News from Idaho AEYC

Promoting Excellence in Early Care and Education

April 2011

Greetings!

Idaho AEYC is seeking qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Governors. We are hoping to diversify the board and we are looking for people who have skills and experience in fund development, marketing and communications, public policy, board development, finance, and nonprofit law.

Boy Playing Train Members of the Governing Board serve two year terms beginning in July. The responsibility of the board is to manage the corporate and business affairs of the organization.

If you are interested or know of anyone that would be a good fit, please pass this information on to them. The deadline to apply is April 20th. Download the application packet WORD document.

Beth Oppenheimer

Executive Director

Idaho AEYC

Idaho Early Literacy Project

In 2005, Lee Pesky Learning Center launched the Idaho Early Literacy Project by publishing and distributing 38,000 Every Child Ready to Read books to new parents in Idaho. With the support of Idaho AEYC, the project expanded in 2008 and Lee Pesky Learning Center began offering free two-day Building Blocks for Literacy courses to early educators.

Funded through congressional appropriations sponsored by Congressman Simpson, 843 daycare providers and preschool teachers from all over Idaho have participated in this training since 2008. In addition, all participants received children's books, games, and Every Child Ready to Read books for the parents of the children they serve. The Building Blocks for Literacy course is now available online for parents and educators and includes video demonstrations. This free, self-paced course can be accessed by going to Idaho AEYC's website or Lee Pesky Learning Center's website. "This is a wonderful resource for Idaho," states Cristianne Lane, Idaho Early Literacy Project Manager. "It is important that we let everyone know about this professional development opportunity. It also benefits early educators seeking IdahoSTARS training hours."

Last fall, Lee Pesky Learning Center hosted an early literacy conference at Boise State University. National experts spoke about the urgency of providing high-quality literacy experiences to young children. After a two year study of the Idaho Early Literacy Project, Lee Pesky Learning Center was able to demonstrate that the children of teachers who received the training doubled the average literacy gains of the children they serve. By comparison, children of teachers who did not have the training only made average gains. The study was conducted in partnership with Head Start and Strategic Intelligence, Inc.

This year the project is expanding once again. Math courses for preschool teachers are now being offered with plans to make this course available online by late summer of 2011. For more information about the project and important literacy resources, visit www.LPLearningCenter.org. Lee Pesky Learning Center thanks Idaho AEYC for their support and shared vision.

Eco-Healthy Child Care Training

An important and unique opportunity is coming to our state from Washington DC. This training is for professionals working to improve the environmental health of the unborn child and all children. Health department personnel, medical professionals, nurses (school, pediatric, and Child Care Nurse Consultants), Idaho child care state licensing staff, and educators will all find this training beneficial.

Presenter Carol Stroebel is the Director of Training and Policy for Children's Environmental Health Network. The Children's

Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is a national multi-disciplinary organization whose mission is to protect the fetus and the child from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment.

CEHN has been working since 1992 to promote this vital work and has a history of working with a wide range of stakeholders. From health care and child care professionals to faith and policy leaders, to parents and care givers, CEHN has partnered with local and national professional and advocacy organizations, reaching local, state, federal, and international audiences.

Although children are better protected today than 18 years ago, we still have a great deal of work to do in order to ensure all children have the right to a healthy and safe future.

Today, CEHN is the voice of children's environmental health in the nation's capitol, one that is uniquely informed by a strong basis in pediatric and environmental health science.

Date: May 6, 2011

Time: 8 AM - 12 noon

Location: Boise State Student Union, Farnsworth Room

Registration Fee: $35 (includes training manual)

Make check payable to: Idaho AEYC

Make note on check: EHCC registration

Registration Deadline: April 25, 2011

Space is limited so register early!

Send registration fee to:

Idaho AEYC

CCHC Program

1471 W Shoreline Dr, Ste 202

Boise ID 83702-9105

For more information, contact:

Daleen Nelson

208.345.1090 ext 27

dnelson@idahoaeyc.org

Week of the Young Child 2011

Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an annual celebration that focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. This year's theme is "Early Years Are Learning Years."

