There is compelling evidence that a healthy sleep routine can contribute greatly to one's physical and mental well-being as well as their overall quality of life. Sufficient sleep ranks among the best defense mechanisms we have to stay healthy and handle our stress. (sleeping.com)
Parents may notice their patience, temper, focus, and ability to cope are extra challenged when quality sleep has not occurred. Parents may notice their children are more irritable, more demanding, and less able to control their behaviors when they do not have adequate sleep.
The National Institutes of Health reports the following amounts of sleep are needed daily:
Newborns,16-18 hours; children in preschool, 10 to 12 hours; school-aged children and teens, at least 9 hours; and adults - at least 7-8 hours.
Bedtime and naptime can be challenging times. Here are some tips to encourage healthy sleeping habits in children (and ADULTS, too):
Follow a familiar bedtime routine every
night. Prepare the child in advance when bedtime is going to start
Enforce a consistent sleep schedule for
naps and bedtime.
Get plenty of outside time and physical
activity daily.
Keep computers, TVs, and other
entertainment electronics out of the bedroom. These activities can energize children instead of preparing them to sleep.
Watching TV close to bedtime can lead
to sleep problems in children. They often resist bedtime and can have trouble falling asleep because their minds are over stimulated.
A snack with protein or milk may be
calming. Avoid caffeinated and sugary snacks.
Make sure your child’s bedroom is sleep-
friendly — dark or darker (child may prefer to sleep with a nightlight), quiet, and comfortable (temperature, a special blanket/lovey, a favorite toy, soothing music, etc).
Keep a sleep diary to help you know
what is working and what is not.
If you are experiencing sleep challenges with children under the age of 5 years, please contact the Smart Start office at 320.1342 to arrange for a free, in-home visit from one of our Mental Health Specialists to discuss your concerns.
Sleep: How Important is it Really? By: Kathy Van Zelfden, LMSW — Smart Start Mental Health Specialist
Friday, July 6, 2012
Volume 2, Issue 7
Butler Kids A Community-Based
Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Page 2
Smart Start KDHE Approved Trainings
Upcoming Trainings by Community Partners
Page 3
Our Time: Dad & Me Events
Page 4
Meet a Butler County Early Childhood Professional from Andover
Meet A Member of the Butler County Child and Family Development Task Force
Sponsored by Rainbows United, Inc.
Connect With Us On Line!
Did you know that Smart Start has a Facebook page? This page gives daily updates about community events, grant activities, and interesting tidbits of information. It also provides a location for child care providers Butler County to connect with each other.
To find us just search for “Smart Start of But ler County” on Facebook!
Editor: Audra Kenneson, LMSW
About the Author: Kathy and her husband Brian are creating their farm in the country with their four daughters. She enjoys spending time with family, gardening, couponing, working out, sharing her faith, and taking an occasional nap on the weekends.
Smart Start trainings are free to people who work with young children in Butler County. Trainings are also available for free to parents who live in Butler County. If you would like to schedule a specific training for 2012, please contact Audra at
the Smart Start office.
Recognizing/Reporting Abuse and Neglect & Prevention of Head Trauma
When: Thursday, August 16 Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Where: Rose Hill Parents as Teachers 112 Rocket Drive — Rose Hill, KS Who: Audra Kenneson, LMSW Special Note: This training is required for all licensed HOME child care provider. Enrollment is limited.
