Free Flouride Varnish for Kids Five Years Old and Younger!

Just a reminder that we have our Free Dental Clinic from Chandler Healthcare West coming to the center today!


Today, Monday May 9th
3pm-5pm
Kyrene Family Resource Center, 1330 E. Dava Dr., Tempe, 85283
(Elliot/Rural)

What happens?
The kids get a visual screening with gloved hands (no instruments used) by a dental hygenist
The hygenist then applies the flouride varnish
The whole thing takes MINUTES!

What is the cost?
FREE! For all children five years old or younger.

How often can my child get this done?
Every three months


Come on over!-
Amanda

Car Seat Safety Checks

So…I watch Teen Moms on MTV…for the sake of research, or so I say. You want to know what is driving me crazy on that show right now??!


All the struggles of the pregnant teens? Um, oh yeah…that is important too… but no.

It’s the car seats!! There are cameras in the Mom’s cars and as they are driving around I keep seeing the car seat in the back literally swaying from side to side.

It makes me want to email MTV…shouldn’t they say something?

Well, while I figure out how to harass a MTV reality show into social responsibility the rest of us can get some professional help on the matter.

Safe Journeys offers car seat safety classes. Learn all about the different car seats and find out which car seat type is best for which age, and learn how to install a car seat properly. Then install your own car seat with an instructor assisting.

April 30th, 2011 9-11am OR May 14, 2011 9-11am

To register call: ResourceLink 1-877-728-5414

Cost: 5$ per person

Safe Travels!

:) Amanda

Thrive to Five Website!

Thrive to Five has a new website!

The Social Latte group has helped us with a nice new website. 

Come on over to checkout local events, class schedule and more!

http://thrivetofive.org

Free Preformance- May 1st!

Special Performance of



The Borrowers!


Presented by:


Childsplay- Theater for Everyone


May 1st, 4 pm

Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe 85281



Reserve up to four tickets by sending an email to Edouthat@childsplayaz.org



You will need to include your name, address, contact phone number, and the number of seats you wish to reserve.

Seating is limited, reservations confirmed on a first come first served basis.

Free Dental Clinics in April!

Four opportunities to attend a FREE Dental Clinic for children 5 years old and younger!


What is offered?
           · Fluoride varnish treatments,
           · oral health screening,
           - fun oral health education for children,
           - goodie bag for children and
           · referrals for children 0-5 years

Here is the bad news…If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to needless pain and suffering; difficulty in speaking, chewing, and swallowing; missed school days; increased cost of care; loss of self-esteem; and the risk of other systemic health problems due to poor nutrition, infection, and abscess.

Now, here is the good news! Studies show that there are oral health benefits from applying fluoride varnish. Fluoride varnish protects the teeth from decay, helps to rebuild tooth structure, interferes with decay-causing bacteria, and reduces acids that bacteria produce.

APRIL DENTAL CLINICS

4/11/11 @ 3pm-5pm Kyrene Family Resource Center 1330 E. Dava Dr., Tempe, 85283

4/12/11 @ 8:30-11:00am Holdeman Elementary School1326 W. 18th St. Tempe, 85281

4/13/11 @ 8:30-11:00am Frank Elementary School 8409 S. Avenida del Yaqui Tempe, 85283

4/19/11 @ 8:30-11:00am Aguilar Elementary School 5800 S Forest Ave. Tempe, 85283


Services are offered FREE to children five years old and younger, no other qualifications needed!

Questions? Contact: Amanda Nosbisch anosbisch@kyrene.org (480) 783-4177

It's AIMS week!

So...this is a blog for birth to five, but many of you have older school aged children as well.  I saw this advertised this morning and thought I would share it.

Three important tips for AIMS WEEK:
              -make sure kids get plenty of rest
              -make sure kids eat a good breakfast
              -ask kids to try hard and be sure to follow directions

McDonalds is taking care of one of the items on the list!

McDonalds on Elliot & McClintock will be offering a free breakfast on 4/11/11 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for students taking the AIMS test. The meal includes Egg McMuffin with choice of milk, apple juice or orange juice. Children must be present when ordering and accompanied by a parent.


How nice is that!!??
Thanks Micky-D's.
 
:)-Amanda

Weekend Fun In The East Valley

There are lots of great family events this weekend.  Get out and play!

