It's OK for things to be OK

Today is Thanksgiving,  a day for family and friends to gather and celebrate. Today someone hosted a house full of people. Was it you? Did everything have to be just so? Was everything coordinated down to place cards? If you were able to manage that, that is wwesome. Your friends and family will apreciate all the effort.

Maybe however, things didn't quite go as planned. You may have forgotten the rolls, or forgot placecards, or forgot to get that one ingredient. Guess what? It's ok, you don't have to be perfect, things don't always have to happen a certain way.

You can always share duties, have others help but remember,  that the family get togethers that family talk about the most, the ones everyone remembers, the ones that people smile and laugh about are the ones that don't always go as planned, the ones that aren't quite perfect. So remember it's okay for things to be just ok. Now is the time for everyone to just enjoy being together.

The Importance of Play to Brain Development

Lorie Barnes sent out the digital Milestone magazine earlier this week.  The article about  “play” included a reference to the video below, and I felt it would be worthwhile to show the video to my Thursday night Admin class.  What followed, surprisingly, was an in-depth conversation about the subject of play.  

I asked the students in a class I teach at Rowan Cabarrus Community College to recall a favorite childhood memory involving play.  Every student described a memory or memories that contained the following components:

• The most joyful play occurred outdoors
• There was an enormous sense of freedom because of limited rules
• Resources obtained in the outdoor environment were used as the source of play materials 
• Material was adapted to create specific objectives
• Activities, such as making a homemade skateboard, required cooperation, collaboration, innovation and imagination; coincidentally, all 21st century skills. 

I found the conversation very thought provoking, and I will continue to think about how this relates to the opportunities our children today are experiencing and the impact of how their experiences (or lack of experiences) may have on the future.   

Again, the video was the catalyst for our conversation.

Written by Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Specialist

🐾Remembering Our Pets During Thanksgiving🐾

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful and meaningful holiday. Families and friends excitedly gather to show their gratitude for all they are so fortunate to have. Ovens are working overtime and delicious holiday aromas fill the air. 

During this happy time of family, food and giving, people tend to become overly generous with their pets. This means that dogs and cats will get a lot of table food scraps. Sometimes, however, too many treats can lead to injury, illness, or worse, for our pets.

Here are just a few tips to help with the holiday season, and always...

1. Fatty Foods:  Too many fatty, rich, or unfamiliar foods can give your pet pancreatitis or gastroenteritis; two medical conditions that can be very painful and even life-threatening.

2. Diet and Exercise:  Maintain your pet's regular meal and exercise schedule and avoid too many holiday leftovers. A disruption in his dietary routine can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

3. Bones:  Make no bones about it. Certain bones can lacerate or obstruct your pets' insides. Save the bones for the broth - not your dog.

4. Onions:  Onions and onion powder, widely found in stuffing and used as a general seasoning, will destroy your dog or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

5. Grapes and Raisins:  Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage to both dogs and cats.

6. Chocolate:  Chocolate can actually be fatal to your dog or cat; so all those sweets must be kept well out of reach.

7. Food Wrappings:  Aluminum foil, wax paper and other food wrappings can cause intestinal obstruction. Make sure to place these items securely in the garbage.

8. Fresh Water:  Make sure your pet always has fresh water. When there are more people in the house, there's more chance to bump into the water bowl leaving your pet dry.

9. Quiet Time:  Make sure your pet has a quiet retreat should the holiday festivities be too much for him. Watch his behavior to make sure he is not stressed.

10. Garbage:  Keep an eye on the garbage and keep it securely fastened! If your dog gets into it, he may think he's hit the jackpot, but all he'll be winning is health problems from something as simple as gastric disturbance, vomiting and diarrhea to the worst-case scenario - death. 

A few more tips to remember...

Turkey (or any meat)...All meat should be well cooked and always boneless.

Sage...Cats are especially sensitive to this herb, it can cause stomach upset and central nervous system depression.

