Toddle Towne

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From Ms. Peggy: New Year’s Resolutions

I collect words like other people collect buttons or baseball cards and “resolution”, as in New Year’s resolution, is one of the best in my collection. It is derived from the Latin root “resolvere” which means to again loosen up, dissolve, or melt away. That is what we do each New Year. We try, by making a New Year’s resolution, to once again make our problems melt away!

Resolve can be used as a noun or a verb and has as many as 17 different meanings depending upon the context in which it is used! Each year at this time we resolve (analyze) our lives looking for some change we can make that will make us better people. We resolve (solve again) the problems which confront us. We resolve (reach a decision) to concentrate on our resolve (fixed intention or settled purpose) to make changes which we hope will resolve (transform) our life. If we stick to that resolve (fixed intention or settled purpose) with resolve (determination) then maybe … just maybe we can make some real changes in our lives.

Although emphasis upon change and improvement is increased at the beginning of the year, productive and emotionally healthy people make it an ongoing process not limited to New Year’s Eve. A worthwhile resolution for this New Year would be to teach our children how to resolve (bring to a conclusion) their own problems. As a child, when I was faced with a tough problem, my mother would sit back, fold her arms and firmly remind me that, “every tub must sit on its own bottom!” At the time, I didn’t think much of her advice! I didn’t realize that by stepping back and insisting that I solve my own problems she was helping me to accept that I, and only I was responsible for my life. As much as we would like to…we can’t solve problems for our children. If we attempt to do so, in the long run, we only make life more difficult for them. Although I didn’t appreciate her then, I have since been thankful that I had such a wise mother.

Although as a parent you can’t resolve (determine or decide) life for your children, you can help them learn how to resolve (break up into separate parts and analyze) their problems so that they can resolve (make clear and understand) the best course of action to take. When your children come to you with complaints about life’s (or their friends’) unfairness, remain calm…don’t be overcome with sympathy! Help them to retell what happened. What actions did they take? What actions did others take? How did their actions affect others? How could they have changed their own behavior? How would that have affected the situation? What are possible courses of action to prevent or deal with another occurrence? What course will they choose? What do they think will be the outcome?

That’s the easy part…now you must insist that they implement their solution with resolve (firm determination).   The first try might not resolve (melt away) the problem, they might have to try again and again. As they become adults, the ability to resolve (analyze and bring to a conclusion) their problems with resolve (determination) will take them further in life than all the help, assistance, relief, succor, support, aid, consolation, or solace, you can give them. Happy New Year!

MsPeggy

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Giving Thanks!

With the Thanksgiving holiday this month the TTLC Board of Directors would like to “give thanks” for a staff of 30 dedicated, well trained, and experienced employees. Staff turn-over is an important issue in early childhood education. A stable staff is one of the highest indicators of quality care. A local survey revealed that the average length of employment in child care centers is 3 months with almost 1/2 of all center positions experiencing turn-over each year! Because we have directors with from 17 – 39 years of experience and our 23 teachers range from 1-26 years of experience, we have been able to incorporate new teachers with fresh ideas into our staff. More than one half of the staff have over 5 years of employment with us. Our average length of employment at TTLC is 8 years 7 months.

The education of employees is another important indicator of a quality center. TTLC requires an educational background related to the care and education of young children: 6 staff have an AAS, 4 have been awarded CDA certification (a proficiency based credential which requires extensive non-credit training and evaluation by an outside observer). Ninety percent of our staff have college classes in child development. All staff members complete at least 20 hours of non-credit inservice training each year, all have CPR training and certification, 9 have Food Preparation and Sanitation certification.

This is a fine staff but equally important is the leadership provided by the Executive Director. With 31 years of experience at TTLC, an AAS in Early Childhood Education, and a B. S. in Business, she provides the training and motivation necessary to enable the staff to operate at their best.

Our Curriculum Consultant with 48 years experience at TTLC, a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, an M.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, and additional hours towards an Ed. D. provides a learning program geared to individual children.

Please join the board in thanking the staff for the quality of care they provide for your children!

