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MAY/ JUNE NEWSLETTER
2010 |
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Greetings!
Grab your shovels and seeds, it's gardening season! Planting a vegetable garden is both relaxing and educational for children, and gives you a chance to spend time together talking about how plants grow, types of vegetables, and how to take care of a garden. Vegetable gardens don't have to be planted only in the ground; each child could plant his own personal "garden" in a large pot (or several pots) that he has decorated ahead of time. Children will enjoy having the responsibility of weeding and watering their plants and watching the vegetables grow. You'll be pleasantly surprised when a child who normally doesn't eat his veggies, will excitedly pull a carrot out of the ground, wash it, and eat it with pride! HAPPY GARDENING! Little Seeds
by Else Holmelund Minarik
Little seeds we sow in spring
growing while the robins sing,
give us carrots, peas and beans,
tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and greens.
And we pick them,
one and all,
through the summer,
through the fall,
Winter comes, then spring, and then
little seeds we sow again.
Leslie Wilson
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DATES WEE WATCH
May 2010
May 9: Mother's Day
May 24: Victoria Day
May 24-28: Together Wee Can "Safe Kids Canada Week"
June 2010
June 20: Father's Day
June 21: Summer Solstice
June 21-July 1: Celebrate Canada Events
June 29: Together Wee Can "Celebrate Canada Patriotic Picnic"
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| TOGETHER WEE CAN
Wee Watch has a wonderful opportunity to bring all of our homes across Ontario together to participate in activities on certain days, weeks and months. These "Together Wee Can" events are exclusive to Wee Watch. All activities are carefully chosen for their importance to children and their families. These events provide a great learning opportunity that meets the needs of children of all ages and ultimately strengthens our Wee Watch community.
MAY 2010 - "SAFE KIDS CANADA WEEK"
May 24-28th will be a fun-filled week of activities aimed at raising awareness about preventing childhood injuries, and discussing with the children people in our community who keep us safe and healthy such as doctors, nurses, firefighters and police officers. Your Provider will be planning activities such as "Bandaid Matchup", "Firefighter Says", and "Stay Low and Go".
JUNE 2010 - "CELEBRATE CANADA - PATRIOTIC PICNIC JUNE 29"
Celebrate Canada is an 11 day event that is celebrated each year from June 21 to July 1 all across the country. June 29th has been chosen as the "Together Wee Can" Patriotic Picnic day. Providers will be taking children on a picnic, making "Patriotic Plates", and playing games such as "Silly Squirrel", "Maple Leaf Toss", and "Red Light, White Light". Don't forget to wear red and white on this day!!
"WEEK OF WACKINESS"
March Break gave us incredible weather, and children enjoyed being outdoors! A great week to be "wacky"! Toboggans and skates were put away, while bubbles and sidewalk chalk came out. Hooray! |
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Our exclusive "Wee Learn Program" is designed to meet the specific learning needs of each of our children enrolled. The Wee Learn Program provides the flexibility for each child to participate at his own pace and is designed to allow each child from the youngest Wee Beginner to the oldest Wee Mentor to learn as they play. As there is a mix of individual and group activities in the homes, the children are also given lots of opportunities to develop their social skills as well.
Your Provider is given resources that include age appropriate activities addressing areas of language, cognitive, math/science, fine motor and gross motor development. These resources include our FUNdamental theme related activities, an Activity Handbook full of easy homemade activities for each age group, website activity pages to further build on fine motor, math and language skills they have already been working on in their Play and Learn booklets.
Each month, take a look at the progress your child is making in his Play and Learn booklet. These
booklets are a great keepsake and give you an opportunity to see the skills such as cognitive, math, and fine motor skills your child is working on each and every day.
Spending time together gives you an opportunity to see how your child is using skills that he has learned at home and at day care. Each day your child is progressing through stages of development and continually working on new skills and mastering others.
We are pleased to provide your child with his/her very own portfolio "My Wee Watch Work". Look for opportunities to praise your child for new accomplishments and milestones achieved, however small they may be. Your child will be proud to show you the activities, crafts, Play and Learns and worksheets in his/her portfolio. The May/June newsletter will provide you with information about children's dental health. Taking care of your child's teeth can begin before teeth even appear! Teaching children good oral hygiene starts early and techniques will change as they get older. The key is to make it fun and part of their daily routine.
Wee Beginners: 0 - 18 months |
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 WEE BEGINNERS- TOOTHLESS WONDER
Babies' teeth start forming during the second trimester of pregnancy.  At the time of birth, a baby will have 20 primary teeth that have formed under the gums. Oral care can begin by running a damp washcloth over the baby's gums after feedings. First teeth may appear between 4 - 7 months, usually the two front lower teeth followed a few months later by the two front upper teeth. Once teeth come through, a soft toothbrush or rubbing them with gauze will help prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle can harm his teeth over time and should be avoided. Sugars from the milk or juice stay on the teeth harming the enamel. This is known as baby-bottle tooth decay. This can also occur if a child is put to bed with a soother dipped in honey, sugar, or other sweet liquid. Teeth will become discoloured, pitted or pocked. In severe cases, teeth may need to be pulled.
