Up-to-3 Early Intervention Quarterly Newsletter

A word from our Program Coordinator...

Hello,

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Playing in nature and allowing children to explore can bring rich learning opportunities. With the spring rains, even watching a worm wiggle down the sidewalk is quite an experience.

I hope you take time to enjoy nature through the eyes of a child this month.

Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter and for the opportunity to partner with you. I want to thank Deb Johnson for creating all our newsletters. The next one you receive will have a new focus and information of what Up-to-3 has accomplished.

Marla Nef

CHILDREN AND NATURE AWARENESS MONTH

Children and Nature Awareness Month is celebrated throughout April. A large portion of the younger generation has no understanding of how to safeguard the environment because they spend so much time indoors and in front of a screen. Inspiring natural exploration in youngsters fosters a lifelong appreciation for, and stewardship of, their surroundings. As a result, educating children about the need to protect the environment is beneficial for future generations.

HISTORY OF CHILDREN AND NATURE AWARENESS MONTH

Because humans have a direct impact on many of the planet’s resources, we are particularly vulnerable. One author suggested that we save our children from Nature Deficit Disorder. He also advanced the thought that children’s activities had become more and more indoor-based and they were now disconnected from nature. He launched a campaign to bring back an understanding of the importance of nature among children.

Children today are far less likely than past generations to spend time playing outside, and a growing body of research says children are paying a high price for that lack. Childhood obesity, inattentiveness, diminished creativity, and depression are just a few of the problems linked to Nature Deficit Disorder.

“We’ve an opportunity and a responsibility to right the balance in children’s everyday lives,” said C&NN President Cheryl Charles. "Kids who are outside on a regular basis are smarter, more cooperative, and more self-confident. This issue is touching a chord of common sense, and a movement to reconnect children and nature is burgeoning worldwide.”

This movement is aimed at getting children, teens, and young adults out of their indoor habitat and into the great outdoors. This goal propels us toward a future in which all kids spend time outside each day, creating a generation of happier, healthier children with more awareness and connection to the natural world. Connecting children and nature also helps children grow lean and strong, enhances imagination and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. In addition, children who spend time in nature regularly are shown to become better stewards of the environment.

*https://nationaltoday.com/children-and-nature-awareness-month/

**https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/lifestyle/2008/04/01/getting-kids-outside-april-is/52464083007/

***https://www.nwf.org/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature

^https://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/

https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/nature-fun-facts

“Children still need a childhood with dirt, mud, puddles, trees, sticks, and tadpoles.”

Brook Hampton

FUN FACTS ABOUT CHILDREN AND NATURET

URE

Cows kill more people than sharks do.

The annual death toll from shark attacks is five, whereas the annual death toll from cow attacks is 22.

Bamboo is the world's fastest growing plant.

It is a fast-growing grass with a hollow stem. One species of bamboo can grow 35" in a single day, and some species reach full maturity in just 90 days!

Pineapples take two years to grow.

If you plant a pineapple from a sucker, it will take around 18 months to produce a bloom, but if you plant the top of the pineapple, it will take two and a half years.

The trees on Earth outnumber the stars.

The number of stars in our galaxy is estimated to be between 200 and 400 billion, while there are an estimated 1 trillion trees on the planet.

The blue whale is the largest animal to exist.

Far bigger than any dinosaur, the blue whale is known to be the largest animal to ever exist. The magnificent mammals can actually grow to be 100 feet long and up to 200 tons. That's about 30 Tyrannosaurus Rexes!

Orcas are actually dolphins.

Orcas have acquired the nickname"killer whale," but it turns out these sea creatures are the largest species in the dolphin family.

African buffaloes make decisions by voting.

Turns out the African buffalo is one of the animals most well-known for using a voting tactic to make travel decisions. One at a time, adult females will stand up and look in a certain direction before sitting down. Whichever directions gets the most amount of looks is typically where the herd travels. If the vote is divided, the herd will actually split up temporarily. Only the adult females are allowed to vote, regardless of social status within the herd.

What is the significance of nature in early childhood?

Children who play and spend time outside in nature show improved attention spans, memory, and other cognitive abilities.

What is the effect of nature on a child's growth?

The positive impact of nature exposure on children includes better motor coordination, reduced stress levels, and increased social contact with adults and other children.

How do you raise children's consciousness about nature?

Let your words and deeds demonstrate your own mindfulness of nature.

CHILDREN AND NATURE AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITIES

Go outside

This month is a terrific time to be outside connecting with nature. It could be a picnic in the park, a stroll in the woods, or lazing at the beach. The choice is yours.

Take your children for a walk

A family hike is always enjoyable. Learn about plants and animals by hiking or going for a walk in the woods with your kids. With all the canyons in Northern Utah, this could become a regular way to spend time with your children and learning about nature.

Children get to explore their natural curiosity

Children are constantly exploring their surroundings and soaking up information. They can really learn a lot about the world around them by spending time outside.

Children always have a fresh perspective

Children see the world in a way that is often new and exciting. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes can help adults appreciate the natural world once more.

