A publication of Family Guidance Center of Alabama

April, May, June Calendar 2010

Leaving Winter Behind

Child CareConnections

Well, now that the “Arctic Blast” has blasted its last blast- we can “SpringForward!”

Ah, Spring!The grass is growing! The ducks are swimming!The geese are honking! And, the chicks are peeping! The caterpillars arecrawling and the buds are blooming! The sun is shining and the bunniesare hopping! And, the butterflies are flying! Let’s take a “peep” intowhat’s happening this spring-

Spring WalkTaking the children on a spring walk around the playground is an excellentway to welcome spring. Children are fascinated by the insects and theflowers blooming. Make sure to give them the “grand tour,” pointing outall of the signs of spring that are around them. Here is a great song toteach the children:

Signs of Spring (Muffin Man)Do you see a sign of spring?A sign of spring, A sign of springDo you see a sign of springTell us what you see_____( a child’s name)

Of course, after their spring walk, the children will want a snack. Hereare a couple of “snack options:”

Spring “Mud”Simply help the children mix instant chocolate pudding. When thechildren are otherwise occupied, add gummi worms into the “mud.”Surprise! When the “mud” mix has firmed up, the children will bedelighted to see that there are “worms” in the “mud!”

Frog FloatsGive each child a clear cup. Fill with lime sherbet. Pour 7-up or spritein. Put in a straw and add m&m’s or marshmallows, for frog eyes. Thechildren will be so “hoppy!”

Speaking of frogs, here is the famous Five Green and Speckled Frogsfingerplay to enhance the spring theme-Five Green and Speckled FrogsFive Green and Speckled FrogsSat on a speckled log,Eating the most delicious bugsYYYYUUUUMMMM !YYYYUUUUMMMM !

One jumped into the pool where it was nice and cool-Then there were-Four Green and Speckled frogsSitting on a speckled log…

Let’s Get “Hopping”Let’s face it, children are in motion all of the time! For a quick movementactivity, have the children hop around the room. Help them to chant “hop,hop” as they hop around the room!

Once those little “hoppers” are almost “hopped out,” have them hop overto the Reading Area-

The Reading AreaPrepare the Reading Area ahead of time. Place some spring stuffedanimals, some fluffy pillows and plenty of “Spring” books in the readingarea and watch the children’s faces as they come into the area and aregreeted by “spring!” For extra pizzazz, add an artificial spring flowerarrangement, to really make things “pop!” Both the Dothan andMontgomery Resource Libraries carry a variety of spring–related booksand spring craft books. So, “Hop on in!”

The Bees are Buzzing!The bumblebees are busy buzzing around.They “buzz, buzz, buzz!”Here a buzz, there a buzz-Everywhere a “buzz, buzz, buzz!”

Using washable yellow tempera paint, help thechildren dip their thumb in the yellow paint,then, help the children to press their painted thumbon white construction paper. Use black markers on the dried paint tocreate bumblebees.

Just for fun, have the children buzz around the room “buzzing!”

Here is a great website for other fingerpaint crafts:[ht tp: / /www.dl tk-kids.com/craf ts/miscel laneous/ f ingerprint-character.htm]

“Bee” seeing “ya” in July!

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #409

Montgomery, AL

Family Guidance Center of Alabama2358 Fairlane DriveMontgomery, Alabama 36116

Join us for an exciting, musical celebration for Week of the Young Childwith Johnette Downing.

Children’s multi-award-winning New Orleans author and children’smusician Johnette Downing brings her special brand of spice toMontgomery at the annual Week of the Young Child celebration atFamily Guidance Center (Bldg. D) on April 15 and 16. Get in thegroove with Johnette during her musical program filled with a heapingof Louisiana flavored music.

Johnette Downing has won eighteen national awards for herrecordings and books from Parents’ Choice Foundation Awards,Parents’ Guide to Children’s Media Awards, National ParentingPublications Awards, iParenting Media Award, Family Choice Awardsand Family Review Center Awards. Johnette’s artistry has received ravereviews in top parenting and media outlets such as Nick, Jr., Disney’sFamily Fun Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Parents Magazine, The LosAngeles Times, Bay Area Parent, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, SchoolLibrary Journal and more.