Since you bring your children back to the center day after day, we must assume you are pleased with the services you receive, but please join the board in expressing to the staff your appreciation for the quality of care they provide for your children! How do you do this? Say it! Tell the teacher, tell her boss, tell a friend. Compliments motivate people to work even harder. Smile it! Even when you are busy and the day has gone all wrong, a smile or a shared laugh will make both you and the teacher feel better. Write It! A quick note or a card for no particular reason will let the teacher know you are interested and appreciative. Show it! Actions always speak louder than words, do the little things that will make a teacher’s life easier: label coats and other belongings; if a sibling accompanies you to the center watch them and insist that they follow all rules; see that your child puts away toys before leaving; stick to the school rules and don’t ask for special privileges; drop off and pick up children at the scheduled time, don’t be late; turn off Power Rangers and encourage productive play at home.

Oh, and by the way, “Thanks for being such great parents!”

TTLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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In the Kitchen: November

Having the family over for Thanksgiving? There are lots of things that children can do to help. Even very young children have perfected some skills which will come in handy. Kids can put things in a container, like napkins on a plate, potatoes in the pan, or mints in the dish. They can scrub things like vegetables, the tub, or the refrigerator door. They are good at tearing things into little pieces like bread for stuffing, or lettuce for a salad. They can stir anything that isn’t hot. The secret is to “let them help” not to “make them work.” A little bragging to grandma will make them beam with pride, and a few years from now when they really can be a big help, they will think working in the kitchen with you is fun.

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From Ms Peggy: October 2017

SICK AGAIN!

It’s only October but already we’ve heard parents say, “Since we started childcare the kids are always sick!” Is it true? Research is not conclusive but we have to admit that it is reasonable: more children – more germs. Each family has a set of germs to which they have developed immunity. Clean and healthy children bring these germs to school and then exchange them with others who are not immune. The more germs introduced into the school environment…the more colds your child will be exposed to.

Exposure is a sensitive issue to young children because they have not yet developed an effective immune system and because they are more likely to develop complications from colds.   Regardless of age, it takes about a year of exposure to infections to develop this immunity. Even if you could protect your child from exposure now, s/he will have a year of colds in kindergarten.

For working parents, even a mild cold passed throughout the family can cause serious financial problems with lost income or jobs!   A child, not in child care, usually has 5-6 respiratory infections lasting 5-10 days each year. Non-employed parents can accommodate the “sniffles” with a quiet day of T.V. and never disrupt their routines. For employed parents, these mild symptoms are much more noticeable since costly and inconvenient alternate care arrangements must be made. Perhaps it just seems like children in daycare have more colds.

Ensuring good health for your child is a shared responsibility. TTLC tries very hard to do their part by providing a healthy environment and by teaching the children good health habits. Hand washing before and after meals, after using the bathroom, after outside play, and any other time it looks necessary is supervised. All diapering surfaces are disinfected after each diaper change and bathrooms are sanitized regularly. Tables are wiped with disinfectant before and after each use, toys are also disinfected (daily in the nursery, once a week with older children). Any child with vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or fever is sent home. Medical records are monitored and immunizations kept up to date.

There are some very important ways in which parents should contribute to this shared responsibility for healthy children. To cut down on the number of germs exchanged between home and school, parents should help their child wash hands at arrival and departure times. They should keep sick children home until they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. Parents should arrange in advance for supplementary care so they aren’t tempted to use aspirin to mask a fever so a sick child can be sent to school. Stress interferes with a child’s natural immune system making them more susceptible to developing a disease when exposed. It is not easy, but stress can be reduced by keeping things calm with meals and bedtimes on a regular schedule. Get up a little early to avoid last minute rushing, lay out clothes the night before. Keep your child’s body strong and healthy by cutting down on snacks, fast food, and late night T.V. Let’s work together for a healthier, more productive school year.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

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Homework Alert: September

We will be reviewing learning concepts this month — like our rules for using glue sticks and scissors, healthy hygiene and safety. Check out our daily themes this month and start a conversation with your child on the way home!