About Birth to 3. Birth to 3 Guiding Principles

Marinette County Birth to 3 Winter 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter About Birth to 3 Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program believes in using practices supporte...
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Marinette County Birth to 3 Winter 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter About Birth to 3 Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program believes in using practices supported by research. These practices are commonly referred to as evidence based practices. An approach to providing services and supports to families includes three important components (1) natural learning environment practices; (2) coaching as an interaction style; and (3) a primary coach approach to teaming. This three-component model meets the requirement of Part C of the IDEA and uses family centered help-giving practices as the foundation for the supports. The program utilizes the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) for guiding principles in meeting the developing needs of the children and families. The information provided in this newsletter correlate to the standards and an approach to children’s learning.

Birth to 3 Guiding Principles

Inside this issue: 

Parents are partners in any activity that serves their children.



Children’s optimal development depends on their being viewed first as children and second as children with a disability.

2



Children’s greatest resource is their family

Activities with Your Child

2



Cooking Fun

3

Just as children are best supported within the context of family, the family is best supported within the context of the community

Art Corner

3



Professionals are most effective when they can work as a team member with parents and others.

County Events

4



Collaboration is the best way to provide comprehensive services.



Early intervention enhances the development of children.

Staff

1

Local Infant/Toddler Events

2

Developmental Checklist

Staff Kelly Christensen .......... Service Coordinator Marie Menza ................. Speech and Language Pathologist

LOCAL INFANT/TODDLER EVENTS

Jennifer Berkers ............ Speech and Language Pathologist Paula Lynn .................... Occupational Therapist

Parent-Child Swim classes at YMCA 6-18month: Free;18 month – 4 years: $32 non-member Call 906.863.9983 for dates and times

Teedle Toddle Tumble Time Playgroup at YMCA Fridays 10:15-11:30 am and Saturdays 11:15-12:00 Free for members; $3 for non-member Call 906.863.9983 for dates and times

Stacie Haworth .............. Physical Therapist Page Lewandowski ....... Physical Therapist

Contact Marinette County Birth to 3 2500 Hall Ave Suite B Marinette, WI 54143 PH: 715.732.7700 FAX: 715.732.7766

Marinette County Birth to 3 Winter 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter Developmental Checklist 3 months Smiles and coos. Eyes follow moving object. Holds head up. Grasps objects. Turns toward sounds.

PLACE PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

4-6 Months Laughs out loud. Reaches for objects, brings to mouth. Turns from back to stomach. Sits with little support. Listens to own voice. 7 Months Transfers objects from one hand to other. Bell crawls. Shy to strangers. Can sit for a few minutes without support. 8 Months Sits steadily for about five minutes. Creeps on hands and knees. Grasps things with thumb and first two fingers. 9-12 Months Says “ma-ma”, “da-da” and two other words. Drinks from cup when it is held. Walks handing onto furniture. Waves bye-bye. Finger feeds self. 15-18 Months Walks, stoops. Begins using a spoon. Scribbles on paper. Builds a tower of three blocks. Says six word. 24 Months Runs. Walks up and down steps. Says at least 15 words. Knows at least six body parts. 36 Months Repeats two numbers. Knows if they are a boy or girl. Dresses self (needs help with buttons). Draws a circle. Can follow two commands. Jumps. Builds a tower of nine blocks.

www.pregnancy-baby-care.com

Activities to Do With Your Child  Go sledding/tubing  Make a snowman or snow fort  Go ice skating  Drink hot chocolate and watch a movie  Make slushies with fresh snow and juice  Go to the library  Make snow angels  Make valentines and deliver  Put shaving cream on a cookie sheet with matchbox cars and trucks. Instant snow land.  Put down two pieces of wax paper and step on and slide around. ICE SKATES INDOORS!   Go to the story hour at your local library branch o o o o

Marinette Peshtigo Coleman Wausaukee

Tuesdays @ 10am Wednesdays @ 10am Mondays @ 10am Wednesdays @ 10:30am

Playing for toddlers is the way they discover and develop their own capacity to create and manipulate things, to explore their senses and how they come to know themselves.

Marinette County Birth to 3 Winter 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter Art Corner Go outside and paint the snow!! What you need: Spray bottles Food coloring Water

PLAC E PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX

www.seriouseats.com

Put colored water into the spray bottles and have the child spray the snow creating a snow art. Use it to decorate a snowman or bring color to the yard!

