Westside Special Needs Fair features nearly 59 agencies

Individuals and families with disabilities of any kind are welcome at the fifth annual Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair, to be held Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th St. (16th and Winton).
The fair will feature more than 40 state and local agencies who serve individuals with disabilities and special needs and their families. These organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, while a carnival featuring games and face painting will run concurrently. The event is free, and free child care is available to children of parents visiting the information tables. Lunch is available for a small donation. Spanish interpretation will also be available at no charge. Families also can register for a prize drawing featuring several prizes donated by area businesses, individuals and the exhibiting organizations.
Exhibitors at the fair include About Special Kids, Advantage Care Select, The Arc of Indiana (offering waiver info & more), Autism Advocates of Indiana, Awesome Westside Advocates, Benchmark Family Services, Brain Injury Association of Indiana, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Center for Youth and Adults with Conditions of Childhood, Central Indiana First Steps, Coming Home Medical Organizer, Cornerstone Rehabilitation Services, Damar Services, Discovery Toys, Down Syndrome Indiana, Easter Seals Crossroads, Feeding Friends, Fresh Perspectives, Helping Challenged Children, Hope Haven Horse Farm, Horizon Financial Planning, INDATA Indiana Assistive Technology Act), Indiana Canine Assistant Network, Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living, Indy Parks & Recreation with Marion County Special Olympics, IN*SOURCE, Jameson Camp, Loving Care Agency, MD Wise, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Masonic Lodge Child ID, Meaningful Day Services, MetLife’s Center for Special Needs Planning, MidWest Orthotics, NAMI (National Mental Illness) Indianapolis, Noble of Indiana, Nurture the Child through Kindermusik, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Programs, St. Vincent New Hope, Special Olympics Hendricks County, Speedway UMC, Speedway UMC Health Ministries screenings, Sycamore Services, Tender Touch Special Needs Massage, The Village of Merici, VSA Arts of Indiana/Ben Davis Artisans, Westside Pride Park, Westview Primary Care Centers, the Westside Special Needs Network of Speedway UMC, and more!
“Families dealing with special needs are some of the busiest people on earth, and accessing services can take a lot of time. We hope this fair will provide an easy way for parents and caregivers to gain very helpful information and contacts, while at the same time providing a fun time for the entire family,” says Beth DeHoff, chairperson of special needs ministries for Speedway United Methodist Church, who also has son with special needs.
The fair will have information applicable to individuals of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. For more information, contact the Westside Special Needs Network voice mail at 317-971-2619, email dehoff5@att.net, or visit www.speedway-umc.org/specialneeds .

Craigslist Reminder and Other Scams

Craigslist serves a wonderful purpose on the internet. It allows people to post for free to advertise their businesses, especially child care! However, there are individuals out there who have found ways to use Craigslist for nefarious purposes. I recently recieved an email from a provider who had been contacted by someone from the UK who was relocating to the US and needed child care. She, unfortunately, sent them her contact information, and has now heard from several others who are doing the same thing. Eventually they will offer to send her a check for some large amount, ask her to cash it and mail the difference back to them, after keeping a modest fee for herself. The problem being that the checks they send are fake, and then she will be responsilbe for paying it back to her bank. So PLEASE if you are contacted by ANYONE on Craigslist from a foreign country, do not reply, and contact the local office of the FBI and report it as internet fraud.

Also recently I was doing a 6 month update with a provider, and she told me that someone was posing as a representative of Child Care Answers. They said that they were trying to place a child and wanted money from her to make sure that any future children would be placed with her first. Please remember that ALL services from Child Care Answers are free, and we do not charge parents or providers for our referral services! If you get a phone call from this person claiming to be one of our staff and asking for money, please try to get his contact information and let me know.

NHS hosts Wellness Extravanza on April 29

Noblesville High School will host its inaugural Wellness Extravaganza from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 29. The event, open to the community, will offer a variety of physical activities, healthy foods, health screens, and information about summer sport camps, local fitness groups, and overall lifestyle opportunities within Noblesville’s schools and in the community.

The Wellness Extravaganza is free.

