It Doesn't Take Much...

It doesn't take much to excite a two year old. The lick of a dog.

It doesn't take much to make a two year old smile. The interaction with an old friend.

It doesn't take much to satisfy the independence of a two year old. Enjoying corn on the cob for the very first time.

Deborah Howell, Assistant Director

HOW TO PREPARE HEALTHY SNACKS YOUR CHILDREN WILL EAT

Young children derive 25% of their daily calories from snacks, but do we put as much thought into the snacks we serve our children as we do for the meals we serve them?  Many quick-fix, pre-packaged snack products are actually fairly low in nutritional value.  Here are some healthy snack ideas:

Peanut Butter Treats

Peanut butter is full of protein and makes an excellent energy-boosting snack when spread on whole-grain crackers. It also goes well with fruit and vegetables: dab it on apple slices, smear it on a celery stick or spread it on a piece of whole-grain toast and top it with banana slices.

Cheese on Anything

Low-fat cheese has lots of protein and calcium as well. Kids love string cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, American cheese---the list goes on. Give them a small bowl of cottage cheese and let them scoop it up with whole-grain crackers or a bowl of cottage cheese mixed with applesauce. Cream cheese on a celery stick is a good option if your child is allergic to peanut butter. Melt some cheese on a whole wheat tortilla and slice it like a pizza---top it with some turkey pepperoni for extra pizzazz.

Fruit and Yogurt

Whip up a smoothie in the blender with low-fat milk and yogurt, fruit and ice. Use bananas or frozen strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or peaches. For a special treat, blend in a few semi-sweet chocolate chips. Or, rather than a smoothie, let the kids dip graham crackers into vanilla yogurt, either with or without fruit mixed into it.

Trail Mix and Granola

Make an easy trail mix for your kids with a healthy oat, graham or granola breakfast cereal. Add some dried cranberries or raisins, sunflower seeds and a few pretzel sticks. Mix some granola into low-fat yogurt for another crunchy-sweet, healthy snack.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/230223-easy-to-make-nutritious-snacks-for-kids/#ixzz1qKgygl2a

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

Becoming Your Child's Best and Most Effective Advocate

Last Thursday, Partners In Learning had the pleasure of hosting a workshop featuring training from the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC).

Parents listening to our ECAC speaker 

If you missed the workshop, here are some of the highlights!

ECAC offers parents of children with special needs with:

1)      Individual assistance with educational concerns

2)      Parents education workshops on a variety of topics

3)      Information packets and referral services

4)      Lending library

5)      Informative newsletter

6)      IEP Partners

7)      Parent to Parent Support

8)      Information and assistance to parent groups

During the workshop, parents learned about advocacy. An advocate (with or without disability) can be any person who is “speaking for another person or cause.”

Parents are their child’s best advocate because you know your own children better than anyone else and you have known them for the longest, not to mention you are the person who cares the most!

Parents advocate for appropriate services/support, particular programs/settings, opportunities, as well as many other important topics.

In order to effectively advocate for your child, you need the knowledge of their disability and how it affects their learning, the knowledge of the laws and your rights, and the skills to use your knowledge to fullest!

Effective advocates:

·         pay attention by gathering, reviewing, and using information

·         understand how the “system” operates by knowing the laws (IDEA ’04, 504, FERPA, NCLB, ADA)

·         communicates effectively by talking to teachers and practicing proactive communication, planning ahead, and listening effectively

·         identifies problems and proposes solutions

·         plans ahead and prepares for success

·         keeps written records of past requests, any data, IEPs, and progress notes or report cards

·         builds working relationships for the future

To be an effective advocate, You MUST:

·         assume that everyone at the table cares about your child

·         be optimistic about an agreement being reached

·         leave “personal baggage” at home

·         know what YOU want for your child

·         know that there are NO personal issues

·         be assertive

·         become a “win-win” negotiator

·         document meetings and calls

·         have a good understanding of special education law and procedures

·         recognize the power of the IEP

·         know how to get answers to legal or procedural questions

·         understand where you are in the Special Education Process

·         know when your are in “over your head” or need some support… and call ECAC

Katherine Zink, Community Inclusion Assistant

Tips for a Smooth Toddler Party

Timing is Important: Plan the party for a time of day that doesn't normally compete with your child or your guests 

KISS- Keep it Simple, Sweetie! Plan a few simple activities, but keep the agenda flexible. Start the party with unstructured play time. 

 Keep the guest list short. Avoid inviting too many at once. Toddler parties should include an invitation to the child and their parent, with an expectation that each toddler's parent will be attending too. 


Remember siblings in your party plan. Be careful to consider the feelings of your guests' brothers or sisters if they are close in age. 

Open the presents last. Open the presents last, and have a small, inexpensive wrapped present or gift for each guest to give a the end of the party. 






Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Learning Toddler Style!!

The teacher prepares the bath for the babies as the toddlers look on.

 They each get a rag to give their baby a bath.

Everyone in the class is very curious about the activity and gathers to see what is happening.

Six one year olds gathered in close proximity to one another all happily working on getting their baby clean.

