CDA Starts This Week!

Last chance to sign up for UCM Workshop on Wheels CCR&R's Child Development Associate (CDA) class for 2009-2010! Classes start Thursday, August 27 and will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library on UCM's campus.

Up to nine hours of college credit is available with the class, or you may take it for clock hours only. Our CDA class provides all the clock hours you'll need to earn your CDA plus assistance to complete your Resource File, Autobiography, and Competency Statements. One of our staff members will even come visit your classroom to give you helpful feedback on how to make your final CDA Observation successful.

For more information, contact Jacki Turner at jturner@ucmo.edu or 660-543-8321 or 800-666-1461.

Back to School Tips!

BACKPACK SAFETY

Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.

Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back.

The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.

Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Review the basic rules with your youngster:

School Bus

Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.

Do not move around on the bus.

Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Bike

Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.

Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.

Use appropriate hand signals.

Walking to School

Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.

Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.

If your child is young or is walking to new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.

BULLYING

Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.

When Your Child Is Bullied

Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
1. "I don't like what you are doing."
2. "Please do NOT talk to me like that."
3. "Why would you say that?"

Teach your child when and how to ask for help.

Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you cannot be there.

When Your Child Is the Bully

Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.

Set firm and consistent limits on your child's aggressive behavior.

Be a positive role mode. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening or hurting someone.

Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.

When Your Child Is a Bystander

Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.

Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in activities.


BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE

During middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school until you return home from work.

Children approaching adolescence (11- and 12-year-olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age.

If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone.

If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe.

DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS

Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.

Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.

Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her.

If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help her yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.

Read the full article at the American Academy of Pediatrics' Website!

Dr. Becky Bailey Coming to Lee's Summit!

Dr. Becky Bailey of Loving Guidance will be presenting a two hour session on "Preventing Power Struggles" for parents and providers! If you've seen Dr. Bailey before, you know what a treat this will be. If you haven't seen her yet, oh, you MUST! We promise you will be entertained and informed, and you'll come away with many useful strategies for building relationships with children.

When: September 17, 2009 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, 4725 NE Lakewood Way, Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Cost: $20 per person, or $30 per couple

Seating is limited, so register soon! Register by visiting www.woodshchapelchurch.org. For more information contact Peggee Scwartz at 816-373-4904 or e-mail peggees@woodschapelchurch.org.

Take Action: Tell Your Story to Governor Nixon

Partnership for Children released this statement today:

Governor Nixon wants to cut an additional $60 million from the state budget – and 20% of these cuts are targeted to our kids! Child care assistance, adoption resource centers, early head start, and child abuse prevention are just some of the programs serving our most vulnerable children that are at risk. Click here to see a full list.

We need your help to show the real impact of these budget cuts. Email Governor Nixon today and share how these proposed budget cuts would impact you, your family, your organization, or the people you serve.

Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)

Now is the time to sign up for our 2009-2010 CDA class!

What is CDA?
CDA is the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program. CDA helps candidates to define, evaluate, and recognize competent skills in themselves and their programs. Assessment and credentialing of child care providers was started in 1971 by the Council for Professional Recognition. More than 100,000 child care providers have earned their CDA certificates since 1975. This credential is required for child care licensing by 48 states and the District of Columbia.

CDA Certificates can be awarded for center-based care or family child care. Certificates are targeted for either infant/toddler care or preschool.

What is required to obtain my CDA?
A person with a CDA certificate has the skills necessary to provide quality child care. These skills have been honed through hands-on classroom experience and 120 hours of classroom instruction. Candidates complete a resource notebook which includes an autobiography and written statements of competency. Candidates must also complete an oral test and interview covering knowledge of six competency goals. Candidates are also observed in their child care setting.

A CDA certificate is valid for three years, and it may be renewed in five year increments.

How can Workshop on Wheels help me get my CDA?
Workshop on Wheels has been providing training for CDA candidates since 1976. Through our program candidates receive 120 clock-hours of instruction in the required subject areas. Throughout the class, instructors assist candidates in completing the resource file. Participants also receive technical assistance in the form of at least two classroom observations.

Can I get college credit for my CDA?
Candidates who complete their CDA coursework through Workshop on Wheels may choose to earn up to 9 hours of college credit through the University of Central Missouri. Additional fees apply.

Where and when are classes?
The Workshop on Wheels CDA class meets on Thursdays evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for approximately 9 months from August through May. Classes are currently held on the campus of University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Participants must attend the full nine months to complete the program. Provisions are made for students who miss a limited number of classes due to excused absences.

How much does it cost?
Fees vary each year, and tuition assistance may be available. Call Workshop on Wheels for current fees.

Healthy Smiles at KMOS Kids Day

Workshop on Wheels was happy to participate in KMOS Kids Day on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Families visiting our booth learned how to keep their teeth healthy by first eating an Oreo, then looking at their "dirty" teeth in the mirror.

Then children (and some adults!) ate a slice of apple and observed how the healthier snack cleaned the cookie from their teeth. Except for a couple very neat eaters, the experiment was a huge success!

Children were given a choice of a free toothbrush or a free pack of dental flossers. These were generously donated by Dr. Suchman's office in Independence, MO.

Hundreds of "cool kids" from our corner of Missouri attended the event and participated in many fun and educational activities provided by KMOS and local area businesses and organizations.

Some PBS celebrities were even on hand during the day. We have connections with Clifford's "people."

Summer Safety from American Academy of Pediatrics

Experts advise that children play outside for at least one hour per day, weather permitting. This time of year, outdoor safety is critical, and we must consider things like sun protection, heat stress, water safety, and insect safety.

Here are a few outdoor safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
• The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use insect repellent with 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
• Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.
• Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
• Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.

For more information, visit their website.