Friday April 1st

Mesa Farmers Market 9a.m. to 12 p.m. * Rendezvous Green * 263 N. Center St. * Mesa * 85201 *623-848-1234


Borgata Farmers Market 10a.m. to 4 p.m. * Borgata of Scottsdale* 6166 N. Scottsdale Rd. *85253 * 480-585-8639

Carefree Farmers Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. * Downtown Carefree * 100 Easy Street * Carefree *85377 * 480-292-1100

Free Outdoor Concert Local musicians. * 7p.m. * Tempe Marketplace * 2000 E.Rio Salado Pkwy.*480-966-9338

Saturday April 2nd

Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. *McClintock Fountains Market *1840 E. Warner Road * 85284 * 480-389-4828

Scottsdale Old Town Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 1p.m. * Downtown Scottsdale * East 1st Street and North Brown Avenue *Scottsdale * 85251 * 623-848-1234

MAC Fest Bring the family out to this celebration featuring unique artist creations, music, and family fun. * 10 a.m. to 4p.m. * Main and MacDonald Streets *Mesa * 85201 * 480-644-6500

Costume Storytime Enjoy listening to stories with favorite storybook characters. * 10 a.m. to 11a.m. * Changing Hands Bookstore *6428 South McClintock Dr. * Tempe * 85283 * 480-730-0205

Mi Nanas Salsa Challenge Come try more than 70 different salsas prepared by local chefs! Cost is $10 for adults; free for 12 and under. All proceeds go directly to the Hemophilia Association of Arizona, a non-profit organization that serves the individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * Tempe Beach Park * * Tempe * 85281 *480-967-2001

Free Outdoor Jazz Concert Bring the whole family to experience jazz concerts in the park and throughout the downtown streets of Chandler. Enjoy shopping at a variety of food and merchandise vendors. * 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. * Dr. A.J. Chandler Park * 3S. Arizona Avenue * Chandler * 85225* 480-782-2890


Sunday April 3

Ahwatukee Farmers Market Come shop for locally grown fruits and produce. * 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. *Ahwatukee Community Swim Center * 4700 E. Warner * Phoenix * 85044 623-848-1234


Sunday A’Fair Mini Festival Listen to performances by some of the Valley’s top entertainers. Arts and crafts will be available for sale, and there will be hands-on activities for kids. Picnic baskets are welcome, and refreshments will also be available for sale from Arcadia Farms. * 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. * Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts * 7380 E. Second St. * Scottsdale * 85251 * 480-994-2787

Three Mesa Museum Admissions for Free
Visit Mesa Contemporary Arts,Arizona Museum of Natural History,and Arizona Museum for Youth and receive free admission. Enjoy interactive exhibits and special engagements such as outdoor concerts. * 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. *

            •  Arizona Museum for Youth * 35 N. Robson * Mesa * 85201 * 480-644-2467


            • Arizona Museum of Natural History * 53 N. Macdonald * Mesa * 85201 * 480-644-2230


            • Mesa Contemporary Arts * 1 E. Main St. * Mesa * 85201 * 480-644-6501


Have a great weekend!!
:) Amanda

You Can Help!!

The Kyrene Prevention Team is working together to create 700 Summer Activity Packs for homeless and Title I students. The goal of the Summer Activity Pack is to keep students active and engaged in learning while schools are closed. Our packs will specifically target students in grades K-3, who are homeless or academically at risk (targeted Title I).

We need your help collecting items to support our students! Do you have a group that can host a drive? Can you add this information to a newsletter? Can you post the needed items to your Facebook page or Twitter account? Our team greatly appreciates any support you can provide for this project.


Needed donations are:

• crayons & markers
• decks of cards
• card games (K-3rd grade ages)
• board games (K-3rd grade ages)
• spiral bound notebooks
• glue sticks
• jump ropes

*All items need to be received by Wednesday, May 4. *

Items can be donated at the Family Resource Center, located at 1330 East Dava Drive, Tempe AZ 85283 OR given to Amanda Hamm at the District Office, located at 8700 South Kyrene Road, Tempe, AZ 85284

The items listed below will be included in the Summer Activity Packs and will be provided by a grant from the Kyrene Foundation.

• Appropriate grade level books will be purchased
• Math and Language Arts teachers are creating activity lists and games for each grade level to be included
• Drawstring backpacks for items to be packaged in

Summer Activity Packs will be packaged by Community volunteers on Friday, May 6 at the Resource Center from 9am-noon.

If you would like to volunteer to assist with assembly, please email kfvolunteer@cox.net

Many thanks for your support!!

Letters and Numbers!

I remember one day looking at my children, who were about 15 months, and watching them color with crayons. They had the crayon in a death grip, pudgy fingers wrapped all around the crayon, clumsily drawing on paper.

