Inside this Issue:

ATTENTION HH

READERS…

If you have a question,

comment, or concern

you would like ad-

dressed in an upcom-

ing issue of Helping

Hands, please send an

e-mail to:

hdunn@ecs4kids.org.

We will do our best to

find the answer, post

the comment, and ad-

dress the concern.

Thanks! =)

Heather Dunn, Editor

LOOK!!! New ch anges ta king ef fect!!

January 2017

Volume 11, Issue 7

Helping Hands Offering a helping hand to School Readiness Providers

A publication from Childcare Resource & Referral

Snow Dough 2

Is It Cold Outside? 3

STEM Challenge:

Ready for Launch! 4

Martin Luther King,

Jr. 5

Fun Start to the

New Year 6

Professional

Development 7

VPK Corner 7

Employed with ECS and Length of Time in Current Position, Family Service Assistant: 1 year

Brief Summary of Job Description/Responsibilities: Assist Family Service Specialists in providing

child care information and referrals to parents/CCR&R, help maintain CCMS/EFS database so

that client files are accurate and current, assist parents with Kiosk, in applying online for the

School Readiness Wait List & VPK.

Favorite Part about Job: This is a very tough question for me because there are so many things

that I absolutely love about my job and where I work. God has gifted me with a heart to love,

help and serve others in need. I believe with my whole heart that God placed me exactly

where I need to be. From time to time, we have a parent that comes into our office feeling

defeated and completely hopeless. Or maybe they are frustrated because they just don’t

know where else to turn. For example, recently, a mother came into the office, sat down and

started sobbing. I grabbed tissues and sat down next to her and held her while she cried

(anyone who knows me knows that I have a strict policy that no one should cry alone in my

presence, and let’s be honest, I am just a crier). It truly broke my heart to hear the pain in her

voice, but I just sat with her and listened and soothed her. By the end of our talk, she had a

packet of information including referrals, and a smile on her face. That is my most favorite part

about my job. It’s never about getting kudos for doing a good deed; it’s only about loving and

serving others as God has called me to do! My other favorite is the amazing women I work

with! They aren’t co-workers but family, and so very precious to me! I look forward to seeing

their faces every day and miss them on the weekends. That’s what I love about ECS! Everyone

is family even when we meet each month for our meetings. You can feel the ties of family and

that’s a very hard thing to find and I cherish that so much!

Hobbies & Interests: God, church, my family, working with the youth and ministry, serving at

Clara White’s downtown, cooking, and baking. I absolutely love being in the kitchen, reading,

photography, watching movies, arts & crafts, and music. I LOVE MUSIC! My sister and I will sing

while we do dishes. LOL! We’ll just break out into songs from Disney movies.

Anything Else You Would Like Providers to Know About You: I know sign language, play the

cello, and throughout my school years, I also played the bass, bass guitar, piano & xylophone.

Contact: aflorida@ecs4kids.org ; 904-777-2565 x 100

Episcopal

Children’s Services Employee Spotlight: April Florida

Page 2 Helping Hands

Snow Dough Kristina Wanchik, Education Specialist

Resource: http://theimaginationtree.com

White Snow Play Dough

Not only is this recipe pretty and great for a winter theme, but play dough helps children with an-

ger issues, behavior disorders and can be used to relieve stress. The pounding and smooshing re-

lease tension. This may even benefit a teacher who has had a rough day!

What you need:

1 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup salt

1 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp cream of tartar

1 cup boiling (or nearly boiling) water

few drops liquid glycerin

Silver glitter- optional! (but pretty)

Method:

-Mix all of the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the oil

-Next, pour in the water (adult only if using boiling) and mix it up

-Leave it for a little while to cool down, in which time it will come together more

-Knead it until smooth and soft

-Add in glitter and any scent (if desired)

-If it’s too sticky, add some more cornstarch

(Tip) Lots of people have commented that it worked much better for

them to heat the ingredients gently in a pan, stirring until it comes

together to form a non-sticky ball. You may wish to just skip straight

to doing this and it should work straight away! When it has formed a

ball, take it off the heat and put it on the surface to cool. When cool

enough, knead it until soft and stretchy, rolling it in oodles of silver

glitter to make it sparkle like snow!

Play Ideas:

-Roll the dough into balls to make snow balls.

-Build snow men and snow castles and decorate them with

buttons, twigs and beads.

-Roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut out snowflakes

and stars using cutters.