Local vendors and organizations interested in having a booth at the extravaganza must contact Brian Clarke, chairman of the NHS Wellness Department, via e-mail at brian_clarke@mail.nobl.k12.in.us. Be sure to include the name of the organization, type of business, a contact person’s e-mail address, and any special accommodations needed. Also, be sure to specify what type of door prize will be given, if any.

Clarian West Invites Community to Child Abuse Prevention Fairs

Approximately 794,000 children are confirmed as abused or neglected each year, according to Child Protective Services- but the confirmed cases represent only a fraction of those abused. Child maltreatment is a significant public health problem in the United States, as most cases are neither reported, nor recognized. These injuries not only cause physical injury, but emotional injury that lasts long into adulthood, as well.

Clarian West Medical Center invites the community to join in the fight to stop child abuse. Clarian West is teaming up with Hendricks County agencies in an effort to support April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The community is invited to come to one of the fairs at Clarian West during the month of April as a way to spotlight Hendricks County agencies that provide support services to parents and families. Several agencies will gather at the fairs to provide information about parenting skills, child development, counseling and possible financial assistance. The public is invited to come and learn about local assistance.
*
Child Abuse Prevention Fairs
Wednesdays in April
April 14th, 21st, 28th
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Clarian West Medical Center
Garden Level Main Hallway*

Minority Health Coalition
Hosts a Town Hall Infant Mortality Meeting:
The effects on our Community

Thursday April 15th, 2010
6:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m.

Washington Park Family Center
3130 E. 30th St. Indianapolis

Come learn about Infant Mortality and how it affects
our community.
For further information, contact Angela Goode
( 317)-926- 1170. Refreshments will be served

Gift Cards will be given for completion of event evaluation

Sponsored by:
Anthem, Managed Health Care Services, MDwise and Pfizer

Bookstore plans giveaway

Nonprofit organizations and schools can benefit from a children's book giveaway next week.
Half Price Books, 1551 W. 86th St., will give away 6,529 books as part of the 12th Half Pint Library book collection, said Kara Hanko, event spokeswoman.

Although the book collection is in its 12th year, this is the first time for a giveaway like this, Hanko said. Any nonprofit organization, school, teacher or volunteer from across the city can pick up free books from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 14, Hanko said.

To receive books, fill out a form from www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/hpl_donation_form.pdf and bring it to the pick-up site, Hanko said. Each group will receive at least two boxes of books. It is first come, first served.

The books were donated at Indianapolis area stores during the Half Price Books Half Pint Library Book Drive.

Teachers: Register for a Free Field Trip at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Free Field Trip—Register Today!
Sign up for any Take Me There: Egypt program or show April 12 through May 28 and your field trip is free. *

Free admission will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This offer is guaranteed only with the registration of a Take Me There: Egypt guided experience or Egypt-focused planetarium shows listed below.

Note: This offer is good for new reservations only and is not valid on previous registrations or field trips. Be sure to note the number of buses you will be bringing at the time of registration and get a $250 stipend per bus, payable following your field trip.
Funding in support of school field trips from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is made possible in part by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

Sign up today! Spots are filling quickly. To register, call (317) 334-4000 or e-mail teacherinfo@childrensmuseum.org

Eligible Programs:

Take Me There: Egypt
A Glimpse of Egypt: Sebou
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 10, 10:30, 11, and 11:30 a.m.
Experience modern Egyptian culture first-hand by learning about an exciting Egyptian tradition!

Play a Part: The Sebou
Grades 3-8
Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:45, 10:45, and 11:45 a.m.
Visit the happy home where a child has just been born, and take part in the preparations, the music and activities of this exciting Egyptian ceremony.

Play a Part: Majlis-al-Sulh
Grades 6-8
Thursdays, 9:45, 10:45, and 11:45 a.m.
Watch a conflict arise, and play a part in the mediation as advisors, journalists who report on the process, or even as a member of the council that decides what is fair in the dispute.

Stars of the Pharaohs Planetarium Show
Grades 6-8
Mondays 10, 11 a.m., and noon
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings.

Earth Day Activities

Looking for ideas to celebrate Earth Day? Check out some of the Earth Day activities around Central Indiana! For activities to take back to your child care facility or class room register for our Make and Take Workshops on April 10th and 24th. Both session will be focusing on recycling. Each workshop is only $5! To register call us at (317) 636-5727.