All of the sudden I realized that they will need to develop from this to writing actual letters, legible letters, holding a pencil properly….how was this going to happen?!

It was exactly how I would feel looking at a big wooly sheep and a beautiful rug…how does one become the other….how do I help one become the other!?

Amazingly, it happens, and most of it happens without much intervention. Our job as parents are to offer experiences (i.e.: have crayons and pencils and paper available) and be a guide and model.

It is important to remember that children learn at different rates and some children may have more of an interest in drawing than others and thus get more practice but there are some general milestones.

Around 2 to 2 ½ years old the child is able to scribble on paper and will tell you what they have drawn (even though it may just look like chicken scratch, it is most certainly a race car).

Around 2 ½ years old the child is able to hold a pencil in a writing position versus the palm grasp seen before.

Between the ages of 3 and 4 years old is the typical age for a child to begin to write letters and/or numbers. Some children will be writing their name by 3 ½ and some will just be getting started at one or two letters by 4 years old, and that is okay. Typically children are not expected to be adept at writing letters and words until first grade.

If your child has started showing an interest in writing letters or numbers here are some fun activities to encourage it:

Highlighter Tracing
Caregivers can use a highlighter pen to draw letters or numbers on paper and the child can use crayons, pencils or pens to trace the letters.

 

Sand Drawings

Use a cookie sheet or similar item and fill with sand (or sugar, bread crumbs, etc) with enough to cover the bottom completely. Children can use their fingers to draw letters and shapes in the sand, give a gentle shake and you start all over again!

CD Case Tablets

An old CD case makes a perfect medium for tracing. Slide a piece of paper inside the CD case (where the insert usually goes) with a shape, letter, number or the child’s name printed on it in large letters. Then give the child a dry-erase marker to trace and erase on the front of the CD case. When your child is school age, this is a great, fun way to practice spelling words!

Gooey Slimy Tracing
Using a cookie sheet or dark colored plastic plate fill with shaving cream (whipped cream, “slime” or “goo” (found at toy stores), or pudding) with enough to cover the bottom completely. Child can use their fingers to trace out letters, shapes or numbers.

You might be saying this right now: Amanda, these sound messy and involved. Why not just a regular pen and paper or workbook?

Research shows that multi-sensory stimulation is not only FUN it is very beneficial to learning.

A multi-sensory approach to language learning helps children learn through more than one of the senses at the same time. Children can be taught using all pathways of learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic or seeing, hearing, touching) simultaneously, this can enhance memory and learning.

So give it a try! Teaching children that learning is fun might be the most important lesson we can give.

Do you have fun ideas for helping kids learn to write? What kinds of things do you do at home to encourage writing and drawing?

Edited to add:

Just saw this gem...a FREE class on this very topic in Phoenix.

Scribbles to Name Writing
April 8, 2011 6pm
Magical Star Preschool, 2232 N 36th St.
RSVP: Southwest Human Development 602-633-8654

How to Read to Your Child

Check out these First Thing First videos about how to read to your child.  Get great tips and information on getting children engaged and excited about reading, appropriate to their stage in development.

Reading to Your Infant: In the first year, reading is more about contact and comfort than story. But books can be a wonderful way to interact and bond with your baby.

Reading to Your Toddler: Between one and three years, books can help your child learn about the world, share their own experiences, and discover that reading together is fun.

Reading to Your Preschooler: At three to five years, books can become a springboard for your child's energy and imagination.

Check it out!!
:) Amanda

Developing Self-Control In Young Children

As I explode my pay-pal account planning for my kids upcoming birthday party and reason that I would shop better if I had a bowl of ice-cream to munch on, I suddenly thought…you know who really has little self-control…Charlie Sheen, that’s who.


All kidding aside, self-control is an important life skill that some would say we continue to learn and build on throughout our lives.

       Fact: Babies are not born with self control. (Shocking, right!?)

       Fact:  Young children learn self-control by observing and interacting with others in their lives.

       Fact: You can help your child develop self-control from birth.

Birth to 1 year

Self-soothing skills help develop self-control. During the first few months of life all the soothing for baby comes from Mommy, Daddy or caregiver. When a loving caregiver helps soothe baby, baby learns how to calm themselves. Singing to baby, swaddling, snuggling, and rocking are all tried and true soothing techniques. Being able to rely on a caregiver for love and comfort makes baby feel secure and safe.