PLAC E PHOTO HERE, OTHERWISE DELETE BOX www.centerforexpressivearts.com

www.centerforexpressivearts.com

Cooking Fun

It is necessary to have plenty of patience with the young chef. Having a positive experience in the kitchen is very important for the children. Please make sure to teach your child about kitchen safety.

Marinette County Birth to 3 Winter 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter

Makin’ Life a Little Easier Ideas found on Pinterest

Winter 2013

Marinette County Birth to 3 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter Snowflakes (Have fun and use scarves, towels, anything to represent a snowflake)

To the tune of Are you Sleeping Dance like snowflakes Dance like snowflakes In the air In the air Whirling, Twirling snowflakes Whirling, Twirling snowflakes Here and there Here and there

A Chubby Snowman

r Useful Tips

A chubby little snowman had a carrot for a nose Along came a bunny and what do you suppose? That hungry little bunny was looking for his lunch... And he ATE that snowman's nose. . nibble nibble . . CRUNCH The kids love this if you add hand movements. . Be creative!!

Marinette County Birth to 3 Vol. 4 Issue 1 Newsletter

Winter 2013

Baby Steps Massage ♦ Helping to create a bond that lasts lifetime ♦

Benefits of Infant Massage       

Promotes bonding and attachment Stimulates brain development Promotes better sleep Boosts immune system Improves blood circulation Helps digestion And many more…



Vol. 4 Issue 1

What’s the Cure for Whining? Adapted from: http://www.handinhandparenting.org/article/whats-the-cure-for-children-whining/

If we wanted to make a list of things that irritate parents, we’d find children whining near the top! It’s a behavior that every child tries sooner or later. Some children fall into whining and can’t seem to climb back out. By the time a parent decides to search for advice about handling whining, he/she is usually fed up. When a child is whining, filling their request probably won’t change his emotional climate for long. When children whine, the inner weather is cloudy, with a storm on the horizon. Filling his request might gain a parent a few moments of peace, but the child’s overall mood sinks back into a tone of “I am unhappy” soon again. Sending a child off to his room or punishing him for whining won’t improve the situation either. He might come back from punishment or time out a quieter person, but he won’t feel good inside. He will probably find ways to balk, to stir up difficulties with others, or to zone out. This persistent unhappiness is hard on parents. When we take the time and energy to try to solve a problem, we parents feel insulted when it doesn’t stay solved!

C hild ren w hining a re co mmu ni cat ing i mpo rtant info rma tion Usually, whining happens shortly after a child’s sense of connection to their parent or caregiver has broken. The ordinary things parents must do, like feeding little brother, cooking dinner, or talking to a friend on the phone, can eat away at a child’s sense that he’s connected and cared about. For small children in a big world, feeling disconnected gnaws at their spirits. They flash a signal for help: “I wannaaaa cooookkkiiieee!” It comes with a miserable expression and a body that can barely move. Once a child feels disconnected, any small task can bring up jumbo-size feelings of powerlessness. Having to get dressed when they want to stay in their pajamas, having to brush their teeth when they’d rather play with the cat, and having to say goodbye and go to school or day care can bring on whining.

W hining child ren hav e real n eeds A whining child probably won’t be satisfied by the attempt you make to help, but he does have a real need. He needs you. Not just the things you do. He needs to feel connected to you. Only a sense of connection can mend that awful out-of-sorts feeling that’s bothering him. Children are built to feel close to the people they’re with—close to their parents, their caregivers, their grandmas and cousins and friends. When they can feel close and cherished, they behave with confidence. When they don’t feel close to anyone, their behavior goes haywire immediately.

Y ou r child’s f eeling s w on’t b e rational For instance, whining often happens toward the end of a sweet, close playtime during which you’ve done the things your child loves to do. You’ve done your utmost to make things good, but suddenly, you have a dissatisfied child, who moans, “You never do anything I want!” It’s enough to make a parent feel: “I’m never taking you to the park again if this is the way you behave!” This happens because, at the prospect of the end of the good time, feelings of helplessness or loneliness stored up from earlier experience crop up and take over. The feelings my come from yesterday or from as far afield as infancy—they lurk in the child’s mind, and are brought into play by simple, everyday moments.