Idaho's Governor, C. L. "Butch" Otter, signed a proclamation on April 7th proclaiming April 10-16, 2011 as the Week of the Young Child encouraging all citizens to work to make a good investment in early childhood in Idaho.

Week of the Young Child is the perfect time to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education. Some ideas from previous years include neighborhood parades, family fun fairs, art displays, and collaborations with local organizations and businesses.

Plan events in your area or visit these:

Twin Falls

Snake River AEYC, College of Southern Idaho (CSI) Early Childhood Education Program, and the Regional Early Childhood Committee (RECC) are sponsoring Children's Day Out!

This free event is for children birth through age 8 accompanied by an adult

and offers child-oriented activities such as face painting, a fishing booth, jump house, and lots more.

Monday, April 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Boys' and Girls' Club of Twin Falls

999 Frontier Road next to the National Guard Armory

Coeur d'Alene

North Idaho AEYC is sponsoring an Art Show at the Coeur d'Alene library as well as a looped slide presentation in all 3 libraries that feature young children at play and learning in early education, group and in-home based child care facilities throughout Region 1 from April 10 - 29.

To honor of the child care providers in Region 1, NIAEYC will be hosting a Provider Luncheon on Saturday, April 30th.

Treasure Valley

Treasure Valley AEYC has put together an April Calendar of early literacy ideas for parents and children with the hope that area child care owners will share it with their families.

TVAEYC also put together a list of local businesses willing to provide discounts to early childhood educators and young children during April 10 - 16 to celebrate Week of the Young Child. Access the list here.

Eastern Idaho

EIAEYC's plans include proclamations by the mayors of Chubbuck and Pocatello. Check locally for details.

Celebrate Screen-Free Week April 18-24

Idaho AEYC is proud to be an official endorser of Screen-Free Week (April 18-24), the annual celebration where children, families, schools, and communities turn off screens and turn on life. What would you and your family do with an extra 20, 30, even 50 hours a week? Please visit www.screenfree.org to learn how you can get involved and join in the fun.

We all know that children spend far too much time with screens: an astonishing average of 32 hours a week for preschoolers and even more for older children. Excessive screen time is harmful for children; it's linked to poor school performance, childhood obesity, attention problems, and the erosion of creative play.

Screen-Free Week (formerly TV-Turnoff) is a wonderful way to help children lead healthier, happier lives by reducing dependence on entertainment screen media - including television, video games, computers, and hand-held devices. By encouraging children and families to unplug, Screen-Free Week provides time for them to play, connect with nature, read, daydream, create, explore, and spend more time with family and friends. And, of course, Screen-Free Week isn't just about snubbing screens for seven days; it's a springboard for important lifestyle changes that will improve well-being and quality of life all year round!

Anyone can participate in Screen-Free Week simply by refraining from using screens for entertainment during the week of April 18-24, 2011. But experience tells us that it's more fun - and more effective - to go Screen-Free with others. Since 1996, tens of thousands of parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, scout leaders, and clergy have helped millions of children turn off screens and turn on life by organizing local Screen-Free Weeks.

Screen-Free Week organizers and their teams promote the week, reach out to community partners, get children and families to participate, and help them discover fun screen-free activities. You can organize a Screen-Free Week in a classroom, an entire school, with a scout troop, faith community, neighborhood association, at your local library or in any community or civic group. To learn how you can become a Screen-Free Week organizer, please visit www.screenfree.org.

Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign Asks Idaho to Put Children First!

Idaho Children's Trust Fund/Prevent Child Abuse Idaho launched Idaho's annual statewide Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign with a proclamation signed by Governor Butch Otter in Boise on Wednesday, March 30.

