Collage making - brain development

Collage- pasting pictures , letters or objects on a piece of cardboard

Learning to sit and focus. Making a collage with your toddler is a lot of fun. they love to squeeze the glue and to  items on card board. You and your toddler should look for the pictures that  she would like to cut. Have your toddler point out the picture and you cut them out for her. You can use the circular from the super market and a piece of card board or old magazines.
This activity helps your toddler with self-regulation . When your toddler does not want to continue the activity she will just get up and may say" finish". The first time she may sit for five minutes but as times goes on and she will be able to be engaged longer. This activity helps your toddler to learn how to sit and focus.
Many children get to formal school , daycare etc and are not able to focus. This is called short attention span and your child may end up with a diagnosis  for example ADD when a child is not able to focus on an activity for the duration based on their age.
However, your toddler needs to have these  experiences very  early and with time she will have learn how to focus.

Language development

Your toddler is  now 2.7 years old and she should be repeating  everything that your say. If she is developing along the developmental lines that based on the scale. Understanding language and being able to put words with  actions, pictures  , understanding directions  are very important. You are also helping to develop your toddler's memory skills and helping her to connect the wires in her brain.

A Free Baby and Wee session 5/3/14

Join us with your infant and toddler age zero to 3 years old for activities, art, music, story time & cooking

Bring a t-shirt for you and your little one you don’t mind getting messy.
This is a day for fun!

Dads and grandparents invited and welcomed
 
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2014
Location: Harlem State Office Building
8th flr conference room
163 West 125 St NY, NY 10027

Session I: 10:00am – 11:00am

Session II: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Choose 1 session

Registration required by email or phone:

DasetaGray@gmail.com

Daseta 347-524-4178              OR

Reeshemah  917-721-3648

Pretend Play

Ajani calls me over . I went . "wanna be puppy he  asked?" yes . I got on my knees and began to bark . "sit he said pointing at me "  I did. He began to rub my head :good boy he said as he continues to pet me. Want water? he looked around he saw his potty  . He put it in front of my . Drink puppy he said.

Pretend play is part of Adaptive social behavior and usually occurs between 18 to 36 months.

Many times you hear or read about social skills. The above is an example of 1 type of social skill.

So the next time your toddler wants you to participate in pretend play embrace it because you are helping them meet another developmental milestone.


Follow us on Twitter @KinderSuccess
Like us on Facebook KindergartenSuccess

Throwing

Ajani is still in the throwing phase. When he is inside he throws what every he is able to pick up. Last week I bought a pumpkin and he picked it up  then he said "ma heavy" Yea Ajani it is too heavy for you to throw,  I said. I extended his language . Every moment is a teaching one.  He has a new habit when he is in the car he takes off his shoes and throws it in the front. The first time he did that it was  little scary . He also takes off his socks and throws them.
Once he gets in the car his shoes are take off. I usually say "Ajani we are going for a long ride so I m taking off your shoes so your feet can relax" OK he usually say. It is very important to explain to your infant/toddler what is going to happen. This gives them a sense of control as  your infant develops this will be very important , communication that is open.

Intoducing the Letters

You can introduce the letters to your toddler during reading time , 2.3years they begin to take note  . There  site  is still being developed. The title of the books usually have big prints. You can casually John this is the letter C . The book should be  available to the toddler ,it should be a board book this prevents tearing. You will observe that your toddle will pick up the book and begins to study the cover with the letter that you just pointed out. You only need to introduce the letter once because the brain does not forget experiences. You will see the  excitement in your toddler's eyes. She will begin pointed out the letter where eve she sees it. Once she begins doing that you cam introduce he to others.

Lollipops and Toddlers don't really mix well

Today I was walking and observed a toddler in  stroller she was eating a lollipop and dinking a soda. This combination is not good for any toddler. It is very important to feed your toddle healthy snacks . Healthy food is needed for good brain development and healthy teeth. You are her mirror to the world so you have to set a good example for  her.

