Things that Matter: September 2013

“90% of a child’s brain develops by the age of 5,” said Carolyn Shelley, speaking at the family literacy night at Precious Stones preschool in Sedona. “No single activity has proven to be as important to a child’s school success as reading aloud to a child.”

Shelley is the coordinator of Raising a Reader, a program that partners with preschools, child care centers and parents to encourage more reading at home. In Yavapai County and Sedona, the program is implemented by Yavapai College through a grant from First Things First.

Carolyn Shelley speaks about early literacy and brain development

to the parents of Precious Stones Preschool.

Precious Stones Preschool began participating in Raising a Reader this month. Through the program, children bring home a red bag filled with books each week to read with their family, and exchange the bag for a new one the following week. After doing this for sixteen weeks, teachers, parents and children end the program with a celebration, during which children take home a free book and book bag of their very own.

The program has been known to transform children into eager readers. “The children look forward to receiving their bag every week. They want to read more,” said Marla Sutcliffe, Director of Precious Stone Preschool. “Parents, too, are very enthusiastic about this program.”

“We try to read to her every night, but Raising a Reader has helped us be more consistent,” said Bronlin Chandler, father of 4-year old Leah, who attends Precious Stones Preschool. Daily reading, Chandler explained, has helped Leah expand her vocabulary and verbal skills, which will help her succeed later on.

“The love of reading is linked to life success,” said Carolyn Shelley. “All it takes is 10 minutes of reading a day-not a huge investment of time- to help a child build a strong foundation.” With the help of Raising a Reader, more children in Sedona will be raring and ready to read.

Raising a Reader is a free program for licensed child care centers and preschools funded by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.

Free Program Teaches Infant Massage to Families

When Cori Burke and Abraham Feinberg of Prescott had their first child, Emma, they were committed to learning all they could about parenting. “Just because we both have college degrees doesn’t mean we know everything about kids,” said Burke.

To help them learn all they could, the new parents enrolled in Parents as Teachers, a home visiting program of Arizona’s Children Association funded by First Things First. Through the completely free program, the family receives home visits every two weeks from their parent educator, Lorina McCabe, who assesses Emma’s development, teaches Cori and Abraham activities to promote Emma’s health and learning, and connects them to any other resources they may need. “One of the best things about Parents as Teachers is that it gives you preemptive information to prepare for and support the development of your child,” said Burke.

Cori Burke (left) practices infant massage on her 4-month-old daughter

Emma with the guidance of parent educator Lorina McCabe.

Lorina McCabe is currently training to be a certified infant massage teacher so that can share it with the families she visits and eventually offer free classes to the community. However, before she can obtain her full certification, McCabe needs to teach infant massage to five families. Cori Burke gladly agreed to learn. “We had heard about infant massage and wanted to try it,” said Burke.

“Infant Massage helps baby and parent to read each other’s cues,” said McCabe. “It also helps with bonding, calming the baby, and helping the baby fall asleep.” McCabe added that infant massage also helps the baby with myelination, a process that builds brain connection efficiency.

“Now that we’re practicing infant massage, we really like it. It’s a way to be present and do something for your baby,” said Burke.

McCabe was able to learn infant massage from Infant Massage Specialist Olga Morris, who graciously offered to teach her at no cost. “Parents as Teachers does great work with families,” said Olga Morris. “I offered Lorina a scholarship because I want home visitors like her to be trained so that they can bring infant massage directly to the home.”

Soon, Lorina McCabe will be offering free Infant Massage classes for all interested parents and caregivers of infants age 12 months and under,which she hopes will gives parents an opportunity to come together and learn something meaningful. To find out more about Parents as Teachers or to sign up for an upcoming class, please call 1-888-771-3435 X 2026.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Finding and Choosing Child Care

QualityFirstAZ.com helps families search for and select child care and preschool

Families will now have more information and tools for finding quality child care and preschool through QualityFirstAZ.com.

