family enrichment network, inc. news &...
TRANSCRIPT
Inside This Issue:
Special Education Services 2-4
Employee Spotlight 4
Child Care Resource and Referral
5
Advertisements 6-7
Head Start 8
Courthouse Children’s Center
9-10
Did You Know... 10
Calendar of Events 11
January/February 2015 Edition
News & Views Family Enrichment Network, Inc.
Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders ... Today. Enriching the Community.
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Family Enrichment Network continues to grow and prosper. We look at the past and
spend a considerable amount of time and energy looking to the future. We are in the
process of developing a new Strategic Plan to guide us in the future. This plan and our
annual Community Assessment will help us streamline our program development to
meet true needs - as we always have.
2014 saw some very important successes in Head Start and other Agency programs.
Our successes have created some challenges that we have worked our way through.
We must provide quality service in these new programs as we maintain the quality of
the existing programs. Everything we do, or don’t do, matters.
We are in a very positive funding cycle with Early Childhood Development. We need
to be forward looking and assertive in terms of future program development. The
children and families of this community need and deserve our efforts.
We have built an organization and a staff structure that has placed us in a great
position for the future. We have been able to weather the funding challenges, and
because of what we have done in the past, we are in a better position than most not-for
-profit organizations.
We have started the process to serve a new population, children and adults with
disabilities, in a number of different areas. This will add a new dimension to our
agency and needed services for our community.
There is a growing need to find a better way to establish a new and substantial
investment in services to young children. We must develop a compensation initiative
that includes wage increases and fringe benefits, including health insurance.
The most important job in the world, caring for our young children, should not be the
lowest paid. In child care, “cheaper” is not better. “Cheaper” results in poor quality,
high staff turnover, and a decrease in applicants for positions. The number of child
care centers in the area that have closed this past year is a bit disconcerting. And there
are more centers on the brink of closing in the near future. The long-term answer
continues to be a cooperative effort between government, not-for-profits, and the
business community.
We could not succeed without the support of the staff, the Governing Board, the Policy
Council, and the entire community. Our staff continues to work tirelessly to assist us in
moving this agency forward and meet the needs of children and families. We thank
you for your past support of our Agency and look forward to future partnership
opportunities.
Darrell R. Newvine, Executive Director
To subscribe to this bi-monthly newsletter, please call:
(607) 723-8313, Ext. 815.
24 Cherry Street
Johnson City, NY 13790
www.familyenrichment.cc
(607) 723-8313
Page 2
Special Education Services
Understanding and Responding to Children Who Bite
Biting is a typical behavior often seen in infants, toddlers, and 2-year olds. As children mature, gain self-
control, and develop problem-solving skills, they usually outgrow this behavior. While not uncommon, biting
can be an upsetting and potentially harmful behavior. It’s best to discourage it from the very first episode.
This article will help you to understand the reasons young children bite and give you some ideas and
strategies for responding appropriately.
Why do young children bite?
Some children bite instinctively, because they have not developed self-control. For example, when 3-year-old
Marcus grabs a doll from his 2-year-old sister Gina, her first response is to bite him and grab the doll. She
doesn’t stop to think about other ways to act or the result of her actions. But there are many other reasons why
children may bite.
A child might bite to
· Relieve pain from teething.
· Explore cause and effect (“What happens when I bite?”).
· Experience the sensation of biting.
· Satisfy a need for oral-motor stimulation.
· Imitate other children and adults.
· Feel strong and in control.
· Get attention.
· Act in self-defense.
· Communicate needs and desires, such as hunger or fatigue.
· Communicate or express difficult feelings, such as frustration, anger, confusion, or fear (“There are
too many people here and I feel cramped”).
What can families do to prevent biting?
There are a variety of things that families can do to prevent biting. It helps to
· Have age-appropriate expectations for your child’s behavior based on his or her current skills and
abilities.
· Make sure your child’s schedule, routines, and transitions are predictable and consistent. At meal and
bedtimes, try to do things in the same way and at the same times. Young children thrive when they
know what will happen next.
· Offer activities and materials that allow your child to relax and release tension. Some children like
yoga or deep breathing. Offer playdough, foam balls, bubbles, soft music, and other stress-reducing
items.
· Use positive guidance strategies to help your child develop self-control. For example, offer gentle
reminders, phrased in a way that tells them what behaviors are expected. “Be sure to hang up your coat
on the hook.” “You can each have a bucket to use in the sandbox.” “Put a small dot of toothpaste on
your brush. You won’t need much to get your teeth clean.”
· Provide items to bite, such as teething rings or clean, wet, cold washcloths stored in the refrigerator.
