December-January Calendar
- December 7, Parent Chat: Early Literacy & Language Development, 10-noon
- December 18, Playdate @ Adventure! Children's Museum, 9-noon
- December 18-January 6, No Services
- January 20-21, No Services
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, we will follow the decision of the local school district in each area. If your school district is on a delay, Early Childhood CARES morning classes will be canceled in your area. Afternoon classes will run as scheduled. If school is canceled in your district, Early Childhood CARES classes will be canceled. Contact your service coordinator if you need additional information.
|
|
Tips for Reducing Stress During the Holidays
The holiday season can be magical, but also often brings a lot of stress for parents and can be overwhelming for kids too. Here are some ideas for reducing holiday stress for your family:
- Have a potluck instead of trying to cook everything yourself
- Serve on disposable dishes to minimize cleanup
- Present food in 'ready to store' containers instead of fancy dishes.
- Spread out holiday visits. Visit one family at a time instead of having one giant get-together.
- Decorate your tree with child-friendly items including soft toys, beanie babies, and pipe cleaners. Keep breakable ornaments out of reach or don't use them at all.
- Minimize gifts and focus more on experiences such as baking cookies, looking at holiday lights, and dropping change in bell ringers buckets.
- Maintain consistent routines as much as possible.
- When visiting family, ask ahead if they can offer a quiet break room for your child.
- Don't stay too long at get-togethers. Be aware of cues that your child is getting overstimulated.
2019 Winter Holiday Resources
|
|
On December 7, Springfield Library staff will chat with us about Early Literacy & Language Development. They will share tips on promoting language development through reading to your child.
On January 25, Oregon Community Programs will be sharing a presentation on early childhood mental health. Learn about Parent-Child Interaction therapy and other services available, and get your questions answered.
These parent chats will be held from 10-noon at the Early Childhood CARES main office, 1500 W. 12th Ave., Eugene. Coffee, childcare, and light refreshments available. Please register by contacting us by phone at 541-346-2578, by text at 541-393-7200 or email [email protected].
|
Adventure! Playdate
Wednesday December 18
9 am - noon
Adventure! Children's Museum is hosting a playdate for Early Childhood CARES families. Admission will be just $1/person (children free under age 2). Free for Early Childhood CARES service providers and assistants.
The museum opens to the public at 10, so arrive early for a quieter experience. Adventure! is located at the top of the escalators in Valley River Center.
|
What Happened to Fine Motor Skills?
Ever wonder what the implications of more young children using electronic devices might be? "A new and disturbing phenomenon is rising on the educational horizon," warns Dr. Marcy Guddemi. "Many children are arriving at kindergarten lacking the basic fine motor skills needed to hold a pencil and write." Although this troubling trend is surfacing in kindergarten, it has its roots — and remedy — in early childhood. This article is a call to action for educators and parents to return to the time-tested play materials of childhood to best prepare our children for school. Learn more at
http://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2016/fine-motor-skills
|
Encouraging independent play
Preschoolers and their parents lead busy lives. There are pretend cakes to bake; dolls and stuffies with “boo boos” that need mending; and grocery shopping to do for the play kitchen.
As fun as these games are for kids, there are very real tasks that all parents need to get done during the day—and it’s not easy when you are your preschooler’s all-time favorite playmate. Sometimes your child can “help” you with tasks, such as setting the table and matching socks. Most of the time, though, they will want you to “help” them with building blocks or coloring.
But learning to play well on their own for short periods of time is a skill all children can benefit from. As they become more independent, not only does it free up time for you to make a quick meal or a phone call, but it gives your child time to practice making their own decisions and using their imagination.
If your child is resistant to playing alone, here are some tips for gently encouraging independent play.
Simply put, it means playing alone. But it’s not as harsh as it sounds. Just like infants and toddlers play “side-by-side,” you and your child can independently play side-by-side. If your preschooler is slow to warm up to the idea of playing solo, set them up (with a game, craft, books) near you. Examples could include:
- Set up washable paints at the kitchen table while you wash dishes.
- If you want to read, grab a stack of your child’s favorite picture books and snuggle in bed together.
- Set up a play kitchen in your real kitchen, so your child can “cook” while you make dinner.
At first, when your child is playing next to you, check in with them every few minutes. Tell them how much you appreciate having a few minutes to work on whatever it is you are doing. Compliment them on their high block tower or their use of color in their pictures. You can gradually increase the time between check-ins, which will expand their tolerance for independent play.
This article is written by Parenting Now! staff Amanda Bedortha, Claire Davis, Lynn Swartz, and Jay Thompson and is excerpted from the LaneKids blog.
