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Hello Providers!
We hope you feel an extra bounce in your steps and discover you have more energy as the days grow a little longer. Getting outside into the fresh air and sunshine can help to boost our spirits.
This month, we have some wonderful opportunities to support your professional development. We are here for you and available to provide tools and resources for your program's continuous quality improvement efforts. We have prepared a power-packed Spring season and are excited to share it in this newsletter.
Enjoy this March edition of Monthly Minutes!
~ Child Care Aware of NH
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Enjoy This Wellness Moment: Decoding Body Language for Success
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Body language refers to non-verbal communication through physical behaviors, gestures, posture, facial expressions, and movements. It often conveys emotions, attitudes, and intentions, sometimes more effectively than spoken words.
Studies show that a large portion of communication is non-verbal—experts estimate it accounts for up to 55% of the overall message in face-to-face interactions. The ability to accurately read and interpret non-verbal signals is essential for understanding others' emotions, intentions, and responses in various interactions.
How good are you at reading others' body language cues? Take this fun quiz to find out!
Confident body language can help boost self-assurance, improve interpersonal interactions, and create a lasting impression of credibility and approachability.
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Adopting a power pose for just 2-3 minutes can lower stress hormones (like cortisol) and increase confidence-boosting hormones (like testosterone) to help you feel more prepared for challenging situations. Here are some examples of Power Poses.
Want to see examples of non-verbal communication in action? Watch this hilarious video of the cast of Friends to see how humans use body language to interpret meaning.
Information taken from: HelpGuide.org
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Personalized Support for Early Educators | |
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Child Care Aware of New Hampshire offers diverse professional development opportunities, including support from our experienced Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Specialists. Our TA staff are knowledgeable early childhood professionals, well-versed in state initiatives such as Credentialing, Early Learning Standards, Family Engagement, Emergency Preparedness, and more.
We provide personalized assistance tailored to your needs, whether it’s navigating NHCIS, addressing classroom challenges, or achieving other professional goals.
Engage with us through:
- One-on-One Support: On-site, virtual, phone, or email.
- Cohorts & Progressives: Collaborative learning experiences.
- Trainings & Events: Including mini-conferences and VLCs.
Contact us to learn more!
Call: 603-578-1386 ext. 2526 or 2532
Email: ccrrta@snhs.org
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CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities | |
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The Spring 2025 Trainings At-A-Glance calendar is here! Explore opportunities coming up in April through June to enhance your professional
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Join us for The Annual Celebration of NH Early Childhood Professionals! | | |
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Join Child Care Aware of New Hampshire in celebrating the dedication of NH Early Childhood Professionals! The Annual Celebration honors early childhood educators with guest speakers, awards, giveaways, and credential recognitions, including those completing the Credential Challenge.
📅 Monday, April 7, 2025
📍 Grappone Conference Center, Concord
Reservations required—visit the link below to secure your spot and learn more!
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We know how important it is to celebrate early childhood professionals and appreciate programs that adjust their schedules to attend the Celebration. To help involve families, Child Care Aware of NH has created a letter that programs can share, highlighting the event and thanking everyone for their support and flexibility.
We’re also excited to announce the Stars of the Show nomination opportunity, giving families and colleagues a chance to recognize outstanding early childhood professionals across New Hampshire. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage families and encourage them to recognize the dedication and hard work of your staff!
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Be Well, Care Well Self-Care Series: Building Your Bounce! | |
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Join us for Be Well Care Well, a dynamic six-part training series dedicated to exploring self-care in the Early Childhood Education field. Each session is designed to empower educators with strategies and tools to prioritize their well-being, both personally and professionally.
We understand that when educators feel their best, they can do their best work. That’s why our Well-Being coaches provide on-site support, resources, and actionable strategies to foster a culture of well-being in child care centers and family child care homes.
Through consultation, training, and coaching, Be Well Care Well helps programs create healthy work environments that enhance job satisfaction, reduce stress, and strengthen team relationships.