The new website – launched by First Things First – gives families information about why quality is important in child care and preschool and what quality looks like. It also gives parents tools they can use to find a quality child care and preschool setting that meets their needs.

Leslie Womack and her daughter Ellina

Leslie Womack, mother of five, researched preschools for her 3-year old son Ethan for almost a year. Besides basic health and safety, she wanted a program that would give Ethan the early education he needed to build a strong foundation for school and life. “The early years are when the brain develops the most, and quality preschool can boost a child’s confidence, social skills, academic skills, and self-discipline,” said Womack. “I wanted a quality preschool that would help my son grow, learn and have a boost in life. I also didn’t want him to feel overwhelmed when he began kindergarten.”

Womack knows the difference that preschool can make. Her first son, who did not attend preschool, had a difficult time getting adjusted to kindergarten, which affected his learning. After sending her second son to preschool because she needed to go back to work, Womack saw a difference when her second son entered kindergarten. “It was a seamless transition between preschool and kindergarten,” Womack said. “There was no frustration, and he had good social skills.” Because he had attended preschool, her second son was more comfortable in a school environment. He was ready to learn. It was then she knew that Ethan, her third son, also needed to attend preschool.

After researching and visiting several centers, Womack went to see Cedar Tree Montessori Preschool in Prescott. When she observed the environment and talked with the teachers, she knew it was a right fit for her son. “When I walked in, I could tell it was a quality environment,” said Womack. “I talked to the teachers about the center’s curriculum, and I could tell they were knowledgeable teachers that were responsive to children’s needs.”

Womack also learned that Cedar Tree Montessori Preschool was enrolled in Quality First, a First Things First funded program that partners with preschools and child care centers to help improve their quality.

After Ethan had attended Cedar Tree Montessori Preschool for a while, Womack began to see a difference in his social skills. “Social skills do not just come by themselves, and you can’t succeed in this world without them” said Womack. “I want my children to be future leaders, and at preschool, Ethan is learning the social skills he needs. I see a greater sense of maturity in him.”

Womack is glad that parents will have access to information and tools to help them choose child care through QualityFirstAZ.com. “This website will make it easier for parents to search for the quality school that works best for them and their child,” Womack said.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

About 12% of young children in Yavapai County age 6 and under are raised primarily by their grandparents.

Olga Morris of Cottonwood received partial guardianship of her two grandsons, Andrew Paul and Ahchanabahe, when tragedy befell their family. Two years ago, the boys’ mother -Olga’s daughter- passed away. The boys were only 3 and 5 years old. Soon after, the boys’ father began serving a four-year prison sentence for an alcohol-related offense. Now, Olga shares guardianship with the boys’ step mother.

Olga Morris and her two grandsons

Though the circumstances in which she came to raise the boys were sad and unexpected, Morris has worked to make sure that the boys have all the support they need to be happy and healthy.

The beginning of the school year can be especially difficult for Andrew and Ahchanabahe, as it marks the anniversary of their mother’s death. Morris and the boys’ stepmother know that the positive, nurturing relationships they build with the boys are critical to helping them cope. “Research shows that the relationship a child has with their primary caregiver shapes the way they have relationships in the future, as well as how they view themselves in the world,” said Morris.

Morris says that today’s world is different than the one in which she raised her daughter. “So much more is expected from children nowadays, especially in the areas of reading and math,” she said. Morris constantly emphasizes the importance of school to her grandsons, and regularly volunteers in their classrooms.

Morris is dedicated to being the best grandparent she can be, and has attended free parent classes to learn all she can. She recommended that all grandparents raising grandchildren take advantage of programs available to support them. “There’s new research that’s helping parents be better- things that we weren’t aware of when we were raising kids,” Morris said.

In our community, several free resources –funded by First Things First- are available to all parents, grandparents and caregivers raising young children ages 6 and under. These include:

· Free parenting education classes. To find a class near you, call (928)-708-0100.

· The Birth to Five Helpline, which helps families of young kids get answers to their toughest questions (1-877-705-5437)

· Parents as Teachers, a free home visitation program for families with children ages 5 and under. For more information, call 1-888-771-3435 X 2026.