Why it's critical to invest in the early years

Sheriff Baca has a direct message for everyone who cares about the impact and cost of crime:



"My jail is filled with people who took the wrong path in life. It didn’t have to be that way. Law enforcement leaders nationwide know that one of the best ways to keep young people from dropping out of school and becoming criminals is to make sure they have a foundation for success in their earliest years. We are coming out in force to support high-quality early education and care for kids today so we can lower the devastating impact and cost of crime in the years to come.

What are you doing to help to prevent this path for many infants/toddlers?  For complete articlewww.Invest now or pay me later

A story I had to share

I want to share a powerful story from our friend Hogan.... I want this story to remind you that every moment is special that you share with your most precious gift, your little one. Please share this video. Also keep an eye out for his book "Dads Behaving Dadly: 67 Truths, Tears and Triumphs of Modern Fatherhood"




Watch his interview on Oprah

The ability to play

This week -end I visited a friend  in Williams Town Mass.She has a toddle who is 2.5 years old and my grand son is 2.6 . As we spoke they both bean to play . They were playing come and go .  I am not sure how that game began  but Ajani would say go and Tommy would run down the hall out of eye view and then  Ajani would say come  and Tommy would come back. They both burst out  in  laughter . This continued for a few minutes . Then they  found two tucks and one said "mine" and they both began to say "mine" they kept saying it louder each time as if to out scream each other. They paused to laugh between shouts. Then they began singing the ABC song.

 As I watched I say the  root  of Social and Emotional Development skills(Domain II)  developing. The ability to adapt social behavior in diverse setting/ appreciating diversity  and the ability to interact with peers-Cooperating.


The ability to play is a skill that is needed for school and life. 
Tommy goes to a daycare and Ajani goes to a baby sitter . However, Ajani has had different experiences with socialization.

Both mothers were able to  chat while their toddlers  engaged in positive play. This a clear that these re toddlers whose needs have been met .

Experiences shape how you react--Curbing negative behavior

As you interact with your toddler keep in mind every opportunity is a teaching one. If you don't work on certain behaviors it will turn other things. For example, the other day we facilitated a class and had toys on floor for the babies and toddlers to play with. We had cars also; when the class was over and parents and their toddlers were leaving a child had one of the cars and the parent saw. Rather than she explain to him he needs to leave the toy she had him walk out with it.

It is very important to use that experience as a teaching one; she should have said something like, "I know you enjoyed playing with the car. It is time to put it back it is not our toy to take."

Imagine how many times her toddler may do that or will do that it is very important to break that before it becomes  habit and as he gets older believes taking things that does not belong to him is ok. This parent has created an experience of criminal behavior.

You may be reading this and say, how could that 1 incident create criminal behavior. As the brain is developing you only need to show a infant/toddler something once it never leaves them. They may not do the activity exactly the same way the next time but believe me that experience is etched in their brain.

Be Well

Like us on Facebook Kindergarten-Success
Follow us on Twitter @kindersuccess
Visit our website Sabree Education Services
 

Taming the beast in your toddler

At 2.4 years old your toddler will just begin to hit you for no reason. This is how violence begins by hitting on their care giver. You have to be patient . Each time that he hits you in a soft voice explain to him "honey this is not a  nice thing to do we do not hit when you hit me that hurts". You should also pretend that you are crying . Look at the expression on his face now you are beginning  to teach her empathy.


Follow us on Twitter @KinderSuccess
Like us on Facebook KindergartenSuccess

Visit our website SabreeEducationServices.com

 

Understanding language

Ajani is picking up his drum. It is heavy he said . He was able to move it to the spot that he wanted.
With his hands in the air "I did it" he yelled. These are magic words . When  your toddler has confidence and self-esteem these words will be a part of their brain wiring.