By the time your child is one year old, you should be making his/her first dentist appointment. This may seem young, but it is important to detect problems early, and help children feel comfortable visiting the dentist. When visiting for the first time, be prepared to ask any questions you may have regarding your child's oral health. Also be prepared for your child to fuss a little during his first exam. This is normal, but many parents are surprised at how quiet their child is, and enjoy the attention. Having a second adult with you during the exam will allow you to speak with the dentist uninterrupted.
Teething Suggestions:
- frozen wet face cloths, rubber teething rings (if you use a liquid filled ring, take it out of the freezer before it is rock hard - this could hurt their swollen gums), massage gums with a clean finger, use an infant pain reliever (consult your doctor first).
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WEE EXPLORERS - THUMB SUCKING
When your child is able to spit, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, with your supervision, can be used when brushing. Continue to wipe the gum areas with a washcloth or gauze.  Floss can be used once two teeth are touching each other. During this time, your child may want to try brushing on her own. It is important that you are supervising to make sure that all teeth have been cleaned and that not too much toothpaste is being used. Swallowing a lot of fluoride may cause cosmetic problems in adult teeth.
At this age, thumb sucking may be an issue. This is a natural instinct. Babies will suck their fingers/thumbs to soothe themselves and feel secure. Placing objects in their mouths help them explore their surroundings. Normal thumb-sucking or pacifier use won't affect young children. Children usually stop on their own after they turn 2, and thumb-sucking is considered safe until the age of 4. Parents need only worry if a child does not stop thumb-sucking by this age, as it can affect both her permanent and baby teeth. If thumb-sucking is prolonged, your child may develop some of the following dental problems:
Malocclusion- misaligned or crooked teeth
Palate development - the roof of the mouth may become malformed
- improper pronunciation of words
If your child does not stop sucking his or her thumb, you may need to take measures into your own hands.
The following are several approaches you can use to get your child to quit thumb-sucking:
Mind Over Matter-- Distractions will keep your child's hands busy. Establish rules and goals to help your child adjust. If you do catch your child "falling off the wagon," don't scold her. Instead, offer gentle reminders and stay positive about her progress.
The Gold Star System-- Keep track of your child's achievements with a calendar, and document how well she's doing with stickers or gold stars.
Reward Your Child-- A reward system will give your child something to look forward to. And be sure to acknowledge her accomplishments along the way -- quitting thumb-sucking is a big deal! Once your child reaches each goal, reward her how you see fit.
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WEE BUILDERS - USING TEETH AS A WEAPON
Biting is a very common form of communication, and is not a sign that your child is a bully, bad, or is poorly parented. Children bite for many reasons such as being tired, bored, confused, hungry, overexcited, and of course frustrated  but are unable to verbalize these feelings. The child may also enjoy the reaction he/she is getting from the adult or other child. One thing is for sure, it is very embarrassing for the parent of the biter.
How to help your child stop biting:
· Give children enough toys. Provide enough toys and activities to curb fighting between children over the toys.
· Have more than one "favourite" toy. Keep more than one of the most popular toys on hand so that very young children will not have to wait long to play with it.
· Watch out for predictors. Be on the lookout for frustrating situations when a child might lose control. If necessary, decrease the number of children your child plays near or shorten the playtime.
· Teach alternatives to biting. Teach your child to say "no" if another child is doing something he does not like. Also try offering your child a teething ring if he looks like he might bite another child.
· Keep your child in sight. Stay very close to your child and if he bites, immediately remove him from the situation. When he is playing well with others, compliment him to help him realize that you value this kind of behaviour. This will also help build his self-esteem.
· Be consistent. Explain that biting hurts others and is not allowed. Consistently remove the child when he bites. This will help him learn that he must stop biting if he wants to play with others.
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WEE LEARNERS - "I DON'T WANT TO GO"
Kids don't come with a built-in fear of the dentist. But they are impressionable. A place like the dentist's office -- with its big chairs, bright lights, strange noises and funny looking tools -- can be scary for little ones. The trick is finding a way to make these strange and new experiences fun, not scary. The better your child's experiences are with the dentist early on, the less likely he or she will be to develop a fear of the dentist.
 Skipping dental checkups shouldn't be an option. Regular dental checkups help protect against cavities and other more serious and painful dental problems. It's important for kids to visit the dentist regularly -- once every six months -- even when there's nothing wrong. Routine visits are far less traumatic than infrequent visits that involve discomfort or pain.
Start Early The earlier your child sees the dentist, the better. The first dental visit should be around the age of 1. This visit won't be too long; think of it as a chance for your child to get to know the dentist and the dentist's office. It's also a great chance for you to ask the dentist any questions you might have.
