The Hand Holders: A Tribute to Caregivers

I want to thank each of that work with children.  You role is very important whether providing child care as a profession, being a parent, co-parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent or having an important role in any child’s life.

The Hand Holders:
A Tribute To Caregivers

There is no job more important than yours;
no job anywhere else in the land.
You are the keepers of the future;
you hold the smallest of hands.

Into your care you are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of your everyday heroics,
your talents and skills go unsung.

You wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
You rock babies brand new in your arms.
You encourage the shy and unsure child.
You make sure they are safe from all harm.

You foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
You respect and you honor their emotions.
You give hugs to each child when they’re sad.

You have more impact than does a professor,
a child’s mind is molded by four;
so whatever you lay on the table
is whatever the child will explore.

Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly on the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.

It is true that you don’t make much money
and you don’t get a whole lot of praise,
but when one small child says, “I love you”,
you’re reminded of how this job pays.

How is my Preschooler Developing Physically?

Now that preschoolers have accomplished the skills of walking, running and jumping, they are ready for more physical feats.  Young children gain a great sense of confidence by being able to use their strength and power.

We help the children to gain more physical skills by:

• Supporting their healthy risk taking, such as climbing higher than before, rolling down hills, or carrying a pitcher of water.  Teachers stay close by to help them feel safe.
• Reminding children of safety rules and helping them to prevent disasters.  Teachers might say “clear a path for your race before you begin to run.”
• Playing movement games such as “Bluebird, Bluebird, Through My Window,” a marching parade, or the “Hokey Pokey.”
• Providing writing utensils, paint brushes, clay and play dough to allow children to build the muscles that control their fingers.
• Playing outdoors a lot.  Swings, slides, tunnels, tricycles, and climbers give children the chance to practice moving their feet alternately, climbing steps, pedaling, walking and running.

We do not play many competitive games at this age.  These games can damage self-confidence.  Losing often can stop preschoolers from wanting to try new things.  They are more interested in being a friend than being better than a friend.  As they reach school-age, many children become more interested in and better able to handle competitive sports.

Please feel free to share on the blog any ideas you have on encouraging physical development and activities others may be interested in.  We want to hear from you.

Keeping Children Safe – Choking Hazards

Choking is a major safety risk for children.  A young child can choke more easily than an adult because his/her throat and windpipe are smaller. Infants and toddlers explore the world by putting objects in their mouths. The most common cause for choking is the one thing children are supposed to put in their mouths – food. Choking risks are increased in foods that are small, round, slippery, hard, or thick and sticky. Infants and young children often swallow their food whole as they are still learning to chew or grind their food.

Keeping Children Safe – Plan Ahead

•  Choose appropriate food for a child’s age and stage of development.
•  Set a calm atmosphere when eating.
•  Feed children when they are sitting down, not running or playing.
•  Remind children to chew slowly and take small bites.
•  Actively supervise children while they eat.
•  Offer plenty of liquids to children while eating.

Keeping Children Safe – Prepare with Care

•  For infants, cut food no larger than 1/4 inch cubes
•  For ages 1 – 4, cut no larger than 1/2 inch cubes
•  Spread peanut butter thinly
•  Cut grapes into quarters
•  Remove seeds from fruit and cut into small pieces
•  Cook or steam vegetables to soften their texture
•  Cut round foods into strips
•  Grind up tough foods
•  Finely chop meats before serving
•  Avoid foods that are sticky or hard and cannot be cut up

Prevention is the best approach to childhood choking.  So be aware and keep children safe!

Food Safety After a Hurricane

The hurricane is over and now it is time to clean up.  Food safety should be top of mind especially if you are working with small children.  Here are some tips from UGA Extension to help you know what to do in regard to your food and keeping it safe.  I am really not happy about wasting food, but with my power out for four days and no ice available in our areas, then discarding food became a priority. Of course, I carefully reviewed all the food safety guidelines, prepared and saved what I could, but most was discarded.  It was a learning experience for me and thought I would share in case you find yourself in a similar situation.

If you did not go through a hurricane or storm recently, this is great information to help prepare you for any future disasters.  It is always best to be prepared and “If in doubt, throw it out.”

