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