Model self-control. Keep calm during frustrating or stressful times, if you need to, be sure to soothe yourself. The calmer you are, the calmer the baby will be.

Show babies what they CAN do. Instead of “don’t” and “no” try showing baby what is okay and what they can do. If they can’t play with Mommy’s phone, offer an alternative that gives baby the same experience (a toy phone or maybe a calculator with buttons to push).


1 to 2 years

Toddlers this age begin to express their feelings loud and clear. “NO!” is their favorite word at times. Frustration tolerance is pretty low for toddlers and with an undeveloped language base that frustration often appears as inappropriate behaviors (hitting and tantrums).

Stop the behavior. Interrupt the inappropriate behavior and firmly (and calmly) state why. Example: No biting, biting hurts.

Label feelings. Emotions are running high with toddlers and they need tools to help express it. Help toddlers by labeling their feelings for them. Example: I can see you are frustrated. You are frustrated because you want the toy open, but we do not throw toys.

Practice problem solving. Help the child see the problem and find solutions. At first the parent will need to do most of the work here (with coming up with solutions and making sure they are followed), but with practice children will begin to contribute more. Example: You both want to use the blue crayon, let’s take turns.

Model problem solving. Use positive self talk when you find yourself with a problem. “Talk” out the problem and possible solutions. Example: I cannot find my keys. Maybe I should sit for a second and think about the last place I saw them.

2 to 3 years

Impulse control is the name of the game for this age. Toddlers this age might know the right thing to do but still have difficulty stopping themselves from doing what they want to do.

Consistency in rules and limits. During this time when they are struggling with managing impulses, make it easier on them by having clear, consistent rules. If the rules and limits keep changing it makes it hard for toddlers to know which rules are “for real”. Having rules and limits help toddlers know what to expect, which makes them feel safe and in control.

Stay calm and use distraction. When emotions are increasing and behavior is escalating, keep calm, ignore the screaming and tantrum-ing and try a distraction. Calmly suggest you feel like playing a game of Go Fish, or exclaim how pretty the clouds are outside.

Create a cool down area. When the child is not upset discuss a plan for where the child can go if he/she needs some time to calm/cool down. This helps the child learn self-soothing skills and often kids can cool down quicker and easier when alone. Try to keep this a positive tool, not a punishment.

Discuss and problem-solve. Language skills are increasing at a phenomenal rate during this age. Help them build the vocabulary for discussing feelings and problem-solving. You can offer choices to help strengthen problem-solving skills at this age. Example: Running in the house is not safe, you can either find another thing to do inside or go outside to run around. Which do you choose?

Self control is the ability to cope with strong feelings and stop ourselves from doing something we want to do, but is not allowed.

How are you at self-control? Has having kids made it easier or harder to maintain that self-control for you?

:) Amanda

Free PBS Ready To Learn Series!

Are you…

Ready To Learn!

Now offering the PBS Ready to Learn series!

Ready to Learn is a three class series that teaches parents/caregivers of children 0-5 years old:

·       Early literacy skills building

·       Understanding and improving motor skills

development

·       Use of smart media to enhance development

Participants will learn valuable tips and information about their child’s development and encouraging school readiness. 

Walk away with many resources to use in the home with your child!

Free childcare is provided, please RSVP.

Thursday Evenings

5:45-7:30

March 24^th, April 14^th, April 28^th

^{Location: Kyrene Family Resource Center 1330 E Dava, Tempe} (view map)

^{RSVP: Amanda Nosbisch anosbisch@kyrene.org (480) 783-4177}

$ FREE $ Workshop on Budgeting!

Cash Flow and Budgeting Workshop

Learn to control your cash flow and

budget effectively.

Carl Anderson, Financial Advisor of Ameriprise Financial, is offering free one-hour seminars to help Kyrene families and Friends of the Foundation.  

Class is offered on selected Wednesdays beginning 3/23/2011 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Kyrene Family Resource Center Community Room. 

 RSVP to kfvolunteer@cox.net for more info on dates and to reserve a spot. 

 Sorry, no child care is available. 

WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2011

6-7pm

Toys, Clothing and Gear Recalls...oh my!

Come on McDonald's! You are a huge gazillion dollar corporation centered around children!  They are on the list for high levels of lead paint on the movie character glasses they gave out last year. 

Actually, going through this list there were quite a few recalls for hazardous levels of lead and cadmium. 

There were probably three or four recall items that I have in my house....right...now... yikes!

It's kind of a pain go through the list one click at a time (please give us a regular list Parents.com!) but it is nice that they include a "I own this product. Now what?" button.