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Whether you're seeking practical strategies, new perspectives, or a supportive community, this series is for you. Prioritize your well-being—because you deserve to thrive. | |
Infant & Toddler Institute Coming to Manchester | |
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Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, for an inspiring morning focused on the vital role of relationships in early childhood development. This hands-on training will explore how everyday interactions between children and caregivers lay the foundation for growth and learning.
Facilitators Emily Meland and Megan Shahnooshi from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education will introduce the Simple Interactions (SI) Tool — a practical, strengths-based approach to recognizing and supporting meaningful connections in early care settings. Together, we’ll reflect on how to enrich and empower relationships in our work.
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For questions, contact Child Care Aware of New Hampshire at (603) 578-1386 ext. 2532 or email ccrrtraining@caphr.org. | |
Other Early Childhood News And Updates | |
Your Pathway to Success in Early Childhood Education - Start as a High School Student, Grow into a Professional | |
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Start in High School- Pre-Apprenticeship
Junior Year: Begin volunteering at a childcare center and taking Early College online courses through CCSNH (6 credits).
Senior Year: Complete 6 more Early College credits while gaining 1,000 hours of on-the-job training.
After Graduation Enroll in the CAPHR/DOL ECE Registered Apprenticeship Program
Work a paid job at a childcare center.
Receive mentorship, earn 2,000 on-the-job training hours, and complete your associate’s degree (with scholarships available).
Grow Your Career
Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree: Seamlessly transfer credits to continue your education at UNH College of Professional Studies (with TEACH Scholarship).
Enjoy Career Growth: Apprenticeship graduates gain advanced skills, increased wages, and access to leadership roles.
Start Your Journey Today! This pathway offers hands-on experience, affordable education, and clear steps to a fulfilling career in Early Childhood Education.
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Child and Adult Food Program | |
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Do you serve meals and snacks to the children at your program? If so, are you participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program? CACFP can cover a portion of the cost of the food that you serve to your kids – up to $8 per day per child! And, it helps you to provide nutritious meals to children and offers educational opportunities and support for you and your program. Check out these great stories from child care providers about how CACFP has impacted their programs and their children!
National CACFP Week is right around the corner, March 16-20. Are you ready? Check out the resources here to help you prepare for a fun week!
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What You Need to Know About NH Women Infants & Children (WIC) | |
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WIC provides free healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, and other health services to women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Who is eligible?
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding up to one year, or who had a baby in the last 6 months.
- Infants and children up to the age of five, including foster children.
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All caregivers are welcome! We talk a lot about moms, but we offer support to anyone –working or not—who cares for a child, including:
- Mom/Dad
- Single fathers
- Grandparents
- Foster parents
- Stepparents
- Guardian/Kinship
For more information or to find the WIC local office in your area, go to Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (nh.gov) For questions email WIC@dhhs.nh.gov
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The State Early Learning Alliance (SELA) | |
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Money Management Tools for All
Proper financial management is essential for the success and sustainability of any business. It provides a roadmap for making informed financial decisions, managing resources effectively, and much more.
Supporting Directors - Business Budgeting Tools
Navigating the financial management of your child care program, from budgeting for emergencies to setting rates, just became easier. The resources available on your shared services site will assist you in pinpointing areas of opportunity as you continue to maintain a financially secure business.
Supporting Staff - Financial Literacy for Kids
Even the youngest learners can dive into the world of money! Get started today with these age-appropriate resources, including fun videos and engaging activities to enhance your classroom instruction.
Supporting Families - Money Smart Caregiver Guides
Teaching children about money from a young age can set them up for a lifetime of financial success. By incorporating money lessons into everyday activities, families can help children develop a positive financial mindset.
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To learn more, log into or register for free on the SELA Platform at www.selanhmembers.com. You will receive approval of your registration within one business day. Once you log in begin with the START HERE tab. | |
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Child Care Aware of NH is a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Program of Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and/or such other funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services. | | | | |
