Q:  I heard about Pennsylvania's Promise Month from my son's daycare.  What is it and how can we participate?

            A:  Just as there is a national "Week of the Young Child" in April (sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children), so our state has designated the month of October as a special time to celebrate all child care programs that deliver high quality care for young children.  Through public service announcements on radio and TV and through local events Smart Start-Centre County is celebrating Pennsylvania's Promise Month and asking parents, grandparents, and members of the whole community to join together in supporting the pursuit of excellence in caring for young children.

            What does excellence in child care look like?  You will see teachers who get down low to greet the child warmly on the child's level.  You will see a neat, safe, and attractive environment.  You will see a variety of enriched learning materials available for the child to choose.  You will see children interacting comfortably with their teachers and peers, freely asking for help if needed, and spontaneously and joyfully sharing their discoveries. 

            Of course even in the highest quality child care programs, you should expect to see occasional tears and altercations with friends.  One of the most important developmental tasks for young children is to learn about their emotions.  This can only be done successfully through experiencing emotions, being accepted and helped by the adults in their lives, and eventually gaining understanding of those emotions.  Through acceptance and empathy, caring adults can help children learn to manage powerful emotions-a skill that will become very important throughout their lives.

            Since October is also a month to celebrate mental health in children and adults, Smart Start-Centre County is bringing these two celebrations together in one event on October 23 at Nittany Mall.  From 11:00 am until 1:00 pm the Centre County "Healthy Minds, Happy Kids" Resource Fair will gather a variety of organizations that offer parenting support, parenting classes, and techniques to build social and emotional skills in young children.  Come to the JC Penney courtyard area to obtain free information, prizes, and social and emotional skill-building activities, games, and materials for yourselves and your children.

            The importance of gaining skill and understanding at managing emotions in the early years before school cannot be overstated.  Kindergarten teachers report that the skills that predict academic success are the ability to form friendships, communicate differing opinions and needs, the ability to focus attention, and the ability to cooperate and follow directions.  Please join Smart Start-Centre County and local service providers at "Healthy Minds, Happy Kids" and learn how to help your children develop these skills.

            A promise is a declaration that something will be done.  The State of Pennsylvania has made a promise to help its children grow and develop in safe and healthy ways-so their promise is fulfilled and with that, the future economic health of our state is assured.  For more information about Pennsylvania's Promise for its children, visit www.papromiseforchildren.com.