This helps children learn what they can bite safely, without hurting anyone else.
How should I respond when my child bites?
While every situation is different, here are some general guidelines for responding when a child bites.
Page 3
Special Education Services
Infants
Infants learn about the world around them by exploring it with their hands, eyes, and mouths. But infants
often need help to learn what they should and shouldn’t bite.
If your infant takes an experimental bite on a mother’s breast or grandpa’s shoulder, stay calm and use
clear signals to communicate that it is not okay for one person to bite another. A firm “no” or “no biting!”
is an appropriate response.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Toddlers have many strong emotions that they are just learning to manage. Toddlers may bite to express
anger or frustration or because they lack the language skills needed to express their feelings.
Biting is less common in preschoolers than toddlers. When a preschooler bites, it may be due to something
at home or at their child care program that is causing the child to be upset, frustrated, confused, or afraid. A
preschooler may also bite to get attention or to act in self-defense.
Follow the steps below with both toddlers and preschoolers.
1. If you see the biting incident, move quickly to the scene and get down to children’s level. Respond
to the child who did the biting. In a serious, firm tone make a strong statement: “No biting. Biting
hurts. I can’t let you hurt Josie or anyone else.” Next, offer a choice: “You can help make Josie feel
better, or you can sit quietly until I can talk with you.” Help the child follow through on the choice
if necessary.
2. Respond to the child who was hurt by offering comfort through words and actions: “I’m sorry you
are hurting. Let’s get some ice.” Perform first aid if necessary. The child who did the biting can
help comfort the bitten child—if both parties agree. Help the child who was hurt find something to
do.
3. Finally, talk to the child who did the biting. Maintain eye contact and speak in simple words using a
calm, firm tone of voice. Try to find out what happened that led to the incident. Restate the rule,
“Biting is not allowed.” Model the use of words that describe feelings: “Kim took your ball. You
felt angry. You bit Kim. I can’t let you hurt Kim. No biting.” Discuss how the child can respond in
similar situations in the future.
What if biting becomes a habit for my child?
If biting becomes a habit for your child and ongoing positive guidance is not effective, it is time to set up a
meeting with your child’s teacher(s). Together, you can plan an approach for addressing the behavior that
can be applied consistently at home and at the program. Together, you can discuss and define the behavior
and find the cause behind it. Next, you and the teacher(s) can develop a plan to address the causes and help
your child to replace biting with acceptable behaviors. Try the plan for several weeks, but be patient. It
takes time to change behaviors that have become habits. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher(s) to share
information about changes in behavior. After several weeks, evaluate the plan’s effectiveness and make
changes as needed.
What strategies can I use to help my child overcome a habit of biting?
Here are some strategies for addressing a child’s biting habit.
· Observe your child to learn where, when, and in what situations biting occurs. Sometimes an adult
may need to stay close to the child to prevent biting.
· Pay attention to signals. Stay close and step in if your child seems ready to bite.
Page 4
Employee Spotlight
Continued from previous page: · Suggest acceptable ways to express strong feelings. Help your child learn to communicate her
wants and needs (“Amy, tell your sister you were still playing with the truck”).
· Use a reminder system to help your child learn to express strong feelings with appropriate words
and actions (“Tell Manuel that you don’t like it when he gets that close to you”).
· Reinforce positive behavior by acknowledging child’s appropriate words and actions (“You didn’t
like being tickled so you used your words to ask me to stop”).
· Provide opportunities for your child to make choices and feel empowered.
· Be sure your behavior expectations are age-appropriate and individually appropriate for your child.
Expecting a child to do something he or she is not able to do can cause children to feel stress.
Stress can lead to biting.
· Offer foods with a variety of textures to meet your child’s sensory needs.
· Teach your child words for setting limits, such as “no,” “stop,” or “that’s mine.”
What strategies are not helpful? These strategies should not be used to address a child’s biting habit.
· Avoid labeling a child as a “biter.” Negative labels can affect how you view your child, and even
affect the child’s feelings about him- or herself.
· Never bite a child back to punish or show him how it feels to be bitten. Biting a child sends the
message that using violence is an acceptable behavior that can be used to solve problems.
· Avoid getting angry, yelling, or shaming a child.
· Avoid giving too much attention to a child who bites after an incident. While this is usually
negative attention, it can still reinforce the behavior and cause a child to repeat it.
· Do not force a child who bit and the child who was hurt to play together.
· Do not punish children who bite. Punishment does not help children to learn discipline and self-
control. Instead, it makes children angry, upset, defiant, and embarrassed. It also undermines the
relationship between you and your child.