Another new, free resource, Raising Up GRANDChildren, is a group for grandparents and others raising a relative's child. The group, which is part of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, meets every first and third Wednesday of each month at the Clarkdale Library from 11:00am- 12:30pm. Participants are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.

Many other local programs can be found in the Little Kids Book, a countywide resource guide for families, which can be found at your local library.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Child Care and Preschool: It’s About Quality

Sacred Heart Preschool Dedicated to Providing High-Quality Early

Education

All parents want the best environment for their kids, but when they’re trying to find a quality child care or preschool program, it can be hard to know what to look for.

Janice Richards in one of the preschool classrooms at Sacred Heart

Now, families can visit QualityFirstAZ.com, a website launched by First Things First, to get information on what quality child care looks like. The site also lists all child care centers and preschools in Arizona enrolled in Quality First, a child care quality improvement program created and funded by First Things First. Through Quality First, programs enrolled receive guidance from a quality coach, as well as financial assistance for classroom materials and quality improvements that research proves help children thrive.

Sacred Heart preschool, and early learning center in Prescott for children ages 3-5, has been enrolled in Quality First since 2011. Janice Richards, the center director, says that Quality First has helped Sacred Heart to go beyond just providing a safe and clean space for young children. With the support of the program, Sacred Heart is now better able to provide kids with the experiences they need to build a solid foundation for success.

“Quality early education means that children are the heart of the program,” said Richards. “At Sacred Heart, our activities help children develop cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. Our teachers teach children to interact respectfully and be kind to one another. We want to assist children in becoming good citizens and make good decisions.”

Richards said that she and her dedicated teachers have received a lot of support from their Quality First coach. “Our coach spent a lot of time with me reviewing health, safety and early learning standards. She also worked individually with my teachers to provide advice and support on things like classroom organization, daily schedule flow, activities and materials.” Quality First has also assisted with the purchasing of new developmentally appropriate classroom materials and equipment for the center.

Richards says that it’s not just the activities and environment that make a quality preschool. In fact, she says the most important part of a quality center is the positive, nurturing relationship between teachers and their students. “The classroom is a place where children’s strengths are identified and nurtured by our knowledgeable teachers,” Richards said. “The teachers are the backbone of our program.”

The quality early education the children of Sacred Heart Preschool are receiving will benefit them for years to come. “Quality early education gives children a huge advantage later on,” Richards said. “Children start out more confident and independent. They know how to speak up and what is expected of them in a classroom. It gives them a solid foundation on which to grow.”

Richards also said that the kindergarten teachers at the Sacred Heart elementary school can see the difference between children who have attended quality preschool and those that haven’t. “The kids that attend quality preschool are more prepared for school,” said Richards.

To learn more about why quality is important in child care and preschool and to find programs enrolled in Quality First in your area, please visit QualityFirstAZ.com.

Nurse Consultation Program Helps Preschoolers Stay Healthy

Before Gabriela Sanchez attended St. Joseph’s preschool, she rarely ate vegetables. But soon after she began attending, Rubi Pedrego, Gabriela’s mother, was surprised and delighted to see her young daughter eating foods that she would have never touched before - like broccoli.

St. Joseph’s preschool, an early learning program in Cottonwood, participates in the Child Care Health Consultation (CCHC), a program for child care centers and preschools that is implemented by Yavapai County Community Health Services and funded by First Things First.

Through the program, centers receive visits from a nurse who partners with child care providers to strengthen the health and safety of their program, which includes giving trainings to staff, offering resource information, and providing workshops for children. Like for young Gabi Sanchez, these trainings, which focus on things like hand-washing, oral health, sun safety and nutrition, help young kids develop healthy habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Diana Cienega and Beth Mohan meet at St. Joseph’s preschool in Cottonwood.