116 Recalls You Should Know About

You no doubt acquire lots of items for your child--from a new high chair to a new hoodie. While it's fun to shop, it's important to stay on top of safety issues, and when a product you own has been recalled, be sure to either discard or replace it. Take a look through more than 100 of the most important recent recalls. • Gear Recall Alert • Latest Clothing Recalls • 2010's Biggest Recalls • Talk About Recalls Now, anyone have any ideas for what to do with all those hoodie strings?  Macrame anyone?

:) Amanda

Sports Day!

Kre8tive Kids Sports Fundraiser!

Girls and Boys Grades Pre-K – 5th

Sunday, March 6, 2011

1:00pm – 5:00pm

Pecos Park – 17010 S. 48th St in Phoenix

(by the basketball and tennis courts)

Cost is $15 per child

Proceeds will go to the Kyrene Foundation

The Kyrene Foundation supports needy families within the Kyrene School District by providing food, clothing, shelter, medical, legal and other resources.  The Kyrene Foundation also provides scholarships for kids to be able to participate in the Kyrene School District after-school programs.

Kids will enjoy organized games of:

* Basketball, Soccer, Kickball, Lacrosse

* Flag Football skills and drills

* Various sports challenges

Register here: http://kre8tivekids.com/ 

Five Easy Dips to Get Kids to Eat Veggies!

Dip it! Dunk it! Eat it! Munch it!

Most kids go through eating phases (can 2 to 30 years old be a phase??) where they just do not want to eat veggies.  Be it a taste issue, texture issue, or just newfound autonomy many kids say ‘no thanks’.

I think I am lucky.  My girls are eaters.  They will eat pretty much any vegetable or food I put in front of them.

I pay for it with my son.  I am telling you, the boy is suspect of anything that is not a meatball or PB&J.  His no-veggie preference has been around since he was eating finger foods.  When I was feeding him baby food he was great, ate it all.  Once we got to finger foods and self-feeding he capitalized on that freedom to express dislike on many foods.  Once I even saw him segregate the green goldfish from the other rainbow goldfish on his highchair at about 15 months!

Here are a few of my tricks strategies for getting vegtables in the kids:

1)   I sometimes serve dips and veggies while dinner is still cooking (and the kids are ravenous)and if I serve it on the counter in the kitchen it adds novelty of eating not at the table.

2)   I always put the same vegetables on his plate as on our plates.  If for no other reason,  just so he sees them as a regular part of meals.

3)   I will hide vegetables in food when I can/think of it/have time. Like: sweet potato “ice-cubes” (baked mashed sweet potato frozen in small snack size ziplock bags or ice cube trays) that I add to smoothies.

4)   I will ask him to try one bite, I will give him incentive occasionally, I will inform him on why they are good for him, but I will not force.

Okay, here are five dips I make to get the kids into eating thier veggies:

Ranch Dip-

1 container of low fat sour cream or 2 cups low fat plain yogurt (Greek yogurt is perfect for this)

1 package of Ranch dip mix

Plunk in a bowl and mix. Done.

“Green dippy” Guacamole

3-4 ripe avocados

1 finely chopped seeded tomato

½ cup finely chopped red onion

½ cup chopped cilantro

Juice of one lime

Salt to taste

Place peeled and seeded avocados in a bowl and mash with a fork to keep it chunky then stir in all the other chopped ingredients.  Important note:  You can make this in a food processor (it will be much smoother) but do NOT process with the onions the onions will become too strong in flavor, fold onions in last with a spoon or fork.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

You can add or omit according to what you have on hand.

3-4 fresh green chilies (these are mild but full of flavor)

4-6 ripe tomatoes

½ red onion chopped fine

½ cup chopped cilantro

1 can drained and rinsed black beans

1 can summer crisp sweet corn (or you can use frozen)

Juice of one lime

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Option: add chunks of avacado, add 1-2 chopped jalepenos

Chop and drop into a bowl, add seasonings to taste. 

Serve with chips or pita bread triangles.

Cheddar Cheese Dip

3 teaspoons butter

2-3 tablespoons flour

1 cup milk

3-4 cups shredded cheese (this can be any combination of cheeses you wish)

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

Start by gently melting butter in a non-stick pot.  Add flour to butter and gently cook till all flour is aborbed into the butter (about one minute) stiring with a wooden or silicone spoon (this makes a roux).  Add the milk slowly while incorporating the roux (you can use a wisk if it is too lumpy).  Bring the mixture to a low boil (it will thicken once it boils) and then add cheese.  Mixture should be a stringy cheesy mass that pulls away from the sides some.  If it is too loose you can add more cheese.

