down and makes it easier for him to fall asleep. Best of all, he wakes up in the morning rested and ready to start the day.♥

This will help her understand that maps use symbols to stand for real-life objects. Tip: Suggest that she look for different materials to add new features to her map. For instance, she might tear out a circle of aluminum foil for a pond or build a bridge out

of Popsicle sticks.

2. Next, help her draw a map of her box on a piece of paper. You

might make the streets and let her draw and color shapes for the buildings. Have her make sure that she matches the shapes and colors on her paper to the blocks in her box. Explain that maps help people find their way around, so it’s important that symbols go in the right spots.

3. Finally, switch things around. Draw a map together, and then build a 3-D version in the box. This is good practice for reading maps in real life. ♥

Speech: What’s normal?

Make a map Creating a 3-D map is a fun, hands-on

way for your little one to begin learning about geography. Here’s a project you can do together:

1. First, fill a cardboard box or plastic container with rice or sand. Encourage your youngster to “draw” streets by dragging her finger through the rice. Then, have her place blocks along the streets to make a city. Ask her to tell you what kind of building each block represents (red rectangle for a fire station, yellow square for her school).

Q: My daughter has trouble saying her l, r, and s sounds correctly.

Should I be concerned?

A: If teachers and classmates can under-stand your daughter’s speech most of the time, there’s probably nothing to worry about. Some children are seven or eight before they can pro-nounce every sound correctly. The sounds l, r, and s, along with ch, sh, th, v, and z, are often the last ones a youngster learns.

But if people fre-quently have trouble

ACTIVITYCORNER

Q&A

PARENTTO

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figuring out what your child is saying, talk to her teacher. The school might refer her to a speech pathologist for testing.

If your daughter does have a delay or disability, the specialist will recommend speech therapy. The good news is that

this therapy is offered free through the school system—and many young-sters enjoy the sessions because they’re filled with language games and activities.♥

My family is special What makes your family unique? This

game will show your youngster what sets you apart from other families.

Materials: 26 slips of paper, pencilHave your child write each letter of

the alphabet on a separate slip of paper and put them in a bowl in the middle of the table.

Then, take turns drawing a slip from the bowl and saying a word that begins with that letter and is about your family. It could be the name of a person, place, or thing, or an event. For example, you might say “Korea” for K if that’s where your family is from or “Fluffy” for F if that is your cat’s name. If you get stumped, let your youngster call a grandparent or another relative for suggestions.

Tip: Have someone write down the words so you can post the list and remem-ber what’s special about your family!♥

© 2011 Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

October 2011

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Whether your youngster eats fast food with you, a friend’s family, or his sports team, it’s likely to be part of his life. Show him ways to make fast food as healthy as possible with these strategies.

Suggest optionsTalk up better choices in ways

that will appeal to your child.(“What about a fruit cup? Look. It has apples and oranges—your favor-ites!” or, “You can drink the milk right out of the little bottle!”) Tip: If he still wants the fries or soda, get the smallest size. By not turning it into a fight, you’ll make these items less tempting for the future.

Lighten upTeach your youngster to say “hold the

sauce” when he orders a chicken sand-wich or hamburger. Leaving off mayon-naise or creamy sauces (ranch, tartar) will cut fat and calories. If he gets a salad, he can request “dressing on the side, please.” Then, let him dunk his let-tuce and vegetables into the dressing—he’ll think that’s more fun anyway.

Baked-potato buffet Want an easy dinner idea

your children will love? Consider a baked-potato bar. Just bake (or microwave) a small white potato, sweet potato, or yam for each person. Then, set out healthy top-pings, and let everyone fix her own. Suggestions: cooked chicken, beef, or pork (leftovers work well), sliced scal-lions, shredded low-fat cheese, salsa.

Plane fun Here’s a lively game for family or

friends. Divide into two teams, and

have each player make five paper

airplanes. Stand on opposite sides of a divider (sofa, coffee table). On “go,” sail planes over the divider. Quickly pick up new planes as they land, and send them back. Call “stop” after 20 seconds— the team with the fewest planes left wins.

The average child spends four hours a day watch-

ing TV. Experts suggest no more than one hour. Ask your youngster to keep track of his TV viewing every day for a week. Then, work together on a plan for cutting down. Ideas: Swap one show each day for an active game outside. Turn off the set during meals and homework.