Source: Adapted from D. Koralek, "Understanding and Responding to Biting,” In Classroom Strategies to
Promote Children’s Social and Emotional Development, 135–138. Lewisville, NC: Kaplan Press, 1999. ©
1999 The Devereux Foundation, Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Lynne Brazee
Lynne Brazee is the Occupational Therapist for our Norwich integrated
preschool program for children with disabilities. Lynne first started working
at Family Enrichment Network in the summer of 2012. Previously, she
worked at BOCES in Walton, NY, and for ten years before that worked for
OPWDD. Lynne loves working with the preschool children, and feels she
has great co-workers.
Lynne loves spending time with her wonderful 7-year-old daughter. She also
enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing the guitar. Additionally, Lynne
is a Reiki Master, and is trained in craniosacral therapy.
Special Education Services
NEW
PROVIDERS
Broome Family Day
Care:
Cheryl Yacovani
Amber Ruff
Chenango Group
Family Day Care:
Peggy Marango
Page 5
Child Care Resource and Referral
Choosing Toys That Provide Opportunities Adapted from www.trueteachers.org
Turn off the screen and turn on the play. As hand-held devises and computer
games are more popular, children are spending less time engaged in both creative
social and solitary play. Remember to provide media-free time each day to help
children discover their own interests. Make sure they play outside where they can
make up their own games. Help them figure out what to do when the screen is
turned off.
Dramatic Play helps children master their
experience, change their own ideas, and learn
new skills such as negotiating with others.
Examples of dramatic materials are blocks, dress
-up clothes, fabric pieces, dolls, puppets, and
props to recreate real places (post office,
restaurant, store, doctor’s office).
Manipulative Play with small objects develops small muscle control, eye-hand
coordination, and visual discrimination. These are all skills needed for reading
and writing. Such play teaches about
relationships among objects, a process essential
for understanding math and science. Examples of
manipulative materials are construction sets,
puzzles, pegboards, pattern blocks, and toys with
interlocking pieces (basic legos, Lincoln Logs,
K’nex).
Game Playing teaches how to take turns, be a member of a group, and follow
directions. These are skills young children develop very gradually, so start with
simple games such as singing rounds or playing catch.
Creative Arts encourage self-expression,
development of fine motor skills, and the use
of symbols, a vital skill for problem solving
and literacy. Examples of creative arts
materials are blank paper of all sizes and
colors, paints, crayons, markers, scissors,
glue, recycled materials, stamps, clay, and
weaving kits.
Physical Play promotes healthy body
awareness and coordination and opportunities
for social interaction. Materials for physical
play can include climbing structures, bikes,
scooters, and other wheeled toys.
Proud Supporter of Family Enrichment Network
Page 6
Alecia is at Family Enrichment every Tuesday from
10am-1pm
(607) 729-9131
(800) 462-6088 edi WINDOW SYSTEMS INC.
(607)772-1855 - fax 3 Alice Street
[email protected] Binghamton, NY 13904
Page 7
Saint James School
A QUALITY CHOICE…
A FAMILY COMMITMENT…
LIFELONG RESULTS!
The more tobacco ads kids see, the more likely they are to
smoke. For more information about tobacco product display’s
effect on youth and to find out how you can get involved, contact
Tobacco Free Broome & Tioga, a Community Partner of the New
York State Tobacco Control Program at (607) 778-3068.
Page 8
Head Start
Parent Involvement in Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
There are a variety of ways for all parents to get involved in the child’s Head Start or Early
Head Start experience. Parents can participate in classroom activities or field trips; they can
attend parenting, education, or other committees at the Head Start sites; they can fully invest
in the family partnership process through their participation in home visiting; and/or they can
serve as a member of a Head Start committee such as Menu Planning, Health Advisory, or
Policy Council. The focus of this article is on parent involvement in Policy Council.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are required by the federal government to establish
and maintain Policy Council Groups. Policy Council members are responsible for governing
our Head Start and Early Head Start program. Policy Council is involved in program
planning and decision making. The Policy Council works in concert with the Agency’s
Governing Board to ensure program goals are achieved
In January 2015, our Agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council will begin
their year. They will start by participating in the program’s annual self assessment; they will
take part in the Community Assessment; they will participate in Human Resources activities
including interviewing and making decisions about program hires; and they will plan for the
coming program year.
At November Parent Committee Meetings, new parent representatives were elected by their
classroom’s parents to serve on the 2015 Policy Council. These new members participated in
their first meeting on December 9th. At that meeting, a slate of officers including Chairperson,
Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary were elected
by the membership and the new Executive Committee will conduct their first meeting in
January 2015.