The sheer beauty of nature captivates children

Children are filled with enthusiasm and energy, and they approach life with curiosity and excitement. It is inspiring to see children excited about the world around them.

Shoutout to our community partners!

Pre-school Puppet Storytime, 2nd and 4th Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, September through May at the Brigham City Fine Arts Center. Free and open to all.

Story Time at the Garland Library. Toddler/Pre-K story time, Mondays at 10:30 AM. Children's story on Thursdays at 4:00 PM. Free and open to all.

Community Art Day s at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art in Logan. Join us on the second Saturday of every month to learn about and make art! 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Free and open to all.

Mini Makers: Toddler Art Exploration at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art in Logan. On Thursdays, toddlers can experience art through singing, playing, moving and making. (Prior registration required, 435-797-0165.)

Espectáculo de marionetas y hora del cuento, Centro de Bellas Artes, Brigham City, 2nd y 4th todos los Sabados, 10:30 - 11:30 AM.

Hora del Cuento Biblioteca de Garland. Hora de cuentos para niños pequeños/preescolar, los lunes a las 10:30 AM. Cuento infantil los jueves a las 4 PM.

Días de arte comunitario en el Museo de Arte de Nora Eccles Harrison en Logan. ¡Unase a nosotros el segunto sábado de cada mes para aprender y hacer arte! 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Gratuito y abierto a las todos.

Mini Creadores : Exploración del arte para niños pequeños en el museo de arte Nora Eccles Harrison en Logan. Los jueves, los niños pequeños pueden experimentar el arte cantando, jugando, moviéndose y creando. (Se requiere inscripción previa, 435-797-0165).

Don't forget to tell your children you love them.

No matter what, no matter when, no matter where,

"I love you always."

Spotlights on our newest employees!!

Madi Owen - Before workding at Up-to-3, Madi worked at a snow cone shack when she was 12, and she got unlimited free snow cones, so it was a dream job at the time. Her favorite part about working with Up-to-3 is the environment of the office and coworkers. She also really likes learning about the different services that Up-to-3 offers to those who need it.

Madi loves to travel: Madi's church mission experience was pretty wild. She served in three different missions thanks to Covid. She starrted in the North Dakota Bismark Mission where she served in Montana, then she went to Barcelona Spani, and the missions in Spain got split, thus sending her to the Madrid North Mission. After her mission, Madi went and taught English and Uganda, Africa for four months. The kids stole her heart, and she would love to go live in Africa again. After Uganda, she had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica for four months to teach teachers how to teach English.

Madi's favorite quote is "The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is." Carson of Downton Abbey

She is happiest when she's spending time with her Mom and friends, watching a good British drama with a 32oz Dr. Pepper, golfing, going to concerts, especially Niall Horan, Shawn Mendez or Harry Styles. She also likes playing volleyball. If Madi had to eat one meal every day for the rest of her life it would be anything from 5-Star Barbeque in Orem (try the Alabama or JT's mustard sauce - it will change your life). She also likes anything with chidken and tomatillo ranch from Costa Vida.

Madi has a few nicknames, however the most common with the family is Mad Dog. She is a super-competitive person and has been since she was little. Her family always had big get-togethers and they would play games or go to Lagoon. Her uncle always knew that he could challenge Madi to do something, and the nickname somehow followed and has stuck every since.

Hadyn Flygare - Hadyn loves getting to work one-on-one with famillies and little kids at Up-to-3. She also loves that the job is based in a home setting. Being able to go into homes and make an impact on a family's daily routine brings so much joy to Hadyn. She was drawn to Up-to-3 because it allows her to work with little kids. She has a strong love for kids and so being able to help them develop and grow brings her so much joy and excitement!

Before working at Up-to-3, Hadyn would say her most unusual job was working at a moving company. If she had to eat one meal every day for the rest of her life it would definitely be California sushi rolls.

The best vacation Hadyn has been on is her trip to Kauai, Hawaii. This island is truly amazing and so beauriful. She loved the time she got to spend there with her family. They also got to see so many sea turtles laying on the beach. It was very cool.

Hadyn is happiest when she's with those she loves, helping others, on the softball field, and cooking. Her biggest pet peeve is people who lie.

Hadyn has lived in Woods Cross, Utah, Twin Falls, Idaho, and Logan, Utah. Sadly, she has never lived anywhere crazy. She did really want to move to Johnson City Tennessee a year ago though. It just seemed like it would be fun; but she's glad she ended up in Logan.

Up-to-3 changes lives

one child and family at a time

If you have concerns about your child's development, scan the QR code for two intake questionnaires, the ASQ and the ASQ:SE. Once you've completed both questionnaires, we'll call you to schedule a

FREE evaluation.

Si tiene inquietudes sobre el desarrollo de su hijo, haga escanar aquí para obtener dos cuestionarios, el ASQ y el ASQ:SE. Una vez que haya completado ambos cuestionarios, lo llamaremos para programar una evaluación GRATUITA.