Click on this site to learn more about being prepared both before and after a disaster.

be_prepared_georgia

Calming Children’s Fears After a Hurricane

I live outside Savannah, Georgia and many of us in our area, as well as, others up and down the coast have just experienced Hurricane Matthew.  He left much devastation and damage.  Taking down power lines, destroying trees and beaches, flooding areas, damaging homes, changing our daily lives…..we were just happy to see him go.  During this time of uncertainty, Matthew actually encouraged the best side of many people to join together, help a neighbor or stranger, open their homes for hot showers and meals, and just pull together through this difficult time.  Many people had to evacuate their homes, not knowing what they were coming back to of if they would have a home at all.  Shelters were full, schools and childcare centers were closed, and things just changed.

With changes we often feel fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and may even look forward to what is ahead and the challenges.  So some of your fears are definitely concerns for your children and those in your care.  It may take awhile to adjust and here is a great resource to help The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides a fact sheet “Parent Guidelines for Helping Children After a Hurricane”. This guide provides some tips to help you deal with what you may be feeling and especially strategies for helping your children. Please visit http://www.hcpss.org/f/aboutus/helpingchildren.pdf This is a time for everyone to pull together and share resources. I know it is very difficult for some of you right now but together we can get through this.  When the children return to your centers I hope some of this information will assist you as you help them deal with their many emotions from the hurricane. 

If you have not been through a disaster yet, please keep resources available, as you never know when this could be happening to you.  There are many valuable resources from planning for a disaster to what you should do afterwards.  Contact your local county extension for more information.  In Georgia, you can call 1800.ASK.UGA1.

Pokémon Go Safely!

Pokémon – Who is it?  What is it?  Why is it such a popular activity for children and adults? I have been trying to find out more about this new obsession.  It is in the news, there are people waling around Savannah looking for Pokémon and all the digital characters, so what is all this about?  I decided I need to learn more and thought some of you are probably as lost as me.  With the new increased awareness of Pokémon, I have decided to include some information about it.   I know you are working with young children; however you might also be a parent, have a niece or nephew or know other families that might benefit from this material.  A special thanks to UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Keishon Thomas for sharing this article.  Please pass the information on to families and your community.  This phenomenon seems to be moving quickly across our communities and while having fun, safety is a real issue.

During the past several weeks, a new technology craze has invaded our towns and cities. People appear to be wandering around aimlessly looking at their phones, but they are actually playing Pokémon Go. One of our collaborators, Ms. Keishon Thomas, the Macon-Bibb County Extension agent has come to our rescue to help us understand this new trend, and at the same time alert our readers about the importance of getting involved with the game, but in a safe way. Let’s review what Thomas says and get active!

The game’s developers, Niantic Laboratories, stated the intent was “to get players out and explore the world around them, explore their neighborhoods in a different way and get exercise”.  In this case, your phone shows the animated Pokémon and other characters in real time in your real environment.

The object of the game is to catch “Pokémons”, small animated characters that come in a variety of shapes and colors.  Players ‘hunt’ Pokémon by walking in their real environment armed with “Pokéballs”. Players are directed to landmarks called “Pokéstops”, where they re-up on Pokéballs and other tools to catch Pokémon characters. The Pokéstops are everywhere; parks, churches, government buildings and even at your neighbor’s yard. Because catching those little characters is distracting, players sometime put themselves into dangerous situations as a result of being unaware of their surroundings.

Be alert at all times. There have been reports of people walking into trees, traffic and even falling while playing.

Never go illegal to capture Pokémon. No trespassing or jaywalking. “Pokemons” can appear anywhere. Be safe and use common sense.

The animated characters appear on your phone in a real environment. They can appear in your car and they move to avoid capture. Driving requires your full attention and hunting Pokémon while driving is a no-no.   Arrive alive!!!

Download the right app from a trusted source such as the Apple Store or Google Play. There have been reports of fake apps that have malware that could harm your device.

Children should never play alone. They get distracted easily.  It’s rewarding to play along with your child and capture characters while exercising.

Monitor your data usage. The game utilizes GPS and therefore eats data for lunch and dinner.  It won’t be so fun when you receive your phone bill.

Players should also be mindful of in-app purchases. While the game app is free, there are in-app purchases within the game and they have a cost.  My children have been told not to purchase anything online unless they have permission for the purchase. The same goes for the Pokémon Go game.

