12pm - 3pm
Billericay Park Community Building
12690 Promise Road, Fishers
- Free Fried Chicken and Biscuits
- Free Pony Rides
- Information and exhibitors about Child Abuse prevention
- Bean bag games and carnival games
- Silent Auction
6 years ago
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Spring Fling Family Fun Day
Saturday April 17th, 2010
12pm - 3pm
Billericay Park Community Building
12690 Promise Road, Fishers
12pm - 3pm
Billericay Park Community Building
12690 Promise Road, Fishers
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Natural Easter Eggs
When most people think of Easter egg dying, they think about buying an Easter egg dying kit or going to the store and buying food coloring. However, there are simple ways to make natural Easter egg dyes out foods, beverages and spices you have around the house. The following is a look at a few of the things you probably have in your cupboards, or could easily get at your local supermarket, that make great natural Easter egg dyes that are both safe and easy to use.
Teas: A wide variety of teas can be used to dye Easter eggs. You can steep them and then let the egg sit in them overnight. If you add a teaspoon of vinegar to the tea, the dye will last longer and look better.
For lavender Easter egg dye choose Hibiscus tea.
For yellow Easter egg dye choose Chamomile tea or Green tea.
For brown Easter egg dye choose Black tea.
Fruits: Fruits have naturally vibrant colors and those colors make great dyes. Just like they can stain your clothes, they can also stain your Easter eggs.
For red Easter egg dye use canned cherries with juice, pomegranate juice or raspberries.
For lavender Easter egg dye use a small quantity of purple grape juice.
For yellow Easter egg dye use yellow delicious apple peels, or orange or lemon peels. Note: You have to boil them to extract the color.
For pink Easter egg dye use cranberries or their juice, raspberries or red grape juice.
For blue Easter egg dye use canned blueberries or purple grape juice.
Spices: Spices are designed to add flavor to your foods. They are also an excellent source of color for your Easter eggs.
For yellow Easter egg dye choose ground cumin or ground turmeric. Note: You have to boil them to extract the color.
For orange Easter egg dye choose chili powder or paprika.
For brown Easter egg dye choose dill seed.
Vegetables: Vegetables also make a good natural Easter egg dye as they are rich in color; most people keep some on hand.
For red Easter egg dye you’ll need lots of red onion skin. Note: You will need to boil it to extract the color.
For lavender Easter egg dye you’ll need a smaller about of red onion skin, again boiled to extract the color.
For yellow Easter egg dye you’ll need carrot tops or celery seed. Note: You will need to boil them to extract the color.
For blue Easter egg dye you’ll need boiled red cabbage leaves or green spinach leaves.
For orange Easter egg dye you’ll need boiled yellow onion skin, or cooked carrots.
For pink Easter egg dye you’ll need beets or the juice from pickled beets.
To use these, boil the eggs to hard-boil them with the natural dye in the water and let sit in it overnight to enhance color.
Conner Prairie to host autism event
WHEN: Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 1:30 – 4 p.m.
WHERE: Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
WHAT: The seminar will examine Conner Prairie’s efforts to become more autism-friendly, provide guidance on how to audit your site to make it more autism-accessible and focus on the fundamental understanding of how individuals with autism think and behave.
WHO: The training is open to organizational leaders and teachers who have responsibility for implementing programs for individuals with disabilities or those who are interested in expanding their organizations offerings to new communities.
The training seminar is free of charge, but capacity is limited. For more information or to register, contact Tim Crumrin at 317.776.6000 x249 or Crumrin@connerprairie.org. For additional information on autism support and services, please contact Jane Grimes, founder and president of the Hamilton County Autism Support Group, at 317.403.6705 or janegrimes@hcasg.org.
Conner Prairie’s Tim Crumrin and Jessica Medlen will also present on the topic of autism awareness at the Association of Indiana Museums conference in Bloomington, Ind., in August.
WHERE: Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
WHAT: The seminar will examine Conner Prairie’s efforts to become more autism-friendly, provide guidance on how to audit your site to make it more autism-accessible and focus on the fundamental understanding of how individuals with autism think and behave.
WHO: The training is open to organizational leaders and teachers who have responsibility for implementing programs for individuals with disabilities or those who are interested in expanding their organizations offerings to new communities.
The training seminar is free of charge, but capacity is limited. For more information or to register, contact Tim Crumrin at 317.776.6000 x249 or Crumrin@connerprairie.org. For additional information on autism support and services, please contact Jane Grimes, founder and president of the Hamilton County Autism Support Group, at 317.403.6705 or janegrimes@hcasg.org.
Conner Prairie’s Tim Crumrin and Jessica Medlen will also present on the topic of autism awareness at the Association of Indiana Museums conference in Bloomington, Ind., in August.
Indy Homeless Connect
Indy Homeless Connect
March 23, 2010 9:00 - 4:00pm
Where: The Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
Join us for the fifth annual Indy Homeless Connect, an all day event focused on care and outreach for people who do not have permanent housing. The event successfully consolidates a number of available services offered by numerous providers and connects homeless residents to benefits, medical care, mental health counseling and a variety of social services. Getting connected to these services will help lead individuals and families to improved health, self-sufficiency and increased opportunities to find housing.
Some of the services to be made available at the event include: Shelter/Housing information, Behavioral Health Counseling, Medical Care, Employment services, Social Security advocacy, Eye exams/Vision care, Food, Veterans Services, Children's Activities, and Coordinated transportation to and from the Convention Center.
With the help of more than 600 volunteers, Indy Homeless Connect 2009 served more than 900 people, including more than 50 children under the age of five. If you want more information about the 2010 event, please contact Emily Hervey at CHIP at (317) 630-0853, ext 210.
March 23, 2010 9:00 - 4:00pm
Where: The Indiana Convention Center, 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
Join us for the fifth annual Indy Homeless Connect, an all day event focused on care and outreach for people who do not have permanent housing. The event successfully consolidates a number of available services offered by numerous providers and connects homeless residents to benefits, medical care, mental health counseling and a variety of social services. Getting connected to these services will help lead individuals and families to improved health, self-sufficiency and increased opportunities to find housing.
Some of the services to be made available at the event include: Shelter/Housing information, Behavioral Health Counseling, Medical Care, Employment services, Social Security advocacy, Eye exams/Vision care, Food, Veterans Services, Children's Activities, and Coordinated transportation to and from the Convention Center.
With the help of more than 600 volunteers, Indy Homeless Connect 2009 served more than 900 people, including more than 50 children under the age of five. If you want more information about the 2010 event, please contact Emily Hervey at CHIP at (317) 630-0853, ext 210.
Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Green Thumb"
Sesame Street Live "Elmo's Green Thumb" is coming to the Murat Theater Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25!
Special Kids Matinee! School/Daycare groups of 10+ pay just $11 on Friday, April 23 at 10:30am. For more information or to order group tickets, call (317) 249-2749.
Sunny isn’t just the weather forecast on Sesame Street - it’s also the name of Elmo’s sunflower friend! Join all your favorite friends on an amazing adventure as they help Elmo find a new home for Sunny in the all new Sesame Street Live stage show, "Elmo’s Green Thumb"
Elmo has raised his sunflower, Sunny, from a seed, but his floral friend has outgrown the flower pot. Elmo and friends find Big Bird’s garden the ideal place for Sunny to flourish and grow but they are too excited to wait. Rather than let Sunny follow nature’s course, Abby Cadabby, Sesame Street’s fairy-in-training, casts a spell to make Sunny grow. The spell does just the opposite and, instead of growing, Elmo and all of his friends shrink! While Abby searches for just the right words to reverse the spell, Elmo, Zoe,Telly and friends explore Big Bird’s garden from a smaller perspective and learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming their fears and appreciating the role that each creature plays in our ecosystem – from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles that scavenge the garden floor. Will being small help Sunny grow tall? It’s a fresh, original Sesame Street Live from a whole new point of view!
Like television’s Sesame Street, each Sesame Street Live production features timeless lessons for all ages. The universal appeal of each musical Broadway-quality production continues long after preschool. Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, cleverly written script, and music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as "Ladybug Picnic," "Inch by Inch" and "I Love Trash."
Click Here for ticket information.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Activities for your little one
Fun for the Under-3 Set
Here are some activities for your little one:
Birth to 12 Months:
Making Memory Blocks – Cover the top and bottom of a small box with photos or pictures cut from magazines. You can also use different types and colors of fabrics or papers. Show your baby each side of the box that you have decorated: “Look, there is a picture of you and Nana. And on this side there is shiny foil.” Let your baby explore the box in whatever ways she likes. Change the pictures every once in a while to keep this toy “fresh” and interesting for her.
12 to 24 Months:
Open and Shut Case – Find a small box (shoebox sized) and let your child decorate it with pictures cut from magazines and color it with crayons. Give your child items such as cotton balls, unmatched socks, or clothespins, and have him fill the box. Then let him dump them out and start over. Young toddlers love to collect items and then fill-and-dump. As your child puts items in the box, count out loud—over time, this helps your toddler learn about numbers and counting.
24 to 36 Months:
Building Boxes – Collect 5–10 empty cereal boxes, oatmeal canisters, shoe boxes, and other cardboard containers. Tape them shut and let your toddler stack them up to make big towers and other creations. Sit down on the floor with your child as she builds and talk with her about what she is doing. What is she making? Does she want your help? Does she need some assistance figuring out how to get her tower to stand up? Use this time as a chance to get to know how your child is growing, thinking, and learning in new ways.
Here are some activities for your little one:
Birth to 12 Months:
Making Memory Blocks – Cover the top and bottom of a small box with photos or pictures cut from magazines. You can also use different types and colors of fabrics or papers. Show your baby each side of the box that you have decorated: “Look, there is a picture of you and Nana. And on this side there is shiny foil.” Let your baby explore the box in whatever ways she likes. Change the pictures every once in a while to keep this toy “fresh” and interesting for her.
12 to 24 Months:
Open and Shut Case – Find a small box (shoebox sized) and let your child decorate it with pictures cut from magazines and color it with crayons. Give your child items such as cotton balls, unmatched socks, or clothespins, and have him fill the box. Then let him dump them out and start over. Young toddlers love to collect items and then fill-and-dump. As your child puts items in the box, count out loud—over time, this helps your toddler learn about numbers and counting.
24 to 36 Months:
Building Boxes – Collect 5–10 empty cereal boxes, oatmeal canisters, shoe boxes, and other cardboard containers. Tape them shut and let your toddler stack them up to make big towers and other creations. Sit down on the floor with your child as she builds and talk with her about what she is doing. What is she making? Does she want your help? Does she need some assistance figuring out how to get her tower to stand up? Use this time as a chance to get to know how your child is growing, thinking, and learning in new ways.
