April Calendar

Keep Potty Training Positive

by Julia Rockwell, MS

First help your child understand when they are wet or dry. When checking their diaper use one-word labels: wet, dry, dirty. The more animated or sing-songy your voice is, the better! 

Move diaper changing into the bathroom and start changing their diapers standing up near the toilet. This is one step towards comfort around the toilet. Remember to label.

Model! If the child sees their parents or siblings go potty they are more likely to understand the process.

Read, Talk, and Watch! There are many books and videos for toddlers about potty training. Keep talking about it. "Oh, I am getting that full feeling! Time to go potty!"

Start sitting them on the toilet if they are motivated to do so. They should be happy about it. If a child is resistant that is okay; she's just telling you she's not ready yet. Keep offering and stay positive.

Is my Child Ready for Potty Training?

Watch for these signs that your child is ready for potty training:

Our Potty Training 101 workshop is coming up on Saturday April 28. Please register by calling our front desk at 541-346-2578.

Potty Training 101 will be presented on April 28 at Brattain Early Learning Center from 10-noon. Florien Deurloo will be leading this Parent Chat.

Our speech team will be leading a chat on Helping my Child Become a Successful Communicator on May 5 from 10-noon.

Free childcare, coffee, and light refreshments will be available. Parents need to register even if childcare is not needed. Childcare is limited. Register by calling our front desk at 541-346-2578, texting 541-393-7200, or by email to [email protected].

We Want to Hear from You!

Parent Q & A Session

What: Your experience and ideas are needed! Attend this one-time Question & Answer session to help researchers determine how to reduce child abuse locally . The 90x30 project is a University of Oregon College of Education initiative working towards reducing child abuse in Lane County. Free childcare and snacks will be provided.

When: Wednesday April 25, 5:30-7 pm

Where: Early Childhood CARES main office, 1500 W. 12th Ave., Eugene

How: Register by contacting our front desk at 541-346-2578.

Self-Care Strategy of the Month: Spring Cleaning

When you think about cleaning your home, do you ever feel like the woman in this photo? Taking some time to deep clean and declutter your living space will make you feel more organized and on top of things. You don't need to spend a full day or weekend cleaning your home. Instead set aside small blocks of time — 10 or 20 minutes — to focus on specific cleaning tasks. Remember that your goal is progress, not perfection. Here are a few tips for tackling common problem areas:

Playdate at Adventure! Children's Museum

When: Wednesday, April 25, 9 am - noon

What: Our families will receive a discounted rate of $3/person (children are free under age 2). The museum opens to the general public at 10, so arrive early for a quieter experience.

Where: Adventure! is located at the top of the escalators in Valley River Center.

The group is based upon The Incredible Years, developed by Dr. Carolyn Webster- Stratton with the University of Washington.

The group is designed to help parents decrease negative behaviors in preschool-aged children. Tyler Wood, a speech and language pathologist and JoEllyn Peterson, an early childhood special educator with Early Childhood CARES, will lead the group.

Childcare will be provided each week by Early Childhood CARES staff. A light dinner will also be provided each week. Pre-registration is required. Parents need to register for the group even if childcare is not needed.

To register:

Call 541-346-2578, Text 541-393-7200 or Email [email protected]

Registration deadline: Tuesday, April 10th

Family Fun Day & Resource Fair

What: Our free annual family festival includes live music and children's activities in a safe environment. Parents can learn about community resources and fun summer activities for kids.

Where: Centennial Elementary School, 1315 Aspen St., Springfield

When: Saturday May 19, 10-noon

Tax Deduction for Child with an IFSP

 

An Oregon tax deduction is available for families with a dependent child who has an IFSP. Parents need to have a copy of the eligibility statement for the child and a current IFSP, but these documents do NOT need to be sent with the tax form. Consult a tax professional or the Oregon Department of Revenue for more information.

We need your input!

Statutory Oversight Committee

The Statutory Oversight Committee (SOC) is comprised of service providers, community agencies, school district personnel and Early Childhood CARES families meeting to discuss fiscal issues and the delivery of services to children and their families. Meetings are quarterly from 9-10:30 a.m. at Early Childhood CARES, 1500 W. 12th Ave. in Eugene.

Childcare is not provided for SOC meetings, however, parents may request a $25 stipend which may be used to pay for self-arranged childcare.

Upcoming meetings are schedule for:

Contact [email protected] with questions or to RSVP to a meeting.

Sign up for text message reminders

If you would like to receive text message reminders about upcoming events, including our monthly parent chat & playgroup, visit this link to sign up today: remind.com/join/eccares

You can also sign up by texting @eccares to the number 81010.

Visit arcfamiliesconnected.com to find out about this month's events.

Support our Program with eScrip

Using eScrip is even easier now with the new Benefits app for iPhone and Androids. Click here for more info or to get the app.

Sign up for eScrip to raise money for Early Childhood CARES when you shop at Market of Choice and other partner organizations. You can designate up to three schools to receive funds when you shop. Signing up is quick and easy at escrip.com.

 Your Family's Resource for Connecting with the Community!

Click here for calendar.

Early Childhood CARES Resource Guide 2017-2018  

Our annual Resource Guide lists relevant community resources for young families including library storytimes, play groups, childcare options, and more. If you would like a copy of the 2017-2018 Resource Guide — newly updated in August 2017 — visit our website  to download it. If you need a paper copy, contact your service coordinator or Carla at [email protected].

Free Screening for Siblings

Parents of children receiving services from Early Childhood CARES may request a free developmental screening for younger siblings. Simply call 541-346-2578. Spanish speaking families can call 541-346-0742.

Sensory Storytime

The Downtown Eugene Public Library is going to bring back Sensory Storytime in pre-registered sessions. The first Sensory Storytime Session will be offered at the Downtown Library Saturdays at 3pm starting March 3, and run for the whole month. Registration for this session will start in February.

Imagination Library

Families who live in the Eugene library district, you can sign your child up to receive a free book by mail every month from birth until he or she turns 5. Details available at the Eugene Public Library website here.

 

Earned Income Tax Credit

 

The Earned Income Tax Credit is for working people with low to moderate income, and one or more dependent children. Families claiming the EITC will not be eligible to receive their tax refund until February 15 or after. For more information, and to see if you qualify, visit irs.gov.