Bread dough...Raw dough could actually rise in your pets sensitive tummy causing discomfort or an even more serious emergency.

Cake batter...Raw eggs can cause salmonella infection in your pet, just as it can for anyone in your family. Stick to dog biscuits and kitty treats instead of this sugary concoction.

Too much of anything...Little tastes of human food could cause stomach pains, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in your pet. The same goes for you, you should both practice moderation!

Wrappings...Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap and wax paper. While licking up food left on these wrappings pets can ingest some of the wrapper, leading to intestinal obstructions. Also, look out for tooth picks, skewers and used silverware.

Hot food...When carrying hot food from the stove or to the table, be sure you pet/pets arent taking that moment to weave through your legs. 

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  To me, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends, great food, fellowship, and reflecting on the many blessings in my life.  Ask a preschool aged child to tell you why they celebrate Thanksgiving, and you most likely won't hear much about giving thanks.  

An easy way to solve that issue is to actually explain what being thankful means, which isn't an easy concept for little ones to understand.  Children may not know what it means to be greatful, but they do understand that some people and things make them feel extra happy.  You can talk to your little ones about what those things are, and try to help them make the connection between those happy feelings and being thankful.  

Including a discussion on friendship and helping others durring thanksgiving preparations will also help children to make connections to the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and help to shift thier focus from the turkey.  Involve your children in preparations for your meal, and allow them to help serve your guests, or let your child choose and donate food items to a local food bank to give them the experience of serving others.  

Thanksgiving Fun

This week the Dolphins are talking about Thanksgiving. Each day this week we will be reading a story about Thanksgiving and making foods we all enjoy to eat on Thanksgiving day. Today the children enjoyed making cranberry sauce and they are excited to share all the foods we make with their families on friday.  This is a special time of the year for us all. Focusing on what we are thankful for and sharing time with our loved ones is what makes it so special. 

Using our senses to explore cranberries made this activity so much fun. Hands on activities to explore new things is how children learn. 

Learning where cranberries grow. 

Looking at and touching the cranberry, the children come to their own conclusions of what it looks and feels like.

What does it smell like? The children had many responses. Ms. Kelly and I really enjoyed what the children had to say.

They all got to taste for themselves if they like cranberries or not.

Making the cranberry sauce 

 Sorting the cranberries 

The children were really excited to see the many colors of a cranberry.

Take a look at Wednesdays blog. Ms. Kelly will include the recipe for homemade cranberry sauce. 

There is lots of learning going on in the Dolphin class and I am so thankful for our classroom families that they entrust Ms. Kelly and I to teach thier children new things everyday. 

Where has the time gone?

As a single mom of four, whose ages range from 13 to 21, I was reflecting on just how fast time flies. One day your pregnant and marveling at the miracle inside. You smile at the list of firsts. First smile, first time you see them, first steps first words, first hug and first kiss. You are overwhelmed with joy the day your baby arrives. Then all of a sudden, wow irs been three months and you wonder where did the time go?

As time goes by, I began to wonder if there would be anymore firsts. Yes, there were,. First dsy of Kindergarten, first award, first friends. The time seems to fly by. Soon they graduate to middle school, first crush, first time with multiple teachers, sports or clubs, and the time flies by.

Now I'm wondering what first I still have. Well, the first to graduate, first to go to college, first jobs, etc. So my reflection is this. There will alwsys be a first with your children. The best way to enjoy them all is by saving as many as you can. Videos, pictures, small momentos. Keep a journal, in the spare time(little as it may be) of the things your feeling, things they say. You will be happy you did because someday, you will look back and wonder where did the time go?

Ways To Have Children Help At Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday that encourages us to take stock of our blessings, Thanksgiving can be fairly stressful…especially for parents. All the preparations and cooking and a more formal mealtime are not exactly child-friendly. But gratitude isn’t just for adults, and neither should Thanksgiving be an adult-only activity. That’s why  I like to get the children involved as much as possible.

