Can you even believe that June is over?! It has been an exciting month for us around here and we wanted to take a moment to share some of the wonderful events that have been occurring and what is coming up in the Creative corner of the world!
You asked for it and we listened!
PD funding has been approved for the following new workshop:
- Stop Biting in its Tracks
Exciting news you don’t want to miss!
We will be working over the next few months on new product packages available on our website you won't want to miss out on what’s happening. Make sure you keep checking in on the website and blog for details!
UPCOMING LEARNING EVENTS
It’s not a conference, it’s a Learning Event!
Creative is hosting its next Calgary based community Learning Event in September. Watch your email for an upcoming Save the Date
We are very excited to be branching out into Edmonton and Medicine Hat. Watch for additional information and event details on our website.
CREATIVE TALK!
Everyone at Creative Child Care Consulting loves the summer months, and we hope that we can help you discover more reasons to be outside with your children and how to bring nature into your classroom. Here is a list of June events that may inspire interesting provocations and invitations to play
JULY AUGUST
1st July: Canada Day 2nd August: Icecream Sandwich Day
2nd July: World UFO Day 3rd August: Watermelon Day
July: Calgary Stampede 4th August: National Friendship Day
10th July: Teddy Bears Picnic Day 5th August: Heritage Day
15th July: Gummy Worm Day 9th August: Book Lovers Day
20th July: Space Exploration Day 16th August: Tell a Joke Day
2nd August: Icecream Sandwich Day 23rd August: Ride Like the Wind Day
3rd August: Watermelon Day 26th August: Dog Appreciation Day
FEATURE WORKSHOP OF THE MONTH
“The Learning Environment as the Root of Challenging Behaviors “
Duration: 2-3 hours
Accreditation Standards: 1 and 2
Dealing with challenging behaviour in preschool children can be a daunting task. Before we can address challenging behaviour, it is necessary to look at the classroom environment and what coping strategies are needed.
Children's behaviours communicate their needs, if they are exhibiting challenging behaviours, it can mean that their needs are not being met. This interactive workshop identifies strategies that ELCC educators can apply to interpret children’s behaviours and understand what they may be communicating about their classroom environment. Participants will explore ways to adapt to classroom environments and revise practices to lessen challenging behaviours.
Programs will receive a $50.00 discount if this workshop is booked for August or September.
Reading Corner
Everyone on the team at Creative Child Care Consulting is always researching and reading; all in an effort to bring you the most up to date and impactful information. The maple leaf indicates a Canadian author.
We asked all our consultants this month, “What are you reading right now?”
Marjorie Cole is currently reading The Biting Solution: The Expert’s No-Biting Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Early Childhood Educators by Lisa Poelle.
Diane McKean is reading The Art of Leadership- Developing People in Early Childhood Organizations by Exchange Press
Sharon Ness is currently reading Surviving To Thriving- The 10 Laws of Grateful Leadership by Steve Foran. .
Traudi Kelm is currently reading
Kids These Days by Jody Carrington PHD.
Be a Sun-Safe Kid!
If you want to introduce the children in your program to sun-safe practices, then check out “Be a Sun-Safe Kid!” A sun safety program for pre-school children www. healthybeginningspreschooler.ca/wp-content/SunSafetyCurric_Press_2015
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada, yet it is also one of the most preventable. While people are generally much more conscientious about taking care of their skin today than in past decades, many still do not know that skin damage during childhood can affect skin health into adulthood. Furthermore, we continue to underestimate the damage that direct sun exposure can have on our skin both in the summer and winter months. Children are at greater risk of skin damage than adults. Studies have shown that children receive three times the annual ultraviolet radiation (UVR) dosage of adults. In fact, some even suggest approximately 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood.
Sadly, it is reported that nearly 90% of skin cancers develop from sun exposure before the age of 20. Despite the increased attention to this problem, experts such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the BC Cancer Agency report increases in incidences of skin cancer. It is critical to introduce young children to sun-safe practices for two reasons. First, children are at increased risk of damaging their skin for life. The second reason is the children are at an age where they can be taught sun-safe habits for life.. The “Be a Sun-Safe Kid” Program has been developed by the BC Cancer Agency Prevention Programs. The curriculum is intended to be implemented over three weeks. There are three lessons, each dedicated to one sun-safe practice: Slipping on a Shirt, Slapping on a Hat & Seeking Shade, and Slopping on Some Sunscreen. Each lesson has three or four parts that can be completed any time over the course of a week. For example, each part of a lesson could be completed on a different day.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Having a Successful Substitute Teacher in Your Room
Summertime!! The freedom, the field trips, the outside time, and the room partner that gets four weeks of vacation. Four weeks? With a supply (substitute) teacher?
If you are holding your breath and dreaded the coming months, have no fear! Read on for helpful tips on how to make this summer the best one yet. Yes!!! Even with a substitute!\
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Don’t assume anything. Every classroom is different, and every teacher has their own way of doing things. You have established relationships with your children. Your temporary partner may not have those same relationships, and the children are going to behave differently with the new teacher. Make sure that your sub has a copy of your room schedule to take home and read through.
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Do plan with them. Invite them to plan with you. They will come to your class with different songs, stories, activities and ideas. Use this time to find some fresh inspiration for yourself. If your supply teacher is new, this is the time that you can practice your mentoring skills by encouraging and supporting this person who is new in the field.
- Don’t assume that they’re confident. They will be overwhelmed; especially if they haven’t done any previous work in your centre. They’re new, all the children are leery, and the families are strangers. Ask them to do a poster with some pictures of themselves for the children and families. We do it with students to ease them into the centre, why not the temporary employees that are brought in?
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Do provide direction. If they seem shy, they may not want to be disrespectful or “step on your toes” This is when you need to ask them to prepare invitations to play or certain group activities for later in the week.
- Don’t become frustrated. If you are feeling frustrated, trust me; the supply teacher is experiencing way more overwhelming than you can imagine. Ask them to meet you before or after a shift for a coffee or tea. This will give you both the chance to get to know each other and avoid communication mix-ups or misunderstandings.
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Do give them information. Offer them a classroom songbook or post a map of where each child’s cot is. List the activities that are done for transitions. Your supply teacher my not know the song or the game, but if they come to expect it, learning it will be a little easier.
- Don’t expect your room to run as it always does. Nothing for the next 1, 2, or 3 weeks will be like it is when your room partner is here. Accept it and get onto the business of building a positive and professional relationship with the supply teacher that is assigned to your room. As soon as you accept that things will be different, the easier it will be to get on with your work and enjoy yourself.
- Do be gracious. Go out of your way to make them feel like an equal. Thank them for their work, even if the first day was a disaster. Smile and be encouraging.
- Don’t vent your frustration at work. Vent if you must but do it in a confidential manner (NO NAMES) by journaling privately. Taking the time to write things down on paper forces you to slow down your thoughts. You get a better picture of the overall situation and will likely come up with viable solutions. Never, ever under any circumstances complain to your friends/partner or co-workers. You will look very unprofessional and if word gets back to your temporary room partner you will have a very uncomfortable situation at work.
- Do remember that we are all human. We want to fit in, we want to contribute, and we don’t want to make mistakes. Your attitude and your ability to be flexible will contribute to the success of your classroom this summer!
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