Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

Newsletter

Volume 14 - July 2015

Greetings

The legislative session began January 12, 2015 and concluded on June 5, 2015, more than 30 days over the 100 days that are allotted.  While the Governor has yet to sign several bills, its with understanding there were no funding changes to Early Childhood Iowa. ECI is to receive status quo funding, which is still more than a 40% decrease from the 2008 funding levels.

 

The 4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board will be working on their FY16 legislative agenda over the next few months.  An agenda item to be considered is advocating for a change in the in the categorical funding stipulations and making it more flexible. Currently, local boards are locked into certain percentages that are required to be utilized for certain types of programming.  If local ECI boards had the flexibility they could better meet local needs. If you have any suggestions or ideas for other legislative priorities feel free to contact the 4  Kids ECI Executive Director.

 

The 4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board currently has two positions open on the board. This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity and you can make a difference in the lives of children under the age six. For more information download the 4 R Kids Board Membership Application or contact the ECI Director.

The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board has a Facebook Page!  Like us on Facebook  

Debra Schrader

4 R Kids Executive Director

Hugs make your baby's brain bigger!

Healthy babies who receive plenty of maternal reassurance during stressful times actually have larger brains than babies who don't get as much motherly nurturing. A study out of Washington University in St. Louis examined the growth of the part of the brain responsible for memory and stress modulation - the hippocampus - and found it to be physically larger and better developed among children who consistently received loving support from their moms (the study did not examine the effect of paternal care), particularly during high-stress situations. The takeaway: You can't spoil an infant with too much love, especially when he's experiencing something stressful, like a cold, a boo-boo, saying good-bye to you, or taking a bath for the first time. So don't hold back- hug away!

Diaper Speed 

By the end of age two, the average baby has been changed 7,300 times. Average speed of each change? Two minutes, which adds up to three 40 hour work weeks each year.

May Babies Are The Heaviest

One would think that January sees the heaviest babies given all the holiday eating but this is untrue. May is actually the month that sees the heaviest babies born. Usually about an average of 200 grams heavier than any other month.

Early Childhood Iowa
Stay up to date with Early Childhood Iowa.  The Early Childhood Iowa website has a plethora of information.
Save The Dates

 

4 R Kids 
Board Meetings
September 10, 2015
October 15, 2015
November 19, 2015
  
Annual Reception
December 3, 2015

Did You Know?

 *Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes.

 

*Babies have 3 times as many taste buds as adults.


 
*Premature babies are more likely to be left handed.

 

*Babies have over 60 more bones than adults.

 

*Newborns can only see in black and white for a few months.

Check out the 4 R Kids ECI website for the latest meeting maps!  There are maps for Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County. The purpose of the meeting maps is to provide a one page document with community meetings in order to more efficient with ones time.

Debra Schrader, 4 R Kids Executive Director

4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

1011 Pear Avenue

Prescott, Iowa 50859

641-344-2250

4rkids-eci.org

[email protected]


Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook
4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board Vision
"Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful"