Issue 5

Januarymdash March

2017

Serving Lake | Porter | LaPorte | and Starke Counties

Our Mission

We are dedicated to providing

professional support education

and training to educators

families and community

members involved in Early

Learning Care and Out of School

Time in Lake LaPorte Porter

and Starke counties

Early Learning Connections

8400 Louisiana Street

Merrillville IN 46410

(219) 685-1500

Office Hours

MondaymdashFriday

800 ammdash500 pm

The Connections School Readiness taken from httpwwwaftorgpositionschool-readiness The positive impact of high-quality early childhood programs on childrens success in school

and beyond has been well documented Many studies have demonstrated the importance of

the early years for the developing brain Over the past four decades numerous studiesmdash

including the Perry Preschool Study the Abecedarian Project the Chicago Longitudinal Study

and the Cost Quality and Child Outcomes Studymdashhave shown that high-quality early child-

hood education increases the likelihood that children particularly those from disadvantaged

backgrounds will become successful students and citizens

High-quality programs provide children secure and caring relationships with educators and

caregivers and stimulating learning opportunities and experiences that prepare them for the

later school years These programs are characterized by the following practices

Language-rich and responsive communication between adults and children

Positive and appropriate reinforcement of skills and behavior

Extensive rehearsal of old and new cognitive academic and developmental skills

Guidance in desirable social skills and facilitation of positive interactions between peers

and adults

Various structured and informal activities that encourage children to reflect predict ques-

tion and hypothesize

Availability of numerous materials resources and toys that focus on language and literacy

Activities that encourage the involvement of childrens families and caretakers

Incorporation of adequate nutrition and habits that will support good health Children who have gone through these programs also have more secure relationships with

adults these children are better equipped to follow directions and more likely to trust figures

of authority and be able to communicate their needs Young children are capable learners and

having these types of educational experiences during their preschool years makes it possible

for them to learn at a faster rate become better readers and consequently better students

School Readiness for Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers prepare for school just as preschool children do however their school readiness looks much different than that of a preschooler Infants enter the world filled with curiosity about everything around them The skills they acquire are learned from the interactions they have with adults Simple things like reading to them talking to them while you are changing their diapers or clothes and how you soothe them are all activities that help babies learn ldquoRemember If your baby is interested and involved in an activitymdashand having funmdashhe is learningrdquo (Zero to Three) Everything they do every day helps infants prepare for their future We do not need to place infants in classes in order for them to learn

Toddlers are always on the go soaking up all the information they can They are always learning discovering and exploring Toddlers begin forming words and then small sentences They assert their independence and really begin to love the word ldquonordquo This is the time that they want you to read Mortimer by Robert Munsch over and over and over (or any other of their favorite books) Read that book repeatedly let them play with their favorite toy once again this is how they are learning

Older toddlers really begin to express their independence From putting on their own clothes to transitioning to the My Little Pony panties or Paw Patrol underwear Their ability to think at a higher level begins to shine problem-solving skills are shown and they begin developing more self-control than when they were younger Their school readiness skills sometimes test our patience but in the end itrsquos all worth it as they continue growing learning and preparing for their first day of kindergarten

So model those skills let them play allow the socialization that is neededmdashthis is what our

youngest minds need to prepare them for school

Winter Books for Children

Check out the following books for your classroom or children

Snowmen at NightmdashCarolyn Buehner Winter is for SnowflakesmdashMichelle Knudsen