Just for funQ: What did one flea say to the other flea?

A: “Shall we walk or take the dog?”

Stay active and learn Physical activity and learning can go hand in

hand. Try these ideas:●● Play Ping-Pong or go bowling, and make

your youngster the scorekeeper. (Note: Don’t use the automated scorekeeping at the bowling alley.) Or time each other doing sprints. Your child will build math skills as she exercises.

●● Boost science skills by going on nature hunts. Suggest that your youngster look for bugs, follow animal tracks, run after butterflies, or gather leaves of different sizes and shapes.

●● Build comprehension skills by reading a story aloud and challenging your child to act it out as you go. Tip: Look for books with lots of action words (climbing, hopping, scurrying).

Gather informationCheck nutrition information on menu

boards, tray liners, brochures, or web-sites. Let your child look at the numbers with you and help pick out the healthi-est options. For instance, you could ask him to find the sandwich with the fewest calories. Or he could look for the bread with the most grams of fiber.

Take your timeCreate good eating habits even when

eating fast food. Try to sit at a table—either in the restaurant or at home—rather than in the car. And set aside the same amount of time for eating as you would for a home-cooked meal.

Fast food: better choices

To provide busy parents with practical ways to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity for their children.

Resources for Educators, a division of CCH Incorporated

128 N. Royal Avenue • Front Royal, VA 22630 540-636-4280 • rfecustomer@wolterskluwer.com

www.rfeonline.comNutrition Nuggets™ is reviewed by a registered dietitian. Consult a physician before beginning any major change in diet or exercise.

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October2011•Page2

My plate, my health

More veggies, please Looking for ways to get more vegetables

into your child’s diet? Look no further! Here are five painless tips to try:1. Chop vegetables into tiny pieces and add to ground turkey or beef before making ham-burgers, meatloaf, tacos, or meatballs. You can also put finely chopped vegetables into spaghetti sauce or casseroles.2. Puree vegetables in a blender or food proces-sor and stir into canned (low-sodium) soups as you heat them. Hint: Use vegetables the same color as the soup, such as cauliflower for New England clam chowder or yellow squash for chicken noodle soup.

3. Microwave fresh or frozen vegeta-bles. Then, sprin-kle on low-fat cheese. Microwave again until the cheese melts. 4. Puree peas and add to guacamole. Serve with vegeta-

bles like baby car-rots or celery stalks

instead of chips. 5. Set out a colorful tray of raw vegetables (sugar snap peas, cucumber spears, radishes, asparagus tips, grape tomatoes) for an after-school snack. Which ones does your youngster like best?

Pick a pizza Involve your young-

ster in making his own pizza—these healthy twists are sure to be winners.

My favorite color. Build a pizza around your child’s favorite color. A green pizza, for instance, could be chopped broccoli and green beans with pesto sauce. Place the toppings on a frozen whole-wheat crust, add shredded skim moz-zarella cheese, and bake at 350º until the sauce bubbles.

All soccer, all the time?

My son loves soccer, and he’s a pretty good player. In fact, his coach suggested that Ryan play indoor soccer last winter and then play in spring and fall leagues as well. On top of that, Ryan wanted to go to soccer camp over the summer.

I wondered whether he should be focusing on one sport, so I asked his

pediatrician. Dr. Miller was thrilled that

Ryan likes soccer, but she cautioned against specializ-ing so young. She said youngsters can have more injuries and even “burn out” by doing one sport

year-round. Playing different sports would let my son build skills—and develop the muscles and joints that he uses in soccer, she said.

I told Ryan he could play soccer for two seasons, but I wanted him to try other sports, too. He decided on wres-tling for the winter and swim team for the summer. And guess what? He found two more sports that he likes!

Garden on a pita. Large round pita bread makes an easy pizza crust. Let your youngster put cherry tomato halves, sliced zucchini, and black olives on top of a pita. Bake at 350º until the vegetables are tender. Then, he can sprinkle on crumbled feta cheese.

Pizza for dessert. Cover a ready-to-eat pizza crust with a thin layer of nonfat

vanilla yogurt. Let your child decorate the pizza with

fruit. Examples: blue-berries, sliced kiwi

and apples, halved strawberries and grapes.

