February 2020
914.761.3456
Parent Connections
Top 3 Things To Know
#1 - Why hand washing really could slow down and epidemic
To prevent viral infections, doctors suggest practicing good hand hygiene. In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, public health guidelines continue to emphasize this. Is hand washing really that helpful in the context of an epidemic? New research suggests that it is.



A Video to watch with you Kids....
Germ Smart - Wash Your Hands!
Germ Smart - Wash Your Hands!


#2 -  Where do kids with disabilities go for child care? 
Here is a story we wanted to share from The Hechinger Report newsletter by Jacki Mader.... 

After giving birth to premature twins, one of whom had a disability, Alexis began the search for child care. She called daycare providers repeatedly to try to get spots for her children. She found it was nearly impossible to find a center with two spots for infants, let alone one who had a disability. Her partner, who worked night shifts, ended up watching the twins during the day for a full year so Alexis could work. Even as Alexis' children became toddlers, her options remained limited: she had to rule out any centers that did not have elevators or ground floor access due to one twin's physical disability. She was nervous and cautious of providers who she feared may not pay attention to that child, who also had limited speech. At night, she and her partner would get in bed and "cry because it was just hard."  

Alexis' experience is all too common for parents of children ages 0 to 5-years-old who have disabilities, a demographic that makes up an estimated 15 percent of the country's childhood population. According to a new report from the Center for American Progress, parents of young children with disabilities are more likely to experience difficulty finding child care, are less likely to secure a childcare spot a nd are more likely to experience job disruptions because of problems with child care. Cristina Novoa, the author of the report, interviewed Alexis and 16 other parents, whose last names were withheld for privacy, and analyzed two national datasets on disability and child care. Novoa found that while many parents struggle to find high-quality childcare, the problem is especially acute for the parents of children with disabilities. "They're experiencing additional barriers...and they're paying an additional price," Novoa said. "That means families of children with disabilities are really, really struggling."   


#3 - Discipline and Limit Setting
Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression-Oh My!
Tantrums, Defiance, Aggression-Oh My!


In order to follow rules and understand limits, children need to develop self-control.

Self-control and self-regulation are complex skills that begin to emerge in the early months of life and are more consistently apparent between four and five years of age. Self-regulation takes many years to fully develop - and adults may still struggle with this skill occasionally! Read more about how young children learn self-control through interactions with peers, parents, and other loving adults.


What you need to know about your child care program/provider... 
You should stop and consider the care being provided if there are multiple, serious, uncorrected, or recurring violations. 


It's not uncommon for child care programs/provider to have some regulatory violations. 

At least once a year, you should check your child care programs regulatory history. End the year off with checking today!
Children's Corner
Biology - The Science of Things
 
Science is learning about the world and everything in it. A scientist is someone trying to find an answer. A scientist asks, "What is this?" "What do you think will happen if?" and "Why?"
 
You are doing more science with children than you realize. Biology is NOT what you did in a high school lab. 
 
Biology is: 
  • Plants- Caring for houseplants (non-poisonous), planning all kinds of seeds, gardening, exploring plants outside (non-poisonous), playing in the leaves. These all give children hands-on experience with the natural world.
  • Our food- Do you know we eat seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and fruit?
  • Animals- Caring for animals teaches compassion and reduces stress in children.
  • Living/Dying- A natural part of life - Seeds sprout and babies are born and then leaves fall in the fall or a beloved pet dies. Adults can gently help children to understand the circle of life.
  • People- How do our bodies work? What do we need to live? What does a beating heart sound like? Children learn about their bodies from daily living and playing doctor.
  • Our senses- Children are hands-on learners who must smell, taste, hear, see, and most of all touch.
  • Nature- Play outside in the natural world and not only on plastic playgrounds. Bring the outside inside - sand, water, mud, rocks, slices of logs, branches/sticks, leaves, shells, bark, wicker baskets, and more. Put natural materials throughout the room, not just on the discovery table.
Health Corner
Know the Facts about Coronavirus

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
 
Read the CDC Fact Sheet on What you need to know about 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) , click below:





 
Advocacy
We spoke up for Child Care! 
 
We spoke up about the importance of child care funding at the NYS Budget Forum on February 18th at the Westchester County Center with our colleagues from the  Mount Kisco Child Care Center Ossining Children's Center , and  St. Peter's Child Care.