Options: stir in a couple tablespoons of cream cheese or parmesan cheese for a little different taste.

Serve with sliced vegatbles.  Peppers, celery, carrots, sugar snap peas, broccoli , cauliflower or even sliced granny smith apples are great.   You can par-boil or steam cauliflower, broccoli, even carrots if you prefer over raw.

Orange Juice Dip for Fruit

8 0z Cream Cheese

½ cup orange juice (if using fresh juice you can add 1 tblspoon of orange zest)

2 tablespoons honey

Blend in a food processor or with a wooden spoon (using softened cream cheese makes it easy) and serve with sliced fruits.

Do you have an easy and yummy dip that you can share with us?

Happy Crunching!

-Amanda

How to Find Free Fun in Your Community

Here at Thrive to Five we are in the business of offering fun and engaging workshops and classes to families with children five or younger for free…but we aren’t the only ones!

There are many opportunities to get out there and play with your little one…on someone else’s dime!

Here are a few examples of things going on in the Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee areas. 

Thrive to Five Workshops

Of course!  As always you can check the calendar of events at the bottom of this page.  Click on a class name for location and more information.

 Public Libraries

Almost all of the public libraries have FREE story-times.  Many follow a format of book play, listening to a story, singing songs and some include bubbles and movement!  There are also many Barnes & Nobel and Boarders books stores that offer FREE story times or music hours.

Farmers Markets

'Tis the season for enjoying some outdoor weather!  Farmers Markets can be a great learning opportunity for children.  Walk through with your baby naming colors and identifying fruits and vegetables, smells and touch are also great learning opportunities too.  You could make a BINGO sheet for preschoolers to mark off items as they see them, or give a toddler a picture shopping list of three or four items.   Here are a few sites that you can search for local markets on:

http://www.localharvest.org/

 http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/  

http://phoenix.about.com/od/foodanddrink/ss/Phoenix-Farmers-Markets.htm

Swim & Move

Many of the local swim schools and gyms (like: Hubbard Family Swim School, EVO Swim School,  Aqua Tots, Gymboree, Little Gym, My Gym) will offer a FREE class or open gym/swim day.  Check their websites for these kinds of events.

Special Events:

Searching AZCentral.com or ActiveMoms.com you are sure to find some festival or fair to go to. 

Saturday March 5 10am-2pm Transportation Day! FREE event with helicopters, fire engines, police cars and more.  There will be food, bounce houses, family fun and raffles too!  Hosted by Little Light Preschool www.littlelightpreschool.com

Do you have a favorite FREE event that you like to take your little one to?  Share it with us!

J Amanda

Yoga for a Cause!

Fact: Yoga strengthens, tones and builds muscle

Fact: Exercising in the morning “boosts” your metabolism for the day

Fact: This is a great way to help yourself, while helping others

We are offering yoga from a certified Yoga Instructor at the Kyrene Resource Center and the ‘cost’ is up to you!  Each week bring a donation amount to the Kyrene Resource Center and enjoy an hour of Hatha Yoga with Jonna Burns from Pure Fitness.

Mondays from February 28 – May 2, 2011

8:15 – 9:15 a.m.

Kyrene Family Resource Center Community Room

Dress for comfort and bring your own mat. The class is limited in size and reservations are required. 

No child care is available.

RSVP to: kfvolunteer@cox.net 

Find out more about the Kyrene Foundation here.



March Free Workshops

All classes and events are FREE for anyone who cares for a child five years old or younger! That means mom and dad, aunties and uncles, cousins and babysitters, nannies and childcare workers, teachers and volunteers...

IF you have contact with a child who is five years old or younger… you qualify!!

KinderPrep-
This is an interactive class for parents/caregivers and children ages 3-5 years old. Learn about brain development, play skill building games and walk away with lots of goodies and resources to use at home.


Ready to Learn-
This class is brought to us by PBS Kids Channel 8. This three class series covers early literacy skills, improving motor development and the use of smart media with kids. Participants receive a children’s book and magazine for parents!


Brain Time!
Choose a birth-18 month old or 18 months to 3 years old Brain Time class and come ready to play! This is an interactive adult and child class. Sing songs and play games while learning about brain development from the expert.


Parenting Workshops-
Lead by Mr. Neil Tift these workshops offer insight on some hot parenting topics like: children and parent temperaments, Positive Discipline and maternal and paternal parenting styles. Mr. Tift has an engaging personality and wealth of parenting information!


