Sensory Steps

Just glue plastic, wash clothes, make-up sponges, fur fabric, squishy wash netting, etc to cardboard. When it dries, cut around edges. Glue shelf liner on the other side. And you are done.Enjoy hours of activities!!!

Recycling the Old and Dry into Liquid Gold

1. Rubber-banded 5 or 6 dried out water-based markers of a similar color together.
2. Then I poured water into glass baby food jars below the screw top area.
3. Put the color tips of the markers into the water and just let it be. If you look closely at the green jar you can just see the color gliding out of the markers and sinking to the bottom. It was fun to watch and I showed several of my students whose classes attended that day.The longer it sits the better. I had a few jars that sat all school day (8 hours) and another set that sat all night long. Both turned out well. 2 to 4 hours isn't near enough time.
4. Discard markers, and enjoy the water color!

http://amanda0480.blogspot.com/2011/05/recycling-old-and-crusty.html

Kiwi! Banana's! & Mandarin! Oh My!

Class Room Arrangement

CDA Student Angela Lynn Hard at Work on her assignment.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY GAME TIME!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
GAME TIME!

Events for Sunday, February 5th 2012
Super Care Clinic
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Union Station
The Super Care Clinic is a full-service urgent care visit center operated by a coalition of Indianapolis-area healthcare facilities. Physicians and nurses from Community Health Network, Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indiana University Medical Group Primary Care, St. Vincent Medical Group, and Indiana University Health, will be available to treat illnesses ranging from coughs and colds to minor injuries. Individuals requiring more advanced treatment can be quickly transported to area hospitals.

The Huddle After Hours Club
10:00 PM - 03:00 AM
Super Bowl Village
The Huddle After Hours Club is open to the public and will be an ultra lounge destination featuring top shelf cocktails, an exclusive VIP area and entertainment.

SportsCenter (ESPN)
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Pan Am Plaza
SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
Sunday Countdown (ESPN)

10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Pan Am Plaza

Sunday Countdown broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
Super Bowl Village
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Georgia Street
Celebrate football in Super Bowl Village! Enjoy live music, entertainment, food and beverages and more in this outdoor festival! Entrance is FREE.

The Huddle
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Super Bowl Village
The Huddle will provide entertainment and dining options for visitors. It will also contain the LIDS Locker Room with a wide assortment of Super Bowl and NFL merchandise.

Zipline
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Experience the 80' tall and 800' long Zipline in the outdoor Super Bowl Village. Tickets purchased on-site at the Zipline Launch Tower (258 S. Capitol Ave.) are $10 and on a first come, first served basis. Zipline is operated by Ziptrek Ecotours.

Roaming Street Entertainment
11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Super Bowl Village

Roaming street entertainment includes magicians, balloon artists, and jugglers.
LIDS Locker Room @ Circle Centre
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Super Bowl Village

Located right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the temporary retail space will be transformed into a fan destination with activities and autograph session opportunities, as well as a wide selection of officially licensed AFC, NFC and Super Bowl XLVI apparel and memorabilia. End time today is TBD.

Ice Gurus From the Food Network
11:30 AM - 02:30 PM
Super Bowl Village
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Networks show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.

National Anthem by Phillip Dain Powell
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Phillip Dain Powell sings the National Anthem. The Color Guard will be presented by the Indiana Army National Guard.
Indiana Reggae Band
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Pepsi Stage
Indiana Reggae Band will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

NBC Game Day Show
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Super Bowl Village
Bob Costas will host the NBC Sports pre game show in the Super Bowl Village.
Whitney Coleman
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM

Pepsi Stage
Whitney Coleman will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

DJ Rusty
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Pepsi Stage
DJ Rusty will perform on the Pepsi Stage on America's Super Game Day in the Super Bowl Village. This is a free event.

Ice Gurus From the Food Network
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Super Bowl Village
Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Networks show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.

SportsCenter (ESPN)
10:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Pan Am Plaza

SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
PrimeTime (ESPN)
10:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Pan Am Plaza
NFL PrimeTime broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.
SportsCenter (ESPN)
11:30 PM - 01:30 AM

Pan Am Plaza
SportsCenter broadcasting live from the ESPN Broadcast Studio on Pan Am Plaza.