Source: Zero to Three, www.zerotothree.org
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Changes and Updates to the Medicaid Developmental Disablity Waiver
Saturday, March 27, 2010
10:00—11:30 AM
Changes and Updates to the
Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver
Lawrence United Methodist Church
5200 N. Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46226
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently made
changes to the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Medicaid Waiver. Come learn
what the changes mean for your family and how organizations like The Arc and
Down Syndrome Indiana are responding. The presentation, discussion and print
materials will be in English and Spanish.
A light breakfast will be served.
This is a FREE event and is open to everyone; however, registration is required in
advance for attendance. To register, please email register@dsindiana.org or call
the DSI office at 317.925.7617 by Friday, March 19th.
Childcare is available at no charge on a reservation basis by email (register@dsindiana.org) or
by calling the DSI office at 317.925.7617. Please indicate the name and ages of all children
needing care. Childcare reservations must be made no later than the morning of Friday,
March 26th.
Presented by:
Willaine St. Pierre Sandy
Family Advocate
The Arc of Indiana
10:00—11:30 AM
Changes and Updates to the
Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver
Lawrence United Methodist Church
5200 N. Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46226
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently made
changes to the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Medicaid Waiver. Come learn
what the changes mean for your family and how organizations like The Arc and
Down Syndrome Indiana are responding. The presentation, discussion and print
materials will be in English and Spanish.
A light breakfast will be served.
This is a FREE event and is open to everyone; however, registration is required in
advance for attendance. To register, please email register@dsindiana.org or call
the DSI office at 317.925.7617 by Friday, March 19th.
Childcare is available at no charge on a reservation basis by email (register@dsindiana.org) or
by calling the DSI office at 317.925.7617. Please indicate the name and ages of all children
needing care. Childcare reservations must be made no later than the morning of Friday,
March 26th.
Presented by:
Willaine St. Pierre Sandy
Family Advocate
The Arc of Indiana
NAEYC Children's Champions
A Membership Benefit of Indiana AEYC
Get ready for the Virtual March on Congress on March Forth for Child Care and Head Start! As we have in years past, we and other national coalition partners are urging everyone to call Congress on March 4, 2010, as we March Forth for child care and Head Start/Early Head Start funding. This year's action theme - "Families Earning, Children Learning" - reminds Congress of the importance of these programs for children, parents and our economic recovery and the need to provide no less than the President's budget request for those programs. We will put out an alert on March 3 on Children's Champions to everyone to call on March 4th. We wanted to alert you so you could get ready, along with your coalition partners and grassroots, for this important call-in day. Right now, Congress is at the beginning of the annual budget process. The President has already proposed increases for these key programs. (See www.naeyc.org/policy/federal/02_01_10) Now it's up to Congress to make sure the final budget includes these increases. We need to make sure Congress knows that their constituents strongly believe these increased investments are necessary. Thanks to one of our national partners, AFSCME, all participants will have access to a toll-free number (1-888-460-0813) that they can use to contact Congress on March 4. We look forward to Marching Forth with all of you!
Get ready for the Virtual March on Congress on March Forth for Child Care and Head Start! As we have in years past, we and other national coalition partners are urging everyone to call Congress on March 4, 2010, as we March Forth for child care and Head Start/Early Head Start funding. This year's action theme - "Families Earning, Children Learning" - reminds Congress of the importance of these programs for children, parents and our economic recovery and the need to provide no less than the President's budget request for those programs. We will put out an alert on March 3 on Children's Champions to everyone to call on March 4th. We wanted to alert you so you could get ready, along with your coalition partners and grassroots, for this important call-in day. Right now, Congress is at the beginning of the annual budget process. The President has already proposed increases for these key programs. (See www.naeyc.org/policy/federal/02_01_10) Now it's up to Congress to make sure the final budget includes these increases. We need to make sure Congress knows that their constituents strongly believe these increased investments are necessary. Thanks to one of our national partners, AFSCME, all participants will have access to a toll-free number (1-888-460-0813) that they can use to contact Congress on March 4. We look forward to Marching Forth with all of you!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Cherish the Child: Prevent Child Abuse Conference
Time is running out to register for the Cherish the Child: Prevent Child Abuse Conference. The deadline for registration is Wednesday March 17th. You can download and print the registration form online at http://www.childcareanswers.com/ .
Date: Saturday March 27th 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Marion County
Cost: $20
Who should attend: Child Care Providers, Parents, Professionals, Law Enforcement, anyone who has contact with children.
Several breakout sessions, informational booths, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. The registration form can be downloaded from Child Care Answers Resource and Referral website at http://www.childcareanswers.com
Date: Saturday March 27th 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Marion County
Cost: $20
Who should attend: Child Care Providers, Parents, Professionals, Law Enforcement, anyone who has contact with children.
Several breakout sessions, informational booths, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. The registration form can be downloaded from Child Care Answers Resource and Referral website at http://www.childcareanswers.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
10 Secrets to A Stress-Free Home & School
Workshop for Parents & Teachers
- Create a calm home—eliminate yelling and arguing.
- Improve focus, attention and behavior in school.
- Create stress-free mornings and homework time.
- Relieve anxiety, meltdowns and sensory issues.
- Eliminate defiance and disrespect.
Join us for a humorous, practical workshop with nationally recognized
expert Kirk Martin, who has trained over 75,000
parents and teachers. Helpful in reducing anxiety and stress in all
families, including those with special needs.
The Workshop is FREE to the community. There is no need to
register. Just bring friends and neighbors—we’ll have a great
time, have several “Ah-hah” moments and leave with a dozen
practical tools that will help immediately.
Visit www.CelebrateCALM.com to learn more.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Castleton United Methodist Church
7101 North Shadeland Ave / Indianapolis IN 46250
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Vanessa Fletcher - 2010 Bev Henry Award Winner
It will come as no surprise to those of you who know Vanessa Fletcher to hear that she has won the 2010 Bev Henry award, an award for possessing outstanding leadership ability while demonstrating compassion, kindness, life long learning skills all while keeping her sense of humor.Amy Torres of Child Care Answers nominated Vanessa for the state wide Child Care Resource and Referral award because Vanessa has been such an inspiration to her.
Bev Henry was a Child Care Resource and Referral Program Director at SIEOC for many years. When she passed away the Indiana Association of Child Care Resource and Referral developed this service award to celebrate Bev's life and contribution to Child Care Resource and Referral. Please help us congratulate Vanessa. We are so proud of her!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Kids Express Home Child Care increases environmental activities to protect children
Indianapolis facility gains membership to voluntary state program
Kids Express Home Child Care in Indianapolis has taken voluntary actions to gain membership in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for Child Care Providers.
Ronda Taylor, owner of Kids Express Home Child Care, said, “We took steps to keep pests out so we don’t have to spray pesticides, and we’ve become more aware of any chemicals we use. We’ve even started recycling and learning more about the environment with the children.”
IDEM’s Five Star program recognizes child care facilities that go above and beyond statutory requirements and demonstrate environmental stewardship. Facilities earn one, three or five stars based on their voluntary measures. IDEM assists facilities in implementing environmental plans and conducts site visits before granting membership.
“Kids Express Child Care understands that children are a precious resource,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Steps child care providers take today to protect children from environmental health threats, such as pesticides, help to ensure a healthy tomorrow for the children in their care.”
There are currently 69 child care providers participating in the Five Star program making their facilities safer for 4,000 Hoosier children. Other Five Star members in Marion County include: ABC Childcare & Preschools (eight locations), Camby and Indianapolis; Dream Weaver Before & After School, Indianapolis; KinderCare Stop 11, Indianapolis; Playdates Education & Training, Indianapolis; Puzzle Pieces, Indianapolis; Robin’s Nest Childcare Center, Indianapolis; and Sugar ‘N Spice, Indianapolis.
Additional information about the IDEM Five Star Child Care program can be obtained by calling Karen Teliha, Community Environmental Health & Education coordinator, at (800) 988-7901 or by visiting http://www.idem.IN.gov/4180.htm.
About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.
Kids Express Home Child Care in Indianapolis has taken voluntary actions to gain membership in the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Five Star Environmental Recognition Program for Child Care Providers.
Ronda Taylor, owner of Kids Express Home Child Care, said, “We took steps to keep pests out so we don’t have to spray pesticides, and we’ve become more aware of any chemicals we use. We’ve even started recycling and learning more about the environment with the children.”
IDEM’s Five Star program recognizes child care facilities that go above and beyond statutory requirements and demonstrate environmental stewardship. Facilities earn one, three or five stars based on their voluntary measures. IDEM assists facilities in implementing environmental plans and conducts site visits before granting membership.
“Kids Express Child Care understands that children are a precious resource,” said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. “Steps child care providers take today to protect children from environmental health threats, such as pesticides, help to ensure a healthy tomorrow for the children in their care.”
There are currently 69 child care providers participating in the Five Star program making their facilities safer for 4,000 Hoosier children. Other Five Star members in Marion County include: ABC Childcare & Preschools (eight locations), Camby and Indianapolis; Dream Weaver Before & After School, Indianapolis; KinderCare Stop 11, Indianapolis; Playdates Education & Training, Indianapolis; Puzzle Pieces, Indianapolis; Robin’s Nest Childcare Center, Indianapolis; and Sugar ‘N Spice, Indianapolis.
Additional information about the IDEM Five Star Child Care program can be obtained by calling Karen Teliha, Community Environmental Health & Education coordinator, at (800) 988-7901 or by visiting http://www.idem.IN.gov/4180.htm.
About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Urgent!!! The Central Indiana Child Care Ministry Improvement Project extends application deadline!
Hurry! The deadline to turn in your application for the Central Indiana Child Care Ministry Improvement Project has been extended to February 28th!
Project Goal
Equip unlicensed registered ministries to meet the Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Voluntary Certification Program (VCP) standards and participate in the new Paths to Quality rating system.
Eligibility Requirements
Participating registered ministries must:
* Be a registered ministry within Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, or Morgan Counties;
* Be in compliance with all applicable state rules and regulations; and
* Submit a complete and accurate application.
How Participants Benefit
· Mentoring – Consultation and expertise provided to registered staff based on VCP and Paths to Quality standards;
· Mini-Grants
- Curriculum – Equipment and supplies purchased for registered ministries to improve the educational environment;
- Training – Participation at conferences, classes, and/or workshops;
- Environmental Safety Needs – Equipment and supplies purchased to improve the health and safety of the environment in alignment with the “Indiana Five Star Environmental Recognition Program” (for selected registered ministries).