Nutrition Class-
Your Whole Body Nutrition brings a registered dietitian to discuss childrens’ nutritional needs and challenges. Learn about healthy kitchens, healthy snacks and eating phases of children at different ages.

Classes are offered at eight different Thrive to Five locations in the Tempe, Guadalupe, Chandler, Ahwatukee areas. Classes are FREE and childcare is provided for most (excluding adult/child interactive classes).

Check out the calendar at the bottom of this blog for class times and locations.

Sensory Exploration Games!

Exploration is a crucial and super fun part of early childhood learning. Sensory play is play that involves using one or more of the five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. Another way to think about sensory development is: sight, touch/movement, hearing/speech.

Though ‘sensory exploration activities’ might sound fancy it’s really not…in fact if it is fancy…you might be doing it wrong! (kidding)

Here are a few ideas to get you going:

SQUISH!
Using the tray on a highchair place a cup or two of vanilla pudding (chocolate stains!) or whipped cream right in the center of the tray. Put the baby in the chair and let them go! Squishing and smearing, tasting and clapping translate to good ol’ fashion messy fun.
Go further:
• have half be cold (not frozen) from the freezer and half warm
• give a spoon, spatula, whisk or other tool to make designs on the tray.
For Toddlers:
• shaving cream on a large Tupperware tote lid or on the outside of a sliding glass door (spray clean with a hose). Use your finger to trace shapes and letters!


WATER PLAY!
Arizona has perfect weather for outdoor water play. If needed this could be moved inside to a bathtub, kitchen sink or Tupperware tote on a large towel or in a small baby pool.

All you need is: a large basin of water and any combination of cups, kitchen utensils, sponges, bowls, empty water bottles (no lid for the very little ones), etc.
Go futher:
• add baby bubble bath or dish soap for bubble fun
• older kids can learn about colors by mixing up small cups of color water (best outdoors)
• play a game of “sink or float?”


HIDE & SEEK!
For this you need a simple Tupperware tote (maybe 4-6 inches deep) to fill with any variety of sensory stimuli such as:
• beans
• rice
• rainbow color rice (parent colors with food coloring)
• drinking straws cut into two inch lengths
• sand
• potting soil with fake bugs and/or real/fake plants
• packing peanuts
• want to get really crazy?? …Jell-O

Then add your “seek” items such as:
• pony beads or larger wooden beads
• plastic toy animals
• small rocks or “jewels”
• think holiday! Spider rings at Halloween, small ornaments during Christmas, candy corn during Thanksgiving…

The possibilities are endless, I have even heard of putting grass sod in the bottom and letting kids cut grass with kid-scissors, water the grass with spray bottle and play ‘farm’ with toy animals.

Do you have a great idea? Tell us about it!
-Amanda

Let's make a snack!

Snacks at my house tend to get repetitive. How about something different for a change? Here is a snack that is fun to make and eat.

Banana Pops
bananas
popsicle sticks
yogurt or peanut butter
topping

topping ideas: sunflower seeds, cheerios, rice crispies, freeze dried fruits (strawberries or apples), crasins, granola, or if you are really treating how about fruity rice cereal or mini chocolate chips.

This is a healthier version of the chocolate frozen banana. Take a banana and cut in half and push a popsicle stick through the cut end.

Spread the banana with peanut butter or yogurt (you can soften the peanut butter a bit in the microwave to make it easier) and then roll in the topping of your choice.

You can serve these as soon as you make them or you can place them on wax paper to freeze for an hour or more before serving.

I really like the peanut butter and crasin combination when I can talk myself out of the peanut butter and mini chocolate chip combo!

Do you have a fun snack to share?
-Amanda

5 Things to Do With Your Child This Weekend to Build Brain Development

1.Snuggle! Your touch builds brain connections. Infants need touch for sensory development and security. Responding to infants cries helps them feel secure and to develop a sense of trust for the world around them. Build on a baby or toddlers self-esteem with loving cuddles. Parents’ touch also reassures the young child giving them confidence to explore independence.

2.Read a Book. Preferably, read a book that you have already read a hundred times. Or sing a familiar song. Children crave repetition and it turns out, for good reason. Repetition builds and strengthens pathways in the brain. Routines are another way repetition builds brains.

3.Get Dirty! Hands on activities like squishing play dough, playing with shaving cream or whipped topping, finger painting and other messy activities build sensory development. Cooking with an adult is a great activity for older toddlers. Each new activity sparks new pathways in the brain.