Work ethincs - begins durning years 0-3

This morning I did laundry and Ajani came with me. He usually want to help . I picked him up and he put the coins in machine. he helped to put the clothes into the machine. of course he climbed in one of the empty washing machines and was not able to climb back out. He called for help "nana help I am stuck". I helped him out   and we headed to the elevator :we got on "my hat  he said , with  his hand  on his head" We went back and got his hat from .machine. His memory is intact . The ability to recall is very important for school and it begins during these years.
That is why it is important for you to play children music for your baby it helps to develop memory skills among other skills

Creative play- is Brain development

Ajani said to his mom "I wanna play puppy ". He got on his knees and began parking . His mom began to rub his head hi puppy she said as he keep parking . Then he began to lick his moms arm as a puppy would . do you want to eat puppy his mom asked . He began to bark. His mother asked 'can I get Ajani back? yes he replied with a big smile he went back to being Ajani.

The ability to do imaginative  play is very important for children. It also helps with brain development. The child is learning what is real and what is not.

You must give your infant/toddler the tools that will allow her to play.

Information that you can use

http://www.cdc.gov/      This is a very good site for you to check out . When you go on you can   type in the search box developmental mile stones for infants/toddlers. You can use this as a guide.
Please feel free to share  our blog with your friends.

www.SabreeEducationServices.com
Visit our parent blog: www.SabreeHarlemParents.com

 

Follow us on Twitter @KinderSuccess  * Join Us on Facebook KindergartenSuccess * View us on Instagram KindergartenSuccess

"The brain is like a circuit breaker, in order for your infant/toddler to learn you must provide the tools to connect the wires" -Daseta Gray

How do you read to your baby

Reading should be a time for you and your baby to spend quality time together. When you are reading the baby should be in your lop. The allows the baby to see the  pictures, words . The baby will be able to begin touching the book as he get older she will begin to point to the pictures in the books  and will help you to turn the page. You should have a bin  on the floor with her books. This will give her the opportunity to read at her leisure. You and the baby can just look through a book  because some books are just picture books to build  your baby's vocabulary. Having a variety of books is very important.
Having access to items on the floor helps her to make choices . All these foundation skills are needed for life.

Age appropriate books

You must get books that are age appropriate . These are called board books ,they are very thick so it prevents your toddler from ripping them. You want your baby to develop a relationship with books but if you give her books that are not age appropriate she will rip them because young children hands are not able to manage books with thin pages. I have heard several parents say "my baby rip all the books". You want your baby to fell comfortable to explore her books  without fear. When the book gets ripped your reaction will be "why did you rip the book" your toddler will feel bad and may get turned off from books. Providing  the right tools in order for your infant to be successful is very important , this is called quality care. You have 2000 days to get your baby ready for kindergarten and their are a number of skills that she needs.

Reading to your baby should start the first day she gets home

Reading to your infant is very important. It teachers a number of skills here are a few of them:
Listening skills
Language development
vocabulary
focusing skills
Develops fine motor skills (the eye and finger muscles)
The ability to turn the pages from right to left
Picture reading
Introduction to words
Respect for books
Introduction to literacy
Multi-culture
You  should have a variety of books for your infant/toddler as each book has different information and pictures.
When you provide a variety of books it helps to build your infant/toddler cognitive skills and you are also preparing your infant/toddler for reading. This is called reading/readiness skills.

Please share this information with your contacts

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR VOTERS, SECOND ONLY TO INCREASING JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

The bipartisan research team of Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research recently completed a survey of 800 voters throughout the United States.^{1 It revealed overwhelming support for ensuring that children gain the knowledge and skills necessary to start kindergarten off on the right foot, with a majority of voters saying that we should do more to achieve this goal. When presented with the broad outlines of a federal plan that helps states provide better early childhood education programs to low- and middle-income families without increasing the debt, fully seven-in-ten voice their support—with strong majorities of support among Republicans (60%), Independents (64%) and Democrats (84%).}

American voters rate ensuring children get a good start in life as an important national priority. In fact, 86% say this is important, second only to increasing jobs and economic growth.



