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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.