May brings lots of great family fun at the Eiteljorg Museum!

May offers great family fun opportunities at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. On May 1, the month starts with the Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest. On Mother’s Day May 9 bring mom in for a uniue brunch experience. Then, on May 15, the museum will host the Leon Jett Celebration for Families followed by, on May 22, the opening day of the museum’s next special exhibition, Generations: The Helen Cox Kersting Collection of Southwestern Cultural Arts.

Yo-yo contest to attract more than 50 competitors

The museum will host the Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest, welcoming more than 50 competitors showcasing their talents in five different class divisions. Registration is 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the competition begins at 10 a.m. and will run through 4 p.m.

The Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest has long been respected as one of the best state contests in the U.S., with top-notch talent in attendance. According to event organizer [insert Takeshi’s name], yo-yos are more popular now than ever, with sales up 1000% from this time last year. Interest in this age-old toy has increased worldwide and some of the finest competitors in the United States will gather in Indianapolis to test their skill, swap tricks, and pick up the latest gear from sponsors and vendors.

The public is invited to watch yo-yo competitors in action and experience demonstrations, free beginner’s workshops and opportunities to learn about the past and future of yo-yoing from members of the National Yo-Yo League. Museum admission includes admission to view the contest.

Bring mom in for a unique cultural experience on Mother’s Day

The Eiteljorg Museum will be hosting its annual Mother’s Day Brunch on May 9, featuring a delicious buffet from Kahn’s Catering featuring grilled, Atlantic salmon with fresh tomato concasse and pesto cream; roasted, rosemary-rubbed pork loin with garlic mushroom demi-glace. There are two seatings available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $39 for adult members; $49 for adult non-members; $19 all children 4-12; and children 3 and under free. The fee includes the buffet, a champagne toast, taxes, gratuity, museum admission and parking. Cash bar will be available. Call Autumn Souert at (317) 275-1310 to make your reservation.

Museum celebrates life of longtime programs manager

On May 15, the Eiteljorg Museum will host the Leon Jett Celebration for Families. Guests will hear the story of The Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash) and will receive seeds to plant their own gardens at home. Visitors will also enjoy special performances and family activities celebrating the life of former public programs manager, Leon Jett.

The day features performances by Freetown Village Children’s Ensemble, Kumbaa Youth Theater and others. Guests can also learn about Native cultures through cultural representatives and enjoy pony rides and other family-friendly activities.

This event is co-hosted by the Friends of Leon. Guests are asked to bring a canned food donation for Gleaners Food Bank.

Exhibition opens featuring nearly 800 recently-donated cultural objects

On Saturday, May 22, the exhibit Generations: The Helen Cox Kersting Collection of Southwestern Cultural Arts will open. The museum will celebrate the opening of the exhibit with activities surrounding the subject of collecting. There will be experts on hand to discuss the collection of jewelry, pottery and other items..

The museum is encouraging guests to show off their personal collections at the museum on this day. Buttons…trading cards…fine art—interested parties should visit www.eiteljorg.org for details.

Visit www.eiteljorg.org for more information on any of these events.

Feds recall Simplicity and Graco cribs

Feds recall Simplicity and Graco cribs
Associated Press
Posted: April 29, 2010

WASHINGTON -- The government recalled thousands of Simplicity and Graco cribs Thursday, warning that babies could suffocate or strangle in them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the Simplicity recall was linked to at least one death and involved thousands of cribs, possibly hundreds of thousands, though many had previously been recalled for other defects. The agency said about 217,000 Graco dropside cribs made by LaJobi were also being recalled.

The problem with both types of cribs stems from hardware failures.
In the case of the Graco-branded wood cribs, the side that moves up and down -- the dropside -- can break or detach, creating a dangerous gap between the crib mattress and dropped side. A baby can become trapped and suffocate or strangle. CPSC and LaJobi have received 99 complaints of dropside problems with the cribs. None involved serious injuries.

The Simplicity recall is for all full-sized cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. Those frames can bend or detach, causing the mattress to collapse and creating a space that a baby can roll into, become trapped in and suffocate.

A one-year-old boy in North Attleboro, Mass., became trapped in his Simplicity crib and suffocated in 2008, according to the commission.
"CPSC urges all parents and caregivers to not attempt to resell any Simplicity crib to a thrift store, at a yard sale or online," said agency spokesman Scott Wolfson. "These recalled cribs have killed far too many babies and need to be kept out of homes and daycare centers."
Simplicity has been the subject of almost a dozen recalls since 2005 and its cribs have been linked to 13 deaths.

The commission had previously recalled all Simplicity dropside cribs. With the latest recall, nearly all Simplicity cribs have now been recalled, possibly hundreds of thousands of cribs. Simplicity and its successor company, SFCA Inc., are no longer in business, so the agency doesn't know exactly how many cribs were sold.

On the Net: Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov

Resource Library

We now have a Resource Library open to providers!

CHILDCARE ANSWERS
CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY

RESOURCE LIBRARY

317-926-3401 ext. 312

PURPOSE: The purpose of Child Care Answers Resource Library is to provide Parents, Child Care Providers and Early Childhood Agencies in Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton, and Johnson Counties with information and resources that will enhance the lives of children they serve.

LOCATION: The Resource Library is located at 3522 N. Central Avenue, Indianapolis 46205

HOURS:
• 12:00- 5:30 p.m. ~ Monday - Thursday
• Closed Friday
• 9:30-12:30 p.m. ~ every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
• Open ½ hour before trainings that are held at 3522 N. Central

MEMBERSHIP:
• An annual membership fee is payable by credit, debit, check, or money order
1. Family Child Care Providers, Parents and Individual fee is $20- includes a $5 resource credit 2. Center, Ministry and School-age sites fee is $30 and includes a $5 resource credit
3. Membership includes checking out resource kits, books, videos; and use of laminating machine, copier computer/Internet/printer and dye cut machine. Please contact about fees for usage.

