Friday, May 21, 2010

2010-2011 Ball State University Early Childhood Conference

Are you looking for early childhood professional development opportunities
next year?

We are offering a series of six workshops, throughout the year,
in both Indianapolis and Muncie.

Workshops will be held in Indianapolis,
at Castleton United Methodist Nursery School,
on 9/25, 10/16, 10/30, 3/19, 4/2, and 4/30.

The same series will also be presented in Muncie,
at the BSU Scheidler Apts. Community Room
on 9/18, 10/2, 10/23, 3/26, 4/16, and 5/14.

All workshops are from 9:00-1:00.
(no lunch break)

SAVE THE DATES IN YOUR AREA!

You may register for single workshops for $25 each,
or you may pay only $125 to attend all six workshops
and get the last one FREE.

Emergent Literacy
Music and Movement
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Addressing Children’s Behaviors
Family Engagement
Nutrition, Obesity, and Physical Activity

CEUs and CRUs are available.
Check our website for additional details
www.bsu.edu/elementaryeducation
or email Dr. Lynn Staley at lstaley@bsu.edu.
Registration will begin in July.

Co-sponsored by the East Central Chapter of the
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Summer Reading Program for Child Care Providers


JOIN THE IMCPL SUMMER READING PROGRAM – Reading books = Brain
Food!


Preschool teachers, you’re invited to join us for the Library’s 91st FREE Summer
Reading Program - Read to Feed! Check out this program & great “reads” from June 7
– July 31, 2010


PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE PARTICIPATION MADE EASY!
As a preschool teacher, you play an invaluable role in a child’s first steps to learning how
to read. Reading aloud and talking to children enriches their imagination & vocabulary
in critical ways. Registering your class in the summer reading program is an easy way to
build the love of reading.

Registration:
Beginning in early June, visit your local Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
branch or Bookmobile to sign up your class and yourself. Each teacher who will be
reading aloud to children needs to register individually. As a thank-you gift for
registering and reading aloud to your class, you will receive a White Castle coupon.

Point Card:
Upon registration you will receive one Group Point Card for your entire class.
Bring the point card every time you return books to the Library or Bookmobile for your
class to receive reading points.


Earn Prizes!
Your class can accumulate up to 400 points. All children in a class will earn the same
prize at the same time. Three prizes will be available for the children at the following
point levels:
1 Playtime Dough………….. 100 points
1 Glitter ball ………… 200 points
1 Paperback Book for each child……..…300 points
1 Classroom Book ………………………400 points*
*At 400 points, the teacher chooses a Children’s Paperback Book, for classroom use.
(Limit one per class.)

SCHOOL-AGE SUMMER CAMPS
Summer campers who read independently may participate as well by filling out
individual registration forms and earning up to 600 points to spend on prizes. Summer
Camp leaders may join the program and earn points for reading aloud to the campers in
their care. Camp leaders who are 18 years or older may only earn points for reading
aloud to children.


Remember these Important Summer Reading Dates:
First day to receive reading points – Monday, June 7, 2010
Last day to receive reading points – Saturday, July 31, 2010
For more information call or visit your local IMCPL Branch or call 275-4099.

Bike Safety Event


Clarian Health and local health groups partner to host Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair at The Children’s Museum. Free event will offer bike giveaway, free helmets and bike safety tips for children

WHAT:
Free fair promoting bike safety

DATE:
Saturday, May 22

TIME:
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LOCATION:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

COST:
No cost

DETAILS:

INDIANAPOLIS—On Saturday, May 22, Clarian Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine will join several local health and community organizations in hosting the Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair taking place at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

This free, three-hour event will feature bike giveaways, free bike helmets (while supplies last), a bike safety course, an obstacle course, crash prevention demonstrations, and stations for helmet-fitting, helmet decorating and traffic signaling/safety instruction.

Each station will be staffed by emergency medicine faculty, residents, and medical students from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“The Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair is a community-wide effort to educate children on the safest ways to enjoy their bikes in the hope of reducing the number of bicycle-related injuries,” says Dr. Jennifer Walthall, one of the event organizers and an emergency medicine physician with the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine. In stressing the need for more public education about bike safety, Walthall notes that only a few of the nearly 200 children that participated in last year’s event claimed to have bike helmets at home.

“We hope that this effort will help keep the children of Indianapolis safe and happy while riding their bikes this summer,” says Dr. Walthall.