Teacher Training Session – April 15, 2010 6:30 – 8:30Held at Family Guidance Center Building DMusic Activities for the Preschool Classroom

Children’s Concerts - April 16, 2010 9:00 am or 10:00 amSing Along for Children ages 3- 6 Held at Family Guidance Center Building D

Week of the Young Child: Montgomery Provider Appreciation Day - May 7, 2010

Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child careproviders, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere.Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, ProviderAppreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Fridaybefore Mother's Day. The founding organizers saw the need torecognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children ofworking parents. We want to continue this tradition and lend ourvoices to recognize your hard work and dedication, and to acknowledgeyour contributions to high-quality care that make a difference in thelives of children.

The Hand Holders – A Tribute to Childcare Providers

There is no job more important than oursno job anywhere else in the land.

We are the keepers of the future;we hold the smallest hands.

Resource Room - Barbour County

The resources include children’s books, teacher resource books,videos, manipulatives, and activity materials. For more informationconcerning the schedule please call 334-271-7777 or 800-290-0933ext 254.

April 14, 2010 and May 5, 2010Hours for the above dates: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

April, May, June 2010

Toddler Quality Tip

It’s springtime, finally! Children and caregivers have been

“chomping at the bits” to get outside and play.

Be sure to check the playground carefully, before letting children

play. Children see fun- Caregivers see potential hazards-

Developmentally, toddlers like to be in motion. They are “here,

there, and everywhere!” They are, also, very curious and want to

explore. When Jack fell down he broke his crown—Keep your

toddlers safe on the playground—watch out for foreign objects

and broken pieces of toys, etc. Think “Safety First!”

Infant Quality Tip

Encouraging Literacy with Your Infants

Early literacy for infants doesn’t just mean books. It requires people

and caring, responsive relationships as well. When we

encourage infants to explore books freely we are taking a huge step

towards literacy. We may have to step out of our comfortable “box”

of how books “should” be used because for infants this may include

that a six-month old might mouth the book while a one-year old may

enjoy stacking the books in a tower. The experience and the

positive interaction are the keys to early literacy. For more Tips to

Encourage Literacy in Your Infant Program check the Early Care And

Education Section of the Family Guidance Center website

www.familyguidancecenter.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - Infant/Child CPRMONTGOMERY COUNTY – Infant/Child CPRApril 10, 2010 (Saturday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm)April 14, 2010 (Wednesday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm)May 8, 2010 (Saturday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm)May 12, 2010 (Wednesday, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm)COST: $5.00 per person. If payment is not received one and a halfweeks before the class, your name will be removed from the list.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - FIRST AIDJune 1, 2010 (Tuesday, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm)June 2, 2010 (Wednesday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm)COST: $5.00 per person. If payment is not received one and a halfweeks before the class, your name will be removed from the list.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - CPR and First Aid(American Heart Association)June 12, 2010 (Saturday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm)COST: Call for Payment Information

All Montgomery classes will be held at: Family Guidance CenterFairlane Drive, Building D

To register call Angela at 270-4100 0r 800-499-6597 ext 289

Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes or Wilcox County If you live in Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes or Wilcox County and need CPRor First Aid Training, please call Nancy Wilson, Healthy Child CareAlabama, at 334-874-2550. Please leave your name and phone number.

Elmore or Chilton County If you live in Elmore or Chilton County and need CPR or First Aid, please callDebbie Parker, Healthy Child Care Alabama Nurse, at 205-280-5700. Pleaseleave your name and phone number.

Registration Procedures• Registration is on a first come, first served basis.• To attend any class please call the number listed below and on the calendar grid.• Cancellation calls are accepted prior to the training. Please remember that if youare not able to attend, by calling you will allow someone else to use that slot.

Registration Guidelines• To register in Montgomery please call 334.270.4100 ext. 235 for local calls or1.800.499.6597 if long distance. To register in Dothan please call 334.712.7777 ext.251 or 1.800.290.0933 if long distance.• At either location, you may leave a voice mail message after office hours on theappropriate extension. The call will be returned the next business day.• Walk-ins will be accommodated as seating allows.

Registration NotesSINCE CHILD CARE IS NOT AVAILABLE, PLEASE MAKE OTHERARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. Due to limited seating, unregisteredguests cannot be accommodated.

Family Guidance Center’s training is open to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, handicappingdisability, age, sex, political beliefs or religions. If your attendance is hindered by transportation, language,location or any other reason, you may contact the Montgomery office at 334.270.4100 or 1.800.499.6597 orthe Dothan office at 334.712.7777 or 1.800.290.0933 to discuss the matter. As resources are available, attemptswill be made to overcome obstacles that hinder attendance. Funding provided by Alabama Department ofHuman Resources.

