Parents as Teachers Newsletter March/April 2014 Haysville Schools U.S.D. #261 1745 W Grand Ave Haysville KS 67060 316- 5 54 - 2 30 3 www.usd261.com/pat Born to Learn You are your child’s first and most important teacher! PARENTS AS TEACHERS Dear Families, This weekend, I looked out my front window and discovered that my yellow pansies that had been planted last fall were thriving and covered with blooms. It was a good illustration to me of how important resiliency is. Resilience is defined as "the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. My yellow pansies certainly were resilient as they survived some pretty drastic weather which included sub-zero temperatures, high winds, snow and very little moisture for much of the winter. Children who have the trait of resiliency tend to grow up to be happy adults. Because many of the behaviors that define resiliency can be taught, what can we do to help our children develop this character trait? While there are many things parents can do, here are three that are appropriate for toddlers and preschool- ers. 1. Let your kids make mistakes. If the picture doesn't turn out the way they wanted it to, you can say, "Oh that's okay. Just try it again!" 2. Pay attention to what you are modeling. Do you make little things into big catastrophes by over-reacting or are you able to say, "Well, that's sure not working. I will figure some- thing else out!" 3. Don't feel that you should cater to every need or want of your child. You are not obligated to cook a separate meal for your child or buy them a toy every time you go to the store. Help them understand that they can still survive and be okay even if things are not going exactly the way they want them to. Paying attention to how you interact with your children can go a long way toward helping them bloom too! See you soon, Roxie Spring is just around the corner! PARENTS AS TEACHERS PATMARCH MONTHLY EVENT EVENT — Growing Cooks is a hands-on cooking experience for parent and child. Because we must purchase ingredients ahead of time, you must be signed up to attend. We only have room for 12 children at each Growing Cooks Class. There is a sign-up sheet in the IDEA Room or you can call or e-mail the PAT office to reserve your spot now. SPRING BREAK March 17th—March 21st No PAT Activities PARENTS AS TEACHERS APRIL EVENT Big Truck Night Thursday April 24th 6:30—7:30 pm PAT Parking Lot Big Truck Night is an annual event at PAT where kids will have the opportunity to see, touch, and sit in a variety of trucks. Eat Dinner while looking at the $2 Trucks….. Money raised will be added to our PAT Playground Fund Invite your friends with small children and join us at Big Truck Night!! No Cost to Attend! PARENTS AS TEACHERS PAT Annual Family Picnic is scheduled for May 6th 6:00—7:30 p.m. @ Riggs Park More details in May Newsletter Story Time @ Haysville Community Library (210 S. Hays Ave in Haysville) Tuesdays - 10:30 a.m. This is FREE program that offers stories & crafts that are sure to get your children to enjoy reading for a lifetime! Call 524-5242 for more info. PARENTS AS TEACHERS Cold & Flu Prevention Tips While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of cold or flu infection, and to prevent aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced. 1. Frequent hand-washing When washing hands with soap and water: *Wet your hands with clean warm running water and apply soap *Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces *Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds while singing “Happy Birthday” twice *Rinse hands well under running water *Dry your hands using a paper towel Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door When using an instant hand sanitizer or wipe: *Apply gel or liquid product to the palm of one hand *Rub the product or wipe over all surfaces of hands and fingers *Fan your hands until hands are dry When should you wash your hands? *Before preparing or eating food *After going to the bathroom *Before and after tending to someone who is sick *After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing *After handling an animal or animal waste *After handling garbage 2. "Hands-off-the- face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face. 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or use Listerine. Simple gargling helps wash germs away and prevent swelling of tissues in mouth and throat which causes sore throat. 4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water using the Neti Pod method. But not everyone is comfortable with this method so blowing the nose once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in reducing germs. 5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as citrus fruits. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. 6. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other liquids. 7. Get plenty of sleep and exercise to keep the immune system strong. 8. Avoid crowds or keep a safe distance from others (3-6 feet) to avoid the risk of droplet contamination. 9. Stay home if you are experiencing flu symptoms (fever, body aches, coughing, respira- tory congestion, ect.) Stay home for 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 de- grees Fahrenheit or greater), without using fever-reducing medications. Your best defense is prevention and all these steps are simple ways to prevent spreading infection or getting a cold or the flu. Sincerely, Mary Parker, RN District School Nurse PARENTS AS TEACHERS Severe Weather Safety Program PLAYGROUPS March 14th & 28th April 4th & 11th 9:30–10:30 am PAT Playroom PARENTS AS TEACHERS Children’s nutrition: 10 tips for picky eaters http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-health/HQ01107 Children’s nutrition doesn’t have to be frustrating. Consider these strategies to avoid power struggles and help the picky eater in your family eat a balanced diet. 1. Respect your child’s appetite—or lack of one. Young children tend to eat only when they’re hungry. If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack. Like- wise, don’t bribe or force your child to clean his or her plate. This may only ignite— or reinforce—a power struggle over food. 2. Stick to the routine. Serve meals and snacks at about the same time every day. Nix juice, milk and snacks for at least one hour before meals. If your child comes to the table hungry, he or she may be more motivated to eat. 3. Be patient with new foods. Young children often touch or smell new foods, and may even put tiny bits in their mouths and then take them back out again. Your child may need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Encourage your child by talking about a food’s color, shape, aroma and texture—not whether it tastes good. 4. Make it fun. Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favorite dip or sauce. Cut foods into various shapes with cookie cutters. Offer breakfast foods for dinner. 5. Recruit your child’s help. At the grocery store, ask your child to help you select fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods. Don’t buy anything that you don’t want your child to eat. At home, encourage your child to help you rinse veggies, stir batter or set the table. 6. Set a good example. If you eat a variety of healthy foods, your child is more likely to follow suit. 7. Be sneaky. Add chopped broccoli or green peppers to spaghetti sauce, top cereal with fruit slices or mix grated zucchini and carrots into casseroles and soups. 8. Minimize distractions. Turn off the television during meals, and don’t allow books or toys at the table. 9. Don’t offer dessert as a reward. Withholding dessert sends the message that dessert is the best food, which may only increase your child’s desire for sweets. You might select one or two nights a week as dessert nights, and skip dessert the rest of the week —or redefine dessert as fruit, yogurt or other healthy choices. 10. Don’t be a short order cook. Preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal may encourage your child’s picky eating. Keep serving your child healthy choices until they become familiar and preferred. Remember...your child’s eating habits won’t likely change overnight. Week of the Young Child April 6th—- 12th The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebra- tion sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child™ is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood pro- grams and services that meet those needs. The 2014 Week of the Young Child™ is April 6-12. Baby Sign Language Come join Parents as Teachers as we provide 30 minutes of interactive ways to learn sign language.