May 2016           
             914.761.3456
Parent Connections
Top 3 Things To Know
#1 The Toughest Job in the World!
Unlimited hours. No breaks. The most important job is also the world's toughest job.
Happy Mother's Day!
#2 Take a Moment For Yourself
 
Being a parent is tough. Most of us feel like we could do a better job, but resolving to be more patient rarely works. That's because sometimes the first step to being a better parent is actually about how we treat ourselves. We can only give what we have inside. And if we can't manage our own emotions, we can't expect our kids to learn to manage theirs. But if you want to become a more inspired parent - and a happier person - that's completely possible. I've seen countless parents do it. How? Step by step.
  • Start by committing yourself.
  • Envision what your life will look like when you keep this commitment, and how you'll feel. Notice how much closer you feel to your child. Notice how much happier your child is, and how much more cooperative.
  • Revisit your commitment daily, including your image of how keeping that commitment makes you feel. (You're programming your subconscious.)
  • When you mess up (and you will, if you're human), offer yourself total compassion, apologize to your child, and take a positive step in your desired direction. Two steps forward, one step back still takes you where you want to go.
  • Make a small positive change every day. Find support and give yourself constant cheerleading. At first you'll see small changes. But sooner or later, small changes add up to big changes.
#3  It's Time to Celebrate 
In May, there are two special days to celebrate the wonderful, caring individuals who care for young children.  They are days to say a special thank you to family and group family child care providers, teachers and directors in child care centers, and school age staff for the love they bring to their jobs every day. Children thrive under their care and teaching.  


May 3rd is National Teacher Appreciation Day 
May 6th is National Provider Appreciation Day

The Council is Here for You Resources & Referrals,
Financial Help,
Summer Care too

Call us at 

914-761-3456 ext 140,  

visit www.childcarewestchester.org  

or

 

email us at [email protected]


Our FREE Services are:

  • Consultation with a trained Counselor
  • Online child care search
  • Information to help pay for child care
  • Guidelines to choose a quality child care program
  • Checklist for your visits
  • And much, much more...
Children's Corner
The Who, What, Why, Where and when of Science - Part 2
 

 CHEMISTRY - The Science of Changing Things
 
Let's continue to explore science and young children.
 
What is science? Science is learning about the world and everything in it. Everything young children do is science - touching, tasting, exploring, and even testing limits. Doing science comes naturally to children. Children learn science by exploring and acting on their environment.
 
Science is a way of thinking about the world. Science is wonder, exploration, and discovery. Science is making observations, comparing, questioning, making hypotheses, and describing. Science is critical & analytic thinking, problem solving, questioning, experimenting, and observing the results.
 
A scientist is someone trying to find an answer. A scientist asks, "What do you think will happen if....?" An infant shaking a rattle is a scientist. A toddler stacking blocks is a scientist. A preschooler digging in the mud is a scientist.
 
Remember what we said last month - Science is not parent-directed one-time "science experiments" or units. Science is all around us. We just have to be open to seeing it. The parent is not the "sage on the stage" but "the guide on the side." The adult's role is to help children to be curious and to think, to listen to the children, to follow children's leads, not to answer too quickly, and to ask genuine questions. Recognize the science moments and see what happens.
 
Chemistry - The Science of Changing Things
 
Chemistry is not smelly test tubes and difficult experiments. Chemistry is investigating the properties of things in our world. A property is something essential or distinctive about something.
 
Chemistry is exploring solids, liquids, and gasses. Chemistry is mixing different substances to see what happens.
Chemistry is all about - What do you think will happen if we....
 
Health & Safety Corner
Research and data connects high-quality early care and education experiences to children's school readiness and later life success...
 
What is School Readiness?
School readiness is difficult to define. It is more than knowing your ABCs or being able to count to 20.
Children's readiness can be assessed across three general areas:
  • Physical Well-Being and Motor Development: Children will have developed fine motor skills (cutting, dressing self), gross motor skills (running, jumping), and will be well-rested and well-nourished.
  • Social and Emotional Development: Children will be able to have positive interactions with others and be able to self-regulate their behavior as well as understand and express their feelings. They will also be able to solve conflicts, empathize with others and have the ability to take turns and share.
  • Cognitive and Language Development: Children will be able to observe, ask questions, and solve problems based on what they see and hear. They will have an enthusiastic and curious approach to new activities. Children will also be able to communicate with others and understand that there is a connection between letters and sounds.

READ MORE: Why is Quality Child Care Important for School Readiness?


 


 


 


Child Care Subsidy
Summer Care

If are receiving public child care subsidy AND 

your child is changing from part time to full time care for the summer OR your child is going to a new child care program or camp for the summer..

YOU NEED TO:

The Child Care Council can help with this process:

Contact Subsidy Support Services at 914.761.3456x144 

In This Issue
  • Commitments to be a better parent
  • School readiness starts now...
  • Child Care Scholarships
  • Science PART 2
Council Updates
2016-2017 Scholarships for
Child Care
Are Now Available!!!!
Or Go to www.childcarewestchester
for more information
 
2016 Council Awards Breakfast 
"Giving Kids the Tools to Succeed"
Friday, June 3, 2016
Westchester Marriott 
Tarrytown, NY
Win a $50 Gift Card
 
Parent Child Care Needs Assessment Survey
We need parents' feedback on their child care needs, so we may continue to advocate for affordable, quality child care and after school programs.    

Please complete our 2016 survey if you are a Westchester resident with a child aged 12 or under.   Please ask parents in your program to complete the survey as well.  
We are happy to provide hard copies of the survey in English and Spanish. Call us at 914-761-3456 ext. 139 to request copies.

All responses are confidential.

Win a Sharp 43" TV, Mets Tickets, Disney Park Passes and Much More!!!

Invest in Westchester's children and you could win a great prize!
Prizes will be drawn at the Council's 2016 Annual Awards Breakfast on June 3rd at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown.  Winners need not be present. 

One for $10      Three for $20      Eight for $50
 
 Click here to purchase tickets


Upcoming Events
Family Fun
Sheepshearing
May 8th 12 to 3pm


Frogs at Night
May 14th 7pm to 9pm

Muscoot Farm


51 Route 100, Katonah, NY 10536 GPS 41.26 - 73.72
Phone 914-864-7282

Click here to visit the website
Where to Make a
Mother's Day Gift

May 8: Family Art Project:
Lavender Pillows and
Violet Notes for Mom
 
 
Outdoor fun with mom

Lenoir Nature Preserve, Yonkers Mother's Day Warbler Walk (free)
 
Parent Education
More Parent Workshops go to
What's Cooking
Confetti Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
 
Super fun healthy treats
 
Super fun healthy treats


Total Time: 45 min Prep: 20 min | Inactive Prep:5 min | Cook:20 min 12 Servings

Ingredients
2c cooked quinoa, cooled
1 (14.5oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
� red bell pepper, diced
1 mango, diced
�-1 avocado, diced (optional)
1 green onion, sliced
�c cilantro, chopped (optional)
2-3 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
�tsp pepper, or to taste
�tsp salt, or to taste
Directions
Serves: 4-6
  1. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, beans, bell pepper, mango, avocado, green onion, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over quinoa salad and toss to coat.
  2. Chill until ready to serve.
Serve and Enjoy!