JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS AS TEACHERS November 2015-January 2016

Jefferson City Public Schools Parents as Teachers

Southwest Early Childhood Center 812 St. Mary’s Boulevard Jefferson City, MO 65109 (573)659-3026 www.jcschools.us/domain/168

Winter 2015-2016

OUR VISION IS THAT ALL CHILDREN WILL LEARN, GROW AND DEVELOP TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN THIS ISSUE Don’t Miss out on Winter Fun!

by Katie Epema, PAT Coordinator for Jefferson City Public Schools

Just because the weather is getting colder Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun being Rhyme Time for babies and toddlers 2 and active with your children! In this newsletter under the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month we will explore how to stay active in the cold from 10:30-11 a.m. The library offers a winter months by bundling up to enjoy the monthly family movie night on the 3rd Friday

outdoors, as well as finding other places to evening of each month and other special stay active. The Jefferson City area has events. On Saturday, November 21 there will Toys for Young Children (p. 2) & indoor play areas such as the mall, Burger be a magic show from 1-2 p.m. with magician Staying Active in Winter (p. 3) King, Chick-Fil-A, and McDonalds in Holts Gerry Tritz. Visit www.mrrl.org for more Looking for gift ideas for your children? Giving Summit. information on library events. certificates for activities to do together, or classes such as gymnastics or dance can help keep children active Organized classes or activities such as ice Barnes and Noble (3535 Missouri Boulevard) and keep the “stuff” in your home at a minimum. Open skating, swimming lessons, dance or also has storytime on Wednesdays (10:30 ended toys and materials (which can be used in multiple gymnastics make great gift suggestions if a.m.) and Saturdays (11 a.m.). Visit ways) are also good ideas. Learn more on pages 2-3. you’d rather your child have an experience http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/216 instead of more toys. 1?view= for information on their events. If the cooler weather makes you want to stay Other local family-friendly events including indoors, have fun exploring the Runge holiday festivities can be found at Nature Center exhibits (330 Commerce http://www.visitjeffersoncity.com/events.ph Drive). Your children may especially enjoy p and the aquarium feeding times and puppet http://jeffersoncity.macaronikid.com/calend shows, or your 3-6 year old may enjoy a Little ar/ Acorns program. For more information on The Parents as Teachers Drop in and Play Runge events, visit center is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. when school is in http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/central/runge- session and from 4-7 p.m. approximately nature-center. You can download or once a month. Please see the calendar at Conscious Discipline® Tips subscribe to their Habitat Happenings http://www.jcschools.us/Page/11191 for Participants in the Parenting with Conscious Discipline® Newsletter for free. details. Don’t forget to come for hands-on training sessions have been learning calming techniques such as the “balloon.” See page 4 for directions on The Missouri River Regional Library (214 fun at “Messy Play Saturday” on January 23 things to try with your children. Adams St.) has preschool storytimes for ages at 10 a.m. at the Southwest Early Childhood 3-5 years every Tuesday from 10:30-11 a.m., Center gym (812 St. Mary’s Blvd.) family storytime for all ages every JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS AS TEACHERS | 2