Beth Mohan is the Child Care Health Consultant at St. Joseph’s, and visits the preschool about once per month. Diana Cienega, St. Joseph’s preschool director, says that the kids use what they learn from Mohan’s trainings immediately, and that their knowledge is long-lasting. “The preschoolers that received the hand-washing training last year still remember every step of the process, such as turning off the water with a paper towel,” Cienega said.

CCHC works with each center based on their unique needs. “If [Beth Mohan] doesn’t know the answer to a question I have, she will find it,” Cienega said. Mohan has also partnered with Cienega other health-related projects, such as the creation of a resource information area for parents and a thorough policies and procedures manual for use by parents and staff.

Cienega is looking forward to continuing to partner with the Child Care Health Consultation program. “It’s been a great help,” said Cienega.

CCHC is a free nurse consultation program for licensed child care centers and homes that is funded by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.

Quality First Improves Early Learning Programs across Arizona

Grannie’s House in Prescott Valley participates in Quality First

It could be said that Anelizabeth “Grannie” Marlowe was born to be an early childhood educator. Even when she took a break from her child care business and tried working jobs in other career fields, her passion for working with young kids brought her back to where she is today: Grannie’s House, the child care group home in Prescott Valley she owns and directs.

Though she was confident that she could provide a safe nurturing environment for young children, Grannie wanted to be the best she could be. In 2010, she enrolled in Quality First, a program for licensed child care centers and homes funded by First Things First. Through the program, Grannie started to receive regular visits from a quality coach, who partnered with her to improve her curriculum, design the children’s play spaces, and ensure safety. “My coach has been a source of encouragement, information, motivation and inspiration,” Grannie said.

Through the Quality First program, Grannie has also received a Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship, which allowed her to go back to school to get her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Yavapai College. She knows her degree has made her a better teacher. “Education and knowledge are empowering,” said Grannie. “The more I know about child development, the better I am able to create a quality environment for young children where the kids are able to explore and learn as they play.”

Quality First also offers financial assistance to its enrolled programs for things such as curriculum materials and safety equipment. This year, Grannie was able to buy a small new playground for the children.

Though financial assistance and individual coaching have proved to be very helpful, Grannie knows that the most important thing that makes her program high-quality her relationship with the children. “When you walk into a high-quality center, children feel welcomed, comfortable, safe and secure,” Grannie said. “The number one element of a quality center is the positive relationship between the child care provider and the children.”

Early childhood matters. 90% of a child’s critical brain development happens before age five, and critical social and behavioral skills take root in the early years. “Early childhood is the foundation that a child has to prepare for the rest of their life,” Grannie said. “We’re raising the leaders of tomorrow right now.” With the help of Quality First, Grannie is making sure that young kids have the experiences they need to build a strong foundation for success.

Quality First is a program created and funded by First Things First. For more information, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.

Quality First in Prescott Valley

Families will now have more information and tools for finding quality child care and preschool through QualityFirstAZ.com.

“Children who have quality early education experiences are more prepared when they enter kindergarten, and do better in school,” said Dr. Pamela Powell, an Associate Professor of Literacy and Early Childhood at Northern Arizona University and Vice Chair of the First Things First Board. “Skills like motivation, self-control, focus, and self-esteem are rooted in early childhood and are learned from interactions with adults.”

Dr. Powell said many of those interactions happen in child care and preschool, so it is vital that those settings be quality environments that build on basic health and safety to include:

· teachers and caregivers who know how to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers;

· positive, nurturing relationships that give young kids the individual attention they need;

· learning environments that encourage creativity and imaginative play;

· hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage positive brain connections in children; and,

· caregivers who provide regular feedback to parents on the development of their child.

Anelizabeth “Grannie” Marlowe, owner and director of Grannie’s House, a child care home in Prescott Valley committed to quality, works to make sure that her center includes all of these critical elements. “In a high-quality center, children feel welcomed, comfortable, safe and secure,” Marlowe said. Marlowe also said that in her decades of working with young children, she knows that the most powerful indicator of quality in an early childhood center is the nurturing, positive relationship between the teachers and children.