With this simple activity the children have learned so much. Sharing their space with others, increasing their language skills, taking care of others and problem solving.

Deborah K. Howell, Asst. Director

Being an Advocate for Your Child!

Do you know what your child's IEP means?

Would you like help advocating for your child?

Interested in learning more about what is availabe for your family?

If so, we CAN help you!

Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) is available to provide free workshops and training opportunities for parents on many different topics. Each training opportunity is designed to give parents the information you need to become your child's best advocate.

A representative from ECAC will be available with materials specific to the workshop and will answer questions from parents and professionals who are in attendance.

The topics discussed will include how to write effective IEPs, positive behavior support, trasitions to preschool and kindergarten services, inclusion, literacy, and effective communication between home and school.

This workshop will be Thursday, March 22nd at 6:00pm at Partners In Learning.

Childcare will be provided.

This is a great opportunity for parents who's children will be included in the special education system.

Please Join Us!

Katherine Zink, Community Inclusion Assistant

Partners in Wellness



Our NC-PreK class had a yoga field trip today!! Yoga is good for health and relaxation. Kids learn to develop better body awareness, to control themselves and flexibility as well as coordination.

Ashlee, Busy Bees Lead Teacher and Program Assistant completed her first running class with Salisbury Rowan Runners; David Freeze, Instructor. She topped it off with the St. Patrick's Day Race; finishing in 43 minutes.

Now I feel healthier and motivated! Exercise makes me a better person. -Ashlee

What are you doing for your wellness?

Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

It's A Jungle Out There

 

 

      My favorite columnist, Mary Hunt, has cautioned her readers, “Don’t get tricked into buying”.  She quoted from her favorite consumer publication that the jungle out there is getting wilder by the day.  “Retailers do resort to all kinds of stealth-like tactics to trick consumers into buying their products such as “Take me back to better times, please!  Using a psychological principle that says our minds paint a rosy picture of the past to help us move through difficult economic times, nearly 35 percent of retail brands are now using nostalgia in their ads and packaging… recreating the past which leave us so warm and fuzzy.”

  Savvy shoppers know the retailers trade secrets or tactics for luring customers into their shop for the “best sale of the year” or the “all natural” guarantees. They educate themselves and are aware that retailers are playing sneaky.  It can be difficult to find the bargain buys and lower cost alternative products.  Retail prices are set exhorbitantly high  so the sales price appears to be a great bargain.  “Buyers Beware” rings truer now than ever before. 

 

Arm yourself with knowledge and do not be manipulated by their ploys.  Dig deep, ask questions, and take plenty of time when shopping.  You have earned it, now reward yourself with the real “Best Buys”

Colleen Carman

Finance/HR Director

I HAVE NEVER FELT SO POOR



My son, Philip, has been sending Facebook updates as he travels through Taiwan and Malaysia.  “I am profoundly moved, and I did not plan to be affected in this way”, Philip wrote about his overall impressions of Taiwan.  He is impressed with the passion the citizens of this nation have for their new democratic system of government, their world-class health care and education systems and the small gap that exists between the rich and the poor.

But it seems the thing that has impressed Philip most about the Taiwanese society is the way its citizens interact with one another.  He writes that the Taiwanese are respectful, courteous and place a greater value on the relationships they share with one another than on social status and materialism.

“Did I mention that the people are polite, and the streets are always clean?   The American dollar will still take you far here, yet I have never felt so poor in my life.”

Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

Our Brand New Special Needs Support Group

Do you have children with special needs?

Would you like to join a friendly group where you will be able to network with other parents of children with special needs as well as have access to invaluable community resources?

Do you want to have a safe and understanding place where you can express yourself while sharing your experiences of the difficulties and successes during your journey with your child?

We will meet each third Tuesday of every month starting on March 20th (NEXT TUESDAY)

We will meet at at 7 pm at the First Baptist Church in China Grove, located at 302 Patterson Street (right behind the Captain's Galley).

Babysitters will be provided for free!

This week's meeting will feature Adults who are living with special needs. We will have an adult who is on the Autism Spectrum, an adult who has Down Syndrome, and also someone with Cerebral Palsy.

The adults will lead a round table discussion and share a little bit of their journey while living with a special need. Parents who come to this week's Support Group meeting will be able to ask questions and have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of adults who have lived with special needs for their entire lives.

Next month the meeting will feature siblings of children with special needs.

For more information, call Partners In Learning at 704-638-9020.

Come Join Us!

Katherine Zink, Community Inclusion Assistant

Family Exercise and Wellness

Are your kids always running around? Now is the time to take advantage of it!

• Identify types of fun physical activities.
• Children and adults engage in physical activities for 60 minutes each day; 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
• Decide when to play together.
• Choose one or two activities to participate in each day; talk a walk after dinner. Make it off on a calendar and mark off each day as you go. 
• Determine your fitness goals and keep track of them.
• A 30-minute walk each night after dinner followed by dancing to your child's favorite CD in the living room. Then, the next week increase time spent walking and pick up the dancing pace a bit.
• Maintain your plan.
• Get active; have fun, eat healthy. 