 Things to use their large muscles with—  Picture books with more details than large balls, push and pull toys, and low, books for younger children Good Toys for Young soft things to crawl over  CD and DVD players with a variety of Children by Age and music Stage Toys for 1-year-olds  Things for using their large and small One-year-olds are on the go! Typically they muscles—large and small balls for can walk steadily and even climb stairs. They kicking and throwing, ride-on In addition to being safe, good toys for young enjoy stories, say their first words, and can equipment (but probably not tricycles children need to match their stages of play next to other children (but not yet until children are 3), tunnels, low development and emerging abilities. Many with!). They like to experiment—but need climbers with soft material underneath, safe and appropriate play materials are free adults to keep them safe. and pounding and hammering toys items typically found at home. Cardboard Good toys for 1-year-olds: boxes plastic bowls and lids, collections of  Board books with simple illustrations or Toys for 3- to 6-year olds (preschoolers and plastic bottle caps, and other “treasures” can photographs of real objects kindergarteners) be used in more than one way by children of  Recordings with songs, rhymes, simple Preschoolers and kindergarteners have different ages. As you read the following lists stories, and pictures longer attention spans than toddlers. of suggested toys for children of different Typically they talk a lot and ask a lot of ages, keep in mind that each child develops  Things to create with—wide non-toxic questions. They like to experiment with at an individual pace Items on the list—as washable markers, crayons, and large things and with their still-emerging physical long as they are safe—can be good choices paper skills. They like to play with friends—and for children who are younger or older than  Things to pretend with—toy phones, don’t like to lose! They can take turns—and the suggested age range. dolls and doll beds, baby carriages and strollers, dress-up and accessories sharing one toy by two or more children is Toys for young infants—birth through 6 (scarves, purses), puppets, stuffed toys, often possible by older preschoolers and months plastic animals, and plastic and wood kindergarteners. Babies like to look at people—following them “realistic” vehicles Good toys for 3- to 6-year-olds: with their eyes. Typically, they prefer faces  Things to build with—cardboard and  Things for solving problems—puzzles and bright colors. Babies can reach, be wood blocks (can be smaller than those (with 12 to 20+ pieces), blocks that snap fascinated with what their hands and feet used by infants—2 to 4 inches) together, collections and other smaller can do, lift their heads, turn their heads  Things for using their large and small objects to sort by length, width, height, toward sounds, put things in their mouths, muscles—puzzles, large pegboards, toys shape, color, smell, quantity, and other and much more! with parts that do things (dials, features—collections of plastic bottle Good toys for young infants: switches, knobs, lids), and large and caps, plastic bowls and lids, keys, shells,  Things they can reach for, hold, suck on, small balls counting bears, small colored blocks shake, make noise with—rattles, large  Things for pretending and building— rings, squeeze toys, teething toys, soft Toys for 2-year-olds (toddlers) many blocks for building complex dolls, textured balls, and vinyl and board Toddlers are rapidly learning language and structures, transportation toys, books have some sense of danger. Nevertheless construction sets, child-sized furniture  Things to listen to—books with nursery they do a lot of physical “testing”: jumping (“apartment” sets, play food), dress-up rhymes and poems, and recordings of from heights, climbing, hanging by their clothes, dolls with accessories, puppets lullabies and simple songs arms, rolling, and rough-and-tumble play. with simple puppet theaters, and sand  Things to look at—pictures hung so They have good control of their hands and and water play toys baby can see them and unbreakable fingers and like to do things with small  Things to create with—large and small mirrors objects. crayons and markers, large and small Good toys for 2-year-olds: paintbrushes and fingerpaint, large and Toys for older infants—7 to 12 months  Things for solving problems—wood small paper for drawing and painting, Older babies are movers—typically they go puzzles (with 4 to 12 pieces), blocks that colored construction paper, from rolling over and sitting, to scooting, snap together, objects to sort (by size, preschooler-sized scissors, chalkboard bouncing, creeping, pulling themselves up, shape, color, smell), and things with and large and small chalk, modeling and standing. They understand their own hooks clay and playdough, modeling tools, names and other common words, can  Things for pretending and building— paste, paper and cloth scraps for identify body parts, find hidden objects, and blocks, smaller (and sturdy) collage, and instruments—rhythm put things in and out of containers. transportation toys, construction sets, instruments and keyboards, Good toys for older infants: child-sized furniture (kitchen sets, xylophones, maracas, and tambourines  Things to play pretend with—baby dolls, chairs, play food), dress-up clothes, dolls  Picture books with even more words puppets, plastic and wooden vehicles with accessories, puppets, and sand and and more detailed pictures than toddler with wheels, and water toys water play toys books  Things to drop and take out—plastic  Things to create with—large non-toxic,  CD and DVD players with a variety of bowls, large beads, balls, and nesting washable crayons and markers, large music toys paintbrushes and finger paint, colored  Things to use their large and small  Things to build with—large soft blocks construction paper, toddler-sized muscles—large and small balls for and wooden cubes scissors with blunt tips, chalkboard and kicking and throwing/catching, ride-on large chalk, and rhythm instruments equipment including tricycles, tunnels, (continued on page 3)

JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS AS TEACHERS | 3

(Toys continued) and spoken instruction, not just print), taller climbers with soft material underneath, children can control the software’s pace and

wagons and wheelbarrows, plastic bats and path, and children have opportunities to balls, plastic bowling pins, targets, and things explore a variety of concepts on several to throw at them, and a workbench with a levels. vise, hammer, nails, and saw  If child has access to a computer: Remember, your child’s favorite “toy” is programs that are interactive (the child YOU! Nothing can replace spending time can do something) and that children can with your child. understand (the software uses graphics *Article by the National Association for the STAYING SAFE AS THE SEASONS Education of Young Children at www.naeyc.org CHANGE

As days get shorter and the weather turns cooler, please keep the following in mind: Baby, it’s cold outside!