Some books you can read about snow:

Page 3 Helping Hands

Is It Cold Outside? Shauna Mayo, Inclusion Specialist

Resources: www.preschoolrainbow.org, www.kidsplayandcreate.com

We Floridians know that January and February are our coldest months. Sometimes the tempera-

ture is so low that the kids do not get to go outside for playtime. How many of the kids in your class

have actually had a “true” winter with snow and everything? That would be a great question to

ask one day during circle time. That one question could turn into a whole conversation with chil-

dren sharing their experiences and learning from one another. On a day when it might be too

cold to go outside (or just any day), I have provided some indoor winter activities that the children

would enjoy. Children love music and movement. This first activity includes both:

Winter Waltz

Encourage older preschool children to move and glide their bodies in different ways

with this winter movement activity.

Materials:

1. CD player with music. Any type of Waltzing music.

2. Two pieces of wax paper per child (big enough for each child to stand on).

3. Lots of room for skating.

Description: Transform your room into an imaginary frozen pond or skating rink. Give the children

two pieces of wax paper that they are to stand on. Have the wax paper pre-cut ahead of time.

Remind the children that the paper is slippery and the magical skates will work better if they glide

slowly, keeping their feet firmly planted on the wax paper. Play some waltzing music and have the

children 'feel' the music and skate around. (The wax paper works well on carpet and tile flooring.)

Language: Snowy Day Activity and Song

Encourage youngsters to talk about different types of weather as they participate in this art activi-

ty and song.

Materials: Construction paper, crayons, markers, glue or glue sticks and paper circles from using a

hole punch constantly.

Description: Have children draw a winter scene onto construction paper using markers and cray-

ons. Coat paper with glue (glue sticks work best), then sprinkle colorful paper circles (like the can-

dy in the song) onto paper. Press circles down to be sure they're stuck. Teach children this song:

Oh, What A Rain!

If all of the rain drops were lemon drops and gum drops,

Oh, what a rain that would be.

Standing outside with my mouth open wide,

AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH, AHH,

If all of the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops,

Oh, what a rain that would be.

(2nd. Verse)

If all of the snowflakes were candy bars and milk shakes,

(Continue as with 1st. verse.)

And of course how can we have winter inside without a little snow? Here is an easy recipe to

make your own (also good for sensory play). *Use non-toxic shaving cream and close supervision.

Baking Soda and Shaving Cream Snow: Pour one cup of baking soda in a bowl and add in shav-

ing cream slowly until you get the snow consistency that you like. This snow recipe stays cool to the

touch and has a powder like feel when you touch it.

Page 4 Helping Hands

STEM Challenge: Ready for Launch! Jena Waters, Education Specialist

Resource: www.theardentteacher.com

The countdown has started! Your STEM mission/challenge will begin when your after-schoolers

arrive at the launch pad (your afterschool program)!

Readying for the Launch: Before your school-agers arrive in the afternoon, have the supplies you

will need for the mission set out ahead of time.

(All of these supplies can be found at Dollar Tree).

Each participant receives:

1 small paper juice cup

1 Army man

1 spoon

6 popsicle sticks

2 rubber bands

2 feet of tape

2 feet of string

5. Recruit participants to accept the challenge.

4. Instruct your recruits on their mission: Create a launch for their Army man, launch the Army

man, and see how far in distance it will go.

3. Inform your recruits that they do not have to use all the materials, but they need to use at least

two.

2. Allow time for your recruits to think, develop and test out their ideas for a launch pad

1. Once completed, create a designated area, either indoors or out and have the recruits

line up evenly on the Launch Pad (A masking tape line) - with their Launchers and Army men.

0. Blast Off! Measure the distance of each launch and record them on a poster board

with pictures of all the recruits and their Launch pads and the long distance winner!

Mission

Complete!

Resource: www.first-school.ws/theme

January 16, 2017 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This federal holiday

commemorates the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King,

Jr., leader of the civil rights movement. Preschool children may or

may not be able to grasp the concepts of civil rights, slavery, and

racism, but preschool teachers can provide activities and songs

which focus on the theme of peace, friendship and unity.

As a previous preschool teacher, this is one of the themes my chil-

dren enjoyed the most. We made personal connections about how

we would feel if someone was being treated unfairly. I have included

some of the activities and songs that I used as a teacher.

Introduce and discuss the following vocabulary: Freedom, dream, protest, peace, and prejudice.

Discuss with your students how everyone is different. You may start out by pointing out a differ-

ence between yourself and a few other students. "I have blonde hair and Sally has red hair. I am a

girl and Russell is a boy." Then discuss how differences make us special and what it would be like if

everyone in the world was the same.

Hold up a brown egg and a white egg and have the children discuss the differ-

ences. Crack the eggs open and pour in individual bowls. Then ask what the dif-

ferences are. There will be none.

Have the children cut out cloud shapes and glue on cotton balls. Write the

words "I have a dream” on the back and then write each child's dream.

Read the book Happy Birthday Martin Luther King and then join hands and lis-

tened to Greg and Steve’s song, “A Man Named King.” The children will want to

do it over and over again, so be prepared.