Voters say we need to do more to prepare our children for success in school and life.


• 68% of voters think that half or fewer children begin kindergarten with the knowledge and skills they need to do their best in school.
• 70% of voters say we should be doing more to ensure that children begin kindergarten with the proper knowledge and skills to succeed.


Voters believe parents need help with early childhood development and government can provide it.


• 89% say it is important to make early education and child care more affordable for working families to give children a strong start.
• 86% want the federal government to help states and local communities build better preschool services and make them more accessible to children from low- and middle-income families.

INCREASING JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

ENSURING CHILDREN GET A STRONG START

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

REDUCING TAX BURDENS ON FAMILIES

SECURING OUR BORDERS

1 Methodology: Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research conducted a telephone survey of N=800 voters throughout the country on both landline and cell phones. The survey was conducted July 8-11, 2013 and has an overall margin of error of +3.4%. Sampling error for subgroups within the sample will be larger. The sample was distributed proportionally throughout the nation and is demographically representative of the electorate.



Page 1

ffyf.org

Seven-in-ten American voters support a federal plan to help states and local communities provide better early childhood education. Respondents were presented with a plan put before Congress, which broadly outlined the plan’s features as well as how the $10 billion-per-year-for-ten-year initiative would be financed.
" Congress is considering a plan that helps states and local communities provide better early childhood education programs to parents of children from birth to five. It provides ten billion dollars per year for ten years in grants to states to provide all low and moderate income four year olds with voluntary access to high quality preschool programs. It also makes available voluntary programs in high quality early education and child care for infants and toddlers, as well as home visiting and parent education. The plan would be paid for by a 94-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax and not add to the federal budget deficit."


Again, this registers strong support among the electorate, as 70% indicate support and a stunning 50% say they strongly support the proposal.

Support for the proposal goes up when voters understand the proposal does not add to the deficit. When asked if they would support the proposal if it did not add to the debt or deficit, support for the plan increases to 77%.



Support for this proposal is broad-based and widespread, with large majorities of voters across the political spectrum and all key demographic groups in support:


• Democrats (84%), Independents (64%) and Republicans (60%);
• Parents (74%) and those without children at home (68%);
• Hispanics (83%), African Americans (82%) and white voters (65%);
• Workers (71%), and those not in the workforce currently (67%);
• Voters of every age group (79% of voters under the age of 35 to 65% of seniors);
• Voters in every region of the country (68% or higher); and
• Voters at every education level and income category (65% or higher).
There is a clear desire for Congress to take action now on this issue. Three-in-five (63%) prefer Congress "take action now," rather than "wait until later to conside



EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR VOTERS, SECOND ONLY TO INCREASING JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

Competent

It is very important that you allow your infant/toddler to feel competent that builds her self esteem. It  is very important that you allow your  infant/toddler to try to do things before you jump to help. You should also teach  her when she should ask for help. If your toddler is doing something and you see that she is struggling you should ask " Do you need help"? after a while she will grasp the concept the when she gets frustrated she should ask for help. This is very important for your infant/toddler to learn that when she needs help a caring adult will be there to help. It is not good for you to allow your infant/toddler to experience too much frustration. You want your infant/toddler to experience  success most of the time. Discovering should be fun.

Join Us at the Brooklyn Children's Museum Sun. April 6 and Thur. April 10

This April, stop by Brooklyn Children’s Museum to celebrate Week of the Young Child, sponsored by National Association for the Education of Young Children! We will be brimming with fun programming for the littlest learners from Sunday, April 6^th to Saturday, April 12^th. All Totally Tots programming will take place in the Art Studio from 11:30-12:30 pm and 2:30-3:30 pm unless otherwise specified.