Signing Time Workshop

Signing Time Workshop

With Rachel Coleman

Friday, April 27, 2012

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Indiana Convention Center, Hall H

100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Rachel Coleman, Emmy-nominated host of Signing Time!, live and in person. Rachel will use songs, signs and group interaction from the

Signing Time series to teach families and children the power that comes from learning how to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). In addition, she will tell her inspiring story of being the mom of two children with special needs. Join her for a meet and greet after the show too!

Registration: $15.00 for Individual  $25.00 for Family of 5 or less

To register, go to http://www.utsprokids.org/ For more information contact Janice at 317-472-5602 registration@utsprokids.org



Free Webinars

IACCRR

Free Webinars!

We hope you and your staff take advantage of this FREE opportunity. The trainings are delivered via the internet- no need to leave your site. All topics are relevant to early childhood, and will help you meet Paths to QUALITY annual in service training hours. Topics will include, Universal Precautions, Early Childhood Careers, Disability Awareness, Physical Activities, Math, Social Studies, and more. More than 10 webinars to choose from each month. Webinar times are convenient to you. 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST

Get a full list of monthly trainings here, then call 1-800-299-1627 to register!

Poison Prevention Class

• Do you teach injury prevention programs for preschool and/or elementary school children?
• Are you looking for a new safety topic?
• Would you like to promote poison safety in your own community?

If you answered “yes” - the Indiana Poison Center can help you teach poison safety.

Who? For people who teach injury prevention programs for preschool and elementary school children.
How long? 3 hours. Provides poison prevention background for the instructor, how to effectively teach
poison safety to children and how to get the safety message home to parents.
How much? The workshop is FREE
Where? Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis
When? Wednesday February 22nd from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
 
Registration is limited to 10 Please contact Barbara Cole to confirm that an opening is available.
(317) 962-9248 bcole@iuhealth.org

NASA Ignite! Training Mission

NASA Ignite! Training Mission

Enrolling: Certified Teachers, Preservice

Teachers, and Afterschool Educators

 

When: March 17, 24, and April 28, 2012

Where: Marian University,Marian Hall Upper lobby (old Civic Theater area)
Time: 8:30-5:00
Topics:
Day 1, March 17 – Rocketry - rockets and discussion of expectations and responsibilities for the teachers (a "flight plan," so to speak)
Day 2, March 24– Astrobiology - life science (the body in space, NASA's search for other life in the universe)
Day 3, April 28- Space exploration (our near neighbors in the solar system and then moving beyond to comets, stars, and how we get there)

Cost: $75 (includes training, 3 lunches and teacher materials)

Seating is limited! Make checks payable to Marian University NASA Workshop

Commitment: Participants will commit to attending all 3 workshops and some additional training throughout the year facilitated by NASA educational consultants. Participants will be invited to teach hands-on activities at summer programs in the Indianapolis area. The Marian University Summer Learning Institute will provide a stipend for those who participate in summer teaching opportunities.

Reservation: Dr. Judy Bardonner, Director, Center for Community Learning,
Marian University; (317) 955-6545 jbardonner@marian.edu

Next Steps: Life After First Steps

Don't Let Your Child's Transition to Preschool Get Messy!

Sometimes children may still need therapy after they have completed the First Steps Program. The next public option for children older than three years of age to receive therapy services is through the special education preschool program provided by every local school district.

Join us for the "Next Steps: Life After First Steps" free, informative meeting that will help you understand what services are provided by your local school district and the process to access these services. This event will also allow you to meet and greet available school representatives from local school districts in Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan, and Tipton Counties.

At this event, you will be able to:

• Get your questions answered about Preschool Special Education Services
• Learn about School Bus Services and see the type of bus your child could ride
• Tour a Special Education Preschool
• Witness a mock case conference
• Gather resources from various programs and services
• Participate in a "make it & take it," hands-on preschool activity

Date: February 8, 2012

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: Fishback Creek Public Academy

                 8301 West 86th Street

                 Indianapolis, IN 46278

YOU MUST RSVP TO Kathy at 472-6104 by 2-1-12

    

Hidden Sugar in Food Labels

The Many Names of Sugar

Want to cut down on the sweet stuff? You have to find it first.
By Heather Lee

If you feel like your eating is out of control, one of the most important steps you can take is to reset your taste buds' sensitivity by avoiding flavor overload, says weight loss expert David Katz, MD, director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. That means cracking down on hidden sugar in foods that you don't even think of as sweet--such as pasta sauce or potato chips.