Here are just a few of the ways I suggest doing it, from helping prepare the table, to giving a hand in the kitchen. 

Volunteering as a family is rewarding in a multitude of ways. By learning to appreciate what we have instead of focusing on what we lack, we are reminded to be thankful and appreciative of our lives. This in turn inspires us to help others and create joy in someone else’s life.

From washing vegetables to setting the table, there are many ways your child can help with Thanksgiving dinner. 

This Thanksgiving, plan a meal that has traditional dishes and child-friendly ones that everyone around the table will enjoy. A few days in advance of the meal, ask children what special side dishes they would like to eat. For example, should the sweet potatoes be served as fries, in soufflé form or both? Children may be more likely to eat a veggie or two at this year's dinner if they pick them out themselves.

While the adults are  in the kitchen, even children as young as 2 or 3 years old can help create homemade decorations to make the table more festive. Simply provide the necessary supplies; construction or butcher paper, markers, crayons, scissors, paint, and glue, even magazines to cut pictures out off.  Let children create one-of-a-kind place mats that can be laminated and saved for future meals.  Children can also create Thanksgiving-themed napkin rings, table toppers and place cards for each guest. Use decorating as an opportunity to remind children of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. 

Let children do the actual table setting, too. If the job is too big, just have them fold the napkins or set out the silverware...anything to get them involved!

What goes down (the hatch) must be cleaned up. I'm not saying the children should do all the cleaning in the kitchen, but I do think children need to be responsible for clearing their dishes and helping with the cleanup. (Motivation spin: the sooner the table is clean, the quicker the dessert comes out.)

Older children, especially, can take  a shift in the kitchen, especially when they are told it's respectfully giving older family members a break. 

Just a reminder...Partners In Learning will be closing at 12:00 Wednesday November 26 and closed Thanksgiving Day, November 27 and Friday, November 28. We hope you have a safe, fun, memorable Thanksgivng holiday with family and friends. 

8 Ways to Thank a Veteran, not just on Veteran's Day, but everyday

     Today Is Veteran's day, and I would like to say that I am eternally grateful to all those who have served, who are serving, and all those that will serve our Nation in any capacity.     This holiday reminds us to appreciate those who have done  what all of us were not able or willing to do for our country; defend it with their lives.

    Most will celebrate today by posting on Facebook, enjoying a day off, going to see the parade in town, and maybe taking a family member who has served out to a meal. Dedicating a day on the calendar to our Nation's servicemen and women is awesome, but November 11th shouldn't be the only day we extend our gratitude for all the sacrifices that were made.  Here are 8 ways to honor veterans everyday.....

• Are you a knitter or crocheter? Make a scarf for the cold-winters ahead. Donate them at a local-VFW for a veteran in need or contact Operation Gratitude to see how to donate.
•  Support a Military Family through Operation Homefront. Watch their website for 'current needs':  http://www.operationhomefront.net/need/list
•  Military-member at the same restaurant as you? Send them a drink or pay for their dessert.
•  Call them. A grandparent, uncle, aunt, mother, father. Take the time to call them, especially if they live far away, and find out how they are doing.
•  Listen to their stories with interest. If they are a war-veteran they have seen things you will never see. Listen and Learn.
•  Nearly 40 percent of our veteran population is 65 or older, give a veteran your phone number and ask them to call if they need help around the house. Make a note to call them this winter to see what they need.
•  Have your children paint a picture or write a letter. Send it to your grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, any relative that is a Veteran.
•  Call and Visit a local nursing home or VA Hospital. Find out what you can do to help. If you quilt make a blanket for a needy veteran. If you bake call and find out if you can bring in something special. Bring a book to read to a veteran "ready and willing" to listen. We all have talents that can be used.

Keep it connected

This week the Dolphins are talking about our families. We will be talking about what makes up a family, how many people are in our family, and where our family live. This topic the children love to talk about because their families are their "whole world." We have a lot of activities planned for this weeks theme and I'm excited to hear about all of the children's families. 

