Monthly
News Bulletin October 2015
Four Components of the
Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum
Waukegan Early Learning Center • A program of One Hope United 1500 Sunset Ave, Waukegan, IL 60087 • 847.388.0247
OVERALL HEALTH • EXERCISE • NUTRITION • ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Why Is Hand Washing So Important? A delicious mud pie, a good-luck rock, a friendly frog — just some of the types of goodies kids love to bring home. But these adorable gifts also can bring millions of germs with them. Kids don’t always listen when parents tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it’s a message worth repeating — hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep kids from getting sick. First Line of Defense Against Germs Germs can spread many ways, including: • • • •
Touching dirty hands Changing dirty diapers Through contaminated water and food Through droplets in the air released during cough or sneeze • On contaminated surfaces • Through contact with a sick person’s body fluids When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they’re infected, it’s usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses — from the common cold to more serious infections, such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, the flu, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhea.
Washing Hands Correctly Here’s how to scrub those germs away. Teach this routine to your kids — or better yet, wash your hands together often so they learn how important this good habit is: 1. Wash your hands in warm water. Make sure they water isn’t too hot for little hands. 2. Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds (antibacterial soap isn’t necessary — any soap will do). Make sure you get in between fingers and under the nails where germs like to hang out. And don’t forget the wrists! 3. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel. To minimize the germs passed around your family, make regular hand washing a rule for everyone, especially: • • • • •
Before eating and cooking After using the bathroom After cleaning around the house After touching animals, including family pets Before and after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives • After blowing one’s nose coughing, or sneezing • After being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.) Don’t underestimate the power of hand washing! The few seconds you spend at the sink could save you trips to the doctor’s office.
For more information see the full article at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/hand_washing.html# © 1995-2015. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.
YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
From the Director Hello! My name is Tracy Ames and I am the new Director of the Center-Based and Home-Based Programs at the Waukegan Early Learning Center. I have over twenty-one years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, with a specialization in infants and toddlers. Working together as a team, we can motivate, encourage, and enhance your child’s learning experiences. We were all very sad to say goodbye to Miss Belinda, who left Waukegan Early Learning Center at the end of August. I know Belinda touched many lives during her fifteen years of service at the Center and she will be greatly missed! During this transition, Rosa and I will be working together to provide additional support and facilitate open communication with you. We will also continue to provide the resources needed for your families. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 847-388-0251, tames@onehopeunited.org, or stop by the office. I am looking forward to a new school year filled with lots of learning and growth!
Reminders Attendance is essential to ensuring a successful Early Head Start Experience. Establishing routines of regular and timely attendance at this early age helps to lay the foundation for school success. Parents are asked to call the center by 9:30 a.m. to notify staff if your child will be absent, and to inform of reason for the absence. Daily outdoor play is a regular part of our year round program, as it is required by our regulatory agencies. With the fall weather approaching, please ensure your child has warmer clothing as they will continue to go outside daily. We ask that parents/guardians put away their cell phones upon entering the building both at drop-off and pick-up times. This is done so that when conversations need to take place, you can give your undivided attention whether it is with your child or with your child’s teacher. Thank you, again, for putting cell phones away. We understand that from time to time your contact information may change. It is essential we have the correct contact information in case of an emergency. If your contact information has changed, please stop by the office to update your information in your child’s file. Breakfast is served from 8-9 a.m. If you would like your child to have breakfast in the classroom, please have your child here before 9 a.m. If you arrive after 9 a.m., we will provide food for you to sit with your child in the office and feed them breakfast.
Please ensure your child has two sets of extra clothing in their cubby in case of an accident. When signing your child in for the day, please leave a primary contact number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
Classroom News Room Four This month we will focus on the development of our fine motor skills. Working on fine motor skills will help the infants to: reach, grasp, and bang two objects together with purpose. As the infants develop their fine motor skills, they will also be learning how to drop/grasp toys as well as hold their own bottle, and wave goodbye. The infants are also developing their sense of independence as they reach/grasp food, and other small items. Next month we will be focusing on our large motor skills.
Parent Activities
Take Home Activity
We had a great turn out for our End of the School Year Picnic that was held in August! We had many activities for the parents and children. The children used their fine and large motor skills as they colored with chalk on the sidewalk, and crawled through the tunnel. The children explored their sense of touch as they investigated in the sand and water. The infants really seemed to enjoy watching the bubbles that were floating in the air. It was so rewarding to see all the smiles on the children’s faces. What a great way to end the school year!
Sing Together (From The Creative Curriculum Learning Games) Sing songs with your child, especially ones that she/he can clap to or that have her name in them. Singing provides a fun and interesting way to teach your child words and sound patterns. Why is this important? Your child will become familiar with words, especially rhyming words, through the rhythm and repetition of singing. By hearing the repeated sounds in songs like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”, he/she will become familiar with the patterns of sounds that occur in language. Singing crosses all language barriers, and when done in a group, singing provides your child with social experiences. What you do: • Sing with your child when feeding, dressing, walking, or riding. Sometimes use traditional songs and sometimes make up your own. Remember that your child does not care if you sing well. He/she will enjoy hearing your voice in songs about him/her and his/her activities. • Clap and invite your child to clap with you. Choose a simple, repetitious tune that your child can sing with you and clap to the rhythm. Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. Your child will first listen, and then begin to imitate the sounds he/she hears. He/she may clap and move to the tune before he/she tries to sing. • Make up a song with your child’s name in it (sung to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”). • Try to remember songs your parents sang to you and share them with your child. If your family speaks more than one language, this can be a great way to pass on family traditions. Another activity is to incorporate singing when washing your child’s hands.
Parent Referral Incentive We will be planning a Family Activity Night in October. You will be making Kool-Aid Moon Sand with your child to take home. Be on the lookout for the date!
We would like to thank you for all of your wonderful words of praise about our center to your family and friends! Our program continues to grow through your referrals. Because of this, we are pleased to announce the Refer-A-Friend incentive program. Here’s how it works: • You tell a friend about our program. • Your friend calls us and provides your name as the referral source. • Your friend enrolls his/her child(ren) in the program. • You receive $25 after the child is enrolled for three months. (One incentive per family referred).
Monthly
Calendar October 2015 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
TBD — Family Activity Night TBD — Parent Policy Committee Meeting 4
5
6
7
8
9 Socialization 12:30 2:30 p.m.
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23 Socialization 12:30 2:30 p.m.
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 Center Closed Staff Training
31
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