Out With The Old, In With The New

            Today, more than ever, our children are born into an ever-changing world of technology. As parents struggle with navigating though all these devices, access to the internet and software, and number of hours spent engaged, teachers and early childhood providers must also decide how technology will be utilized in their classroom.

            In a recent survey by PlayScienceLab, a whopping 79% of children ages 2 – 5 years old have access to a smart phone, irregardless of household income levels. An additional 35% of that age group that has access to an Ipod Touch and 19% have access to a tablet! This access includes more than just playing with Mom or Dad’s smart phone. It includes parents downloading between 1 and 5 apps a month directly for children. This definitely shows that young children are immersed in technology!

            This raises the question of whether, or how much, technology is appropriate for the early childhood classroom. Are children already exposed to enough technology at home that they don’t need it in their classrooms? We want children to learn and develop in all areas. Is technology taking away from other areas of development? Is money spent on technology taking away from the preschool supplies dollars? Is open-ended play being sacrificed for technology? Children play with unit blocks and learn mathmatical shapes, cause and effect principles from stacking and building, and social skills such as turn-taking and sharing. Can they learn the same from technology?

            There are mutiple makers of software, games, and interactive books to be scoured through. Do any of these provide comparable learning to playing in the home area, running and skipping outside, or working together to complete a floor puzzle? Do teachers and educators have the time and resources to investigate the everchanging world of technology?

            We want children, including the young, to have the best of everything. It will be a tough decision, with all the technology available, to determine how much is best.

A Salute to the National Head Start Association

The National Head Start Association celebrates Head Start Awareness Month this October. Twenty-nine years ago, on October 22, 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the greatness of this program:



"Since its establishment in 1965, the National Head Start Program has helped over ...[twenty-five]... million low-income pre-school children and their families. In so doing, it has earned recognition and support for its success in early childhood education and development.
Equally important, the health and nutrition aspects of the program have improved the prevention, detection, and treatment of children's medical, dental, and nutritional problems, thereby removing barriers to growth and learning.
Perhaps the most significant factor in the success of Head Start has been the involvement of parents, volunteers, and the community. Their commitment and the services provided by dedicated Head Start staff have been instrumental in creating a quality program that truly provides young children with a "head start" in life."

This still holds true today. Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide a wide range of comprehensive education, health, nutrition, parent involvement, and family support services to primarily at-risk children and their families. During 2009-2010 program year, over one million children and pregnant women were served. Parents are encouraged to play a vital role in their children's learning and are assisted in making progress toward their own educational, literacy, and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs. Over 1.3 million volunteers assist Head Start and Early Head Start programs last program year. Of those, over 800,000 are parents, continuing the comprehensive service approach to families.

This week also marks the Head Start second annual “Take It Outside” program. It was developed by the Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS). Take it Outside Week, October 16 – 22nd, 2011, encourages educators, families, and caregivers to make time outdoors an important part of young children's daily lives.

Head Start continues to forge a solid path for young children in our country. The hope is for this to remain strong for many more years to come.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Tips to Avoid Halloween Anxiety

With the fall season upon us, it’s time for pumpkins, scarecrows, and Halloween. As much as we, as adults, enjoy this holiday, Halloween can be a cause of great anxiety for young children. It is important for adults and caregivers to ensure that the sights and sounds that make up Halloween aren’t scary for young children.

Costumes can cause young children to be scared since they are not able to see a person’s face. The cute costumes of old, such as bunnies or pumpkins, have been replaced with gruesome and scary figures, especially with the older crowd. Costumes also pose a safety concern if the costumes are too big, pose a tripping hazard, or restrict children’s vision. A good alternative is to wear face paint or a hat instead. Try a dress rehearsal with your child ahead of time and even rehearse saying “Trick or Treat!” Be sure to have him look in the mirror and see himself in his costume.

Halloween night itself can also be scary for young children. Stay away from extremely dark and noisy areas that may make children fearful. Try trick or treating before dark so children can see where they are going. Visit fewer houses and only go to neighbors that your children know. Going earlier can also avoid those scary costumes worn by older children. Try to stick to your normal nightime routine and keep bedtime at the same time as any other night. These things can help children relax during this busy time.

Fear and anxiety is very real for young children. Although it’s fun for adults, refrain from telling them “don’t be afraid”. It does little to calm their real fears. Young children have a hard time distinguishing between real and pretend and they may not even understand why they are scared. Simple reassurance and a hug might help to make this Halloween season a fun time for all.

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