Quality early care prepares children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Parents can find child care centers and homes like Grannie’s House in their area through QualityFirstAZ.com. By launching the website, First Things First also hopes to spark conversations between parents and providers and across communities statewide about the importance of quality early learning. “Early childhood is the foundation that a child has to prepare for the rest of their life,” Marlowe said. “We’re raising the leaders of tomorrow right now.”

About First Things First – First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community volunteers. To learn more, visit azftf.gov.

Quality First in Chino Valley

Families will now have more information and tools for finding quality child care and preschool through QualityFirstAZ.com.

Children who have quality early education experiences are more prepared when they enter kindergarten, and do better in school. Quality child care and preschool should be healthy, safe environments that also include:

· teachers and caregivers who know how to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers;

· positive, nurturing relationships that give young kids the individual attention they need;

· learning environments that encourage creativity and imaginative play;

· hands-on activities that stimulate and encourage positive brain connections in children; and,

· caregivers who provide regular feedback to parents on the development of their child.

Kelly McCready, owner and director of Valley Learning Center in Chino Valley, is committed to continually strengthening the quality of her center. “Quality care matters because it gives children opportunities that prepare them for the rigors of school. In a quality early learning environment, each child is getting what they need to help them thrive. Quality is about a healthy child, healthy relationships between caregivers and children, and a healthy environment,” said McCready.

McCready added that quality preschool and child care centers also help young kids build their social skills, which they will need in school and in life. “Early learning environments are critical to build the skills that children need to succeed in kindergarten,” McCready said.

Because of the launch of QualityFirstAZ.com, McCready is glad that more parents and families in Chino Valley and surrounding areas will have access to the information and tools they need to choose the child care that fits their needs. “The more knowledge you have, the better you can make the best decisions for your child,” McCready said.

Choosing Quality Child Care

QualityFirstAZ.com helps families find and select preschool and child care

Gabriela Sanchez and her parents Rubi and Gerardo at St. Joseph’s Preschool in Cottonwood

Families in Arizona can now access the information they need to choose a child care center or preschool for their child by visiting QualityFirstAZ.com. The website, launched by First Things First, gives families information about why quality is important in child care and preschool and what quality looks like.

Rubi Pedrego of Cottonwood had a hard time looking for a child care center for her daughter Gabriela. She didn’t just want a safe place to put her daughter while she and her husband Gerardo worked, she also wanted her daughter to receive a quality early education.

“In a child care center, the safety and protection of children are most important,” said Pedrego. But after the necessary health and safety, Pedrego said that what she looked for next was the environment the teachers were creating for the children- a secure place of play, learning and laughter. She also wanted a center that communicated well with parents. “It’s important for parents to be informed of their child’s progress,” she said.

Pedrego’s mother suggested that she visit St. Joseph’s preschool, a child care center in Cottonwood. When she visited, Pedrego knew it would be a good fit for her daughter. “Walking into St. Joseph’s, I could see the children were happy, comfortable, and learning,” said Pedrego. “I was very impressed with the teacher’s interactions with the children.”

Gabriela, now four, has attended St. Joseph’s preschool for almost two years. At the center, the daily schedule includes circle time with books, healthy snacks, explorative play and skill-building activities. “Gabriela has learned so much,” said Pedrego. “When she’s here, I know she’ll have a good day.”

Pedrego said that preschool hasn’t just helped her daughter academically; it has also helped Gabriela build critical social and behavioral skills she needs, such as motivation, focus, and healthy peer relationships. When Gabriela began attending St. Joseph’s preschool, she was very shy and reluctant to interact with children her age. Now, the preschooler can be seen playing energetically with her peers. “She’s able to connect with other kids, and she knows it’s ok to be herself,” said Pedrego. “These things are priceless, and will help her in school later on.”

With the launch of QualityFirstAZ.com, families have access to the information they need to make the best decisions for their young children, making sure they are in a child care environment that will prepare them for success in school and life.

QualityFirstAZ.com is website launched by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com