· Facility Improvement – Assessment of facility to determine facility improvement needs and implement construction improvements (for selected registered ministries);
· Assessment – Participation in self-assessments and observations;
· Membership – Provision of FREE, one-year membership with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
How To Apply
1. Complete the application form online at
http://www.formspring.com/forms/?860121-xwhdrxv7Xo.
2. Fax your completed application to United Way of Central Indiana; Attn: Ted Maple; Fax #: (317) 921-1254.
3. Submit completed application by Friday, February 19th.
4. If necessary, a follow-up interview by phone may be conducted.
Contact Information
Amanda Lopez, Project Manager (317) 324-4070
Ginger Caylor, Child Care Answers Ministry Coordinator (317) 926-3401 x306
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Paths to QUALITY
As of today there are 1,769 providers enrolled statewide in Paths to QUALITY. Of that number 358 providers serve children in Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson Counties. So we would like to extend a big hearty THANK YOU to all of the Paths to QUALITY providers for participating and for caring for the children of Indiana.
For more information on how to participate in the Paths to QUALITY system call (317) 926-3401 ext. 300. For information on how to contact a provider participating in the Paths to QUALITY system call (317) 631-4643.
For more information on how to participate in the Paths to QUALITY system call (317) 926-3401 ext. 300. For information on how to contact a provider participating in the Paths to QUALITY system call (317) 631-4643.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Cherish the Children: Preventing Child Abuse Conference
Registration forms are now online for the Cherish the Children: Prevent Child Abuse Conference on Child Care Answers Resource and Referral's website.
Date: Saturday March 27th 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Marion County
Cost: $20
Who should attend: Child Care Providers, Parents, Professionals, Law Enforcement, anyone who has contact with children.
Several breakout sessions, informational booths, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. The registration form can be downloaded from Child Care Answers Resource and Referral website.
Date: Saturday March 27th 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Marion County
Cost: $20
Who should attend: Child Care Providers, Parents, Professionals, Law Enforcement, anyone who has contact with children.
Several breakout sessions, informational booths, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. The registration form can be downloaded from Child Care Answers Resource and Referral website.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month and venues throughout Downtown are offering a wide range of events celebrating African-American heritage and traditions.
Learn about black history
Join The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as black history comes alive during the month of February. Don’t miss Target Family Night Feb. 4 from 4 – 8 p.m. Celebrate African-American heritage and achievements in history, science, art and music FREE of charge. On Feb. 6, celebrate Black History Month in Lilly Theatre with vignettes exploring the lives of Levi Coffin and Madam C.J. Walker at 1 and 3 p.m. On Feb. 27, immerse yourself in the artistic expressions of African-American music, literature and live performances 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Experience a slave’s flight to freedom and learn to navigate using the Big Dipper during Follow the Drinking Gourd running all though February. To learn more, call 334.3322 or log on to www.childrensmuseum.org.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (IMCPL) invite children and families to learn about Indiana’s rich African-American history by participating in the Indiana Black History Challenge. The Indiana Black History Challenge is a contest that invites participants to investigate famous African-American Hoosiers and their contributions to society. The 10-question challenge can be taken online beginning Feb. 1. Printed game cards will also be made available at the beginning of February at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, as well as all branches of the IMCPL.
The first 5,000 entrants to the Indiana Black History Challenge will receive a prize. All participants who complete the challenge and answer all questions correctly are entered into a drawing for the grand prize and runner-up awards. The grand prize is a Family Fun Pack that includes a one-night stay at the Hampton Inn in Downtown Indianapolis, four tickets to The Children’s Museum, four tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo, a tour of the Madame Walker Theatre Center, a family membership to the IHS and a $20 gift certificate to King David Dogs. Runner-up awards include Indianapolis Colts merchandise. For more information, contact the IHS at 234.1595 or e-mail programs@indianahistory.org.
For more ideas on how to integrate Black history month into your classroom you can check out http://holidays.kaboose.com/black_history_month.html .
Learn about black history
Join The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as black history comes alive during the month of February. Don’t miss Target Family Night Feb. 4 from 4 – 8 p.m. Celebrate African-American heritage and achievements in history, science, art and music FREE of charge. On Feb. 6, celebrate Black History Month in Lilly Theatre with vignettes exploring the lives of Levi Coffin and Madam C.J. Walker at 1 and 3 p.m. On Feb. 27, immerse yourself in the artistic expressions of African-American music, literature and live performances 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Experience a slave’s flight to freedom and learn to navigate using the Big Dipper during Follow the Drinking Gourd running all though February. To learn more, call 334.3322 or log on to www.childrensmuseum.org.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (IMCPL) invite children and families to learn about Indiana’s rich African-American history by participating in the Indiana Black History Challenge. The Indiana Black History Challenge is a contest that invites participants to investigate famous African-American Hoosiers and their contributions to society. The 10-question challenge can be taken online beginning Feb. 1. Printed game cards will also be made available at the beginning of February at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, as well as all branches of the IMCPL.
The first 5,000 entrants to the Indiana Black History Challenge will receive a prize. All participants who complete the challenge and answer all questions correctly are entered into a drawing for the grand prize and runner-up awards. The grand prize is a Family Fun Pack that includes a one-night stay at the Hampton Inn in Downtown Indianapolis, four tickets to The Children’s Museum, four tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo, a tour of the Madame Walker Theatre Center, a family membership to the IHS and a $20 gift certificate to King David Dogs. Runner-up awards include Indianapolis Colts merchandise. For more information, contact the IHS at 234.1595 or e-mail programs@indianahistory.org.
For more ideas on how to integrate Black history month into your classroom you can check out http://holidays.kaboose.com/black_history_month.html .
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Autism Expo 2010
Presented by Easter Seals Crossroads in
partnership with the Autism Society of Indiana
SATURDAY, March 20, 2010
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
502 East Carmel Drive - Carmel, IN 46032
(The Fountains Banquet & Conference Center)
This is a free, all-about-autism event for families, professionals and anyone else involved in the autism community. There will be over 100 vendors with great exhibits, special products for sale and IndyMoms KidzKorner--an area just for kids. No registration is necessary for this event.
For more information about Autism Expo 2010, please contact Katy at 317.466.1000 x3087 or visit www.eatersealscrossroads.org .
partnership with the Autism Society of Indiana
SATURDAY, March 20, 2010
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
502 East Carmel Drive - Carmel, IN 46032
(The Fountains Banquet & Conference Center)
This is a free, all-about-autism event for families, professionals and anyone else involved in the autism community. There will be over 100 vendors with great exhibits, special products for sale and IndyMoms KidzKorner--an area just for kids. No registration is necessary for this event.
For more information about Autism Expo 2010, please contact Katy at 317.466.1000 x3087 or visit www.eatersealscrossroads.org .
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Health Fair
Saturday January 30 11am-5pm
Spanish Oaks Apartments
3645 Wingate Court Indianpolis, IN
For the Indy Community
“Your family depends on you and your health.”
___________________________________________________
Entertainment!!!! Medical Exams for the whole family Food!!
• Glucose and Cholesterol exams
• Dental exams
• Talk to the Chiropractor about pain management, headaches, personal injuries at work or auto related and with the Medical Doctor about your glucose and cholesterol exams.
• HIV Testing and STD testing available
____________________________________________________
Completely Free!
For more information call us at
317-635-8884
Spanish Oaks Apartments
3645 Wingate Court Indianpolis, IN
For the Indy Community
“Your family depends on you and your health.”
___________________________________________________
Entertainment!!!! Medical Exams for the whole family Food!!
• Glucose and Cholesterol exams
• Dental exams
• Talk to the Chiropractor about pain management, headaches, personal injuries at work or auto related and with the Medical Doctor about your glucose and cholesterol exams.
• HIV Testing and STD testing available
____________________________________________________
Completely Free!
For more information call us at
317-635-8884
Child Care Providers Meeting
Attention All Childcare Directors and/Owners:
We are forming a meeting group for all directors and owners of childcare programs in Hendricks County. We would like to include all providers from licensed centers, registered ministries and family child care homes. We would like to form this group to help form a stronger community of Hendricks County Childcare Providers to better serve the families in our own communities.
The purpose of this meeting is to offer information and share information with each other about everyday childcare issues that we as providers face. We would like to have the opportunity to offer support to other programs going though NAEYC Accreditation and Paths to Quality rating. We would also like to have the support of other providers to help us with our own Accreditation and Paths to Quality Rating.
We would like to hold meetings three times a year starting on March 17, 2010. Time for this meeting will be 12:00 pm -2:00 pm at Cradles to Crayons, LLC in Danville IN. If you are planning to attend please RSVP to 317-745-1456 during the office hours of 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. Snacks will be provided.
Thank you for your support,
Debbie Spurlock
Cradles to Crayons, LLC
We are forming a meeting group for all directors and owners of childcare programs in Hendricks County. We would like to include all providers from licensed centers, registered ministries and family child care homes. We would like to form this group to help form a stronger community of Hendricks County Childcare Providers to better serve the families in our own communities.
The purpose of this meeting is to offer information and share information with each other about everyday childcare issues that we as providers face. We would like to have the opportunity to offer support to other programs going though NAEYC Accreditation and Paths to Quality rating. We would also like to have the support of other providers to help us with our own Accreditation and Paths to Quality Rating.
We would like to hold meetings three times a year starting on March 17, 2010. Time for this meeting will be 12:00 pm -2:00 pm at Cradles to Crayons, LLC in Danville IN. If you are planning to attend please RSVP to 317-745-1456 during the office hours of 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. Snacks will be provided.
Thank you for your support,
Debbie Spurlock
Cradles to Crayons, LLC
Science Day
Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Sharpen your investigation skills, make predictions, record observations, and use science tools as you learn about science around the museum. Investigations include magnifiers, plants, and more.
•Meet WFYI's Rick Crosslin and watch his cool science experiments
•Observe items from our natural science collection using a hand lens
•Learn how insects use camouflage or mimicry to hide from predators
•Make your own paper microscope slides
•Build a bridge using only paper
•Learn about DNA in the Biotechnology Learning Center
•Join the Science Club for the chance to earn cool science prizes
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
FREE Health Fair
Saturday February 13, 2010
From 9:00am-1:00pm
at Nora Elementary School, 1000 East 91st and College Ave.
All Services provided FREE OF CHARGE
Everything will be available in English and Spanish
There will be a total of 14 various health screening
If you have any questions please contact (317) 338-9566 (for English)
Para Espanol (317) 338-9820
From 9:00am-1:00pm
at Nora Elementary School, 1000 East 91st and College Ave.