Unfortunately, sugar hides behind many different names on food labels. Here is a list of its aliases:

• sucrose
• fructose
• glucose
• dextrose
• galactose
• lactose
• maltose
• invert sugar
• raw sugar
• turbinado sugar
• brown sugar
• confectioner's sugar
• granulated sugar
• corn syrup
• high-fructose corn syrup
• honey
• maple syrup
• molasses

FREE Stewards of Children Training

Join the Movement to End Child Sexual Abuse

Stewards of Children is a powerful sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, react responsibly, and take courageous action.

Visit: www.mccoyouth.org/Intervention/stewards-of-children.html or contact Shanna Martin at
shanna.martin@Mccoyouth.org or 317-921-1233 for more information about Stewards of Children trainings.
2012 Trainings:

• February 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• February 21, 1-3:30 p.m.
• March 15, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• April 3, 8:30-11 a.m.
• August 7, 1-3:30 p.m.
• November 13, 8:30-11 a.m.

How do you connect with Child Care Answers?

Child Care Answers offers several ways to keep up with our trainings and community events.

• Check out our Facebook page
• Follow us on Twitter @childcareanswer
• Subscribe to our Legislation Education Blog for up to date information about Legislation impacting youth.
• Check out our website for the latest Training Calendar and to register for classes.

Have You Considered a Career in Child Care?

A career in child care can be a very rewarding choice. As a licensed home provider you can make a difference in the lives of children as well as owning a business. Child Care Answers wants to help you get started by offering FREE training classes as well as assisting you with community resources and other classes to help you succeed as a child care provider.

Did you know that Johnson and Hendricks county has a strong need for more licensed child care providers? In 2011 Child Care Answers had 426 families in Johnson and Hendricks county searching for child care but only has 132 providers available in that area.

Child Care Answers Resource and Referral Agency is a local agency serving Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson and Marion County. Child Care Answers offers FREE training for individuals interested in beginning a child care business. Those interested in starting up a licensed center, home or registered ministry can register to attend an orientation class through us or take the class online at http://www.iaccrr.org/portal/?#tabs-training. This class gives a general overview of child care in Indiana and resources in the community. Child Care Answers also offers classes to help in advertising your child care business and record keeping. The training calendar is published four times a year and includes upcoming classes offered by Child Care Answers and early childhood education classes in the community.

For licensed child care providers a mentoring program is available to help guide them as they advance levels in Paths to Quality, Indiana’s voluntary quality rating system for child care. Classes are also available to help with guidance and discipline, stress prevention for caregivers and Exploring the Foundation to Indiana Academic Standards.

A copy of Child Care Answers training calendar can be viewed online at http://www.childcareanswers.com/. Once there, click on the provider tab and then the “training” link on the right hand side.

Exciting Opportunity to Make Visuals

Join our Inclusion Specialist, Tory Masters, for an exciting Make and Take It session on Saturday, January 7th. The session begins at 9:30 am and for an hour I will go through all the visual supports and how to use them with children, then for another hour or so, I will give you time to make those visuals. The cost is only $5 per person! Below is a list of what I will have available for you to make:

• Tucker Turtle’s social story for handling frustration
• A visual schedule (please bring photos of your children following your daily routine to use if you want to use them!)
• Center Control
•  Stop Signs
•  Solutions Kit for problem solving
•  Emotional Check in

It will be a fun filled morning and we have limited seats. Once you register and payment and finalized, we will give you all the final details of the day! Feel free to register a friend and pass this information along to others! You must be completely registered and payment received by Thursday, January 5th!

New Year's Eve - Art Activity

Water Bottle Noise Maker

Age: 8 and up
Parental supervision is recommended

What you'll need:
Empty plastic water bottle
Beans, coins, or other items to place inside
1 sheet white tissue paper
Scraps of tissue paper in various colors, cut into small squares
24” long strip of light blue crepe paper streamer
24” long strip of pink crepe paper streamer
White craft glue
Water
Scissors

How to make it:
Place a handful of beads or coins inside the clean, dry water bottle. Run some glue around the mouth of the bottle and replace the cap.
Make a mixture of 1/2 white craft glue and 1/2 water that will be enough to cover the bottle a few times over.
Tear white tissue paper into large chunks, approximately 4”x2”.
Paint a small section of the outside of the water bottle with the glue mixture. Place a torn piece of white tissue paper onto the glue mixture and paint over it with the glue mixture. Repeat this process, covering the entire bottle with 2-3 coats of white.
Apply small colorful squares of tissue paper randomly over the white tissue paper to resemble confetti.
Cut each strip of crepe paper streamer in half. Carefully tie one of the pieces around the neck of the bottle. Repeat with other lengths of crepe paper. Use scissors to cut each length to about 4” hanging length, and then cut upwards into thin strips. Use a couple pieces of the excess crepe paper you just cut off to twist around the neck of the bottle and glue in place. Allow to dry for several hours.

