STEM: Technology

In the world we live in, everything seems to be based off the newest technology. Whether it's a watch, phone or tablet, we are advancing in the technical field every day.  It amazes me to watch a toddler correctly operate an Iphone or know what buttons to push to control a television. STEM helps to open their minds and let them take on a creative aspect in the classroom while incorporating Technology, mathematics, or engineering. Why not take advantage of the opportunities and let their imagines grow.

One Man Band

This creative short is perfect for incorporating technology in the classroom. Let your students watch this Pixar film and then have them answer questions ( based on age) about the film. 

-What is happening between the two musicians?

-What is the little girl feeling when One musician begins to play a tune?
-What do you think would happened if they worked together to play their music?
-How would you have felt if you were in the same situation as the little girl?

And more! This video is fun, engaging, and interactive! Talk about the characters, the plot, different scenarios, etc. You can do so much with this cute little short and your kids will enjoy the entertainment!

STEM in your Classroom : Science

Science in the Preschool Classroom

Young children are full of wonder and curiosity about the world they live in!  Daily, they engage in activities which allow them to explore and discover how this world works.  Science in the preschool classroom is so much more than just magnifying glasses and magnets; or experiments set up by the teacher.  Rather, the preschool teacher should pull science out of the environment and make it a part of the daily experience.  Through exploration and discussion, preschoolers learn that science is part of their lives – and that it is a lot of FUN!!  In her article “Preparing for Preschool:  Science” Diana Townsend-Butterworth makes notes these opportunities:

-      On the playground:  swings, bouncing balls, and seesaws make the playground a natural physics lab.  The seesaw demonstrates principles of balance, the slide is an experiment in gravity and swings are the law of motion in action.

-      At the sand and water table:  children will use sieves with different size holes and pour sand and water through them, noting how the size of the holes affects the results; they will learn the property of water as they predict which objects will sink or float.

-    
  In the block center:  children build towers and balance blocks of different sizes and shapes to construct bridges, exploring concepts of spatial relations, gravity and balance.  By racing cars down ramps children will learn basic laws of physics by predicting which will finish first.

-      At circle time:  discussions about the weather turn preschool students into mini meteorologists.  Encourage children to record observations about the weather in diagrams and on charts.  When reading books encourage the scientific method by having children predict what will happen next in the story

-      On the windowsill: grow beans.  Allow each child plant a bean.  Water the beans each day and discover how it sprouts.  Have the children record its growth. 

I encourage you to move beyond thinking science in the preschool classroom is restricted to the few items in the science center or books about plants and animals and challenge you to make your entire classroom a science laboratory.

Try a few of these experiments and involves STEM into your classroom!

Don't underestimate the power of your students!

Experiment 1 - Dissolving Pumkins

Experiment 2 - Rainbow Water
Experiment 3 - How does a Leaf breathe?

Quality Indicators and What they mean

These characteristics can help parents make better child care choices for their children because they indicate a much greater likelihood of high quality care. Quality indicators measure the conditions that generally foster a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for children. They are:

Star rating: (Discussed above) The star rated licensing system gives programs guidelines to follow if they want to improve quality.  A programs’ star rating is on its license, which should be visibly posted.    

Staff-Child Interaction: Observe how the provider interacts with all children to insure the provider is warm and patient. 

Low staff/child ratio: A brochure in your parent packet will summarize North Carolina child care rules and laws show a table of child/staff ratios. 

Age	Teacher : Child Ratio	Maximum Group Size
0-12 months	1:5	10
12-24 months	1:6	12
2 years old	1:10	20
3 years old	1:15	25
4 years old	1:20	25
School-age	1:25	25

Small group size: Smaller groups are usually safer and calmer, so find out how many children are grouped together. 

Education of staff: It is important to know how much education your child's teacher has.  The more a teacher knows how young children grow and learn the more likely they will do a good job with your child.

Staff stability: Staff stability is important for children.  The child does best when they can stay with the same caregiver for at least a year.

Family involvement: Your provider should have an open door policy and you should be able to visit at anytime.  Great example of this would be a provider sending home notes each day stating the type of day your child had.  How often the diaper was changed – How well did your child eat – Did you child take a good nap…

Age appropriate activities: What is a typical day for the children?  Do they have a variety of activities planned for each day?

What indicators would be important to you? 

For more information, please contact us at Child Care Connections or check out our website

child care services helped provide tidbits of information... click their website for more.