What’s on your child’s plate? With these projects, she can

learn about—and practice using—the new USDA recommendations for healthy eating.

The Choose My Plate guidelines are simple. Have your youngster think of her plate in sections: half for vegetables and fruits, a quarter for grains (bread, rice, pasta), and a quarter for protein (meat, beans, eggs). She can picture a serving of dairy where her glass goes. Then, let her bring the guidelines to life!

●● Have her gather paper plates, play food, packaged foods, and stuffed animals or dolls. She can use the food and plates to arrange balanced meals, seat her “friends” at a table, and “serve” a plate to each one.

●● Let your youngster trace around a plate and a glass on a small poster board. Have her divide the circle into four parts and label them: Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, Pro-tein. Then, she can draw pictures of her favorite foods or cut and paste photos from old magazines. Idea: Hang her poster in the kitchen as a reminder of how she should fill her plate at mealtime.

Van Buren Great Start Parent Coalition

The second annual Take It Outside! Week, is October 16 - 22. The purpose of the week-long celebration is to get young children outside, connect with the natural world, while tapping into the many health benefits of outdoor play. According to research (Fjortoft 2004; Burdette and Whitaker 2005), children who play outdoors regularly: ~Become fitter and leaner ~Develop stronger immune systems ~Have more active imaginations ~Have lower stress levels ~Play more creatively ~Have greater respect for themselves & others Hop Like Bunnies Jump Like Frogs Slither Like Snakes

http://www.aahperd.org/headstartbodystart/news/take-it-outside-week-2011.cfm

Next Parent Coalition Meeting: Thursday Oct. 13th, 5:30 to 7:30pm Van Buren ISD Tech Center Nursery 250 South St. Lawrence, MI Dinner and Childcare provided

Great Start Parent Coalition meets monthly to: Discuss issues and look for solutions that

families face in Van Buren County. Empower parents and help them find a

voice in the community. Help spread the word that public support

for early childhood investment is crucial for Michigan’s economic and social future.

Parent Liaison Sherry at (269) 823-2339 Or vanburengreatstart@gmail.com

Or Facebook group: Van Buren Great Start Parent Coalition

Information and local resources can be found on our website: www.greatstart-vanburen.org

To locate childcare and preschools, Great Start Connect can help you out! www.greatstartforkids.org/connect

During the parent meetings children have a shared story reading and get to take home the book hosted by Family Links

For more great resources check out www.greatstart-vanburen.org

Don’t worry. But don’t wait.

If you suspect your INFANT, TODDLER or PRESCHOOLER -is showing signs of developing slowly: not reacting to sounds, not responding to affection, not looking at or grasping objects, not walking, not talking, etc. -has a HEARING problem that interferes with his learning -has a VISION problem that interferes with his learning -has a PHYSICAL or HEALTH problem that interferes with his learning

Contact Early On/Project Find in Van Buren (269) 674-8091

Services include: -CONSULTATION & EVALUATION

-IN HOME VISITS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3 BY SPECIALIZED STAFF -OTHER SERVICES BASED ON NEEDS

There are no fees for services. Early On/Project Find is located at the Van Buren ISD

Featured Collaborative Partner

What is “Play and Learn”? Play And Learn (PAL) groups are fun for both the parent and child that attend. It is a free 90 minute time each week that allows families to meet others from their community, a time to relax with your child while playing or doing a simple craft, and a time to ask questions. Play And Learn (PAL) groups are led by a facilitator who plans easy-to-do activities that are age appropriate for children up to 4 years of age. The facilitator can assist with questions you may have regarding parenting or discipline issues. If there is interest, arrangements can be made to have a speaker come and talk about common concerns that most parents experience - or provide written information or a short video to help answer questions. Play And Learn (PAL) groups are held during the school year at many locations throughout the county. Because we know time with your family is important to you, we do not run the groups during common holidays or the summer. PAL is fun. PAL is free. PAL is for you and your child. Drop by the location nearest you and come see what we’re all about!

PAL PLUS Book Clubs

Family Links joins PAL once each month to offer PAL PLUS Book Clubs. These sessions include all the regular PAL activities plus an enhanced circle time. There’s a shared story reading, learning activity, parent handouts and all families receive a free copy of the featured book. Check the monthly newsletter for dates October ~ May.