Have Fun ringing in the New Year!!!

A few family friendly events for New Years Eve- “Indianapolis Style”

Countdown to Noon
Families are invited to participate in the excitement of an early countdown by celebrating the New Year with activities, music and a water clock countdown to noon. It's a cool event to bring in the New Year with the entire family.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31, The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., free with museum admission ($11.50- $16.50), www.childrensmuseum.org, (317) 334-3322.

Family New Year's Eve
Children and adults will enjoy games, crafts, magicians, face-painting, a stilt walker, clowns and live music by the Tides, an Indianapolis band. At 8 p.m., there will be a celebratory balloon drop, allowing the younger children to celebrate the New Year in style.
6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., $11 non-member, $6 members, reservations recommended, www.indianamuseum.org, (317) 232-1637.

Spend the night at the Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park at the Holiday Inn, Pyramids location- Enjoy the Holiday Inn, with over 50,000 feet of water activities, slides, areas for both older and younger children and game arcades. After the family has had its fill of water activities, enjoy eating in one of the hotel's many restaurants or order room service, rent a pay per view movie and settle in for a night away from home.
Location: 3850 DePauw Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46260 Phone: 317-872-9790- Cost: Package deal is $349 plus tax for up to 5 people, includes a free, lavish breakfast buffet with unlimited refills (all you can eat), admission to the water park, kids' club activities till midnight, free party favors. Per person rate for a night of fun is about $65 plus tax. Not free, not cheap, but very, very fun! In addition to the free party favors, a conga line with refreshments starts at 11:30 pm.

Beef and Boards Christmas Yule A very family friendly show, this one captures the spirit of the season and includes a buffet meal as well. This is a musical variety show that the whole family will love, with a history of annual performances for over fifteen years. Catch it this year and plan to catch it next year as well. Location: 9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260 ,Phone: 317: 872-9664 Cost: Tickets range from $32.50 to $52.50, depending on seating choices and location. Hours: 8 pm nightly.

Infants’ Acetaminophen Dosing

Manufacturers are changing the amount (concentration) of acetaminophen in medicines for infants. These new

concentrations will have different dosing directions. During the transition, you may find both concentrations

on store shelves and in your home.

What you need to know:
• The medicine label for children under 2 years of age instructs you to call your doctor for dosing directions.

• Your doctor or pharmacist can give you the correct dosing instructions once they know the concentration of he acetaminophen in the product you are using.

How can I tell which concentration I have?

You will find the concentration for the medicine on the front of the medicine bottle, either 80mg/0.8mL (old product concentration) or 160mg/5mL (new product concentration).

Living in the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive in Good and Challenging Times

You are invited to the Living In the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive In Good and

Challenging Times Practicum.

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)™, a nonprofit
organization addressing the educational needs of children in military families, presents the training. This training is designed for Family Readiness Group leaders, first responders and other concerned adults to gain strategies and practical applications to increase resilience in military-connected children.
Living In the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive In Good and Challenging Times


Practicum

Date: March 9,2012
Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 am -8:30 am
Institute Training: 8:30 am -4:00 pm
Place:
JW Marriott
10 S West Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
95% attendance is required to receive institute credit and course materials

No cost to participants. Funded by OSD/DA

For more information about LINN-P or this training, please contact Amanda Hulsey at 254-953-1923 or Amanda.Hulsey@militarychild.org. Please visit www.MilitaryChild.org, click the Upcoming Trainings tab to register.

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to the winners of the Paths to QUALITY contest that took place October 20th-December 15th. Providers who enrolled during this time were entered into a drawing to receive a gift card. The winners were:

• Licensed Child Care Center Kids-X-Clusive Child Care Inc. received a $200 Lakeshore gift card


• Licensed Child Care Home Numidia Hernandez of Grandma's Child Care received a $100 Visa gift card

Thank you for your commitment to quality child care and thank you becoming a part of the Paths to QUALITY system.