Earth Day Indiana Festival: At celebration Plaza, featuring 130 environmental and conservation exhibits, plus live music from some of Indiana's best new bands, special activities for kids and good food.

When: April 24th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: White River State Park, 801 West Washington Street Indianapolis

Cost: Free

For more info call (317) 767-3672

Go Green!: Be kind to the Earth by re-using items to make a craft, learning green habits through songs, games and stories and having an environmentally friendly snack. Ages 3-6

When: April 28th, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Where: Broad Ripple Park, 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis

Cost: $14

For more info call (317) 327-7161

Healthy Habits = Healthy Habitats: Festival will feature demonstrations, displays, entertainment and kid's activities.

When: April 17th, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Washington Township Community Park, 115 South CR 575 East, Avon

Cost: Free

For more info call (317) 745-0785

World of Families: Second Saturdays Bilingual Storytime

Date: Saturday, Apr. 10, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Central Library
Location Group: Central
Age Level: Families

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Questions about this event? Please contact:
Central Library
275-4100


Description:
Families are invited for an interactive bilingual storytime celebrating the languages and cultures of the world through art, crafts, music, dance and games. It's presented in partnership with IN-NELL, Indiana-Network for Early Language Learning.
This program, presented in Chinese and English, will be held in the Learning Curve theater.




This event is also offered:
May. 8th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library
Jun. 12th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library
Jul. 10th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library

2010 Child Abuse Conference

On Saturday March 26th was the Cherish the Child Prevent Child Abuse Conference sponsered by Child Care Answers. A total of 133 individuals recieved training on child abuse prevention!

For more pictures check out our facebook page!

WFYI Presents its "Let's Meet PBS KIDS in the Park" FREE Family Festival Saturday, June 12

An Indianapolis summer tradition continues! Join WFYI Public Broadcasting for its Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park family festival on Saturday, June 12, from 10am-4pm in its new location — Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. The new venue will offer families a greener, more spacious cultural setting to enjoy this one-of-a-kind FREE celebration.

Presented by Riley Hospital for Children and Marsh Supermarkets, Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park unites children and parents face to face with the cuddly and colorful characters that we all have come to love and admire most on PBS. The celebration features an all-star entertainment lineup on three distinct stages, plus engaging activity booths, bounce houses, walkaround characters from your child’s favorite PBS KIDS programs, a food court and much more.

This year’s entertainment headliners will include “Gordon” from Sesame Street; “Mr. Steve” host of PBS KIDS preschool destination; and Habla Blah Blah, a bilingual concert experience that will transport audiences on a magical safari adventure in search of animals big and small.

Opening ceremonies begin at 10am with a colorful walking procession of PBS KIDS characters, clowns and local mascots through the festival venue. Families will want to arrive early to catch the parade. This year’s festivities will feature Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita walkaround characters, Curious George, Clifford, Super WHY!, Princess Presto, WordGirl , “Buddy” from Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid, Martha Speaks, Maya & Miguel, Lunar Jim and “Dog” from Word World.

Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park is WFYI Public Broadcasting’s gift back to the community. Annually, more than 40,000 people attend this wholesome family celebration, which boasts an array of educational activities that reflect WFYI’s on-going commitment to make all young children ready for entry into school. Visit www.wfyi.org/lm for updates on the festival’s entertainment lineup, PBS KIDS character appearance times and directions to the venue.

2010 Indiana Early Childhood Conference

The 2010 Indiana Early Childhood Conference is YOUR opportunity to the best & most affordable professional development in the Midwest...

Here's what's happened to make it possible for you to join us on April 8-10 in Indianapolis:

•Registration Rates Remain at 2007 Levels
•Indiana AEYC Members & Students Get Registration Discounts*
•Attendance Scholarships Awarded
And now, we're going a step further to SAVE YOU EVEN MORE!

