2014 Early Head Start Parent Leadership

The Learning Center for Families’ Early Head Start Program includes a parent

leadership component

La Verkin Center Elections to be held January 9th. St. George Center Chair- Tom Schaerrer Vice Chair- Juana Rodriguez Secretary- Elena Schaerrer Treasurer- Faviola Orea PC Representatives- Josh Richmond, Jesus Hernandez, Leticia Isidor Alt Rep- Maria Rodriguez Community Rep- Joe Herrmann

Beaver Dam Center Chair- Katie Collier Vice Chair- Armando Montes Secretary- Claudia Montes Treasurer- Joey Bolden PC Representatives- Katie Collier & Claudia Montes Alt Rep- Maggie Lopez Colorado City Center Chair- Tiffany Barlow Secretary- Ruth Hammon Treasurer & Secretary- PC Representatives- Alyne Dockstader & Alt Rep- Virginia Dockstader

whereby each Center: Beaver Dam, St. George, La Verkin, Colorado City and Hildale, are run by parent committees. Every parent who has a child enrolled in TLC’s Early Head Start and First Things First programs is automatically a member of the parent committee corresponding to where they attend play groups.

The five parent committees select committee officers as well as representatives to a Policy Council (PC) annually. The PC serves alongside the Board of Directors in approving policy, budgets and hiring of staff for the EHS/FTF programs. In addition to parent members, the Parent Committees also select a community member to serve as a Community Representative on the Policy Council.

The Policy Council requires many volunteer hours but the rewards are great. This is an opportunity for parents to get involved in the nitty gritty of how to provide quality services to vulnerable infants and toddlers in our community. The following parents were elected to serve in 2014:

Hildale Center Chair- Caroline Barlow Secretary- Melinda Wayman Treasurer & Secretary- Vacant PC Representatives- Heidi and Viola Barlow Alt Rep- Mae Barlow

From smart phones to tablet computers and game consoles, it is not unusual to see toddlers intuitively swiping screens and confidently pressing buttons. Parents often feel guilty about handing a gadget to their child to play with. But is it all bad? Research from the University of Wisconsin points out that touch screens might actually hold some education potential for toddlers. However, the future isn’t here- yet. So in the meantime, let’s put this into perspec-tive. Devices should never take the place of adult-child interactions. If you are going to let your little one play with yours, try having them sit in your lap or close beside you so that you can talk with your child about what they are do-ing and what they are seeing. And for goodness sake! Model good device behavior yourself. That means putting your device down when your toddler wants to interact. Try to limit yourself to gadgeting during your child’s naptime or later in the evening. What we know is that children learn best in interactions with parents and peers. So although you don’t need to sweat your child’s exploration of technology, you don’t want it to take the place of quality time with mom and dad. - Debbie Justice

All National Parks will have a fee-free day:

Monday January 20, 2014

This means that Zion, Angels Point, the South Rim and all other national parks will let you in at no cost.

Can’t make the fee-free day? For our families of children or other individuals with disabilities, you can apply

for a Golden Passport which allows the disabled individual, and all those accompanying him/her in the same

vehicle, free entry to any national park every day. To apply for a Golden Passport, stop at any National Park

entrance and show proof of a medically determined disability

and eligibility for benefits such as Social Security Disability. You

will be given your lifetime pass on the spot! Active duty military

members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

See you on the trail!

Join our TLC Team. We need someone to help with sib care at our St. George

Center about 5 - 8 hours a week. Applicants must pass a background check and

will be e-verified. Hours vary. Starts at $9.10 per hour with minimal benefits.

Research has indicated that infants raised around pets are less likely to develop asthma (2007 Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; Dog Ownership is Associated With Less Wheezing Among High-Risk Infants During the First Year of Life," presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, March 18-22, 2005; Infants and Four-Legged Friends Under One Roof, March 2002, Lancet).

Unfortunately, there are also those who believe that a cat will suck the breath out of a baby and that infants have been suffocated by a pet lying on their head. There does not seem to be a credible basis for these beliefs. However, any of you who are thinking about adding a pet to the family should consider the following:

You shouldn’t leave your pets and your active babe alone together– for both of their sakes. A playful dog might nip your young one meaning no harm. And it is just as likely that your tot will squeeze the living daylights out of your cat, also meaning no ill will.

Model good pet habits by showing your child how to be gentle, soft and not to chase. Model means model. Don’t rely on just your words to convey what you mean but actually show your youngster how to behave.

Be sure and help your child understand that even though you have a very approachable and calm pet at home, other dogs, cats, bunnies, etc. may feel very differently. Your child should never approach a strange pet.

Now that you have considered some of the pros and cons, let us know if you decided to ‘pet or not to pet’. And remember, some of the greatest pets for young children are those that live in an aquarium– fish! They can provide hours of relaxation and interest to your child. Just beware that your tot does not try to feed the fishes their peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Alas, that is what happened to the pets in the Justice household many years ago. Needless to say, the snack didn’t suit our goldfish and they are all swimming in heaven now. So I guess that there is one more thing to add to the list of pet/child dos and don’ts, teach your children what they can and cannot not feed the household pets! - Debbie Justice

Quote for the new year “We may not be able to prepare

the future for our children, but we can at least prepare

our children for the future.” ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

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TLC Closed

LaVerkin Play Group 9:30 - 11:00

St. George Play Groups 10:00- 11:30 & 1:00 - 2:30

Beaver Dam Play Group 1:00 - 2:30

Colorado City

Play Group 5:00 - 6:30

Lin’s St. George Free $10 shopping

card! 10 am

Must be signed up! Let your Learning Consultant know

PLAY GROUPS ARE NOW 90 MINUTES!

Play

Strategies

St. George TLC

Play

Strategies

St. George TLC

LaVerkin Play Group 9:30 - 11:00

St. George Play Groups 10:00- 11:30 & 1:00 - 2:30

Beaver Dam Play Group 1:00 - 2:30

Colorado City

Play Group 5:00 - 6:30

Washington Walmart Free $10 shopping

card! 10 am

Must be signed up! Let your Learning Consultant know

SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday February 13th

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Neil Tift, Father Involvement Program Specialist, will be coming to TLC

to meet with dads. Moms, we have something special planned for you

too! A spa night! We are providing onsite childcare as well. Space is

limited. Call and reserve your space now.! Rosie 673-5353 x123