Resources
ICES
One very important resource that is used regularly in my program is the Infant/Child Enrichment Services, Inc. or ICES. ICES provides parents, and child care providers, with support in providing safe, stable, and supportive environments for children. For parents, there is Raising Healthy Families, In-Home Support, and Parenting Classes. Raising Healthy Families is a free educational support program that helps parents build strong relationships with their children. The In-Home Support service gives families a Family Support Specialist that comes to their home and helps them with any problems they may be experiencing with their children. They work together with parents to set goals, learn new ways to nurture and care for their children, and to help parents find their strengths. The Specialist will visit weekly, providing developmentally appropriately activities and experiences that families and do together or specifically for the child. It is the goal of the Specialist’s is to help families create their own traditions and foster the diversity of each family. ICES also provides weekly parenting classes at the Family Learning Center. Each week focuses on a different topic, ranging from positive and effective ways to discipline children to developing nurturing care giving routines. This resource is important because it gives teachers another way of supporting the families in their program. There is only so much that a program can do and ICES can provide that extra support that may be needed to a family in crisis. It also gives parents another way to build a support system with other parents who may be experiencing the same issues.
MY PLATE
A virtual resource is ChooseMyPlate.com. This is a website that parents and teachers can use to learn more about how to provide nutritional meals for their children. This new site was created with the help of the First Lady Michelle Obama who has made it her mission to fight the war on childhood obesity. By using this resource parents can see the dietary guidelines that are appropriate for children, get healthy eating tips, and get information on how to eat healthy on a budget. There are even sample menus that parents can use to build upon their own collection of recipes. One of the most beneficial resources on this site is the tips for physical activities. They discuss the importance of physical activity for children and how much is needed for certain age groups. The USDA suggests that young children, age two to five, engage in short bursts of active play several times a day. They state that physical activity for young children should be developmentally appropriate, fun, and should include a variety of different activities to keep their interest. By keeping children active we are making sure that they are healthy and learn the importance of being active at an early age. If we instill a love of being physically active when children are young we are setting the foundation for healthy lifestyles later in life. Children need adequate nutrition to develop healthy brains and bodies. Most parents know that children should be eating meals full of fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein but may need some guidance on how to bring it all together. This is the perfect website to get that help.
NAEYC
One resource that I come back to time and time again is the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC. The NAEYC is one of the leading organizations that provides up to date information in the field of early childhood education. Educators can use this site to learn about developmentally appropriate practices, effective teaching strategies, and the core principles of child development. There are also guidelines for early childhood programs that caregivers can use if they are running their own program or to see if their program aligns with current standards. One aspect of this site that I enjoy is the discussion of current issues. Top Early Childhood Education professionals discuss important topics that are relevant in today’s society. These topics range from diversity to kindergarten readiness to inclusion of children with special needs. By providing early childhood education professionals with a place to get information, to be able to discuss important topics with others, and have a place to turn to when they need more resources, it connects and unites caregivers all over the country.
One very important resource that is used regularly in my program is the Infant/Child Enrichment Services, Inc. or ICES. ICES provides parents, and child care providers, with support in providing safe, stable, and supportive environments for children. For parents, there is Raising Healthy Families, In-Home Support, and Parenting Classes. Raising Healthy Families is a free educational support program that helps parents build strong relationships with their children. The In-Home Support service gives families a Family Support Specialist that comes to their home and helps them with any problems they may be experiencing with their children. They work together with parents to set goals, learn new ways to nurture and care for their children, and to help parents find their strengths. The Specialist will visit weekly, providing developmentally appropriately activities and experiences that families and do together or specifically for the child. It is the goal of the Specialist’s is to help families create their own traditions and foster the diversity of each family. ICES also provides weekly parenting classes at the Family Learning Center. Each week focuses on a different topic, ranging from positive and effective ways to discipline children to developing nurturing care giving routines. This resource is important because it gives teachers another way of supporting the families in their program. There is only so much that a program can do and ICES can provide that extra support that may be needed to a family in crisis. It also gives parents another way to build a support system with other parents who may be experiencing the same issues.
MY PLATE
A virtual resource is ChooseMyPlate.com. This is a website that parents and teachers can use to learn more about how to provide nutritional meals for their children. This new site was created with the help of the First Lady Michelle Obama who has made it her mission to fight the war on childhood obesity. By using this resource parents can see the dietary guidelines that are appropriate for children, get healthy eating tips, and get information on how to eat healthy on a budget. There are even sample menus that parents can use to build upon their own collection of recipes. One of the most beneficial resources on this site is the tips for physical activities. They discuss the importance of physical activity for children and how much is needed for certain age groups. The USDA suggests that young children, age two to five, engage in short bursts of active play several times a day. They state that physical activity for young children should be developmentally appropriate, fun, and should include a variety of different activities to keep their interest. By keeping children active we are making sure that they are healthy and learn the importance of being active at an early age. If we instill a love of being physically active when children are young we are setting the foundation for healthy lifestyles later in life. Children need adequate nutrition to develop healthy brains and bodies. Most parents know that children should be eating meals full of fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein but may need some guidance on how to bring it all together. This is the perfect website to get that help.
NAEYC
One resource that I come back to time and time again is the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or NAEYC. The NAEYC is one of the leading organizations that provides up to date information in the field of early childhood education. Educators can use this site to learn about developmentally appropriate practices, effective teaching strategies, and the core principles of child development. There are also guidelines for early childhood programs that caregivers can use if they are running their own program or to see if their program aligns with current standards. One aspect of this site that I enjoy is the discussion of current issues. Top Early Childhood Education professionals discuss important topics that are relevant in today’s society. These topics range from diversity to kindergarten readiness to inclusion of children with special needs. By providing early childhood education professionals with a place to get information, to be able to discuss important topics with others, and have a place to turn to when they need more resources, it connects and unites caregivers all over the country.