PARENT NEWS
FEBRUARY, 2014 - In This Issue:
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NEA's Read Across America

March 3, 2014

Visit NEA's site for more information
http://www.nea.org/grants




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"Reading Right from the Start" 

by Toni S. Bickart and Dianne Trister Dodge

 

This month we celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with nationwide reading activities and festivals. This book has many ideas that will help your child get a head start on literacy. The resource library is available Monday through Friday, 7:30am-5pm, at 9800 Old Winery Place, Sacramento, 95827.

Child Action Inc. has an abundance of resource materials and books for parents and providers. To browse the library on-line, please follow this link.

 

FIRST 5 SACRAMENTO NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK

Attend a community meeting near you to voice your opinion on children's issues and learn how your local dollars are being invested. Click for locations and times.  

TAX TIME

As you are getting your tax documents together this year, don't forget about the Child Care Tax Credit. Many providers provide end of the year tax information but they are not required to do so. Supply your child care provider with Tax Form W-10 so you can have their name, address, and tax ID for your records. Forms are available at the IRS site: Tax Forms  

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

This month, the Olympic Games highlight what is possible when you keep your body strong with exercise. Every athlete was once a child that was encouraged to be active. Get your family moving by using objects around the house to design an obstacle course.

  • Place a board on the floor as a balance beam
  • Create a wiggly maze of masking tape
  • Stretch a hose along the ground as a "tightrope"
  • Use string to make circles and have children jump from one to another
  • Make a tunnel from a cardboard box for children to crawl through
  • Create a mountain to climb over out of a big pillow
  • Arrange stuffed animals or large blocks for children to weave around

Let your imagination run wild designing a course or work together to see what great ideas your kids have for fun obstacles.

HOW TO CREATE A GREAT READER
 
  1. Start early - Your interaction with your child is where their learning begins
  2. Surround your child with a reading rich environment - Make them aware that print has meaning
  3. Talk with your child - Use everyday opportunities to name objects and repeat your child's words
  4. Teach your child while you read aloud
  5. Help your child develop critical thinking skills
  6. Find a quality child care/preschool setting

Tips inspired by Starting Out Right, National Academy of Sciences Press, 1998.

STAYING HEALTHY

Flu season is still going strong. Sanitizing surfaces helps control germs but harsh products can have a negative impact on your health and can be most harmful to the smallest and most vulnerable, our children. To cut down on toxins, try using microfiber cloths and cleaning products certified as safer by independent agencies like EcoLogo, Green Seal, or Design for the Environment.

Child Action, Inc.
916-369-0191
www.childaction.org


"We believe that parents are best able to choose the child care that meets their particular family situation. It is our goal to provide parents with information on a broad range of child care services, as well as ways to assess these services."
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