All Services provided FREE OF CHARGE
Everything will be available in English and Spanish
There will be a total of 14 various health screening
If you have any questions please contact (317) 338-9566 (for English)
Para Espanol (317) 338-9820
Virtual Field Trip
A New Way to take a "Field Trip"
Take your children on a virtual field trip to the San Diego Zoo at www.sandiegozoo.org I would encourage you to visit at various days and times to see what the animals are doing at various times of the day. At the zoo's website you can observe the pandas, elephants, apes and the polar bears.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Go Colts!
Colts ready for Championship game
The Indianapolis Colts are getting ready for the AFC Championship game versus the New York Jets Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. Head to a FREE Colts AFC Championship Pep Rally Thursday, Jan. 21 at Lucas Oil Stadium from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, check out the Dan Dakich show on 1070 the Fan and hear from special Colts guest speakers. Also, receive a FREE collector's edition Playoff poster and register to win Colts playoff prizes including Colts Championship Playoff tickets and a RCA Flat Screen TV. FREE parking is available in the Tire Barn South lot. Another Blue Friday Pep Rally will happen at Circle Centre's food court Friday, Jan. 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Bunny Book Bag
In a hurry? Need some book for your little ones? Grab a bunny bag and go!
The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library offers pre-selected and packaged bunny bags filled with age appropriate picture books, Mother Goose collections, easy non-fiction and fairy tales. No two bags are alike. The bags are fine free with a limit of two bags per circulation.
The Bunny Book Bag Program is a great idea for parents and childcare leaders who want to borrow lots of picture books for their children!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
MLK Day Downtown
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Downtown
Monday, Jan. 18th is dedicated to the achievements and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Head Downtown for many special events including FREE admission to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Also, bring a canned good for Gleaners Food Bank and receive one FREE admission per person per attraction in White River State Park including the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, IMAX Theater, Eiteljorg Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions and Victory Field. The Madame Walker Theatre Center presents Keep the Dream Alive featuring local artists and dance ensembles, preceding a Freedom Walk on the Avenue from the Indianapolis Urban League. Conseco Fieldhouse will host the Harlem Globetrotters and the Indianapolis Museum of Art will show The Rosa Parks Story.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Office Closings
Child Care Answers will be closed all day on Friday January 15th and Monday January 18th. The office will reopen on Tuesday January 19th at 8 am.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Whether you have a question about a specific condition or are looking for general guidance, you know you can trust us. That's because HealthyChildren.org is the only site backed by 60,000 American Academy of Pediatrics member pediatricians. We're committed to offering the most reliable, up-to-the-minute health advice for proactive parents and caregivers.
"Parents have hundreds of questions about their children's health, and they want detailed answers," said Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, a practicing pediatrician and medical editor of HealthyChildren.org. "HealthyChildren.org empowers parents to be proactive about their children's health, whether it's learning about the vaccines their infant needs, the developmental milestones to watch for in their toddler, or how to stay connected with their teenager."
HealthyChildren.org is divided into multiple, user-friendly sections, including:
o Ages & Stages: Information on the health issues of infants through adolescents, including interactive content on developmental milestones.
o Healthy Living: Up-to-date guidance on fitness, sports, oral health, emotional wellness and nutrition.
o Safety & Prevention: Preparing for health scenarios that occur at home, school and on the go, as well as in-depth information on the immunizations children need to stay healthy.
o Health Issues: An exhaustive, A-to-Z list of more than 300 health care topics.
"HealthyChildren.org is more than just an information portal," said Judith S. Palfrey, MD, FAAP, president of the AAP. "It's a valuable tool that parents can use to improve the health of their family."
As the premier Web site for child health information, HealthyChildren.org provides support, resources and a host of features to enable parents to quickly find the critical, relevant information they’re looking for.
America's Kids Pay the Price
Today the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), Every Child Matters Education Fund, and Voices for America's Children joined in releasing a new report, State Budget Cuts: America's Kids Pay the Price. You can find the report at this link:
http://www.naccrra.org/policy/economic-stimulus-briefing-room/docs/January6FinalNACECMVOI.pdf
http://www.naccrra.org/policy/economic-stimulus-briefing-room/docs/January6FinalNACECMVOI.pdf
WORKSHOPS ON VISUAL LEARNING AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Ball State University is guiding teachers through the world of digital literacy and emerging technologies by offering the Digital Literacy Workshop Series. Each workshop offers hands-on training and explores the world of digital learning.
This workshop series is presented each month on Saturday mornings to accommodate the busy lives of educators. Classes are held at our convenient location in the heart of Indianapolis at: Ball State University Indianapolis Center, 50 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
This workshop series is presented each month on Saturday mornings to accommodate the busy lives of educators. Classes are held at our convenient location in the heart of Indianapolis at: Ball State University Indianapolis Center, 50 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
January 16, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This month the focus is web 2.0 tools such as podcasts, blogs, Facebook and wikis.
February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This workshop offers hands-on experiences on digital video use for reflection, storytelling, and analysis.
March 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
New interactivities will be highlighted in this month such as iPhones and SmartBoards.
April 24, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The final workshop will review visual learning tools like Inspiration.
Space is limited so register today!
Two registration options for this workshop series:
1. Professional Development/Non-Credit REGISTRATION
· Included in the registration fee is access to digital technologies during the workshops, refreshments, consumables (batteries, storage media, etc.), ongoing support downtown, in Muncie, and online.
· Cost: $199 for all four or $69 per workshop.
2. Graduate Credit (3 hours) – Current Ball State Students Only REGISTRATION
· Teachers who are seeking graduate credit will receive, in addition to the workshop experience, added online activities and assignments. Teachers will apply their new competencies by designing a curricular unit or project that incorporates digital media and includes a performance assessment that examines student learning.
· Register for EDTEC 665: Children, Technology, and Digital Literacy (Spring 2010). Normal tuition rates apply. The cost of the workshops is included.
· Teachers are required to attend 3 of the 4 workshops.
For additional questions, please contact us at 765-285-7600 or email http://us.mc819.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cte@bsu.edu.
This month the focus is web 2.0 tools such as podcasts, blogs, Facebook and wikis.
February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This workshop offers hands-on experiences on digital video use for reflection, storytelling, and analysis.
March 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
New interactivities will be highlighted in this month such as iPhones and SmartBoards.
April 24, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The final workshop will review visual learning tools like Inspiration.
Space is limited so register today!
Two registration options for this workshop series:
1. Professional Development/Non-Credit REGISTRATION
· Included in the registration fee is access to digital technologies during the workshops, refreshments, consumables (batteries, storage media, etc.), ongoing support downtown, in Muncie, and online.
· Cost: $199 for all four or $69 per workshop.
2. Graduate Credit (3 hours) – Current Ball State Students Only REGISTRATION
· Teachers who are seeking graduate credit will receive, in addition to the workshop experience, added online activities and assignments. Teachers will apply their new competencies by designing a curricular unit or project that incorporates digital media and includes a performance assessment that examines student learning.
· Register for EDTEC 665: Children, Technology, and Digital Literacy (Spring 2010). Normal tuition rates apply. The cost of the workshops is included.
· Teachers are required to attend 3 of the 4 workshops.
For additional questions, please contact us at 765-285-7600 or email http://us.mc819.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cte@bsu.edu.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Fun and Easy Snow Day Activities Children Will Love
Turn Snow Day into Fun Day with These Great Activities
December 08, 2009 by Danielle Crofford Fetters
If you are a kid then the words "snow day" are a welcome break from the normal routine of getting up and going to school each day.. However those same words can bring a sense of dread and anxiety to parents as they anticipate a day stuck inside with energetic and bored kids. Snow days don't have to be feared by parents, there are a lot of fun indoor activities that you can engage your children in to help pass the time,keep them busy and out of your hair all day. To help you have a stress free day here are ten snow day activities that you can do inside your home with items you probably already have on hand.
Edible Snowflakes
Fold flour tortillas in fourths and use scissors to cut shapes out pf the folds, just like when you cut a paper snowflake, Brush with melted butter. sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until crispy.Yum!
Snow Cream
Make this yummy treat using clean fresh snow. fold in a mixture of vanilla,milk and sugar to taste. You have a perfect treat for a snow day at home.
Board Games
Pull out your board games and have a fun day playing them. Some good ones to play are Sorry, Monopoly and Life. If you have younger children games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Memory are good choices. If all you have is a deck of playing cards bring them out and teach the kids how to play Go Fish, Slap Jack or War.
PJ and Popcorn Movie Day
Let the kids wear their pajamas all day, make some popcorn and watch movies. some good choices for a Snow Day movie marathon are Jack Frost, Snow Dogs,Snow Buddies, and Snow Day.
Snowflake Art
Put your coffee filters to good use and let the children fold them in fourths and cut small shapes from the folds to make beautiful snowflakes. You can drizzle on glue and sprinkle with glitter for a sparkly effect. Once dry use scotch tape to hang in windows and around the room.
Freeze Dance
Put on some music and let the kids get some energy out by dancing. When the music stops they have to freeze in place. Anyone who moves while frozen is out. The winner is the last person dancing.
Sock Puppet Show
Put those unmatched socks to good use by letting the kids use craft materials to turn old socks into sock puppets for a Snow Day Puppet Show. An old box can be decorated and turned into a impromptu puppet stage. Kids will enjoy putting on a show for the whole family.
Snow Painting
Kids will enjoy using spray bottles to paint on snow.
Fill a few spray bottles with a few drops of food coloring and water. Bring in a pan of fresh snow and let the kids spray paint on snow. Talk about how the colors blend to make new colors and what happens when the colored mixture hits the snow. This activity is a fun art and science project rolled into one.
Indoor Picnic
Make some sandwiches and other picnic foods, bring out a blanket and have a picnic indoors. While enjoying your lunch talk about the things you like to do when its warm outside.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Give each child a list of common household items and have them go on an indoor scavenger hunt. so the kids aren't running all over the house limit this activity to a couple of rooms and make a no running rule. Have a small prize available for the winner.
With just a few supplies and a little creativity you can turn a boring Snow Day into a fun experience for both you and your children.
December 08, 2009 by Danielle Crofford Fetters
If you are a kid then the words "snow day" are a welcome break from the normal routine of getting up and going to school each day.. However those same words can bring a sense of dread and anxiety to parents as they anticipate a day stuck inside with energetic and bored kids. Snow days don't have to be feared by parents, there are a lot of fun indoor activities that you can engage your children in to help pass the time,keep them busy and out of your hair all day. To help you have a stress free day here are ten snow day activities that you can do inside your home with items you probably already have on hand.