Statistics show that using a bicycle helmet can greatly reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury. According to the Center for Disease Control, head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. National statistics also show that use of bicycle helmets can eliminate 65 to 88 percent of bicycle-related brain injuries and 65 percent of serious injuries to the upper and middle regions of the face.

The Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair is being sponsored by Clarian Health, The Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Emergency Medicine Student Interest Group (EMSIG) and Marion County Emergency Medical Services.

BIKE SAFETY TIPS:

Always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle.
Parents should wear helmets, too!
Make sure your bicycle isn’t too big for you—your feet should be able to touch the ground when you stop.
Ride in the daylight.
Concentrate on riding—don’t wear earphones or try to talk on a phone.
Don’t ride your bike on a busy road.

Voluntary Certification Program

Child Care Answers staff had a very interesting lunch on Monday in which our wonderful ministry mentors helped us all understand the process in which ministries go through the Voluntary Certification Program (VCP). For a ministry the first step in Paths to Quality is to meet the VCP standards. You can access more information about VCP by clicking on the link. For some great pictures of staff learning about the process check out Child Care Answers facebook page!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Hamilton County Community Development Block Grant

Attention Hamilton County Residents You May Qualify For This Grant
The US Office of Housing and Community Development(HUD). Based upon the Consolidated Plan priorities strengthening of the community's living environment, and the promotion of community services that increase opportunities for economic self- sufficiency.
Nature of Program
The HUD funds can bee used to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.
For More Information
If you would like additional information on the Hamilton County Community Development Block Grant Program please contact:
Mark McConaghy, CDBG Coordinator
Noblesville Housing Authority
322 Kings lane
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-5220, ext. 104
Fax: 317-774-0079

Monday, May 17, 2010

Stopping Child Abuse

Stopping Child Abuse One Child at a Time
Recognizing Abuse and What to Do About It


Sheila DayMay 01, 2010

The statistics are overwhelming. More than 20,000 Indiana children are abused or neglected every year. That breaks down to about 1,700 a month, or 56 kids a day. Translated another way: In every Indiana classroom, there are potentially three children who are suffering from abuse. Every day, children—maybe even someone in your child's classroom—are suffering abuse at the hands of another.

Many wonder how they can possibly make a difference against such a formidable enemy? My answer: The same way I can, the same way we all can. One child at a time.

Whether you work directly with children, or simply come into contact with them as your kids make friends and get involved, one of the best things every adult can do is to learn the key signs of child abuse and possible situations which may trigger such behavior.

Signs of trouble

First of all, child abuse is a broad term that can include several areas, including physical, sexual or emotional/verbal abuse, as well as medical neglect. For each of these, there may be different warning signals. Below are some of the most common physical and behavioral signs to indicate that something may not be right—that a child may need help.

Physical indicators of abuse:

* Unexplained bumps or lumps

* Burns by cigarettes

* Dental/oral injuries

* Unexplained bruises (in various stages of healing)

* Unexplained fractures, lacerations or abrasions

* Evidence of delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries

Behavioral/social indicators of abuse:

* Withdrawn, self-destructive, aggressive behaviors

* Fear of being at home

* Complaints of soreness; uncomfortable movement

* Bizarre explanation of injuries

* Apprehension of adult contact

* Developmental lags

* School absenteeism

You may also be alerted to a dangerous situation by the caretaker. Common characteristics in caretakers include being an extremely harsh disciplinarian; describing a child in a consistently negative manner; abusing alcohol or drugs; being overly defensive; or concealing or misleading about a child's injury.

The stress of family situations

While there are certainly cases where domestic violence or substance abuse provoke the abuse of a child, you may be surprised to know that many abusive situations arise when a family is faced with a stressful situation. Where there is a lot of stress—job loss, poverty, marital discord, divorce, little support—and the abuser lacks the knowledge and the parenting skills to cope in a healthy way, there is often a climate prime for abuse.

In addition to educating yourself about what abuse may look like and what may prompt it, you should also be aware of the steps you can take if you are concerned about a child's welfare. While we cannot change the hurt children have suffered in the past, we can change how they are affected in the present and future. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24/7 hotline at Child Protective Services: 1-800-800-5556.

Sheila Day is a licensed social worker with the Child Protection Center at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent. The center provides medical evaluation services for children when abuse or neglect is suspected.

SIDEBAR

Becoming Stewards of Children

The Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent is now offering a child sexual abuse prevention program to the general public and, specifically, adults who interact with kids as teachers, coaches, youth leaders, etc. Called Stewards of Children, this national program educates adults on to how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and provides practical information on how to respond appropriately.

More information? 317-338-3153