The Regular Registration Rate Has Been Extended to Thursday, April 2, 2010, saving you up to $60 (depending on registration type)

Don't delay...ACT NOW! Register online and $AVE!

https://www.iaeyc.org/Conferences/2010IndianaEarlyChildhoodConference/RegistrationInformation
*Restrictions and guidelines apply to Student and Indiana AEYC Member rates. See registration form for details


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Thinking about skipping the conference this year? HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL MISS:

Friday & Saturday Special Performances of Hip-Hop-Ademics™ with Brian K. Holland

Don’t miss Brian’s energizing performance as he brings academics and hip-hop culture together to create education with energy, excitement, enthusiasm and expectation! Hip-Hop-Ademics™ is a supercharged curriculum designed to stimulate children with the desire to learn and achieve academic success. Brian, with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and over twelve years working with elementary school children, will lay a foundation for children’s academic future by using 21st century tools. Come and enjoy the music that literally wraps (raps) children into learning!


Appearances by Sara Bingham are sponsored by a grant from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, First Steps made to UTS-ProKids Sara Bingham Direct to You from Canada

Sara Bingham is the founder of WeeHands™ and author of The Baby Signing Book. Wee Hands™ is the world’s leading children’s sign language and language development program for babies, toddler, and preschool children. Sara completed an honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University. She has also earned an honors post-graduate diploma from Georgian College as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Join Sara and learn why signing is such an effective tool for supporting language development, phonemic awareness, print knowledge, and even classroom management.


Council for Professional Recognition - D.C. to Your Door!

You may be familiar with the term “CDA” (Child Development Associate), but you may not know why the CDA is so valuable, what it means, how to attain it, or who makes decisions about awarding it. The Council for Professional Recognition oversees the CDA process, and promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals working with children birth to five year of age in early childhood centers, family child care homes, and as home visitors. To meet the growing need for qualified child care staff, the Council administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program. The CDA Program is designed to assess and credential early child care and education professionals based on performance.

Kid's Consignment Sales

2nd Annual Noblesville Kid's Consignment Sale
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will be hosting their 2nd Annual Kid's Consignment Sale on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 206th & Cumberland in Noblesville. The sale will offer gently used baby & kids clothing, maternity items, baby equipment, furniture, toys, books and games. Admission is free to the public. For any additional details, please visit http://noblesvilleconsignmentsale.blogspot.com. 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Cost is $10 and sellers will receive 70% of their profits. Bethel Lutheran Church. 206th & Cumberland, Noblesville.

SouthSide Parents of Multiples' Children's Clothing and Equipment Sale
More than 150 mothers of twins, triplets and more, along with other area moms, will be selling high-quality, gently used children's items, including clothing, toys, furniture, maternity clothes and more. For more information regarding the sale call 317-767-5704, email at sspomsale@yahoogroups.com or visit www.sspom.org. 8 am- 12 noon. free admission. Perry Meridian High School. 401 W. Meridian School Rd., Indianapolis. www.sspom.org. (317) 767-5704.

Connect2 Help’s (2 1 1) Hamilton County 2010 Supplement Of The Rainbow Book™ Now Available Free

Carmel, IN ….For the first time ever, Hamilton County’s social services community worked closely with Connect2Help to produce the Hamilton County 2010 Rainbow BooK™ supplement. Connect2Help, the publisher of The Rainbow BooK™ is a United Way agency that helps facilitate connections between people who need health and human services and those who provide them.

The Hamilton County supplement has been in the works for the past year and this newly expanded edition is a direct result of United Way of Central Indiana’s 2008 Community Assessment collaboration with the Hamilton County Task Force. The Hamilton County Task Force consists of community leaders from Clarian North Hospital, Community Hospital, St. Vincent Carmel Hospital, Riverview Hospital and many social services providers and local businesses. During a series of meetings it was discovered that there was no easy way for social service providers, first responders, hospitals and schools to assist those in need in Hamilton County.

The directory will now be available free of charge to all first responders, schools and hospitals. With a generous gift from Citizens Energy, Duke Energy and UWCI, anyone in need of social service information will be able to download the Hamilton County 2010 Rainbow BooK™ supplement free from the Connect2Help website by visiting: www.connect2help.org.

Connect2Help telephone information and referral line answers calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone needing help can simply dial 2-1-1 to find out about resources from a trained Connect2Help Specialist.