Y ou r child isn’t t rying to ma nipu lat e you When your child is whining, he isn’t out to get you. He doesn’t really want you to give in to irrational requests. He’s trying to signal that he needs your help. He has chosen something irrational to want, so that you will say, “No.” Then he can open up bad feelings. While he is crying, he will actually shed these feelings. If you listen, he will eventually notice your presence, notice your love, and feel much better about himself and his world. He’ll stop needing what he was crying for, because he has you. Try to picture him saying, “I wannnaaa cookkkiiee,” but meaning, “Please say ‘No.’ I need a good cry with your arms around me!”

Y ou can h elp you r child conn ect again

photo courtesy of christopher eriksen

Whining indicates that your child’s emotional tension needs an outlet before he’ll be able to regain his sense that you are on his side. Laughter, crying, and tantrums are typical ways children release bad feelings. A good laugh (but don’t force laughter by tickling), a good cry (without upset or punishment from you), or a good tantrum (without hurrying the child to finish) will cure that gnawing sense of helplessness or loneliness that causes whining. Once your child regains a sense of connection with you or any other member of the family, he’ll be able to take charge again. He’ll ask for what he wants, without the “poor me” tone. He’ll be easier to live with. So your energy will be well spent if you focus on rebuilding a connection with your child.

Try fill ing yo ur child’ s requ est on ce A whining child does indeed need your attention for at least a moment or two. At first, you won’t really know whether getting the thing he asks for will help him feel connected and capable again, or not. His request may seem reasonable to you—a drink of water, help with his shoes, one more turn listening to his favorite music. If giving him the thing he wants makes sense to you, go ahead and try it once. But if more whining follows, you can be sure that the real problem is his emotional “weather.” A storm is coming.

If h e’s not sat isfi ed , off er clos en ess and a cl ear li mi t The cold tone that most of us use when we say, “No,” serves to make a child feel even more alone and adrift in an uncaring world. It deepens the rut your child is whining in. If you can say, “Nope, no more cookies! Maybe tomorrow!” with a big grin and a kiss on the cheek, your child receives contact from you in place of cookies. If he whines some more, you can come back and say, “Nah, nah, nah, nah!” and nuzzle into his neck, ending with a little kiss. If he persists, bring him still more affection, “I’m your chocolate chip cookie! I’m all yours!” with a big grin. Then throw your arms around him and scoop him up. At some point, the affection you’re offering will tip him toward either laughter or a tantrum. Both results, as odd as it may seem, are great for him. Laughter, tears, and tantrums help dissolve that shell of separateness that can enclose a child, as long as you listen and care. After a good cry (You just keep sweetly saying, “No, James, no more cookies,” until he’s finished crying.) or a good tantrum (“Yes, you really want one, I know, son.”) or a good laugh (“I’m coming to give you big cookie kisses! Clomp, clomp, clomp!”) he will feel your love for him again.

If you can’t b e playfu l, b e att entiv e Playful moments don’t come easily to us when our children whine. So if you can’t find a way to nuzzle your child or respond with humor to his whiny requests, it will work well to come close and keep saying, with as little irritation as you can manage, “No,” “You need to wait,” “I can’t let you do that,” “He’s playing with it now,” or “You’ll get a turn, but not yet.”

Being very clear about the limit, and offering eye contact, a hand on his shoulder or knee, and whatever warmth you can muster, will help your child work himself into the cry or the tantrum or laughter he needs to do. Children know how to release feelings of upset. To get started, they just need us to pay attention to them long enough to communicate that we’ll stay with them through this rough patch .

A llow fo r laught er, tant ru ms , o r t ea rs fo r as long as you have ti me a nd pati ence The hard part about trying the experiments above is that whining triggers all kinds of irrational feelings inside of us. Whining kicks up feelings of resentment, exhaustion, and anger in parents. We feel like we’re being manipulated. We feel helpless. When our feelings surge, we don’t think logically either. We react, usually behaving the way our parents reacted to our whining. The reactions we have to whining have been passed down through the generations in our families, each generation usually doing a milder version than the generation before it. So it takes some mental preparation to decide to move toward a whining child and offer connection, rather than placate him or punish him. Every parent deserves someone to listen to how hard it can be to care for a child or children. So finding ways to be heard by another adult who won’t get worried or try to “fix” us is an important part of our job as parents.