4.Take a Nap. Babies and toddlers need a lot of sleep to support all this great brain development. Getting regular and predictable sleep is crucial. An infant 6 months old should be getting 14-15 hours of sleep a day (night and naps) a toddler who is two should be getting about 13-14 hours, and a three year old should be getting about 12-13 hours.

5.Chat! Talk, talk, talk. Studies consistently show that the more parents talk to their young child and infant the bigger the vocabulary the child will have. See yourself as a play by play commentator. Talk about everything you are seeing and doing and encourage your child to do the same.

So there you go! Weekend homework. See if you can get five out of five!

Happy Weekend!
-Amanda

The Miller Early Childhood Initiative

In late January we had the privilege of having the Arizona Anti-defamation League present “A World of Difference” at the Kyrene Family Resource Center. The class began with great discussions about what culture we as parents grew up with and currently identify with.

There were some powerful discussions and revelations. Some realized the culture they grew up with was not all that inclusive and in fact was a barrier they needed to overcome. Some felt they grew up without a culture to identify with and through discussion were able to see the significance of culture in their childhood and now adult life.

Identifying and understanding your own culture is an important part of helping children to build a strong, positive self-identity. Developing a healthy self-esteem helps children to resist bias and value others.

Many in the presentation felt that the good discussions were just beginning and wished for more time, more topics …and more participants!

The Arizona ADL website has an excellent link with tons more information on this topic.

Why is it important to teach young children to appreciate diversity?

When do awareness and attitudes about differences develop?

How can I help children appreciate diversity?

Why not focus only on our similarities?

Won't discussing differences promote prejudice?

How should I respond when children notice differences in others?

Find the answers to these questions and many more tips and tools here.

Thanks!- Amanda

A Monster Donation!

A monster-sized thank you goes out to our Monster.com friends

for the donation of about four-hundred boxes of cereal and oatmeal and reusable bags!

Today the Kyrene Family Resource Center was the lucky recipient of Monster.com's "Pay to Dress Down" fundraiser!  Employees donated cash to earn casual dress days at work.  The money was used to purchase hot and cold cereal to be donated to the KFRC.  Plan on seeing the Monster.com employees in jeans for the next month!

The Kyrene Family Resource Center assists Kyrene families in need with food, clothing, and school supplies.  For more information click here.

What are "Windows of Opportunity"?

Let's take a look:

• Brain development is a combination of genetics and the environment. It is the genes (or what your kid inherited from you) that create the structure of the circuit - but it is the combination of nutrition, the environment, and stimulation that determines how the circuit is “wired” or connected together.

• Brain cell connections (the “wiring” of the brain) are also created when your child forms attachments to parents, family members, and caregivers. That is why predictable and consistent childcare is important to devleopment.

• Your kid is biologically prepared to learn. That’s why a 3 year old’s brain is two and a half times more active than an adult's. It has more synapses (gaps between nerve fibers that make your child more sensitive to learning), and the density of the synapses remain high throughout the first 10 years of life.

• The quality, quantity and consistency of stimulation from your child’s early experiences contribute to the structure of his brain and its capacities. The effect of these experiences lasts for the rest of his life.

• There are “windows of opportunities” in your child’s development where his brain is particularly efficient at specific types of learning. These are critical periods where your child readily absorbs specific skills. These "window of opportunity" occur when the connections of the brain develops at the most rapid rate.

WINDOW FOR	OPTIMAL WINDOW	NEXT BEST OPPORTUNITY	FURTHER REWIRING POSSIBLE
Emotional Intelligence	0 to 24 months	2-5 years	any age
Motor Development	0 to 24 months	2-5 years	decreases with age
Vision	0 to 2 years	2-5 years
Early Sounds	4-8 months	8 months - 5 years	any age
Music	0-36 months	3-10 years	any age
Thinking Skills	0-48 months	4-10 years	any age
Second Language	5-10 years		any age

Put Your Freebies To Good Use!

Do you have any of these laying around your house collecting dust?

The Kyrene Family Resource Center could put them to good use!

We use the large grocery sack sized bags for our food "boxes".  Using the reusable grocery bags makes it easier for the Center to store, pack and deliver food boxes to families.

If you have bags you would like to donate, please bring them by the center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-6pm.

Kyrene Family Resource Center

(located just west of Kyrene de los Ninos Elementary School campus)

1330 E. Dava

Tempe, AZ 85282

:) Thanks!-Amanda