Edible Snowflakes
Fold flour tortillas in fourths and use scissors to cut shapes out pf the folds, just like when you cut a paper snowflake, Brush with melted butter. sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until crispy.Yum!
Snow Cream
Make this yummy treat using clean fresh snow. fold in a mixture of vanilla,milk and sugar to taste. You have a perfect treat for a snow day at home.
Board Games
Pull out your board games and have a fun day playing them. Some good ones to play are Sorry, Monopoly and Life. If you have younger children games like Candyland, Chutes and Ladders and Memory are good choices. If all you have is a deck of playing cards bring them out and teach the kids how to play Go Fish, Slap Jack or War.
PJ and Popcorn Movie Day
Let the kids wear their pajamas all day, make some popcorn and watch movies. some good choices for a Snow Day movie marathon are Jack Frost, Snow Dogs,Snow Buddies, and Snow Day.
Snowflake Art
Put your coffee filters to good use and let the children fold them in fourths and cut small shapes from the folds to make beautiful snowflakes. You can drizzle on glue and sprinkle with glitter for a sparkly effect. Once dry use scotch tape to hang in windows and around the room.
Freeze Dance
Put on some music and let the kids get some energy out by dancing. When the music stops they have to freeze in place. Anyone who moves while frozen is out. The winner is the last person dancing.
Sock Puppet Show
Put those unmatched socks to good use by letting the kids use craft materials to turn old socks into sock puppets for a Snow Day Puppet Show. An old box can be decorated and turned into a impromptu puppet stage. Kids will enjoy putting on a show for the whole family.
Snow Painting
Kids will enjoy using spray bottles to paint on snow.
Fill a few spray bottles with a few drops of food coloring and water. Bring in a pan of fresh snow and let the kids spray paint on snow. Talk about how the colors blend to make new colors and what happens when the colored mixture hits the snow. This activity is a fun art and science project rolled into one.
Indoor Picnic
Make some sandwiches and other picnic foods, bring out a blanket and have a picnic indoors. While enjoying your lunch talk about the things you like to do when its warm outside.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Give each child a list of common household items and have them go on an indoor scavenger hunt. so the kids aren't running all over the house limit this activity to a couple of rooms and make a no running rule. Have a small prize available for the winner.
With just a few supplies and a little creativity you can turn a boring Snow Day into a fun experience for both you and your children.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Kids
The following New Year tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Preschoolers
1.I will clean up my toys.
2.I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
3.I won’t tease dogs – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.
Kids, 5- to 12-years-old
4.I will drink milk and water, and limit soda and fruit drinks.
5. I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.
6.I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
7.I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
8.I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
9.I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school
10.I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.
Kids: 13 years old and up
11.I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable every day, and I will limit the amount of soda I drink.
12.I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
13.I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.
14.I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
15.I will wipe negative “self talk” (i.e. “I can’t do it” or “I’m so dumb”) out of my vocabulary,
16.When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
17.When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk with an adult about my choices.
18.When I notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviors, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.
19.I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence.
20.I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
21.I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Celebrating New Years Eve
This year why don't you try something new and make a special celebration with your children to celebrate New Years Eve. Nothing can be more magical than watching as your children count down the time till midnight. Or for the younger kids you can count down to an earlier time. Several places in Indy offer family activities for New Years Eve such as the Indiana State Museum and the Indianapolis Children's Museum but if your are choosing to stay home make it fun with some special crafts and food Here are some great suggestions from Family Fun Magazine:
SHAKERS
Fill plastic film canisters halfway with corn kernels and decorate with shiny stickers. (Con-Tact or construction paper, glitter, fabric paint and opaque paint markers are also good for decorating.) We poked a hole in the canister's cap (a parent's job) and threaded curled ribbon through. Knot the ribbon on the underside of the cap, and let the rest stream out of the top.
COUNTDOWN NUMBERS
Draw and color in the numbers 1 through 10 on poster boards--one number per board. At midnight, each child promenades down a flight of steps, number card held high, as the crowd yells out the number and cameras flash. "That was their moment," says Susan. As the last child hits the last step, the streamers were blowing and the shakers were shaking. "You would just not believe how cool that turned out."
Bubbly Jell-O Parfait
Grab a spoon and toast the New Year with a cool, sparkly dessert that wiggles.
1. Make bubbly Jell-O according to the directions on a box of Sparkling White Grape Jell-O. Be sure to use club soda, seltzer, or ginger ale and follow the tips on the box for getting the gelatin to sparkle.
2. Chill the Jell-O in champagne flutes or parfait glasses. We suggest making these the day of the party, since they might lose some bubbliness if they're made further ahead. Wind a metallic multicolored star garland (available at party stores) up the stem of the glass for pizzazz.
New Years Eve Hats
SHAKERS
Fill plastic film canisters halfway with corn kernels and decorate with shiny stickers. (Con-Tact or construction paper, glitter, fabric paint and opaque paint markers are also good for decorating.) We poked a hole in the canister's cap (a parent's job) and threaded curled ribbon through. Knot the ribbon on the underside of the cap, and let the rest stream out of the top.
COUNTDOWN NUMBERS
Draw and color in the numbers 1 through 10 on poster boards--one number per board. At midnight, each child promenades down a flight of steps, number card held high, as the crowd yells out the number and cameras flash. "That was their moment," says Susan. As the last child hits the last step, the streamers were blowing and the shakers were shaking. "You would just not believe how cool that turned out."
Bubbly Jell-O Parfait
Grab a spoon and toast the New Year with a cool, sparkly dessert that wiggles.
1. Make bubbly Jell-O according to the directions on a box of Sparkling White Grape Jell-O. Be sure to use club soda, seltzer, or ginger ale and follow the tips on the box for getting the gelatin to sparkle.
2. Chill the Jell-O in champagne flutes or parfait glasses. We suggest making these the day of the party, since they might lose some bubbliness if they're made further ahead. Wind a metallic multicolored star garland (available at party stores) up the stem of the glass for pizzazz.
New Years Eve Hats
These chocolate-covered cones are a stylish addition to a New Year's celebration, serving as both festive decorations and a sweet topping for a scoop of ice cream.Ingredients
Sugar cones
Ice cream
Chocolate chips (one 12-ounce bag for 10 to 12 cones)
Icing
Fruit strips or shoestring licorice (we used Kellogg's Fruit Streamers)
Nonpareils
Instructions
Spread melted chocolate chips over each sugar cone with a small spatula. Let the chocolate harden for about 1 hour (or 20 minutes in the refrigerator).
For chinstraps, use icing to attach the ends of a fruit strip or a length of shoestring licorice to the inside of each cone.
Use icing to decorate the hats and attach nonpareils.
Holiday Closings
Just a reminder, Child Care Answers will be closing at noon on Thursday December 31st and will be closed all day on Friday January 1st. We will reopen the office on Monday January 4th at 8am. We hope everyone has a safe and blessed New Years.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Operation Kid Sight
The local Indiana Lions Clubs in our communities, in conjunction with the Indiana Eye and Tissue Transplant Bank, Inc. and the Indiana University Department of Ophthalmology offer FREE eye screenings for preschool children. The screening provides instant readings of the child’s eyes to determine the presence of possible eye disorders. No physical contact is made with the child and no eye drops or medications are used. The screening is approximately 85-90% effective in detecting significant factors that can cause a decrease in vision.
What kind of screening?
The Lions use the PediaVision screening device to identify children who may be at risk, and if left untreated, may lead to a lifetime of vision problems or even loss of vision. The PediaVision can detect near sightedness, far sightedness, astigmatism, and other amblyopia (dull vision) factors.
Why is it important to do preschool vision screenings?
The eye muscles that control the eye, optic nerve, and the area of the brain that gives us vision are completely developed by the age of six, no matter how perfectly or imperfectly. Vision deficiencies that may have occurred during development will be very difficult or impossible to treat after the age of 6, when the development has completed. Many of these problems when caught early, can be completely corrected, and the earlier they are diagnosed the better the chance of the correction, as well as the less expense in treatment.
Did you know?
More than 60% of children in the United States have not been examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by age 6. Most people think that when they take their child/children to the pediatrician that the pediatrician will discover vision conditions. Most pediatricians have only had a small amount of training related to the eyes, so vision problems are more likely detected and addressed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Children do not know that they have a vision condition. You know when you need to go to the eye doctor because you have had previous experience at seeing well. You can tell the eye doctor when what he/she is doing is helping your vision. The young child doesn’t know how well they should be able to see. Most young children under the age of 5 are not capable of communicating effectively to solve the problem, or to even tell you that there is a problem.
Who can be screened?
Operation Kid Sight volunteers only screen children ages 1-5 years of age. The child has to be able to fixate (look at a specific object) which requires them to be at least one year of age. If they are older then 72 months, they may be more effectively screened by other methods.
How the screenings work:
The vision screenings can be conducted in several different ways. Typically the volunteers will set up screenings with child care providers (centers and homes.) They can also set up a community screening. Before any screening is done, each child must have consent from parents.
The screenings are conducted with a reading (a picture taken) of the child’s eyes while the child looks at the PediVision. If further examination is warranted, the parents are advised by mail or phone to refer to an eye doctor of their choice. All children/families will receive a follow after the screening from PediaVision.
(No doctor recommendations are made, just a referral.) The screening is neither a diagnosis nor an examination. It is simply a reading of the child’s eyes.
FREE?
The cost of the screening is paid in full by the Lions using funds raised by Lions in fundraising projects.
If parents or child care providers are interested in getting a screening scheduled, they can contact a local Lions Club. You may also contact Janice Chapman- State Program Coordinator of Operation Kidsight at 317-578-0491 or kidsight@sbcglobal.net.
What kind of screening?
The Lions use the PediaVision screening device to identify children who may be at risk, and if left untreated, may lead to a lifetime of vision problems or even loss of vision. The PediaVision can detect near sightedness, far sightedness, astigmatism, and other amblyopia (dull vision) factors.
Why is it important to do preschool vision screenings?
The eye muscles that control the eye, optic nerve, and the area of the brain that gives us vision are completely developed by the age of six, no matter how perfectly or imperfectly. Vision deficiencies that may have occurred during development will be very difficult or impossible to treat after the age of 6, when the development has completed. Many of these problems when caught early, can be completely corrected, and the earlier they are diagnosed the better the chance of the correction, as well as the less expense in treatment.
Did you know?