Winter TreesmdashCarol Gerber Red SledmdashLita Judge

The MittenmdashJan Brett SnowballsmdashLois Ehlert

If itrsquos Snowy and You Know ItmdashKim Norman

The Latest on Screen Time Recognizing the ubiquitous role of

media in childrenrsquos lives the American

Academy of Pediatrics has released new

policy recommendations and resources

to help families maintain a healthy

media diet The AAP recommends that

parents and caregivers develop a family

media plan that takes into account the

health education and entertainment

needs of each child as well as the whole

family Key recommendations

For children younger than 18 months

avoid use of screen media other than

video-chatting Parents of children 18 to

24 months of age who want to

introduce digital media should choose

high-quality programming and watch it

with their children to help them

understand what theyre seeing

For children ages 2 to 5 years limit

screen use to 1 hour per day of high-

quality programs Parents should co-

view media with children to help them

understand what they are seeing and

apply it to the world around them

For children ages 6 and older place

consistent limits on the time spent using

media and the types of media and

make sure media does not take the

place of adequate

sleep physical activity

and other behaviors

essential to health

Provided by

Exchange Every Day

wwwcciecomeed

Fun Winter Projects

Melted Snowman Materials

large empty water bottle

5 dry black beans

3 black or grey buttons

2 colorful larger buttons

orange sponge cut into the shape of a carrot

2 twigs

small piece of fabric cut in a rectangle

2 - 5 oz bottles of clear glue

Squirt the clear glue in empty water bottle Add warm water to almost fill the bottle replace the lid and then shake the glue and water together o combine

Add the other items into the bottle The twigs are for the arms the black beans for the mouth the fabric strip for the scarf the dark buttons for buttons the colorful larger buttons for the eyes and the carrot shaped sponge for the nose

Melted Snowman Slime white glue ndash 7625 fl oz bottle

liquid starch (appx 1 cup)

silver glitter

small round plastic containers

black and orange sharpie marker Mix glue and starch together until slime is formed (may need to add additional starch) Add glitter and squish together Color lids and store slime in containers This activity is great for those cold winter days when play outside is prohibited

School Readiness for Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers prepare for school just as preschool children do however their school readiness looks much different than that of a preschooler Infants enter the world filled with curiosity about everything around them The skills they acquire are learned from the interactions they have with adults Simple things like reading to them talking to them while you are changing their diapers or clothes and how you soothe them are all activities that help babies learn ldquoRemember If your baby is interested and involved in an activitymdashand having funmdashhe is learningrdquo (Zero to Three) Everything they do every day helps infants prepare for their future We do not need to place infants in classes in order for them to learn

Toddlers are always on the go soaking up all the information they can They are always learning discovering and exploring Toddlers begin forming words and then small sentences They assert their independence and really begin to love the word ldquonordquo This is the time that they want you to read Mortimer by Robert Munsch over and over and over (or any other of their favorite books) Read that book repeatedly let them play with their favorite toy once again this is how they are learning

Older toddlers really begin to express their independence From putting on their own clothes to transitioning to the My Little Pony panties or Paw Patrol underwear Their ability to think at a higher level begins to shine problem-solving skills are shown and they begin developing more self-control than when they were younger Their school readiness skills sometimes test our patience but in the end itrsquos all worth it as they continue growing learning and preparing for their first day of kindergarten

So model those skills let them play allow the socialization that is neededmdashthis is what our

youngest minds need to prepare them for school

Winter Books for Children

Check out the following books for your classroom or children

Snowmen at NightmdashCarolyn Buehner Winter is for SnowflakesmdashMichelle Knudsen

Winter TreesmdashCarol Gerber Red SledmdashLita Judge

The MittenmdashJan Brett SnowballsmdashLois Ehlert

If itrsquos Snowy and You Know ItmdashKim Norman

The Latest on Screen Time Recognizing the ubiquitous role of

media in childrenrsquos lives the American

Academy of Pediatrics has released new

policy recommendations and resources

to help families maintain a healthy

media diet The AAP recommends that

parents and caregivers develop a family

media plan that takes into account the

health education and entertainment

needs of each child as well as the whole

family Key recommendations

For children younger than 18 months

avoid use of screen media other than

video-chatting Parents of children 18 to

24 months of age who want to

introduce digital media should choose

high-quality programming and watch it

with their children to help them

understand what theyre seeing

For children ages 2 to 5 years limit

screen use to 1 hour per day of high-

quality programs Parents should co-

view media with children to help them

understand what they are seeing and

apply it to the world around them

For children ages 6 and older place

consistent limits on the time spent using

media and the types of media and

make sure media does not take the

place of adequate

sleep physical activity

and other behaviors

essential to health

Provided by

Exchange Every Day

wwwcciecomeed

Fun Winter Projects

Melted Snowman Materials

large empty water bottle

5 dry black beans

3 black or grey buttons

2 colorful larger buttons

orange sponge cut into the shape of a carrot

2 twigs

small piece of fabric cut in a rectangle

2 - 5 oz bottles of clear glue

Squirt the clear glue in empty water bottle Add warm water to almost fill the bottle replace the lid and then shake the glue and water together o combine