If you would like to learn more about Head Start and Program Governance please contact
Network offices at (607) 723-8313.
Page 9
Fun Activity from the Courthouse Children’s Center
The Courthouse Children’s Center, located in the Broome County Family Courthouse provides free drop- in
child care for any child whose adult has business in Broome County Family or Drug Court. The Center is
open from 9:15 am to 12 noon and 12:45 pm to 4:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays the
Center is only open in the morning.
The Center staff is employed by Family Enrichment Network and their mission is to provide a safe,
nurturing, educational, and fun place for children. The staff also provides community information and
referrals for families, and each child who stays in the Center is given their very own book to take home. A
fun parent child activity related to the Center’s theme for the month is also sent home with each child. For
more information please call the Center at 607-240-5818
Paper Plate Scrunchy Penguin
Every month the staff at the Courthouse Children’s Center
provides different activities for the children in care. This
has been a favorite activity that we would like to share.
This cute paper plate scrunchy penguin is fun to make.
Scrunching and sticking the tissue paper to the paper plate
is messy and always fun for kids!
This activity will help your child to:
• Practice using the small muscles in his/her hands,
• Learn how much glue is needed to make something stick.
• Improve his/her eye-hand coordination
You Will Need:
• Two paper plates
• Black, white and orange crepe or tissue paper
• Non-toxic or homemade glue
Method:
• Have your child cut one paper plate in half and glue or staple one half to each side of the whole plate
to make the wings.
• Have your child scrunch up pieces of crepe paper and glue to the paper plate body. Add orange for
the beak, white for the tummy and black wings.
Recipe for homemade glue on the next page!
Courthouse Children’s Center
Page 10
DID YOU KNOW…
• Our Adopt a Family program gave 400 children a very Merry Christmas; a
BIG Thank You to all the wonderful sponsors who made this possible!
• We had another successful Coats for Kids drive; a BIG Thank You to
local businesses for partnering with us to keep kids warm!
• We have fantastic staff in every department who strive to make a
difference everyday in every way; a BIG Thank You to each and every
one of you!
• We have a terrific Governing Board and Policy Council who work hard to
help us serve our community; a BIG Thank You to all the members for
another year of service!
That’s how we’re Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders… Today
Homemade Glue No-Cook Paste Recipe
Materials
• Bowl
• ½ cup flour
• Water
• Salt
Method
• In bowl, mix flour with enough water to make a mixture
that’s gooey, but not runny.
• Add a pinch of salt; stir.
Courthouse Children’s Center
Calendar of Events
January Events
6 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 20
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Mom2b Group Cherry St.,
JC
8 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Financial Literacy Cherry St.,
JC 20
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
8 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 21
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Caring and Sharing: Nutrion & Health Needs
of Children
Taylor Rd., Owego
9 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Blood Drive Cherry St.,
JC 22
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
10 9:00 am-1:00 pm
CPR/First Aid Recertification
S. Broad St, Norwich
23 9:00 am-4:00 pm
CPR/First Aid New Certification
S. Broad St, Norwich
13 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Policy Council Cherry St.,
JC 27
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
13 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Little Read Kick-Off Event Cherry St.,
JC 27
6:30 pm-9:00 pm
Anxiety in Children Cherry St.,
JC
13 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 28
6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Small Talk: Exploring Rgulations
Cherry St., JC
14 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Magnificent Menus Cherry St.,
JC 26-29
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Child Care Giver Training Cherry St.,
JC
15 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 26-29
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Fathers Group Cherry St.,
JC
17 9:00 am-1:00 pm
CPR/First Aid Recertification
Cherry St., JC
Key
Head Start
CCR&R
CACFP
Other
February Events
3 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 11 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Kindergarten Readiness Fair
Cherry St., JC
3 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Just Moms Group Cherry St.,
JC 12 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
5 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 17
6:30 pm--9:00 pm
Cavity Free Kids, Part 1 Cherry St.,
JC
7 9:00 am-1:00 pm
CPR/First Aid Recertification
Cherry St., JC 18
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Caring and Sharing: Taxes & Recordkeeping
Taylor Rd., Owego
7 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
CPR/First Aid Recertification
Cherry St., JC 21
8:30 am-4:30 pm
MAT Training Cherry St.,
JC
9 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Little Read Museum Cherry St.,
JC 24 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
10 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Policy Council Cherry St.,
JC 25 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
Small Talk: Providing Nutritious Meals & Snacks
Cherry St., JC
10 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC 26 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
CDA Cherry St.,
JC
10 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Magnificent Menus Taylor Rd., Owego
Page 11