More than 60% of children in the United States have not been examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist by age 6. Most people think that when they take their child/children to the pediatrician that the pediatrician will discover vision conditions. Most pediatricians have only had a small amount of training related to the eyes, so vision problems are more likely detected and addressed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Children do not know that they have a vision condition. You know when you need to go to the eye doctor because you have had previous experience at seeing well. You can tell the eye doctor when what he/she is doing is helping your vision. The young child doesn’t know how well they should be able to see. Most young children under the age of 5 are not capable of communicating effectively to solve the problem, or to even tell you that there is a problem.
Who can be screened?
Operation Kid Sight volunteers only screen children ages 1-5 years of age. The child has to be able to fixate (look at a specific object) which requires them to be at least one year of age. If they are older then 72 months, they may be more effectively screened by other methods.
How the screenings work:
The vision screenings can be conducted in several different ways. Typically the volunteers will set up screenings with child care providers (centers and homes.) They can also set up a community screening. Before any screening is done, each child must have consent from parents.
The screenings are conducted with a reading (a picture taken) of the child’s eyes while the child looks at the PediVision. If further examination is warranted, the parents are advised by mail or phone to refer to an eye doctor of their choice. All children/families will receive a follow after the screening from PediaVision.
(No doctor recommendations are made, just a referral.) The screening is neither a diagnosis nor an examination. It is simply a reading of the child’s eyes.
FREE?
The cost of the screening is paid in full by the Lions using funds raised by Lions in fundraising projects.
If parents or child care providers are interested in getting a screening scheduled, they can contact a local Lions Club. You may also contact Janice Chapman- State Program Coordinator of Operation Kidsight at 317-578-0491 or kidsight@sbcglobal.net.
Teacher and Parent Resources at PBS.org
Attention all teachers!! Are you looking for new ideas and free resources to assist you in your classrooms?
- Check out PBS Teachers at www.pbs.org/teachers
- You will find tons of research-based, developmentally appropriate ideas- including thematic units and activities that connect learning to what kids are watching on TV
- There are printable resources for parents that inform them on such topics as using the television as a learning tool at home
- Join other early childhood educatiors in online disscussions and discover the great professional development opportunities available through Teacherline
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Example of an Emergency Plan that worked
I blogged about the importance of having an emergency plan in place a while back. I just received the below story in my email from Exchange Every Day. It is an account of how the Child Care Programs on Fort Hood responded to the shootings last month. Just another example of why you need to be prepared for the unexpected.
On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire at Fort Hood — the most populous United States military post in the world, located just outside Killeen, Texas — killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. This could have had a devastating and dangerous impact on the 1,000 children in the post's four child development centers and the 300 children in 49 family child care homes were it not for the swift and sure response of the post's child development team. Exchange interviewed J. Yveta Phillips, the Chief of Child, Youth and School Services at Fort Hood about that day...
At approximately 1:45 pm Phillips received a call that "a possible shooter was on the post" and instructing her to exercise "shelter in place." By 1:55 pm all four centers and 49 homes were "locked down." What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff who were away on break were not allowed to return to their centers.
Throughout the time in lock down, teachers at the centers and homes carried on normal early childhood activities with the children so they would not experience the tension. Parents, who couldn't leave the centers, pitched in playing with the children. This worked extremely well and the only sign of discomfort occurred when it got dark and the youngest children wondered why their parents weren't picking them up. Staff were given time to call their families and check on their own children during the lock down.
To limit anxiety, Yveta made a decision not to pass on to staff all the wild and obviously inaccurate rumors flying about on the Internet. The only really stressful incident that occurred was when a SWAT team showed up at one of the centers in response to a false tip.
When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 pm. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.
Looking back, Phillips was impressed and thankful for the professionalism of all the post's early childhood employees. In the following days, the programs received high praise from parents. Finally, Ms. Phillips observed that the response proved the value and effectiveness of their emergency preparedness training.
On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire at Fort Hood — the most populous United States military post in the world, located just outside Killeen, Texas — killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. This could have had a devastating and dangerous impact on the 1,000 children in the post's four child development centers and the 300 children in 49 family child care homes were it not for the swift and sure response of the post's child development team. Exchange interviewed J. Yveta Phillips, the Chief of Child, Youth and School Services at Fort Hood about that day...
At approximately 1:45 pm Phillips received a call that "a possible shooter was on the post" and instructing her to exercise "shelter in place." By 1:55 pm all four centers and 49 homes were "locked down." What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff who were away on break were not allowed to return to their centers.
Throughout the time in lock down, teachers at the centers and homes carried on normal early childhood activities with the children so they would not experience the tension. Parents, who couldn't leave the centers, pitched in playing with the children. This worked extremely well and the only sign of discomfort occurred when it got dark and the youngest children wondered why their parents weren't picking them up. Staff were given time to call their families and check on their own children during the lock down.
To limit anxiety, Yveta made a decision not to pass on to staff all the wild and obviously inaccurate rumors flying about on the Internet. The only really stressful incident that occurred was when a SWAT team showed up at one of the centers in response to a false tip.
When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 pm. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.
Looking back, Phillips was impressed and thankful for the professionalism of all the post's early childhood employees. In the following days, the programs received high praise from parents. Finally, Ms. Phillips observed that the response proved the value and effectiveness of their emergency preparedness training.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Be a Kid Again: Educator Networking Night
For Teachers of Grades Pre K–2Wednesday, Feb. 10, 20104:30–7:30 p.m.Enjoy an evening of fun and learning! Join museum staff and teachers of Grades PreK–2 to discover ways to make curriculum connections at The Children's Museum. Explore the entire museum and don't miss our newest temporary exhibits: Bob the Builder™—Project: Build It and Barbie™: The Fashion Experience.Bob the Builder™—Project: Build It is presented by Delta Faucet, and produced by HIT Entertainment and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The exhibit is supported locally by Veolia Water. ©2009 Hit Entertainment and Keith Chapman.Event Highlights and Activities:
Learn about curriculum connectionsthroughout the museum
Participate in professional development sessionswith Dr. Beverly Reitsma: Literacy at the Museum
See a planetarium show
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
One World, One Sky
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
One World, One Sky
Learn about educational field trip programs
Receive a free copy of the museum's book,Martimus at Midnight
Dinner will be provided.
Fee: $5 (nonrefundable)Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 3 Register online or call call (317) 334-4000.
Keep the kids entertained during the holiday vacation –inexpensively
Bring the family Downtown during school break
Most school-aged children are on vacation for two weeks and the budget’s blown on holiday gifts…What’s a parent to do? Listed below are several ideas to keep the kids busy without spending a fortune.
Active
•Bundle up and take a walk around The Canal and White River State Park or Monument Circle admiring the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 (until Jan. 8) & twinkle lights in the trees – FREE.
•Go swimming at the Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI.
•Go duckpin bowling at Action Duckpin Bowl or Atomic Bowl Duckpin in Fountain Square.
•Take a twirl around the ice skating rink at the Indiana/World Academy Skating Academy in Pan Am Plaza. It’s a cheap treat – $4 or less to skate!
•Test your skills at the Amazing Games arcade at Jillian's in Downtown Indy. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat at the Hibachi Grill or the Video Café, located inside Jillian’s.
Educational
•Take a guided memorial tour and visit the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, located in the basement of the Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Monument (open Wednesday through Sunday) – FREE.
•Take a tour through the Indianapolis Museum of Art or check out Christmas at the Lilly House. – FREE (parking included.)
•Visit holidays past at the beautifully decorated President Benjamin Harrison Home, dressed up in all the trappings of holidays past at the White House. He was the first president to decorate a tree in the White House.
•Kids will love the hands-on approach at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where kids of all ages are encouraged to touch and let their imaginations take over! Don’t miss The Children’s Museum Jolly Days Winter Wonderland through Jan. 10. This event features a Snow Castle, Yule Slide and the interactive “animation” exhibit. In addition, the Children’s Museum will display Barbie: The Fashion Experience until Feb. 1.
•View the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art’s unique exhibits. (IUPUI students get in FREE.)
•Visit the past at the Morris Butler House Museum and the James Whitcomb Riley Home.
•It’s tea time! Take the family to the Indianapolis Propylaeum’s Holiday Children’s Tea “The World of Marionettes” Dec. 29.
Entertainment
•Visit the Indianapolis Zoo for Christmas at the Zoo & Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network until Dec. 30. Enjoy the Zoo grounds covered in holiday lights, special animal shows and the new Woodland Wonderland display inside the Hilbert Conservatory.
•Don’t miss your last chance to see Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show in 2009! This Downtown tradition will take place on Dec. 29 at the Indiana State Museum.
•Follow the yellow brick road to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for “The Marvelous Land of Oz” through Jan. 3! •See the magic of Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the IMAX Theatre in the Indiana State Museum from now – Jan. 7. This new release will fill you and yours with holiday cheer!
Sports
•See the World Champion Indianapolis Colts in action vs. the New York Jets Dec. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
•Cheer on your Indiana Pacers as they take on the Atlanta Hawks Dec. 26 and the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 30 at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Most school-aged children are on vacation for two weeks and the budget’s blown on holiday gifts…What’s a parent to do? Listed below are several ideas to keep the kids busy without spending a fortune.
Active
•Bundle up and take a walk around The Canal and White River State Park or Monument Circle admiring the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 (until Jan. 8) & twinkle lights in the trees – FREE.
•Go swimming at the Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI.
•Go duckpin bowling at Action Duckpin Bowl or Atomic Bowl Duckpin in Fountain Square.
•Take a twirl around the ice skating rink at the Indiana/World Academy Skating Academy in Pan Am Plaza. It’s a cheap treat – $4 or less to skate!
•Test your skills at the Amazing Games arcade at Jillian's in Downtown Indy. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat at the Hibachi Grill or the Video Café, located inside Jillian’s.
Educational
•Take a guided memorial tour and visit the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, located in the basement of the Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Monument (open Wednesday through Sunday) – FREE.
•Take a tour through the Indianapolis Museum of Art or check out Christmas at the Lilly House. – FREE (parking included.)
•Visit holidays past at the beautifully decorated President Benjamin Harrison Home, dressed up in all the trappings of holidays past at the White House. He was the first president to decorate a tree in the White House.
•Kids will love the hands-on approach at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where kids of all ages are encouraged to touch and let their imaginations take over! Don’t miss The Children’s Museum Jolly Days Winter Wonderland through Jan. 10. This event features a Snow Castle, Yule Slide and the interactive “animation” exhibit. In addition, the Children’s Museum will display Barbie: The Fashion Experience until Feb. 1.
•View the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art’s unique exhibits. (IUPUI students get in FREE.)
•Visit the past at the Morris Butler House Museum and the James Whitcomb Riley Home.