Save the Date Activities - Language Montgomery CPR and First Aid Schedule

New InformationTraining ExpressThe Child Care Education and TrainingProgram staff in Montgomery and Dothanare always ready to support caregivers byproviding technical assistance or bringingtraining sessions you request to your site.Sessions, with topics based on your needs, can be planned for 1or 2 hours either during the day or evening. To schedule thesesessions, please call the office you normally contact to registerfor training.

Alabama Department of Children’s AffairsOffice of School Readiness2010 Alabama Pre-K ConferenceApril 7 Pre-Conference Sessions April 8 – 9 Conference SessionsRegistration Deadline March 26, 2010 www.children.alabama.gov

April 20 - 23, 2010 - 26th Annual NACCP National ConferenceSponsored by National Association of Child Care ProfessionalsChicago, IL Web Site: www.naccp.org

June 6 - 9, 2010 Professional Development Conference Sponsoredby National Association for the Education of Young ChildrenPhoenix, AZ Web Site: http://www.naeyc.org/naeyc/conference

July 15 - 17, 2010 - NAFCC 20TH Conference Annual ConferenceSponsored by NAFCC Nashville, TN

Registration

Infants - Word LabelsSay the names of everything that is part of the moment. “See the red ball.” Lookat Amy playing on the floor.” You have on pink socks.” These are simple examplesof labeling the real things in a baby’s environment. You are giving a baby wordsfor what he or she sees. Point to objects in the classroom and say the names forbabies. Label things as an on-going conversation with babies.

Toddlers - Simple DirectionsPractice simple one or two step directions with toddlers. Forexample: “Get the ball. Put the ball in the box.” Sometimes youmay have to repeat the directions again and again before a toddler makesthe correct connections, but repetition is how children learn. Play directiongames throughout the day with toddlers. As toddlers are able, increase thedifficulty of the directions by adding a third direction.

Preschoolers - Retelling a StoryRead a storybook several times to children. Tell the story to children in simplesteps that children can follow. Encourage a child to retell the story to you. Writethe child’s words on paper. Help the child “read” his or her words.

Schoolage - Feelings StoriesOffer children old magazines to cut out a face showing some kind of emotion(happy, sad, scared, embarrassed, angry). Encourage children to tell the emotionthey see and to make up a story about what is happening to make the person feelthe emotion. Children may want to write their stories on paper or just share themaloud.

Why CDA?The CDA credential has helped many recipients to achieve more

responsible positions in the field of early childhood education, according toresults of a survey.

The Council emailed the survey to a sample of people who maintainactive CDA certification. Over 10,000 CDAs received the survey and 22%responded. Many respondents noted that receiving the CDA credential hadmade them more confident in their career choice. Many also reported anew-found sense of professional pride and accomplishment, and newrespect from parents, the community, and colleagues.

If you have questions concerning obtaining your CDA you can call theCouncil for Professional Recognition at 1-800-424-4310 or the FamilyGuidance Center CDA Specialist at the office you normally contact to registerfor classes.

CDA Update

DATES OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED

April 26, 2010 Conferedate Memorial Day

May 31, 2010 Memorial Day

June 7, 2010 Jefferson’s Birthday

CONFERENCE DATES TO REMEMBER

Important Dates to Remember

When making your selection for class registration please note thetitle of the class you are going to attend. We do offer the same classin various locations to allow easier access for providers in all ourcounties. If you have already attended a class in one county, itwould be best to choose a different title so you receive the mostinformation and can be confident that it will be counted towardsyour total professional development hours for the year. If you haveany questions, please don’t hesitate to check with the office youcontact to register for training.

Important Information

April 22, 2010 – Earth Day www.earthday.netwww.holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/

April 30, 2010 – Arbor Day www.arborday.org

Week of May 2 – Teacher Appreciation Weekhttp://familyfun.go.com/holidays/great-ways-to-thank-teachers-702117/

May 7 Provider Appreciation Day www.providerappreciationday.org

May 9 Mother’s Day

Connecting to the FGC Website

To access calendar and training information go towww.familyguidancecenter.org - go to the gold column on the leftside of the home page, scroll down to the third category, EarlyChild Care & Education Programs, and click, next scroll down thelight yellow column to Education and Training and click, continueto scroll down the page until you see the listings to view thequarterly newsletter, calendar or other information. Select whatyou want to view. Watch our website for news about on-linetraining!

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raiseawareness about child abuse and neglect and encourageindividuals and communities to support children and families.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month