Click here to read the full article.
|
We're Hiring!
We're looking for skilled parents with a passion for early childhood education who would be interested in working as teaching assistants in our classrooms. Part-time and substitute positions are available. Interested candidates should email a resume to Jeanine Taylor at
[email protected].
To discuss this possibility, feel free to call Jeanine with questions at 541-735-1766.
|
|
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.
|
|
Support our Program with eScrip
Using eScrip is even easier now with the new Benefit Mobile, Inc. 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.
|
|
|
|
Check out the LaneKids website for events, parenting classes,
and more!
|
|
Featured Community Events for December
- Sensory Friendly Santa, December 1-8, 9-10:30 am. This sensory-friendly holiday event at Valley River Center allows families with all spectrums of special needs to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa, in a comforting environment prior to public hours. Accommodations are made to support the sensory, physical, and developmental needs of this special audience.
- Village Green Christmas Market, November 29-December 31, 5 pm - 9 pm. Outdoor festival in historic Cottage Grove, based on a traditional German Christmas Market. Enjoy half a million Christmas lights, traditional German food and drinks, live music, and photos with Santa. Kids 10 and under free. $5 for parking, tickets are $5-$10 in advance, $8-$13 at the door. 725 Row River Road, Cottage Grove.
- Winter Light Fair, December 7, 11 am - 3 pm. Candle dipping, puppet show, crafts, cake walks, the Crystal Cookie cave, Russian Tea Room, games, live music. Free admission. Most activities require tickets, which are $2 each. Eugene Waldorf School, 1350 McLean Blvd.
- Nearby Nature Green Start Play Day: Cozy Critters, December 10, 10 am-11:30 am. Enjoy outdoor nature play in our Learnscape, plus toddler and preschool activities and stories — this month about how critters stay warm in winter. Rain or shine! Kids 5 and under only, with an adult. Member FREE, non-members $5 per family. Pre-register online or call 541-687-9699, ext. 2.
- Nutcracker for Kids, December 11, 4 pm and 6 pm. Eugene Youth Ballet performs a child-size version of the classic Nutcracker. Choose from two shows 4 or 6 pm. Free. Downtown Eugene Library.
- Santa's Smorgasbord, December 14, 8:30-11 am. Come see Santa, enjoy holiday music and decorations. All ages welcome. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, milk, juice and coffee. Donations accepted to cover cost of food. River Road Community Center, 1400 Lake Drive, Eugene.
- Make a Holiday Card for the Eugene Mission, December 14, 11:30 am - 1 pm. Come for bilingual story time at 11 am and stay afterward for this craft. Springfield Library.
- Little Wonders for Preschoolers: Ready for Winter, December 20, 10:30 am. Explore the many ways that animals prepare themselves for the cold weather ahead through stories and crafts. $12/family, discount available with EBT card. Free with UO ID. UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
- Saturday Kids Crafting, every Saturday, 11 am - 3 pm. From magnetic puzzles, to robots, to sock creatures, there's always a fun, all-ages craft for kids and families. $3-$5 suggested donation per person. MECCA, 449 Willamette St., Eugene.
- Eugene Holiday Market, Saturdays and Sundays starting November 16, 10 am - 6 pm. Live music, international food court, handcrafted gifts. Lane Events Center, 13th & Jefferson, Eugene.
|
|
Early Childhood CARES Resource Guide 2019-2020
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 2019-2020 Resource Guide — updated in August 2019 — visit our
website
to download it. If you need a paper copy, contact your service coordinator or email [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.
Food
To find an emergency food pantry that serves you or more information, please call (541) 343-2822. Click on your neighborhood below to download the flier.
Holiday Resources
Imagination Library
The Imagination Library is now available throughout most of Lane County. 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
LaneKids website here.
Playtimes
Baby Playtime Drop-In @ Amazon Community Center.
Ages 6 months + with adult. Tuesdays from 1-3 pm. $1 fee.
Littles Play Time @ Peterson Barn Community Center
Ages 0-4 with adult. Saturdays from 10 am-noon. Drop-in. Free.
WellMama Pregnancy & Postpartum Support.
Every Wednesday from 12:30-2 pm at Parenting Now. A safe and supportive environment for sharing your concerns about pregnancy, the first year after giving birth, and adoptive parenting. Babies and supportive partners welcome.
wellmamaoregon.com
|
|
Early Childhood CARES
provides early intervention and early childhood special education to infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children in Lane County. Services are individually designed to address the needs of the young child with developmental delays or disabilities. All services are free of charge to eligible children.
Early Childhood CARES
541-346-2578
800-925-8694
1500 West 12th Ave Eugene OR 97402
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