If you think child care should be more affordable for parents....
If you think child care professionals should be paid fairly for their expertise and their value to the community....

You can speak up too, its not too late to send in your written testimony. Ask your board to submit a written statement as well. Send your written comments to  WestchesterDelegation@nysenate.gov .



For more info, please contact Kathy Halas at kathyh@cccwny.org .  If we have enough interest we may get a bus!
 
Census
Did you know? A million children didn't show up in the 2010 census which resulted in a loss of funding to our community. The Census results determine how much funding our state will get for such vital programs as: 
  • Child care
  • CACFP nutrition program
  • Child welfare
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Children's justice
  • Over 100 more programs!
Did You Know...
The Council is Here for You!
  Resources & Referr a l s!
Financial Help!


Call us at 
(914)761-3456 x140 
visit 
or
  email us at  referrals@cccwny.org
 
Our FREE Services are:
  • Consultation with a trained Counselor 
  • 24/7 search for child care
  • Information to help pay for child care
  • Guidelines to choose a quality child care program
  • Checklist for your visits
And much, much more...
In This Issue
  • Corona virus
  • Child Care for children with special needs
  • Things to Know
What's Happening at the Council
Spring 2020 Early Childhood Conference: Social Emotional Development

You can give a gift of training to your caregiver for just $50. 
All are welcome!

April 25, 2020
Dobbs Ferry High School
505 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY


View Conference Brochure
Raise a Glass

April 30, 2020
Annual Wine Tasting

Le Vino
171 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601

Registration opens in mid-March

Early Education Hall of Heros

Nominate your caregiver as a Hero in Early Childhood-

June 5, 2020

Mercy College
555 Broadway
Dobbs Ferry, NY
Support the Council 

Support the Council while you shop!
 
 
Sign up at: SMILE.AMAZON.COM

Things To Do
Coffee, Crafting & Kids

Socialize with other adults while your kids are crafting.  Includes storytime and snack. 


 

Located at Bear Mountain

Coffee Roasters on the first floor.

When: Friday, March 20

Where: Jefferson Valley Mall

650 Lee Blvd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Cost: Free 

For more information, 

Stone Barns Agricultural Center
Free this winter

Maple Weekend
When: March 21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th 9am and 11am
Where: Hilltop Hanover Farms
Cost : $15 adults and $10 children
Maple Sugaring Events

Throughout March

Planetarium

Hudson River Museum 
511 Warburton Ave, 
Yonkers NY 10701
Hours Weds - Sun 
12 to 5pm

Parent Education
Click below to see a full list of 
Bedtime Rituals: helping your young child get a full night sleep so you can too. 
When: March 26; 10:30AM
Where: White Plains Library

Parenting  Styles: "Because I said so, that's why!" 
When: May 12th; 10:30AM
Where: White Plains Library

Click Here for more info on parenting groups and trainings. 

Community Resources

Westchester County is offering free tax preparation for families and individuals. View the below flyers for more information. 
 

 
United Way's 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 9am-7pm.

United Way's 2-1-1 call specialists can give you information about things such as:
  • Food Assistance
  • Housing assistance and shelters
  • Abuse prevention
  • Elder care
  • Mental health services
  • Recycling regulations
  • Services for people with disabilities
  • How to become a foster parent
  • Where to get medical help and more
Learn more:  www.uwwp.org

 
Sometimes a little help can go along way. 

If you struggle with having enough to eat, there is help. 

Feeding Westchester sources and distributes food all throughout Westchester. 
 
Agency Locator , helps you find the closest feeding program to meet your needs. 
 
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule , helps you find mobile food deliveries in your area
 
 Network Feeding List, is a list of feeding partners throughout Westchester  
 
Learn more: 

What's Cooking
Speghetti Cacio E Pepe
 
INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Pound Spaghetti
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 ¾ cups grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
DIRECTIONS 
  1. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a 5-qt. pot. Season with salt; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until about 2 minutes before tender. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup pasta cooking water.
  2. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add pepper and cook, swirling pan, until toasted, about 1 minute.
  3. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to skillet and bring to a simmer. Add pasta and remaining butter. Reduce heat to low and add Grana Padano, stirring and tossing with tongs until melted.
  4. Remove pan from heat; add Pecorino, stirring and tossing until cheese melts, sauce coats the pasta, and pasta is al dente. (Add more pasta water if sauce seems dry.) Transfer pasta to warm bowls and serve.
  5. Serve