Read & Role-Play Many favourite children's characters are featured in books about going to the dentist. Reading with your child gives you a chance to talk about why visiting the dentist is important. It also helps your child become familiar with the dentist and what to expect during a dental checkup.
Role-playing a visit to the dentist can be fun for kids. You can begin by asking your child to "open wide," then count his or her teeth. Then let your child pretend to be the dentist while you play patient.
Let Your Child Tag Along During Your Visit Taking your child along during your routine dental checkup will give your little one a chance to become familiar with the dentist office environment. (Check with your dentist to make sure it's okay first.) The goal is for your child to see that there's nothing scary about going to the dentist.
Keep Your Fears to Yourself If you've got dental anxiety, your child will pick up on that and be fearful too. Avoid negative words when you're talking about the dentist and never suggest that anything will be painful. And don't share any negative experiences you might have had with the dentist with your child. The goal is for your child to look forward to seeing the dentist every six months, not dread it.
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WEE EXPERTS - LOOSING TEETH
Most children can also expect to lose their first tooth around the age of six. If your child got his/her baby teeth early, he will likely get his adult teeth a little early, but not generally before the age of six.  If your child's baby teeth were a little late in coming, his adult teeth will likely be a little late too.
Baby teeth fall out in roughly the same order that they came in. The two front teeth at the bottom fall out, followed by the central incisors at the top. From there, they fall out in order from front to back, starting on the bottom and then the top. Some children may be bothered by the idea of losing teeth, by the pain or by the sight of any blood that may come along with loose teeth. As a parent you can reassure your child that this is a normal process. A cold compress may be all that is necessary to ease any discomfort. The idea of the Tooth Fairy can also comfort children. The final baby tooth has usually fallen out by the age of 12, but the wisdom teeth with come in between the ages of 18 - 21.
TOOTH KEEPER CRAFT
You will need:
-An empty matchbox
-coloured or plain paper
-glitter to decorate
-glue
Cut the paper to cover the outside of the matchbox. Glue paper to box. Take the drawer out of the box and decorate the ends, and set aside to dry. Decorate the covered matchbox. When dry, replace the drawer. Now your child has a special place to keep his/her tooth for the tooth fairy!
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WEE MENTORS - "I CHIPPED MY TOOTH"
Although teeth are incredibly strong, they can be chipped, fractured or break by either biting down on something hard or trauma to the face. Teeth that are weak from cavities can also break more easily.
 A chipped tooth can be very painful if the nerve has been exposed and comes in contact with hot or cold foods, air and even saliva. If a tooth is cracked or fractured, there may not be any pain initially nor any visible damage. The pain may come with chewing only.
If your child has damaged a tooth, you will want to contact your dentist as soon as possible for advice. Keep the chipped piece(s) of the tooth as the dentist may be able to cement the tooth back together temporarily. In severe cases, a crown or root canal may be necessary. A small chip may not require any treatment.
Children that are involved in contact sports should be fitted with a mouth guard. A properly fitted mouth guard can help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw.
FUN DENTAL CRAFT
1. Select a large Red Delicious apple (one apple/4 children). Core the apple and slice the apple into 8 segments. Give each child 2 segments.
2. If there are no peanut allergies, each child can spread peanut butter with a popsicle stick on one side of each apple slice. Place the segments next to each other, peanut butter side up. (an alternate spread could be jam).
3. Each child will then be given 5 - 6 mini marshmallows that will be placed on the spread of one of the segments. The marshmallows should appear to curve with the shape of the segment.
4. Once all of the marshmallows have been placed on the spread, take your other apple segment, and carefully place it on top of the marshmallows. Make sure you try to align the apple as evenly as possible. Then, press down on the fleshy part of the apple that is opposite of the skin.
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PLAY IT SAFE
With summer comes the freedom of riding a bike. Adults should encourage children to put on a helmet every time they head out for a bike ride - you are their best role model! Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury from a fall by up to 85%.
When determining if your child is ready to ride on the road, consider the following:
Can he:
· Keep his balance on the bike
· Control his speed, know how to stop
· Ride in a straight line
· Turn and/or stop without falling or losing control
· Avoid running into people or things
· Look over his shoulder without losing control
*Note: It is recommended that children under 10 years of age not ride their bicycles on the road, as they have not yet developed the physical and thinking skills necessary to handle their bikes safely in traffic.
Follow these guidelines to ensure a helmet fits properly:
· Make sure your child tries on the helmet before you purchase it
· Use the foam pads that are sold with the helmet until a firm fit is achieved
· When on, the front of the helmet should cover the top of forehead and rest about
2 fingers width above the child's eyebrows
· Side straps should form a "V" shape snugly around the ear, and side strap should be
right under the ear
· Tighten the chin strap until you can fit only one finger between the strap and the chin
· Be sure the child isn't wearing anything on his head that could interfere with how the
helmet fits (ex. hair clips, headphones, baseball caps, ponytails, etc.)
· Once on, have your child shake his/her head front to back, side to side. The helmet should
not move.
· Be sure the helmet is sitting level on your child's head
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