Safe Slumber
When: Tuesday, August 21
Time: 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
Where: Benton Community Church
14300 SW 20th — Benton, KS
Cost: Free
Instructor: Jamie Downs, LBSW &
Audra Kenneson, LMSW
Heart Saver CPR/AED
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 8 am to Noon
Where: Augusta Department of Public
Safety – 2100 N. Ohio, Augusta
Cost: Free—Paid for by Smart Start
Instructor: Troy Jellison Note: Limited Enrollment
Heart Saver Pediatric First Aid
When: Saturday, August 25
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Where: Augusta Department of Public
Safety – 2100 N. Ohio, Augusta
Cost: Free—Paid for by Smart Start
Instructor: Troy Jellison
Participants must pre-register to ensure a space in the class. To register, contact Audra at 320.1342 or
Volume 2, Issue 7
Upcoming KDHE Approved Trainings for Providers
Child Start Trainings in Butler County
When: Monday, July 23, 6:30—8:30 pm
Where: Butler County Health Depart-
ment, 206 Griffith, El Dorado
What: Cavity Free Kids: Oral Health for
Children in Child Care
Who: Tanya Husselman
Cost: Members $12, Non Members $20
For more information about Child Start trainings contact 682.1853 or visit
www.childstart.org.
Wichita CPR Training can help you and your organization meet the new KDHE Requirements. Upcoming classes will be held at Augusta Public Safety Center,
2100 N. Ohio St. and cost $65.
Upcoming Courses:
July 14 at 9:00 am
July 27 at 1:00 pm
Attendees will receive a free Adult/Child/Infant Pocket Mask set upon paying for
the course.
If these dates do not work for you or your group, special classes can be arranged. To register contact 775.6688 or email
Day Care Orientation Training Information about KDHE licensing regulations and what you need to do to become a licensed child care provider will be given at these free trainings held by the Bu t ler Coun ty Hea l th Department. For more information contact Jamie Downs at 320.0365. Upcoming dates of Orientation are: July 6, August 17, September 21, and October 19.
Upcoming Trainings by Community Partners
Page 2
At June’s Ethics Training: Teresa Thompson (BCC) works with one of the groups comprised of licensed home child care providers Lauren and Alana Kunkel (El Dorado) , licensed home child care provider Angie Bowen (Augusta), and Early Childhood Enthusiast Crisanne Thompson (Leon).
Anyone who stops learning is old,
whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone
who keeps learning stays young.
~ Henry Ford
SAVE THE DATE!!!!
KAEYC 2012
Professional Development Event
October 12 (7 pm to 8:30 pm)
October 13 (8:30 am to 4:30pm)
—————————-
“Healthy Hearts, Healthy Minds”
Keynote Speaker: Rae Pica, Founder and Director of “Moving & Learning:
The Movement Education Specialists”
—————————
Friday Pre-Conference
KAEYC Member/Student—$15
Non Member—$25
Student—$25
Saturday Conference
KAEYC Member—$50
Non Member—$80
Student—$30
Pre-Paid Parking Garage Pass—$4
www.kaeyc.net
"Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back." ~ Chinese proverb
Volume 2, Issue 7 Page 3
Fourth Annual “Our Time: Dad & Me” Events were a SUCCESS!
For the fourth year, Smart Start has hosted “Our Time: Dad & Me” events in the month of June in honor of Father’s Day. The events are intended to help remind parents that very young children (birth 0—5 years old) enjoy one-on-one activities with Dad as well as Mom.
On Saturday, June 23, the event was held at the Rose Hill Public Library with the help of Library D i r ec t o r , C i nd y Maxey, and members of the Rose Hill Fire Department.
The event started with a story time, where Rose Hill Fire-fighter Kevin read “Firefighter Ted” and families received a free copy of the book.
After story time, attendees were able to explore the fire truck, operate the fire hose, and listen to the sirens.
13 parents and 12 kids attended the event.
___________________
On Saturday, June 30, the event was held at the Augusta Public Library with the held of Library Di rec tor , Lynne Holloway, members of the Augusta Kiwanis, and Sgt. Chad McCluskey and his K9 partner, Rico, of the Augusta Police Department.
The event started with a presentation by Sgt. McCluskey and Rico. Rico is trained to find illegal narcot ics, t rack people, and protect Sgt. McCluskey.
After the presentation, children had time to meet Rico, pet him, and visit
with Sgt. McCluskey.