Helping Kids Problem Solve to be Taught in Central Indiana Workshops

Online Credit Card Registrants Save $5 for April 13, 22 Indiana Youth Institute Trainings

INDIANAPOLIS – Children in today’s society are faced with obstacles and difficulties every day that can be avoided if they choose to solve problems in the correct manner. The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) is offering youth workers in Central Indiana two opportunities to learn fundamental ways to help children become better problem-solvers.

School counselors, case managers, probation/juvenile justice professionals, foster parents, youth ministers, mentors, afterschool program managers and others who impact the lives of youth in Central Indiana can register for the workshop, “Teaching Kids How to Problem Solve.”

The workshop will be presented twice in Indianapolis with each session running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The first session will take place April 13 at the Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids 3850 DePauw Blvd., Indianapolis, Ind. 46268. The second session will be presented April 22 at the Holiday Inn Southeast, 5302 Victory Dr., Indianapolis, 46203.

The sessions will be taught by Dennis Bumgarner, director of the Chapel Hill Center for Brief Therapy in Indianapolis and one of IYI’s most popular trainers. Bumgarner’s training educates youth workers on places to start the problem-solving process, common problem-solving mistakes made by kids and ways to help chilren maintain change, once started. Armed with this knowledge, youth workers can transform themselves from mere advice-givers to engaged adults who help young people tap into their personal resources for changing as well as learning new approaches for problem-solving.

On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Cost of the training is $45, but individuals can save $5 by registering online with a credit card for this or other IYI trainings at www.iyi.org/training_registration. Continuing Education Hours for the workshop are available through the National Association of Social Workers, the Indiana Association of Prevention Professionals, and the National Council on Family Relations for Certified Family Life Educators. Continuing Renewal Units (CRUs) are available for teachers, school counselors and other licensed school professionals.

Bumgarner is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist and has presented numerous training workshops for parents, therapists, counselors, school personnel, businesses and other organizations across the country on a variety of topics related to human behavior.

This workshop also will be presented in Evansville, New Albany (supported in part by the Horseshoe Foundation), Merrillville, South Bend and Fort Wayne. For more information about the workshops in those cities, go to www.iyi.org.

This training is supported in part by the W.C. Griffith Foundation Trust, with additional funding provided by the Clowes Fund and the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation.

The Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of children and youth by serving the institutions and people of Indiana who work on their behalf.

Indianapolis Lemonade Day

Sign up! Make Your Mark on the World

What a great idea to do with your kids!

Make and Take Workshop

Make and Take Workshop

Ideas and material to take back to your childcare facility or classroom

Where: Day Nursery Lilly Center, 3522 N. Central Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46205

When: Saturday April 10 and 24th, drop by anytime between 9:30am and 12:30pm

Cost: ONLY $5.00

Themes: 4/10-Recycling/Music, 4/24-Recycling/Math

To register: Payment and registration form must be received 72 hours in advance.

Click here for registration form. For additional information or

questions call (317) 636-5727

CEU Renewal Opportunities

Do you need to renew your CDA?
Child Care Answers offers opportunities to receive 2.5 CEU’s

Promoting Social Emotional Competencies
Preschool 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: May 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th ~ 6pm-9pm
LOCATION: Noblesville Library North Meeting Room One Library Plaza Noblesville 46060
COST: $60 (payment must be received no later than April 26th)

Promoting Social Emotional Competencies
Infant Session (1 CEU)
Participants will be introduced to a teaching pyramid model and actively discuss strategies for handling challenging behaviors with children ages birth to age 3. Practical classroom teaching strategies and discussions will be part of this 9 hour course. Participants must commit to all nights
and complete required assignments in order to obtain the training certificate and CEU’s.
DATES/TIME: June 10, 17,and 24 ~ 6pm-9pm
LOCATION: Day Nursery Lilly, Indianapolis
COST: $50 (payment must be received no later than June 1st )

Graco Recalls Harmony(tm) High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

Graco Recalls Harmony(tm) High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

Spring Fling Family Fun Day

Saturday April 17th, 2010
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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Source: Zero to Three, www.zerotothree.org

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

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

IPS Changes Post Super Bowl Plans

IndyStar.com Marion County, Indiana, breaking news, photos, things to do The Indianapolis Star

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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 .

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 .

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

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

Science Day
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

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

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.

Strollers recalled after fingertip amputations | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Strollers recalled after fingertip amputations | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

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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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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