Add the other items into the bottle The twigs are for the arms the black beans for the mouth the fabric strip for the scarf the dark buttons for buttons the colorful larger buttons for the eyes and the carrot shaped sponge for the nose

Melted Snowman Slime white glue ndash 7625 fl oz bottle

liquid starch (appx 1 cup)

silver glitter

small round plastic containers

black and orange sharpie marker Mix glue and starch together until slime is formed (may need to add additional starch) Add glitter and squish together Color lids and store slime in containers This activity is great for those cold winter days when play outside is prohibited

The Latest on Screen Time Recognizing the ubiquitous role of

media in childrenrsquos lives the American

Academy of Pediatrics has released new

policy recommendations and resources

to help families maintain a healthy

media diet The AAP recommends that

parents and caregivers develop a family

media plan that takes into account the

health education and entertainment

needs of each child as well as the whole

family Key recommendations

For children younger than 18 months

avoid use of screen media other than

video-chatting Parents of children 18 to

24 months of age who want to

introduce digital media should choose

high-quality programming and watch it

with their children to help them

understand what theyre seeing

For children ages 2 to 5 years limit

screen use to 1 hour per day of high-

quality programs Parents should co-

view media with children to help them

understand what they are seeing and

apply it to the world around them

For children ages 6 and older place

consistent limits on the time spent using

media and the types of media and

make sure media does not take the

place of adequate

sleep physical activity

and other behaviors

essential to health

Provided by

Exchange Every Day

wwwcciecomeed

Fun Winter Projects

Melted Snowman Materials

large empty water bottle

5 dry black beans

3 black or grey buttons

2 colorful larger buttons

orange sponge cut into the shape of a carrot

2 twigs

small piece of fabric cut in a rectangle

2 - 5 oz bottles of clear glue

Squirt the clear glue in empty water bottle Add warm water to almost fill the bottle replace the lid and then shake the glue and water together o combine

Add the other items into the bottle The twigs are for the arms the black beans for the mouth the fabric strip for the scarf the dark buttons for buttons the colorful larger buttons for the eyes and the carrot shaped sponge for the nose

Melted Snowman Slime white glue ndash 7625 fl oz bottle

liquid starch (appx 1 cup)

silver glitter

small round plastic containers

black and orange sharpie marker Mix glue and starch together until slime is formed (may need to add additional starch) Add glitter and squish together Color lids and store slime in containers This activity is great for those cold winter days when play outside is prohibited

School Readiness Much More Than Academic Skills

Itrsquos important for children to know their ABCs and numbers when they enter kindergarten but itrsquos as

equally important for them to know how to manage their feelings follow directions and work well with others

Developing childrenrsquos social and emotional intelligence gives them the skills they need to communicate with oth-

ers and manage a range of emotions By teaching young children early academic skills in combination with social

and emotional skills you can provide them with all of the tools they need to be successful learners and successful

adults

Characteristics of Social and Emotional Intelligence

As Pam Schiller discusses in her book Seven Skills for School Success emotional intelligence is

having the ability to understand and manage onersquos own feelings and emotions while social intel-

ligence is having the ability to understand and manage oneself in group situations Someone who

is emotionally intelligent can identify label express assess and manage their feelings delay

gratification control impulses manage stress and understand the difference between feelings

and actions Someone who is socially intelligent knows how to assess other peoplersquos feelings re-

late to others read and respond to social cues and negotiate and resolve conflicts