Friendship Fruit Salad: Ask each child to bring a fruit cut up.

Allow each child to pour their cup in and stir.

Page 5 Helping Hands

Martin Luther King, Jr. Peggy Daveline, Education Specialist

Harmony and Peace

(Tune: "B-I-N-G-O")

Dr. King taught us to live,

In harmony and peace--

P-E-A-C-E,

P-E-A-C-E,

P-E-A-C-E,

In harmony and peace.

Freedom, Freedom Let it Ring

(Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Freedom, freedom, let it ring,

"Let it ring," said Dr. King,

Let us live in harmony,

Peace and love for you and me,

Freedom, freedom, let it ring,

"Let it ring," said Dr. King.

Happy New Year! December was full of holiday celebrations with family, friends, and col-

leagues. Many schools used the season to demonstrate appreciation and recognition for the

work done by their teachers and other staff members in the past year. Now, the holidays are be-

hind us and it’s a great time to start the new year with some fun! Let’s get your staff motivated

and pumped up for what’s to come this year. I have shared a few fun activities you can do with

your staff either before your next staff meeting or perhaps after hours at a group gathering.

Center Spelling Bee

This well-known competition with children spelling words can also be very interesting for center

employees. Let the employees have fun and see them stir up a fire storm in their heads by guess-

ing and spelling those tough words we don’t use often and then see them struggle with the easy

ones. Let your employees know before hand and that way they can be prepared. Also have

them contribute words to the competition and try having fun with buzzwords that some people

tend to use more than others. Candy or a grab bag of goodies can be used for prizes.

Guess Who?

Have each employee provide you with a photo of themselves as a young child or teen along with

a brief summary of a few important moments that took place in their life. Place the photos only on

a board (not sharing a word about anyone’s photo). Have employees guess the person in child-

hood photos of other employees that you have pinned on board or projected on a screen one at

a time. As you come to each photo, share one thing about that person’s past and have the oth-

ers write down who they think the photo is. Reading out loud the different names guessed by peo-

ple can be more fun to all. Let the winner who guessed it correctly get candy as an award. This is

loads of fun and can certainly stir up some laughs.

Chef of the Month

Allow your staff to showcase their culinary skills. Have your employees cook their signature dish at

home and bring to the center. Set up a large table in an area where the staff might go to have

quiet time or eat lunch. Have each competitor present their dish along with the recipe for the oth-

er staff to judge. Place a basket full of score sheets on the table for the staff to grab, listing the top

3 favorite dishes. Place another basket where the staff can place their winning choices. When the

luncheon is over, the winner will be announced as the “Chef of the Month!” Make a small bulletin

board in the lobby with the “Chef of the Month’s” picture along with a picture of the dish, copy of

the recipe, and maybe some index cards with the recipe for parents or other staff to take home.

Not only is this fun, but your staff will get to eat some great food for lunch!

Page 6 Helping Hands

A Fun Start to the New Year Education Staff

Local Professional Development Opportunities (Training Calendar)

We have a new Training Registration System!!

To register for one of our great training opportunities,

please visit our website:

www.ecs4kids.org/training_main

The website provides a list of trainings

and descriptions offered each quarter. At the top of the main page

you will see a link for directions on registration and payment.

Warm Line 1-800-238-3463

Do you have a concern about the health, development, disability, and special needs of a child? If so call the

Warm Line. The purpose of the warm line is to provide advice to child care personnel concerning strategies, curricu-

lum, and environmental adaptations that allow a child to derive maximum benefit from the child care experience.

VPK Corner Rebecca Barbour, Manager of VPK Services

Page 7 Helping Hands

VPK Registration

Parents should be registering their 2017-18 VPK-age eligible children online,

https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com. They will need to have an email address

and will be responsible for all of their log in info. Providers are encouraged to help parents

with the registration process, however, they should NOT be using their provider email nor

completing the application for parents. ECS anticipates our registration numbers to in-

crease, so please advise parents to monitor their email accounts for status updates. If they

have not received any correspondence within two to three days of submission, they should

call the VPK Department to check the status.

VPK Assessment

If you choose to administer AP2, now is the time! Majority of VPK programs should be at

their midway point when it is recommended to administer AP2 and then record the data in

Bright Beginnings. As a reminder, AP2 is optional unless you are a Provider on Probation fol-

lowing the Staff Development improvement plan, but it is recommended. Knowing the sta-

tus of your children at this point in the year can give valuable insight into where to steer in-

struction going into the last half of the year before AP3.

VPK Department * 8443 Baymeadows Rd, Suite 1 * Jacksonville, FL 32256

Toll Free: 1-800-238-3463 * Fax: 904-726-1522

vpkinfo@ecs4kids.org * www.ecs4kids.org

Ext. 212 (CNBB)

Ext. 227 (PSJ)