Monitor the weather and stay hydrated. It’s hot outside and pop-up storms can hamper hunting.  Avoid complications from heat; carry water with you, take breaks in shaded areas, and wear sunscreen.

Lastly, Pokémon Go is a great way to connect generations, get active and have fun while doing so.    Good luck and catch‘em all!!!

 

 

Bubble Blowers – Creative, Economical and Fun!

When you make your own bubbles it can be a fun activity for you and your children.  So what about some creative blowers besides the ones that come with commercial bubbles.  They work, but there are so many other ways you can send those bubbles into the air.  Here are some cost effective suggestions:

Soft Drink Holder

Dip a plastic six-pack drink holder into the bubble solution and twirl it around.

Straws 

Tape four to six straws together.  Dip one end and blow through the other end.

Pipe Cleaners

To create a bubble wand take one end of a pipe cleaner and bend it to form a circle approximately the size of a quarter or any size you desire.  Twist it together tightly so it stays locked in place.  This is a fun activity where you children can make their own wands.  Let them be creative, check to ensure they are together tightly and let the fun begin!!

Paper Cup

Cut a hole in the bottom of a paper cup.  Dip the larger end into the bubble solution and blow through the hole.

Wire

Bend a piece of wire into a loop.  (Be sure to cover any sharp edge with masking tape) Let your children dip the loop into the bubble solution and blow.

 

Child Passenger Safety

Buckle Them Up For Safety!

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children In the United States. But parents and caregivers can make a lifesaving difference.

• Buckle your child passenger in proper age and size car seats, booster seats, or seat belts when ever on the road
• Buckle children aged 12 and under properly in the back seat. Research has shown that air bag can kill young children riding in the front seat
• Buckle children in appropriate car seats, booster
• Buckle infants and children 0-2 years of age in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat,
• Buckle children age 2 up to at least 5years in forward-facing car seat in the back seat,
• Buckle children 5 up in a booster seat, until they reach the recommended height for proper seat belt fit (57 inches tall).
• Buckle children in the middle of the back seat when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.
• seats, or seat belts on every trip, no matter how short
• Buckle infants and children under 12 in the back seat for protection
• Buckle yourself always, using seat belt, set a good example
• Install and use car seats and booster seats according to the seat’s owner’s manual or get help installing them from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician

 

Reduce Their Risk. Buckle Them Up!

Keep your Babies SAFE!!

Congratulations on the arrival of your newly born baby. As new parents you have a lot of things to do, but keeping the baby safe should be your top priority. 

Learning about a few safety tips at each stage of your baby’s development is a great way to ensure that your baby will grow up curious, active, and safe! Here are some tips to keep your baby safe to avoid serious injuries that can lead to disabilities, learning defects, and even death:

• Make your home and play area safe by removing things that can choke, suffocate, or strangled your baby.
• Make meal time fun and safe. Do not feed your baby while they’re lying down or playing.
• Cut food for toddlers into tiny pieces.
• Ensure adult supervision when eating or playing
• Purchase toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and development.
• Keep small objects such as buttons, beads, jewelry, pins, nails, marbles, coins, stones and tacks out of reach and sight.
• Lay your infant on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Put all medicines out of reach and out of sight of children.
• Taking CPR class is very important for parents and caregivers.

For more information on baby safety, visit Safe Kids Website!

UV Sun Safety

As we celebrate National UV Protection Month, we want to raise awareness on the importance of keeping ourselves and loved ones protected from harmful UV radiation. Here are some safety tips while you battle this summer’s heat:

• The UV rays are at their strongest between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM
• Infants under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun as much as possible because their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. Use a sunshade on your baby’s stroller and dress them in lightweight, light colored clothing. This prevents absorption of heat and keeps the skin cool.
• As your child approaches one and older, a water-resistant, spray-on sunscreen is on of the best options.
• Apply sunscreen when going outside, sun or clouds, after swimming and sweating. Also, make sure your child is drinking plenty of water to prevent from dehydration.
• Reapply every two hours.
• Don’t forget hats and sunglasses to ensure ideal safeguarding of the face, eyes, neck, and ears. Have fun in the sun while practicing safety against UV harm!