•It’s tea time! Take the family to the Indianapolis Propylaeum’s Holiday Children’s Tea “The World of Marionettes” Dec. 29.
Entertainment
•Visit the Indianapolis Zoo for Christmas at the Zoo & Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network until Dec. 30. Enjoy the Zoo grounds covered in holiday lights, special animal shows and the new Woodland Wonderland display inside the Hilbert Conservatory.
•Don’t miss your last chance to see Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show in 2009! This Downtown tradition will take place on Dec. 29 at the Indiana State Museum.
•Follow the yellow brick road to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for “The Marvelous Land of Oz” through Jan. 3! •See the magic of Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the IMAX Theatre in the Indiana State Museum from now – Jan. 7. This new release will fill you and yours with holiday cheer!
Sports
•See the World Champion Indianapolis Colts in action vs. the New York Jets Dec. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
•Cheer on your Indiana Pacers as they take on the Atlanta Hawks Dec. 26 and the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 30 at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Do You Have Questions??? Talk to the Experts!
If you have questions about H1N1 Flu or federal programs that help families, you are invited to participate in a conference call where you will hear from H1N1 and other federal experts.
The experts will talk about H1N1, Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Assets for Independence Initiative, Children’s Health Insurance, Disability Programs, Emergency Preparedness and Food Stamps. After the presentations, there will time for questions.
Midwest Regional H1N1 and Human Services Conference Call
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
or
Monday, January, 11, 2010*
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon CT
1-888-790-1959; Passcode 2505
[*The call topics will be repeated on the January 11th call, though H1N1 updates and participant questions may differ.]
The experts will talk about H1N1, Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Assets for Independence Initiative, Children’s Health Insurance, Disability Programs, Emergency Preparedness and Food Stamps. After the presentations, there will time for questions.
Midwest Regional H1N1 and Human Services Conference Call
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
or
Monday, January, 11, 2010*
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon CT
1-888-790-1959; Passcode 2505
[*The call topics will be repeated on the January 11th call, though H1N1 updates and participant questions may differ.]
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Alert: Calls Needed
Action Steps Needed Wednesday & Thursday:Call the White House to Support Increased Child Care Funding!! On Wednesday (December 9) and Thursday (December 10)
NACCRRA is working with other early learning coalition members to help funnel calls into the White House in support of increased funding for child care as part of the President's FY2011 budget. We know that the FY2011 budget seems far away since the President does not submit his budget to Congress until February. However, decisions about funding are being made this month. Each call will be tallied by topic at the end of each day and we want to show strength in numbers in advocating for child care funding.
1. The toll-free number to call is 1-877-227-3801. This will connect you to the White House comment line.
2. When you call the White House, you may be put on hold for a short period of time, as you would with any customer service hotline. When a White House operator comes onto the line, you are likely to be asked for your name, city, state, zip code, and your comment. Please say: "I am calling to support a significant increase in child care funding in the fiscal year 2011 budget." You can also add if you want: "Make child care a priority to help people get and keep a job!" The call should not take long but the impact of this simple action will be great. Every call is important! The higher the number of callers about child care over the next two days, the stronger the message to the President will be. Quality child care matters!
3. Be a local leader:
a. Tell your friends, family members, colleagues and community members to call the White House too.
b. Engage your online communities by posting this information and phone number on Facebook or other social networking sites and listservs. It's time for our community to get engaged!
Thanks everyone for your help. Together we can make a difference!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Your help can make a difference for Infants and Toddlers in Indiana
Hello Center Directors,
Recently you may have received an email from the Indiana Association of Child Care Resource and Referral titled "Your help can make a difference for Infants and Toddlers in Indiana." The email address that it came from was nemerson@iaccrr.org. The email asked you to complete a survey about the servcies that you are offering to Infants and Toddlers. If you received the survey and have not already completed it I urge you to do so.
The Indiana Association of Child Care Resource and Referral or (IACCRR) is the agency that provides support to all 11 child care resource and referral agencies across the state of Indiana including Child Care Answers. Your input on this survey can make a difference for Infants and Toddlers across the state. If you have questions you can contact our Infant and Toddler specialist Rae at 636-5727 x 248.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Holiday Leadership Party
ATTENTION: Directors, Owners & Administrators of child care programs...
You're invited to join a first ever, one-of-a kind holiday leadership party!!~
You're invited to join a first ever, one-of-a kind holiday leadership party!!~
- Party will take place via a live conference call
- No special equipment is required to join- just a phone
- Only 200 spaces for this worldwide 90- minute call
- You will recieve... ideas that you can implement immediately to promote your child care program and have a holiday season that really sizzles with positive attitudes and motivation that will propel your program to the next level of success in 2010!
- WIN PRIZES!-- Prizes will be given away every 15 minutes
- You can register for this FREE party... http://www.leadershipconnectionforchildcare.com/public/490.cfm
- Host: Julie Bartkus, The Leadership Connection
- Date: Thursday, December 10th
- Time: 7:00 PM (CST); 8:00 PM (EST); 5:00 PM (PST)
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Bad Weather / Hazardous road Policy
I can not believe that I woke up to snow today. Where did the sun go? It seems hard to believe that Winter is already here. Traffic sure was slow going today. With all of this in mind I thought that I would share our Bad Weather / Hazardous Road Policy.
Hazardous weather conditions may cause some trainings or mentoring visits to be canceled on short notice. This policy provides some guidelines to follow for what to do in case of bad weather or hazardous road conditions.
• If the local school system where the training/visit is cancelled, the training/visit will be cancelled.
• If there are hazardous driving conditions as stated by the Indiana State Police, such as ice, the training/visit will be canceled. Due to travel distance of our trainers/mentors, roads may or may not be hazardous at the destination of the training/visit or starting point of the trainer/mentor. Travel routes will be closely monitored by the trainer/mentor team and if hazardous conditions are present, the training/visit will be cancelled.
• Trainers/mentors will try to contact all participants via phone using the number that is provided when you registered. Please provide Child Care Answers with the best number to contact you. Trainers/mentors will print off the most recent registration information to take with them in case calls need to be made.
• Trainers/mentors will contact the Education Coordinator for cancellation and the Education
Coordinator will contact the location of the training with cancellation information.
• Child Care Answers will make the best effort to contact local TV and/or radio stations for
cancellation of trainings.
• If there are hazardous driving conditions as stated by the Indiana State Police, such as ice, the training/visit will be canceled. Due to travel distance of our trainers/mentors, roads may or may not be hazardous at the destination of the training/visit or starting point of the trainer/mentor. Travel routes will be closely monitored by the trainer/mentor team and if hazardous conditions are present, the training/visit will be cancelled.
• Trainers/mentors will try to contact all participants via phone using the number that is provided when you registered. Please provide Child Care Answers with the best number to contact you. Trainers/mentors will print off the most recent registration information to take with them in case calls need to be made.
• Trainers/mentors will contact the Education Coordinator for cancellation and the Education
Coordinator will contact the location of the training with cancellation information.
• Child Care Answers will make the best effort to contact local TV and/or radio stations for
cancellation of trainings.
If you have a question as to if a training or visit is still scheduled or has been cancelled, contact the Child Care Answers office at 800-272-2937.
Online Training Tracking
We have recently started using a new module in our database that allows us to track trainings for individuals rather than for child care locations. What does this mean for you?
- You will now be able to have a transcript of all your child care trainings in one place and available for YOU to down load at ANY time!
- You will be able to sign up for all of our traings online at your leisure!
- YOU can update your information at anytime!
Once you have registered for a training, you will be able to access the training site, we will send you a postcard with your User ID and login information.
If you have any questions about this new program, please contact me at 317-636-5727 ext. 249.
Jan - Mar 2010 Training Calendar Available Online
The first training calendar of 2010 (can you belive it!?) is now available at our website here.
CEU Renewal Opportunities
Do you need to renew your CDA?
Child Care Answers offers opportunities to receive 4.5 CEU
Promoting Social Emotional CompetenciesPreschool Session (1.5 CEU’S)
Preschoolers and Challenging Behaviors: These 12 hours will take a look at challenging behaviors in the 3-5 year old classroom. A model of social and emotional competence will be used throughout and many teaching strategies will be shown. Come prepared to learn, listen, share and participate in rethinking challenging behaviors and making children more successful in your child care setting. Participants must commit to all nights and complete required assignments in order to obtain the training certificate and CEU’s.
DATES/TIME: February 23, 24, 25 and March 2 ~ 6pm-9pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
COST:$60
Attend all of the following trainings and complete homework assignment to receive 1 CEU-
*Science Play~ Come explore the science play of young children! We will be taking a look at the Science Early Childhood Foundations and discuss how to make play based learning meaningful! This will be a hands-on learning experience focusing on teaching young children science. Please bring your copy of the Foundations. ($15)— Tuesday, February 16th ~ 6-9 pm
*Block Play~ Think block play is “just play”? Come and join us for a look at how beneficial block play really is in the early childhood classroom. We will explore the Early Childhood Foundations throughout this training as well as looking at an appropriate set up for the block area and items to include in the block area. Please bring your copy of the Foundations. ($15)- Wednesday, February 16th ~ 6-9 pm
*Language, Literacy, Lingo, B-I-N-G-O!~ Fun 3-5 Year old language and language and literacy activities to keep children learning about letters, sounds, and books! We will create something for you to take with you! We will explore how the Early Childhood Foundations connect. IF you have a copy of the Foundations please bring it! ($15)- Thursday, February 18th ~ 6-9 pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
Watch Me Grow & Help Me Learn - must attend both five hour sessions and complete homework to receive 1 CEU. In this session participants will learn appropriate activities to stimulate the development of infants and toddlers; gain understanding of language development and early literacy; identify realistic expectations for infants and toddlers; learn to recognize temperament types in infants and toddlers and learn ways to make your environment infant and toddler friendly. ($45)
Dates: Saturdays March 13th and 20th ~ 9 am-2 pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
Child Abuse Prevention Conference~ Keynote speaker Sgt. Terry Hall will captivate his audience! Learn how you can make a difference. Eight break out sessions will be available for your personal choice. Basic Prevention Strategies, Online Predators and Sexual Abuse Prevention are just a few sessions available. Prevent Child Abuse Indiana will be presenting Child Abuse 101 and 102. NO ON SITE REGISTRATION . Ask about how you can receive 1 CEU. ($20) Date: Saturday March 27th ~ 9 am– 3 LOCATION: Southside of Indianapolis
Child Care Answers offers opportunities to receive 4.5 CEU
Promoting Social Emotional CompetenciesPreschool Session (1.5 CEU’S)
Preschoolers and Challenging Behaviors: These 12 hours will take a look at challenging behaviors in the 3-5 year old classroom. A model of social and emotional competence will be used throughout and many teaching strategies will be shown. Come prepared to learn, listen, share and participate in rethinking challenging behaviors and making children more successful in your child care setting. Participants must commit to all nights and complete required assignments in order to obtain the training certificate and CEU’s.