How to Choose Quality Child Care

When a family calls our agency, we do our best to provide them with the knowledge needed to choose a quality care center or home. Although we do not recommend, we just refer the family to local child care providers that fit their needs, we hope that our services will help a family recognize certain indications that prove a center or home is a high quality facility. 

Child Care providers are licensed by the North Carolina Division of Child Development.  The focus of this licensing is to protect the health, safety, and well being of the children in child care. We want to make sure your little one is in a safe and loving environment that met YOUR standards. So we focus on whether you need a child care with special needs training, day or evening shifts,  if you have certain environmental needs in mind, etc. Then, we focus on providing you with the information needed to select quality care.  

Check out the list below on a few steps to help in choosing quality child care. 

Come back next Friday to discuss quality indicators such as star rating, staff/child ratio and family involvement!

Five Steps for Choosing Quality Child Care

I. Look

Begin by visiting several child care homes or centers. On each visit, think about your first impressions, but don’t stop there. Look at the area, the caregiver, and the children. Make sure the environment is safe, inside and out. Also look at the furnishings. Make sure there are plenty of toys and learning materials within your child’s reach.

 

II. Listen

What does the child care setting sound like? Do the children sound happy and involved? What about the teacher’s voices? Do they seem cheerful and patient? A place that is too quiet may mean not enough activity. A place that’s too noisy may mean there’s a lack of control. In high quality learning environments children are excited about what they are doing and are excited about being there. If children look scared or bored, they probably are.

 

III. Count

Count the number of children in the group. Then count the number of caregivers. Obviously, the fewer the number of children for each adult, the more attention your child will receive. A small number of children per adult is especially important for babies and younger children.

 

IV. Ask

It is very important that the adults that care for children have the knowledge and experience to give them the attention they need. Ask about the background and experience of all staff. If possible, ask other parents who use that facility.

 

V. Decide

Decide which arrangement will work best for your family. Go over your notes and questions you have asked. If you are unsure of a program, visit again

Are you in need of child care?

Call us today at 704-487-7778 or email our specialist at parenthelp@ccchildcareconnections.org

Our website also provides online referrals click the link for more information!

Child Passenger Safety Week!

September 14th - September 20th is Child Passenger Safety Week.


Did you know that 9 out of 10 parents with kids ranging from ages 4- 11 are moved from a booster seat to a seat belt before they are ready?

Do you know about car seat safety?

Did you know that most car seats are installed improperly?

Did you know that car seats expire or if your seat is involved in a crash, you will need a new one?

Did you know that wearing a winter coat in a car seat changes how the straps fit?

Did you know that you are not suppose to fully submerge the straps in water?

I didn't.

My 2 month old daughter recently threw up in her car seat. Poor thing soaked her clothes, the straps, and that stinky liquid filled ever crack and crevice in her Eddie Bauer car seat. And what do I do? I naturally throw everything in the sink to soak in oxy-clean ( every new mommy's life saver) and then into the washing machine. I felt like it was a job well done... until I read this blog on the 11 deadly mistakes. 

Uh-oh. Mommy fail! How did I not know about washing the straps? So I asked around and found out I wasn't the only one in the office who had no clue about submerging the straps as a safety no no. The only one who knew was our Safe Kids Tech, Tina ( Way to go, Tina!)

Now, with new straps ordered and a quick trip to the Safe Kids website. I know that I have done all that I can to make sure my daughter is safe in the car. 

If you would like more information, check out the website. 

Are you curious about your car seat or booster seat? Please join us at the Lowe's Safety day on September 27th from 10am -2pm. Safe Kids of Cleveland County will be there for a safety check - more info

Who We Are

We are the Lead Agency for Region 7 of the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council.


Our Mission Child Care Connections exists to connect resources and services for childcare excellence in Cleveland County, North Carolina.


Vision Statement Child Care Connections will be the leader in establishing opportunities for quality childcare environments for every child in Cleveland County.


Child Care Connections is a child care resource and referral service. It is a non-profit community-based organization funded in part by Smart Start through the Cleveland County Partnership for Children and the North Carolina Division of Child Development & Early Education.


Child Care Connections aids families in their search for a quality child care environment that meets their individual needs; we assist child care providers in maintaining or increasing the quality of the care given; and serve the community as a resource for distributing data and information regarding early childhood issues.

Tell me more! or Help, I need childcare!