One of the best things you can do for your children today is to help them develop the knowledge and lifestyle habits that will help them live happy and healthy lives tomorrow.


Michelle Macon, Program Coordinator

Cash - Check - Debit - Credit???

                                     

Do you give any thought to protecting your hard earned money when making purchases by cash, check, debit, or credit cards?  Do you know what your security risks are when using different methods of payment?

Recently, I read an article from the Better Business Bureau which gave advice and warnings regarding your method of payment as you go about your everyday living.  Choosing the right option at the right time can help protect you from unauthorized charges, card skimming scams and business bankruptcies.

The BBB recommends using a credit card instead of a debit card for online shopping, gas, dining and drinking, or anywhere your card or number is either stored in computer systems or out of your sight.  Card skimmers that can be slipped over an actual card reader at a gas pump can easily capture your debit or credit card number as well as your pin and clean out your bank account easily.  Most credit card issuers now have zero liability for their customers but debit cards have very limited liability and most likely you have to cover most of your lost funds. 

They also caution consumers against using cash and checks when using service businesses because there is little protection if they go out of business or are scamming.

Regardless of your payment methods be sure you are aware of the potential security risks.  For more information and to check out businesses, go to www.bbb.org.  Knowledge is power and can protect your investments.

Colleen Carman
Finance/HR Director

Volunteerism at Any Age!!

We welcome volunteers of any age, you are never too young or too old to interact with a child. Here are two children getting extra attention from Emma, a long time volunteer and former PIL student. She spends her summers volunteering in classrooms and doing office work.

Jasmine is the daughter of a staff member and she is assisting a child stacking and counting blocks. There are always permanent teachers in the rooms with volunteers to supervise as well.

Here you can see the same child counting the blocks she has stacked. If you would like to volunteer please feel free to do so, we would love to have you and so would the children.

Deborah K. Howell, Assistant Director

AM I A BAD MOM?

I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as moms by setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves based on mythical, media driven concepts about the role of motherhood. I remember when I was “in the trenches” of young motherhood. I was always worried that I was not doing enough, doing too much or doing the wrong things. “I think I’m ruining them”, I remember telling another mom. “They’re going to end up on some psychiatrists couch someday”, I said to her after relaying a story about how I’d poorly managed an interaction with one of my three children. “Don’t worry about it”, she advised me. “They may well require a consultation with someone in the mental health field, but if they do, it won’t be because of any of your own perceived maternal blunders, it’ll undoubtedly be about something you’ll have absolutely NO memory of ever happening!”

The point is: relax Mom and Dad. Love those little ones every day and put your head on the pillow each night knowing you did your very best. And remember, tomorrow is another day.

Katherine Generaux
Community Inclusion Director

Managing your Child's Challenging Behavior (CSEFEL)

Do you have trouble getting your young child’s challenging behavior under control?

If so, we can help! Come join us!

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is a fantastic national resource that is available to teachers, parents, and all types of care givers of children birth to age 5. CSEFEL offers support that is based on research and evidence-based practices which guide children toward a better social emotional development as well as toward school readiness.

If your child is 5 years old or younger and you have been having trouble managing their challenging behavior, you could possibly benefit from this training.

TOMORROW, Monday, March 5^th is the first night of this FREE six-week series of training for parents. We will be meeting at Partners In Learning each night from tomorrow until April 9^th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Did I mention this is a FREE training? Childcare is also provided free upon request. Light refreshments will be provided. If you do plan on attending, please call us at 704-638-9020 and let us know you will be attending and whether or not you will need childcare.  

We will help you to understand your child’s challenging behavior and will give you the tools and support for helping you reduce or eliminate your child’s challenging behavior.

A little preview what we will be learning about through the six-week series:

CSEFEL provides us with The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children. With the access to an extensive amount of training and resources available through their website, early care providers and parents can use the information from this model to implement into their daily lives with their children.

The model includes a foundation of an effective workforce in addition to three separate levels of focused prevention.

The first level, which involves the need for universal promotion, involves the social development of all children. This level encompasses both nurturing and responsive relationships, in addition to high quality supportive environments.

The next prevention level includes the provision of targeted social emotional supports to children at risk of challenging behavior.

Finally, the tip of the pyramid is the tertiary level which describes the need to provide individualized and intensive interventions to the very small number of children with persistent challenges.

Some great information and tools that will be shared with you include learning about the social skills that children need for learning and success. Some of these skills include:

o   Getting along with others

o   Following directions

o   Identifying and regulating one’s emotions and behavior

o   Engaging in social conversation and cooperative play

We will also learn about the tremendous amount of resources that are available through the CSEFEL website such as, Scripted Stories for Social Situations, Tools for Working on “Building Relationships,” and Tools for Developing Behavior Support Plans.

If you have found any of this information interesting or you feel like you and your child could benefit from this training, please join us! We will learn a whole lot and have bunches of fun while we're at it! You can't miss this opportunity!

Katherine Zink, Community Inclusion Assistant