 

·         On Sunday, April 6^th, join us for smelly art at 11:30 am! Explore spices used in cooking and create scented artwork to take home. Join us for more art at 2:30 pm.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

 

·         Also on Sunday, April 6^th, join us for a Parent Talk with Daseta Gray, certified infant/toddler specialist at 2:30 pm. Learn about the skills that infants and toddlers need to develop in the 2000 days between birth and kindergarten. We will discuss how to give your baby social, emotional, and cognitive skills before they are three years old. Then, stop by our community partner tables for infant autism and eye screenings with Dr. Amy Daniels and Dr. Tamara Petrosyan, free with museum admission. {Tamara Petrosyan, eye specialist, is unconfirmed.}

LOCATION: LIBRARY

 

·         On Tuesday, April 8^th, we’ll be jamming to the beat with homemade musical instruments! Swing by at 11:30 am or 2:30 pm.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

 

·         On Wednesday, April 9^th, we’ll exercise our math skills by observing patterns all around us. Then we’ll make a patterned necklace out of fruit loops! Two sessions will be offered at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

 

·         On Thursday, April 10^th, we’ll sing and practice our ABCs, and create some fun ABC art to take home. 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

 

·         Also on Thursday, April 10^th, join Sabree Education Services for a Baby and Wee™ art workshop for caretakers and infants. This will not be your typical “mommy and me” class! It is designed to show caregivers how to set their babies up for success by honing in on the social and emotional skills needed for school and life. The session starts at 3:00 pm.

LOCATION: LIBRARY

 

·         On Friday, April 11^th, let’s practice shape and color recognition with shape art! 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

 

·         On Saturday, April 12^th, join us for Block Party at 11:30 am! Let your imagination soar as you play with a unique assortment of blocks.

LOCATION: LIBRARY

 

·         Round off the week on Saturday, April 12^th, with a reading of Adam Rubin’s “Dragons Love Tacos!” Then, practice your culinary skills by helping to make some yummy salsa. 2:30 pm ONLY.

LOCATION: TOTALLY TOTS

Celebration Week of the Young Child: Early Years are Learning Years

In Celebration of National Week of the Young Child
Join
Assemblyman Keith Wright, Harlem Kids Travel Inc. and Globalscope Inc.
For a community conversation Early Years are Learning Years: Closing the Experience Gap When: April 5th 2014 * Time: 10:00am-1:00pm * Cost: Free
Place: The Harlem State office Building 163 W 125 Street 8th floor Conf.room
Presenter: Dr. Ada Okika; Executive Director, Friends of Education for African Children Orphaned by AIDS
Guest Speaker: Mr. Al Cole, CBS Radio
Moderator: Mr. Max Rodiguez, Founder & President Harlem Book Fair
Panelists: Dr. Tirza Greer, Pediatrician; Ms. Daseta Gray, Certified Infant/Toddler Specialist; Dr. Elizabeth Isakson, Co-Director Docs for Tots
As we discuss
 How do you prepare for kindergarten Success?
 How do we as a community invest in the early years?
 How leaders impact the early years zero to age 3?
 The role of toxic stress before and after birth Copy and paste the url to register http://www.eventbrite.com/e/early-years-are-learning-years-closing-the-experience-gap-tickets-8852358643?aff=es2&rank=4&sid=7387429cb29311e3a5be12313d2241ae

Memory

It is very important to develop your toddler's memory. You should play different children's music for your infant/toddler and play the same set. Memory is very important for when your child gets to school . You should begin to play age appropriate music for your baby the minute that she gets home. Music can be used  to help your infant/toddler to develop many  skills such as : listening skills, language, following directions  just to name a few. Music plays a very important role in brain development. You should have CDs just for the car  also.

Science

Your toddler will throw things that are close by. She loves to watch them fall and then she laughs. While she is throwing do not  stop her. This is a learning mile stone. There are some experiences that your toddler must go through. Allow her to throw the items when she is finish she usually walk away. Give her a few minutes and then said to her " I see that you  had a lot of fun throwing  and now we need to clean up . I will help you". Both of you will clean up.
Your toddler tries to throw each object further each time. This is called discovery.