While that sounds like a lot to expect from four-year-olds (and some adults) it is possible for young children to

show high levels of social and emotional intelligence However social intelligence and emotional intelligence are

both dependent on the social and emotional interactions children experience which is why itrsquos important to pro-

mote positive social and emotional experiences in your classroom

Two Great Ways to Help Children Develop Social and Emotional Intelligence

1 Discuss andor Practice How Children Can React to Different Group Situations

How should children react when someone doesnrsquot wait their turn or someone is

being left out Discussing these daily dilemmas children are likely to encounter (or even acting out

the scenario) can help children learn how to assess otherrsquos feelings relate to others negotiate and

resolve conflicts and much more What Would You Do In a Jarreg has a variety of scenario

ideas you can discuss with children

2 Help Children Learn How to Manage Stress and Express Feelings with Worry Eatersreg

Worry Eatersreg give children a safe place to share their worries If children are worried or

anxious about something invite them to write or draw their worry on a piece of paper and

feed it to their favorite Worry Eater The Worry Eater will hold on to childrenrsquos worries so

they donrsquot have to This is a great way to build childrenrsquos self-esteem and resiliency skills

Worry Eaters come in different shapes and sizes

Visit wwwkaplancocom to learn more about social and emotional development and browse our selection of so-

cial and emotional materials You can also contact David McGee your local Kaplan representative at 317-709-

0290 or dmcgeekaplancocom for more information about materials that can help children have a successful

transition to kindergarten

Level 4

Wee Care Child Development Center Inc

Woodland Child Development Center

Premier Child Care amp Learning Centers

Kinder Care Learning Center

Pathways Two

Debbiersquos Lyttle Spitups

Lisarsquos Safe Haven Daycare

Lisarsquos Safe Haven II

Peoplersquos Day Care

Michellersquos World of Learning Daycare

Level 3

Hilltop Neighborhood House Inc

My School Child Care Center

Wonder Years Learning CentermdashMunster

Village Park Child Care Center Inc

Tradewinds Services Inc

Little Graudates Child Care Academy

T-N-T Daycare

Toddle Tykes Daycare LLCmdashWeller Ave

Toddle Tykes Daycare LLCmdashSR 39

Toddle Tykes Daycare LLCmdashDarlington

Toddle Tykes Daycare LLCmdashPlanett St

Wee Care 3

Wee Care 4

The Village KidsmdashGreen Street

The Village Kidsmdash7th Street

The Village Kidsmdash7th 12 Street

Little Rascalsmdash10th Street B

Bobbles Creative Learning Childcare

Busy Beersquos Childcare

Northlake Preschool Academy

Kids Choice Child Care

Mini Miracles

Level 3 Continued

Wiggles amp Giggles Academic Childcare

Grandma Lois TLC Daycare Inc

Honey Beersquos Child Care

A Motherrsquos Gentle Touch

Baby Boot Camp Corp

Christian Kiddie Kare

Toddlers Inn Childcare 3

Bright Future Academy

Level 2

Wonder Years Learning Center of Dyer

Motherrsquos Little Angels

Savannah Ridge Childcare

Tiny Teddyrsquos 2 Childcare Home

Beautiful Butterflies Spread Your Wings

Soniarsquos Special Touch Child Care

Children R Us

Kidz Discovery 1

Kidz Discovery 3

Kidz Discovery 4

Little Rascals - 10th Street

Congrats to the child care centers

registered ministries and homes

that have leveled or maintained

their Paths to QUALITY levels

Thanks for all your hard work for

the children or Northwest Indiana

STEM = LEARNING = FUN by Lourdes Chavez School Age Specialist

STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math The Indiana Afterschool Specialty Standards is a guide for high quality programs serving youth in out-ofndash school time This special addition to the Indiana Afterschool Standards outlines best practices and recommendations specific to STEM programming for K-12 youth in out-of-school time programs In order to develop these specialty standards the Indiana Afterschool Network convened a taskforce of STEM experts in education business and youth development The taskforce researched standards and best practices throughout the nation and compiled these standards from many sources They found that Indiana is on the leading edge in developing STEM standards for out-of-school programs What is STEM Education The Department of Education defines STEM as ldquoan intentional multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning in which students uncover and acquire a cohesive set of concepts competencies and dispositions of science technology engineering and mathematics that they transfer and apply in both academic and real world context in order to be globally competitive in the 21st Centuryrdquo STEM Education inspires student learning through hands- on experience-base activities that enrich and add value to their school experiences STEM also takes place beyond school day in school community organizations and cultural institutions such as libraries and museums Below is an activity which involves STEM The Science Cornstarch and water when mixed acts both like a solid and a liquid Cornstarch and water is a suspension mixture with a solid dispersed into a liquid When you press the mixture quickly the starch molecules close together This causes the water to get trapped between the starch chains and create a semi-rigid structure When you press slowly this starch chain ldquoblockrdquo doesnrsquot happen and the mixture flows like a liquid Because the viscosity of the mixture changes with force rather than heat the cornstarch mixture is known as a non-Newtonian fluid The Experiment Quick Sand Materials 1 box of corn starch Water A large bowl Food coloring Mix the corn starch and the water together at a ratio of about 10 parts starch to 1 part water Start the mixture by adding about frac12 of a cup of cornstarch to about 1 cup of water Play with the mixture until it reaches the consistency that you want httpwwwschoolingamonkeycomcornstarch-quicksand-science-experiment Interested in school age ndash out of school time support Contact Lourdes Chavez at 219-203-2388 or lourdeschavezgeminusorg