DATES/TIME: February 23, 24, 25 and March 2 ~ 6pm-9pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
COST:$60
Attend all of the following trainings and complete homework assignment to receive 1 CEU-
*Science Play~ Come explore the science play of young children! We will be taking a look at the Science Early Childhood Foundations and discuss how to make play based learning meaningful! This will be a hands-on learning experience focusing on teaching young children science. Please bring your copy of the Foundations. ($15)— Tuesday, February 16th ~ 6-9 pm
*Block Play~ Think block play is “just play”? Come and join us for a look at how beneficial block play really is in the early childhood classroom. We will explore the Early Childhood Foundations throughout this training as well as looking at an appropriate set up for the block area and items to include in the block area. Please bring your copy of the Foundations. ($15)- Wednesday, February 16th ~ 6-9 pm
*Language, Literacy, Lingo, B-I-N-G-O!~ Fun 3-5 Year old language and language and literacy activities to keep children learning about letters, sounds, and books! We will create something for you to take with you! We will explore how the Early Childhood Foundations connect. IF you have a copy of the Foundations please bring it! ($15)- Thursday, February 18th ~ 6-9 pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
Watch Me Grow & Help Me Learn - must attend both five hour sessions and complete homework to receive 1 CEU. In this session participants will learn appropriate activities to stimulate the development of infants and toddlers; gain understanding of language development and early literacy; identify realistic expectations for infants and toddlers; learn to recognize temperament types in infants and toddlers and learn ways to make your environment infant and toddler friendly. ($45)
Dates: Saturdays March 13th and 20th ~ 9 am-2 pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly 3522 N Central Ave, Indianapolis, 46204
Child Abuse Prevention Conference~ Keynote speaker Sgt. Terry Hall will captivate his audience! Learn how you can make a difference. Eight break out sessions will be available for your personal choice. Basic Prevention Strategies, Online Predators and Sexual Abuse Prevention are just a few sessions available. Prevent Child Abuse Indiana will be presenting Child Abuse 101 and 102. NO ON SITE REGISTRATION . Ask about how you can receive 1 CEU. ($20) Date: Saturday March 27th ~ 9 am– 3 LOCATION: Southside of Indianapolis
Friday, December 4, 2009
When the unexpected happens
Is your child care site prepared for the unexpected?
Yesterday a vehicle that was fleeing the scene of a robbery lost control and ran into one of our local child care sites. Thankfully most of the children were out of the building on a field trip. However, some of the children and teachers that were there were hurt. The rescue workers responded quickly to help the individuals that were inside the building and the hurt were rushed to the hospital. Hopefully all will recover quickly.
What would your child care site do if the unexpected happens? Please take time to make a plan with your staff so that everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency. When you make that plan remember that Child Care Answers is here to help.
This is how Child Care Answers responded yesterday when we heard the news story break. We ran a list of nearby child care sites that could possibly help families with temporary child care. We then went to the site where the children were taken. We gave the list of possible emergency child care sites to the director along with child care brochures. We also offered to help them to call families or help in any other way they needed.
Please post our name and number near your phone and make us one of your calls if the unexpected ever does happen. We are here to support you through those difficult times.
Yesterday a vehicle that was fleeing the scene of a robbery lost control and ran into one of our local child care sites. Thankfully most of the children were out of the building on a field trip. However, some of the children and teachers that were there were hurt. The rescue workers responded quickly to help the individuals that were inside the building and the hurt were rushed to the hospital. Hopefully all will recover quickly.
What would your child care site do if the unexpected happens? Please take time to make a plan with your staff so that everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency. When you make that plan remember that Child Care Answers is here to help.
This is how Child Care Answers responded yesterday when we heard the news story break. We ran a list of nearby child care sites that could possibly help families with temporary child care. We then went to the site where the children were taken. We gave the list of possible emergency child care sites to the director along with child care brochures. We also offered to help them to call families or help in any other way they needed.
Please post our name and number near your phone and make us one of your calls if the unexpected ever does happen. We are here to support you through those difficult times.
Child Care Answers 631-4643.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Attention Paths to QUALITY Providers
Paths to QUALITY is being advertised in theaters! In the following theaters there will be Paths to QUALITY brochures and a print ad of Paths to QUALITY participants in that area.
Trader's Point Showplace 12
5920 W 86th
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Showplace 16 & IMAX
4325 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Regal Village Park Cinema 17
2222 E 146th St
Carmel, IN 46032
Trader's Point Showplace 12
5920 W 86th
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Showplace 16 & IMAX
4325 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46217
Regal Village Park Cinema 17
2222 E 146th St
Carmel, IN 46032
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Study: Kids Watch Hours Of TV At Day Care
SEATTLE -- Parents who thought their preschoolers were spending time in home-based day cares, taking naps, eating healthy snacks and learning to play nicely with others may be surprised to discover they are sitting as many as two hours a day in front of a TV, according to a study published Monday.
When added to the two to three hours many parents already admit to allowing at home, preschoolers in child care may be spending more than a third of the about 12 hours they are awake each day in front of the electronic baby sitter, said Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle and a researcher at the University of Washington.
That's double the TV time he found in a previous study based on parental reports of home viewing, according to findings published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. The study is the first to look at TV watching in child care in more than 20 years.
The figures come from a telephone survey of 168 licensed child care programs in Michigan, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. Christakis said he thought television use was probably underreported.
Of the child care programs surveyed, 70 percent of home-based child cares and 36 percent of centers said children watch TV daily. The children were watching TV, DVDs and videos. The study did not track what kind of programs were shown.
"It's not what parents have signed up for," Christakis said. "I'm not sure how many parents are aware of this."
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages any television viewing of any kind in the first 2 years of life and recommends a daily limit of 1 to 2 hours of quality programming for older children.
Children go to day care to develop social skills, build on cognitive abilities and enjoy imaginative play, as well as allowing their parents to work, Christakis said.
"We know what's good for children and we know what's not," Christakis said. "High quality preschool can make a very, very positive difference. We're so far from meeting that, that we really have a lot of work to do."
His research found a difference between the amount of TV watching at home daycares and larger child care centers, although both reported some TV time.
The study found that among preschool-aged children, those in home-based day cares watched TV for 2.4 hours per day on average, compared to 24 minutes in centers. Toddlers watched an average of 1.6 hours in home care and about 6 minutes in centers. Only home-based day cares admitted putting infants in front of the TV, for an average of 12 minutes a day.
"It's alarming to find that so many children in the United States are watching essentially twice as much television as we previously thought," he said.
Other research has connected excessive TV watching during the preschool years with language delay, obesity, attention problems and aggression.
Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, wasn't surprised by the findings in this study but he was forgiving of the parents and child care providers who put kids in front of the TV.
"In general, we still have a culture that sees television as benign," said Rich, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard University. "This is an area where we're learning more and more all the time."
He compared society's growing knowledge of the impact of TV on child development to the early days of seat belt use. Today's parents and child care providers grew up on TV, Rich said, so it's understandable that they do not recognize the problem.
"We can always do better," he said.
Christakis said one of the main problems with TV for young children is that it takes away time that could otherwise be spent playing outside, being read to, playing with blocks and talking with adults and other children.
The study did not include passive TV time, when the TV is on in the background but no one is actively watching it. Christakis said any time a TV is on, children speak less and adults interact with them less frequently.
Instead of urging parents to turn off the TV, President Barack Obama might want to start sending the same message to child care providers, Christakis said.
"Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call," he said.
____
On the Web:
Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.org
Center on Media and Child Health: http://www.cmch.tv
Seattle Children's Hospital: http://www.seattlechildrens.org
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
When added to the two to three hours many parents already admit to allowing at home, preschoolers in child care may be spending more than a third of the about 12 hours they are awake each day in front of the electronic baby sitter, said Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle and a researcher at the University of Washington.
That's double the TV time he found in a previous study based on parental reports of home viewing, according to findings published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. The study is the first to look at TV watching in child care in more than 20 years.
The figures come from a telephone survey of 168 licensed child care programs in Michigan, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. Christakis said he thought television use was probably underreported.
Of the child care programs surveyed, 70 percent of home-based child cares and 36 percent of centers said children watch TV daily. The children were watching TV, DVDs and videos. The study did not track what kind of programs were shown.
"It's not what parents have signed up for," Christakis said. "I'm not sure how many parents are aware of this."
The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages any television viewing of any kind in the first 2 years of life and recommends a daily limit of 1 to 2 hours of quality programming for older children.
Children go to day care to develop social skills, build on cognitive abilities and enjoy imaginative play, as well as allowing their parents to work, Christakis said.
"We know what's good for children and we know what's not," Christakis said. "High quality preschool can make a very, very positive difference. We're so far from meeting that, that we really have a lot of work to do."
His research found a difference between the amount of TV watching at home daycares and larger child care centers, although both reported some TV time.
The study found that among preschool-aged children, those in home-based day cares watched TV for 2.4 hours per day on average, compared to 24 minutes in centers. Toddlers watched an average of 1.6 hours in home care and about 6 minutes in centers. Only home-based day cares admitted putting infants in front of the TV, for an average of 12 minutes a day.
"It's alarming to find that so many children in the United States are watching essentially twice as much television as we previously thought," he said.
Other research has connected excessive TV watching during the preschool years with language delay, obesity, attention problems and aggression.
Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, wasn't surprised by the findings in this study but he was forgiving of the parents and child care providers who put kids in front of the TV.
"In general, we still have a culture that sees television as benign," said Rich, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard University. "This is an area where we're learning more and more all the time."
He compared society's growing knowledge of the impact of TV on child development to the early days of seat belt use. Today's parents and child care providers grew up on TV, Rich said, so it's understandable that they do not recognize the problem.
"We can always do better," he said.
Christakis said one of the main problems with TV for young children is that it takes away time that could otherwise be spent playing outside, being read to, playing with blocks and talking with adults and other children.
The study did not include passive TV time, when the TV is on in the background but no one is actively watching it. Christakis said any time a TV is on, children speak less and adults interact with them less frequently.
Instead of urging parents to turn off the TV, President Barack Obama might want to start sending the same message to child care providers, Christakis said.
"Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call," he said.
____
On the Web:
Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.org
Center on Media and Child Health: http://www.cmch.tv
Seattle Children's Hospital: http://www.seattlechildrens.org
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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