"It is unfortunate that in the 21st century we are still talking about a problem that seems out of the middle ages. But we will continue to focus on preventing child abuse because the future of our society depends on it," Governor Otter said.

Speakers included the Governor; Representatives Sharon Block, John Rusche and Wendy Jaquet who sponsored a resolution on Shaken Baby Syndrome at the legislature, Brandi Whaley from Twin Falls whose daughter, Lauren, was a victim of shaking, Robin Sanchez from the board of the Idaho Children's Trust Fund, and Dr. Michael Sexton, M.D. who has treated many child victims of shaken baby syndrome at St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise.

The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is part of a national movement to change the way people think about prevention. In addition to engaging individuals in community activities that support children and families, the campaign advocates for public policies that prioritize healthy child development so abuse and neglect never begins.

"The campaign uses pinwheels to represent the happy childhoods and bright futures all children deserve," said Roger Sherman, Executive Director of the Idaho Children's Trust Fund/Prevent Child Abuse Idaho. "We are hopeful that the pinwheel displays in Idaho and across the nation serve as a reminder and a call to action, because we all have a role to play in putting children first. Whether it is in classrooms, community centers or neighborhoods - everyone's involvement is essential," he said.

As part of the campaign, Prevent Child Abuse Idaho is working with local community coordinators statewide who will be planting over 10,000 pinwheels, distributing materials on healthy child development and advocacy, and engaging their communities through local events.

Hospitals throughout the state are providing information to new parents using proven methods for soothing crying babies and encouraging parents to walk away if necessary to calm their nerves. These programs have been highly effective throughout the country in reducing shaking incidents.

"Babies are innocent and defenseless," said Brandi Whaley, founder of Shaken Baby Prevention of Idaho. Her daughter, Lauren, was badly injured as a result of being shaken by her childcare provider. "This could have been prevented had she known how dangerous shaking a baby can be. The only way to reduce the incidence of this unnecessary, preventable tragedy is through education."

Download a calendar of activities for each day of the month listing 30 ways to strengthen families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

National Children's Mental Health Day

The US government's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors an annual Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. In 2011, May 3 is set aside for activities to promote the theme Building Resilience for Young Children Dealing with Trauma.

Activities will raise awareness of effective programs for children's mental health needs; demonstrate how children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery, and resilience; and show how children with mental health needs can thrive in their communities.

Children need high-quality care, opportunities for developing and maintaining relationships, adequate nutrition, and support from families, educators, and communities. When these and other protective factors are in place, children experience positive development in all domains and have the internal adaptive resources to cope with trauma and stress they encounter.

For more information, visit the SAMHSA website.

Question:

I am enrolled in the IdahoSTARS Professional Development System (PDS) Registry. Does that mean I am also a member of Idaho AEYC?

Answer:

No, you would not automatically be a member of Idaho AEYC. Although IdahoSTARS is a project of Idaho AEYC, Idaho AEYC is a membership organization and a state affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which has an impressive 85,000 members! There are 4 local affiliates in the state (North Idaho, Treasure Valley, Snake River, and Eastern Idaho) and membership includes being a part of the local association of your choice as well.

Idaho AEYC members pay dues annually entitling them to receive a choice or two professional magazines, possible discounts on local, state, and national educational conferences, access to online resources, and additional member benefits. Belonging to a professional organization gives individuals a 'bigger' voice through legislative advocacy at the state and federal level.

Idaho AEYC supports quality early care and education for all children, from birth through age eight, and promotes excellence in early care and education wherever children grow and learn. Anyone interested in this mission may join the association. To learn more, visit NAEYC or contact Jane Zornik.

Have something that is puzzling you? Send your question to Jane Zornik. One question will be selected for publication each month. Names will not be published.

In This Issue

Early Literacy Project

Eco-Healthy Child Care

Week of the Young Child

Screen-Free Week

Pinwheels for Prevention

National Children's
Mental Health Day

Puzzled?

Did You Know

Idaho AEYC is a Proud Affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children