Personal safety is an important concern for As the leaves turn color and the temperatures Organize a play group in a church or business everyone. To assist your Parent Educator, become brisk, parents begin thinking of long multi-purpose room. Perhaps the basement of please leave your outdoor lights on after hours spent indoors with their young child. But your home or apartment building can dark and clear ice and snow from cooler weather doesn’t mean you have to limit accommodate active play. Add a riding toy and entrances. your child’s active play. Here are some ways to a large ball and you have a place that keep your child moving even when the encourages your child to be active. Be sure to

Parents as Teachers follows the Jefferson temperatures dip. take advantage of Parents as Teachers group City Public Schools’ guidelines for connections that offer vigorous indoor inclement weather. If school is cancelled Bundle up! activities. due to poor weather conditions, the Drop Your little one can still enjoy outside adventures in and Play center will be closed and any in cool weather if dressed properly. Dress your Go out and about! scheduled activities (such as screening Cool weather activities can be so much fun for events or group connections) will be child in layers, rather than in a single heavy garment. She’ll need one more layer than you. you and your child. Bundle up and go outside. cancelled. Please check the district website Jump in a big pile of leaves! Hop through the at www.jcschools.us or the Jefferson City Keep thermal/synthetic layer underwear next to crisp, cold snow! You will be teaching your child Public Schools Facebook page, or call the the skin, then a wool or fleece layer and make that being active is a year-round possibility. district information line at 635-JCPS. The sure the outer layer is a water-resistant following will also broadcast school closing: material. Avoid cotton, as when cotton gets wet KWOS AM RADIO 950 AM it stays wet. Ninety percent of heat loss occurs Tips for safe cold weather play KLIK AM RADIO 1240 AM from a child’s head, so wearing a hat is >Dress in layers KFAL AM RADIO 900 AM essential. Mittens and boots complete your >Wear a hat and mittens KBIA FM RADIO 91.3 FM child’s protective clothing. >Don’t play outside if temperature is 10º or KATI FM RADIO 94.3 FM colder KPLA FM RADIO 101.5 FM Dressing your child in layers allows you to >Drink water to remain hydrated KBXR FM RADIO 102.3 FM loosen or remove some clothes to prevent >Change clothes when they become wet KOQL FM RADIO 106.1 FM overheating. Toddlers and preschoolers need to >Have a snack for energy KJMO FM RADIO 97.5 FM be able to move freely in their outdoor clothing >Keep young babies inside in very cold weather KCMQ FM RADIO 96.7 FM to get the most benefit from playing outdoors. KJLU FM RADIO 88.9 FM *(Article reprinted from a Parent Page from KCLR FM RADIO 99.3 FM Remember to dress for the weather yourself so you’ll be comfortable while you let your child Parents as Teachers, co. 10/14) Parents as KZJF RADIO 104.1 FM Teachers is the trusted resource providing a KMFC 109 FM have a good, long outdoor playtime. proven home visiting model for the most KWWR 96 FM respected organizations and professionals who KRMS 97.5 FM Look for indoor play places KRCG TV CHANNEL 13 Tummy time is exercise for babies, and crawlers meet the evolving needs of families. Our work KOMU TV CHANNEL 8 want to do just that—crawl! Make sure your with the professional community helps young KMIZ TV CHANNEL 17 baby has plenty of time on the floor, out of children grow up healthy, safe and ready to infant carriers and car seats. Baby proof the learn. Our internationally recognized network Home visits are not automatically cancelled room where your baby spends time on the floor of organizations and professionals supports in the event of a snow day, as road and supervise him at all times. Then you can hundreds of thousands of families in all 50 conditions may improve during the course feel confident letting your baby exercise by states as well as many other countries through of the day. Your parent educator will be in rolling, crawling, or walking. a proven parent education model featuring in- contact with you regarding your visit so you home visits with parents and children. Parents can decide together to keep your visit or Visit a shopping mall in cold weather and you as Teachers affiliates equip parents with reschedule. are likely to see parents with babies and knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater As wintertime road conditions vary across toddlers. Some malls even have play areas for little ones. A large, relatively empty space will success in school. For more information, visit the school district, please be in contact www.ParentsAsTeachers.org. with your parent educator if she is allow your child to run and play. Make use of Parents as Teachers | 2228 Ball Drive, St. Louis, scheduled to come to your home even on a community resources such as indoor swimming MO 63146 | 314.432.4330 | ParentsAsTeachers. day when school is in session if road pools or recreation centers. conditions where you live are treacherous.