In the dolphin classroom Ms. Kelly and I like to take lots of pictures to record the children's learning experiences. We want our students families at home to see what it is the children are learning from week to week. We also think it is important to have a record of the children doing hands on activities so they can look back and recall the experience. Doing this the children can decide if they wound have done the experience the same way or if they would have done it differently. Doing blogs and posting pictures on social media helps us as teacher, to stay connected to our classroom families. 

Ms. Kelly is using the iPad to tell a story of what makes up a family. 

Ms. Gen is reading during circle time about families and how we are all special and loved.

Each child shared with the group how many people are in their family and theirs names.

Ms. Kelly is helping the children count their family members.

The children loved singing about their mommy and her name. 

In centers, the children were giving the babies a bath. This lets the child take on the role of the caregiver.

In blocks, the children built their house and put their family members in it.

The art activity for today, the children built any house they wanted using a envelope and markers.

The dolphin classroom had lots of fun today and we hope you enjoy all the pictures of our learning experiences because we enjoy staying connected with you.

Self Help Skills

What are self help skills? Are they important? How can we help develop them? Self help skills are things that children do for the, selves. Getting dressed, feeding themselves, toileting, etc. Yes they are important, they help develop fine motor skills, social skills, even gross motor skills. They help develop self confidence and a willingness to try. So how do we help them develop?

Well when it comes to self help skills, it will definitely require patience, and lots of practice and plenty of praise. Start with small goals. For example, dont expect your chold to be able to zip, button or snap on their first try. Start with just being able to get pants and shirt on. Move to buttoning and zipping gradually. Feeding, wow, well that requires patience, it will be messy, and take time. Messes can be made easier to be cleaned up by putting newspaper under the chair. This way the mess can just be rolled up. Start with feeding, then move to serving themselves. You can put things in smaller bowls that are easier to manage for little hands.

Praising your child for their success. Have them help clean up with you. Tell them how well they did. This will help develop their independence, they will learn to take turns and even help others who may need it. They will develop fine motor skills that can help with writing. Social skills by taking turns passing things to yheir friends. We use family style during lunch. Children learn to wait, take turns and help those who need it. They learn to clean up after themselves, and others.

Who's taking care of you?

As parents, we are just naturally busy people.  We have lots of hats to wear.  The mommy/daddy hat, the chef hat, the chauffeur hat, the nurse/doctor hat, the monster-under-the-bed-chaser hat, the list goes on and on.  Some of us are employed outside the home, some of us are busy working inside the home.  Some of us go to school full time, some of us volunteer our time.  There's never a lack of things to occupy our time and attention.  So with all of these things in our lives that we take care of day to day, who is taking care of us? 

I've recently fallen into the "I'm too busy" trap.  Back to school time is always hectic, the boys are playing football, family responsibilities, work responsibilities, household responsibilities, these are all the lovely excuses I like to use when I'm trying to justify why I've been putting myself on the back burner once again. I've stopped making time to go workout, I've not been able to make time for friends, my hair has been tied back in a hair tie everyday for I don't know how long, and there is really no acceptable excuse for allowing this to happen.

So whats a parent to do?  We need to start making ourselves a priority and start by making time.  Starting now, I'm going to try to carve out a little piece of each day for nothing or anyone but myself.

Now, what if you just can't take off and grab dinner with a friend or go out to the movies by yourself?  No sitter, no money for a sitter, or whatever other obstacle is in the way.  No problem, time to take care of yourself isn't necessarily time out of the house. My me time list for this month is filled with at home activities that I can do after my little sweeties are tucked in for the night.  Here are some suggestions to get you started...

• At home spa night
•  Mani/pedi night
• Movie date on the couch, microwave popcorn, no cell phones
• have the librarian suggest a book at your local library, check it out, then ACTUALLY read it