Then, everyone went into the library where a member of the Kiwanis read the story “Officer Buckle and Gloria.” Families received a free copy of the book. 10 parents and 12 kids attended the event.
Our goal for this event is two-fold. We want to provide an activity that will be entertaining for dads and their children and we want to provide children opportunities that will
enhance their literacy skills.
The Dad & Me events are held each June in various locations across the county. We could not hold this annual event without the on-going partnership we have with our local libraries and volunteers in each community. (photos by Sarah Denny Photography)
My name is Cristi Lopez. I am a provider of a group licensed daycare in Andover Kansas named EarlyBird Childcare and
Learning. (www.earlybirdchildcare.com)
I am very excited as I just passed my one
year in business as a Butler County Provider on June 6, 2012. I am a proud mother of two (Diego-6 and Diesel-3) as well as a committed wife of 9 years to
my husband David.
We have lived in Andover for 10 years and it has been our goal and dream to open up a preschool daycare for our
community.
I plan on expanding and being able to offer more and more families a fulltime learning environment combining preschool and childcare in one atmosphere. In order to do this I am working on my education at Butler Community College & Allen Community College striving for an Associates degree in Early Childhood Development and a Bachelors degree in Science for
teaching.
The Mission for EarlyBird Childcare & Learning is to produce happy, intelligent, well-adjusted children. Providing them with a structured
nurturing, educational environment recognizing each child’s unique talents, learning styles and personality and emphasizing the importance of learning, imaginary play and healthy habits. I have built strong relationships with each of my clients and their children over the past year, a relationship that has made
us a tight knit family.
I look forward to continuing to serve
Butler County especially with the
support of Rainbows United Smart Start
of Butler County. They have helped me
not only with continuing my education,
but with providing me with updated
trainings and awarding me with grants
allowing me to make my center as safe
as it can be and bringing in incredible
educational tools to help teach the
children.
served in professional organization lead-
ership as secretary-treasurer and presi-
dent of the Kansas Association of Middle
School Principals, president of the United
School Administrators of Kansas, and as
chair of the Kansas Learning First Alli-
ance. Professional recognitions include
being named a Kansas Master Teacher,
Sue Givens is currently Superintendent
of Schools in El Dorado - USD 490. A
proud product of Kansas public
education, Givens attended both
Highland and Midway of Denton high
schools, then earned undergraduate
and graduate degrees from Emporia
State and Wichita State Universities,
respectively.
Formerly assistant superintendent in
Pratt – USD 382, she has also served
as a middle and elementary school
principal in Pratt, Garden Plain and
Stafford; as Consulting Teacher for
Instructional Computing in Topeka –
USD 501; and as an elementary and
middle school math teacher in Pratt,
Stafford, Topeka, and Burlington.
Her teaching career included
coaching at middle and high school
levels in tennis, volleyball, track, bas-
ketball and cheerleading. Givens has
Keys for Networking Principal of the
Year, and USA-Kansas Distinguished
Service Award recipient.
Givens is currently active in community
organizations as a board member of the
El Dorado YMCA and El Dorado Inc., as
a Trustee for Trinity United Methodist
Church, is Co-Executive Director of Miss
Kansas Pageant, Inc, and is a
member of the El Dorado Rotary
Club. She is a member of the Butler
C o u n t y C h i l d a n d F a m i l y
Development Task Force.
Sue and husband, Bruce, have been
married for 35 years and have one
daughter, Megan, who resides in
Lawrence with her husband Andy,
and granddaughters Taylor and
Connor (see photo).
Volume 2, Issue 7
Meet a Member of the Butler County Child and Family Development Task Force
Meet a Butler Early Childhood Professional from Andover
Page 4
Andover Licensed Group Home Child Care Provider, Cristi Lopez, with one of
her sons, Diesel (age 3).
“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein
Sue Givens, Superintendent of Schools in El Dorado, with her family.