Early On’s Play & Learn (PAL) Groups See the calendar included in this newsletter for

dates, times and locations of PAL & PAL PLUS Book Clubs.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

3 9:30 Decatur PAL 10:15 Mattawan PAL

4 9:30 Lawton PAL 9:30 Gobles PAL

5 9:30 Hartford PAL

9:30 Lawrence PAL

6 9:30 Paw Paw PAL

9:30 South Haven PAL

7 9:30 Bangor PAL 9:30 Pullman PAL

10 9:30 Decatur PAL 10:15 Mattawan PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

11 9:30 Lawton PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB 9:30 Gobles PAL

12 9:30 Hartford PAL

9:30 Lawrence PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

13 9:30 Paw Paw PAL

9:30 South Haven PAL

5:30 GSC Parent Coalition Dinner & Meeting Lawrence ~VBISD Tech Center Nursery Includes Family Links Book Club activity for children

14 9:30 Bangor PAL 9:30 Pullman PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

17 9:30 Decatur PAL 10:15 Mattawan PAL

18 9:30 Lawton PAL 9:30 Gobles PAL

19 9:30 Hartford PAL

9:30 Lawrence PAL

20 9:30 Paw Paw PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

9:30 South Haven PAL

21 9:30 Bangor PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB 9:30 Pullman PAL

24 9:30 Decatur PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB 10:15 Mattawan PAL

25 9:30 Lawton PAL 9:30 Gobles PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

26 9:30 Hartford PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

9:30 Lawrence PAL

27 9:30 Paw Paw PAL

9:30 South Haven PAL PLUS BOOK CLUB

28 9:30 Bangor PAL 9:30 Pullman PAL

31 9:30 Decatur PAL 10:15 Mattawan PAL

Activities on this cal-endar are sponsored by VBISD Early On, Early Care & Education and the VB-Great Start Collaborative.

October 2011 Van Buren Early Childhood Calendar Questions 269-539-5214

October PAL PLUS Book Clubs Featured Story

Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins Free copy of the book given to

each family that attends.

Group Descriptions ~PAL: socialization and playtime, story sharing, singing and a healthy snack. ~PAL PLUS Book Clubs: regular PAL plus a whole group reading and learning activity, education handouts and FREE book to take home. ~GSC Parent Coalition Meetings: parents dedicated to providing input, direction and support to give every child a GREAT START! ~Hearing & Vision Screens: VBISD & Lions Project Kid-sight use child-friendly equipment to screen. Written parent permission required.

PAL & PAL PLUS Locations Mattawan Community Church, 23680 Front Ave. Decatur Davis Elementary, 409 N. Phelps (stop at office) Lawton Public Library, 125 S. Main Street Gobles Bethany Presbyterian Church, 202 W. Exchange Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main Street Lawrence United Methodist Church, 122 S. Exchange Paw Paw 1st Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine Street South Haven Hope Reformed Church, 1365 Monroe Blvd. Bangor Early Childhood Center, 208 W. Douglas Pullman Elementary School, 5580 South Avenue

Van Buren Intermediate School District 490 S. Paw Paw St.

Lawrence, MI 49064

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID LAWRENCE MI PERMIT NO. 27

Or Current Resident

www.vbisd.org

Donation Drop Off Locations South Haven: Village Market Bloomingdale: Wagoner’s Decatur: Village Market Gobles: Village Market Paw Paw: Family Fare Lawton: Wagoner’s Mattawan: Wagoner’s Bangor: Harding’s Friendly Market

Help keep your local food pantry stocked

www.dondisquires.com www.theupsstore.com

www.vbcuw.org

Saturday, November 5, 2011 10 AM-3 PM

Suggested Donations

Canned Vegetables & Fruit Spaghetti Sauce Tuna, Salmon, Chicken Tomatoes Stews & Soups Beans Other Peanut Butter & Jelly Raisins Applesauce Syrup & Honey Dry Milk Juice Coffee Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch Vegetable oil

Dry Goods Pastas & Rice Mac & Cheese Oatmeal & Cereal Pancake Mix Granola Bars Crackers Ramen Noodles Beans—all kinds Personal Care Shampoo Toothpaste Toothbrushes Shave Cream Deodorant Razors Toilet Paper Hand Soap Dish Soap Laundry Soap