Make and Take Workshop

Make and Take Workshop
Ideas and material to take back to your child care facility or classroom


Day Nursery Lilly Center
3522 N. Central Avenue

Cost $5.00

1st and 3rd Saturdays: Instruction and Learning 9:30 - 10:30 am (Required for certificate/workshop credit**) Question and answer/help with materials 10:30 - 12:30 pm)

May 1st & 15th theme is Recycling. Discover how to use everyday materials to meet the physical education and science foundations.


To register: call 317-636-5727 ext. 257 or online at http://www.childcareanswers.com/


**Recieve a certificate for training hours (not CEU's)**

Eagle Creek fishing derby set for June 5

Kids can learn how to bait a hook and catch fish during the ninth annual Eagle Creek Park Kids' Fishing Derby.

The June 5 event put on by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation is open to 400 children ages 4 to 14 and is one of the nation's largest fishing derbies, said Allison Frane, event spokeswoman.

Registration for the free event starts Monday. Families will not be charged park or event admission, and no fishing license is required. Volunteers will demonstrate fishing techniques during the catch and release event, and the foundation will provide hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Participants who own fishing equipment are asked to bring it, but the foundation has rods and reels for those without it, Frane said. An adult must accompany all children.

Preregistration is required. Forms are available at the Eagle Creek Park office, 7840 W. 56th St., or through June 1 at www.eaglecreekpark.org. For more information call (317) 327-7116.

Free Teacher Professional Development

Join The Children’s Museum for an educator professional development opportunity that focuses on ways to use the Take Me There: Egypt exhibit to enhance student learning in science, social studies, language arts, and visual arts. Each participant will receive a Unit of Study.

Explore present-day Egypt, where the past and the present meet, at The Children’s Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, Take Me There – Egypt.

Learn about the geography, natural environment, home life, language, and arts Egypt today.

Savor a taste of Egyptian cuisine and learn about Egyptian American life in Indiana. Become immersed in cultural experiences specially designed for student groups, the sebou and the maglis-al-suh.

Register by June 15 for Egypt: Beyond the Past

Teachers of Grades 3–8

Tuesday–Thursday, June 29–July 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Fee: *FREE** (a $75 value)! A $25 deposit will be taken at the time of registration. After completion of the institute, your $25 will be refunded.

To register call (800) 820-6214

Letter to the Editor

I came across this letter to the editor in the Indianapolis Star. It speaks volumes to the amazing mentors working with ministries at Child Care Answers. Its always good to know that what we do touches so many people.


United Way makes good thing even better
Michael W. Bowling
Posted: April 21, 2010

Every day I see the hope-filled sight of bright-eyed young children skipping through the doors of our building anticipating another day of playing with friends and exploring the many intriguing aspects of the world in which we are blessed to live.

A caring staff receives them with an excitement characteristic of a separation of weeks instead of the few short hours since the previous day. They are followed by parents who expect at the very least their children will be safe and sound for the next few hours.

Many of these families face daunting challenges. They are worn down by the constant threat of unemployment or the unexpected illness that could so easily become a domino effect with one crisis after another.

However, most of these families share a common hope: the success of their children. Our child-care ministry pushes beyond the essential minimum of "safe and sound" to provide the kind of care that, in partnership with the family, moves each child toward school readiness and the possibility of a better future. We see our work as an essential expression of encouragement to our community's families.

To do our work well requires a dedicated staff, a supportive church and a safe and welcoming facility. Sometimes, we get tired and discouraged. But always there comes some form of encouragement that bolsters our efforts.

This encouragement may be as simple as a note of thanks from a grateful parent or as significant as a major breakthrough with a child. Recently, it came with surprising magnitude from an unexpected source: United Way of Central Indiana.

We are not a member agency, but we received a first-hand experience of the encouragement a member agency gets from the competent and committed folks at United Way. Our inclusion in their Success By Six program resulted in a significant upgrade to our Daystar Childcare space, mentors for our staff and benefits too numerous to name.

The results were immediately recognized by the families we serve, and our staff began to pursue continuing education like a runner getting a second wind. United Way of Central Indiana and the Success By Six program demonstrate the visionary thinking critically needed in our day.

They recognize the best investment for a better tomorrow is the children of today. They know what most well-informed educators have been saying for years: The most dynamic benefits come from investing in early-childhood development.
They made the astute observation that one of the most overlooked providers of care for preschool children is registered child-care ministries. Success By Six has come alongside participating child-care ministries with the resources and expertise that are already producing dramatic results.

United Way funds a myriad essential services throughout the nation, but Success By Six demonstrates the compassion and the wisdom found in the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Thanks to United Way of Central Indiana for the encouragement, and thanks to the thousands of donors who fund such priorities. A better future is on its way.


Bowling is pastor of Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This gloomy, rainy weather we have had the past few days has made it impossible to get the children outside. Below are some great ways to incorporate April weather into your day!


April Showers song(to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
Pitter patter rain drops (wiggle fingers to imitate rain)
Falling from the sky (wiggle fingers downward)
Here's my umbrella (action of opening an umbrella)
Hold it high! (hands over head)
When the rain is over (bring hands down slowly)
and the sun begins to glow (make sun with arms)
Little flowers start to bud (Kneel down)
then grow, grow, grow!!! (slowly stand up)

Talk to your children about the rain. Older children can learn about the water cycle with great information on the water link. You can do a bit of math/graphing practice by providing the child with the rain/sun template below. Each day during the month of April, have them color one of the squares on either the rain or the sun side (depending on what the weather is like).

Some great spring craft ideas such as muffin cup flowers can be found here.