JEFFERSON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENTS AS TEACHERS November 2015-January 2016

Conscious Discipline® Once you have done this and feel calm, you can breathe with and for your child when life Active Calming isn’t going their way, and keep them safe. Techniques Teach your child how to S.T.A.R, and According to the Conscious Discipline® encourage belly breathing where the tummy approach, the biggest threat to a child’s goes out when the air goes in, and in when sense of safety is an out-of-control adult. The the air goes out. Also help children learn to key to safety is a conscious, mindful adult. As exhale slower than they inhale. (You might we as parents become more conscious of ask them to breathe in like they are smelling

what “pushes our buttons” and how we react a flower, and out like they are blowing out a Pretzel--Standing up, cross your ankles. Now to conflict, we can learn to stay in control of birthday candle). cross your right wrist over left, turn your ourselves and in charge of children in a The four core active calming techniques used hands so your thumbs are facing the floor, manner that models the same skills we seek in Conscious Discipline are S.T.A.R., balloon, put palms together and interlace fingers. to teach. pretzel and drain. For a printable of these Bend your elbows out and gently turn your visuals and descriptions that can be used for The first step in any stressful encounter is for hands down and toward your body until they teaching strategies to your child and to post us as parents to take a deep breath to calm rest on the center of your chest. Put your for them to use, visit ourselves down and remind ourselves “I am tongue on the roof of your mouth. Relax and http://consciousdiscipline.com/resources/saf safe. I am calm. I can handle this.” Three deep breathe. breaths shut off the fight or flight response in e_place_breathing_icons.asp the body so we can maintain self-control. The calming technique known as S.T.A.R. is the first step to use when feeling triggered.

Drain-- Extend arms out, pretending your Balloon-- Place your hands on top of your arms are faucets. Tighten arm, shoulder, and head and interlace your fingers. Breathe in face muscles. Exhale slowly making a through your nose as you raise your arms, “sssshhh” sound and release all your muscles, S.T.A.R.= Smile, Take a deep breath And inflating an imaginary balloon. Release the draining out the stress. Relax. air in the balloon by pursing your lips, exhaling slowly, lowering your arms and making a “pbpbpbpbpb” sound.

Parenting with Conscious Discipline®

It’s not too late to join us for the rest of the series on the seven skills of Conscious Discipline for parents of toddlers-school age children (Adult Assertiveness & Encouragement--November 9, Choices & Empathy--December 14, Child Assertiveness & Positive Intent—January 4, Consequences--February 22, Integrating All 7 Skills--March 21) and/or the April 4 session for parents of infants and toddlers on “Building Connections and Establishing Routines.” Sessions run from 6-8 pm. and are held at the Southwest Early Childhood Center at 812 St. Mary’s Blvd. For more information or to register, visit www.jcschools.us/domain/168, or call 573-659-2350.

Limited childcare is available for families enrolled in Parents as Teachers (including PAT Lite) or any other program at the Southwest Early Childhood Center. Children MUST be registered for child care in advance by calling 573-659-2350 or emailing Katie Epema at [email protected]. Child care spots for a particular session will be filled on a first contacted, first served basis with registration opening two weeks prior to the session (opening Nov. 30 for the Dec. 14 session, open Dec. 14-21 for the January 4 session *due to Christmas break*, opening Feb. 8 for the Feb. 22 session, opening March 7 for the March 21 session, and opening March 21 for the April 4 infant/toddler session).