STEM = LEARNING = FUN by Lourdes Chavez School Age Specialist

STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math The Indiana Afterschool Specialty Standards is a guide for high quality programs serving youth in out-ofndash school time This special addition to the Indiana Afterschool Standards outlines best practices and recommendations specific to STEM programming for K-12 youth in out-of-school time programs In order to develop these specialty standards the Indiana Afterschool Network convened a taskforce of STEM experts in education business and youth development The taskforce researched standards and best practices throughout the nation and compiled these standards from many sources They found that Indiana is on the leading edge in developing STEM standards for out-of-school programs What is STEM Education The Department of Education defines STEM as ldquoan intentional multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning in which students uncover and acquire a cohesive set of concepts competencies and dispositions of science technology engineering and mathematics that they transfer and apply in both academic and real world context in order to be globally competitive in the 21st Centuryrdquo STEM Education inspires student learning through hands- on experience-base activities that enrich and add value to their school experiences STEM also takes place beyond school day in school community organizations and cultural institutions such as libraries and museums Below is an activity which involves STEM The Science Cornstarch and water when mixed acts both like a solid and a liquid Cornstarch and water is a suspension mixture with a solid dispersed into a liquid When you press the mixture quickly the starch molecules close together This causes the water to get trapped between the starch chains and create a semi-rigid structure When you press slowly this starch chain ldquoblockrdquo doesnrsquot happen and the mixture flows like a liquid Because the viscosity of the mixture changes with force rather than heat the cornstarch mixture is known as a non-Newtonian fluid The Experiment Quick Sand Materials 1 box of corn starch Water A large bowl Food coloring Mix the corn starch and the water together at a ratio of about 10 parts starch to 1 part water Start the mixture by adding about frac12 of a cup of cornstarch to about 1 cup of water Play with the mixture until it reaches the consistency that you want httpwwwschoolingamonkeycomcornstarch-quicksand-science-experiment Interested in school age ndash out of school time support Contact Lourdes Chavez at 219-203-2388 or lourdeschavezgeminusorg

Save the Date

Indiana Associate for the Education of

Young Children

April 6mdash8

Indianapolis IN

PNWrsquos Center for Early Learning

11th Annual Early Childhood Conference

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Saturday April 22 2017

Early Learning Connections

Staff

Elizabeth Masseymdash Program Director

Jody BonomdashOn My Way PreK Project Manager

Stacey PagaacutenmdashProfessional Development

Coordinator

Nicole BrownmdashInfantToddlerPrenatal Specialist

Lourdes ChavezmdashSchool Age Specialist

Sarah SkurowmdashInclusion Specialist

Jennifer EnsignmdashPaths to QUALITY Master Coach

Courtney WaltersmdashPaths to QUALITY Coach

Tilaya PortismdashPaths to QUALITY Coach

Cherish EdwardsmdashPaths to QUALITY Advancement

Coach

String Cheese Snowmen

Materials

Cheesesticks

Black and Orange Sharpies

Ribbon

Black Construction Paper

Design according to photo

Have fun Let those little hands design their

snowman and enjoy their snacks

We are like a

SNOWFLAKE

All different in our own

beautiful way

-Unknown-