Creativity at all times--even on the road

We are on a road trip this week taking my sister on college visits. As we were in the hotel early this morning Ajani laid on the bed and had his legs on the nightstand, he said, "mommy I made a bridge".

 

 

I replied, "oh wow Ajani"

 

 

Once you allow her to practice pretend play it allows her imagination to develop and she will use those experiences at other times. Also, pretend play helps build critical thinking and problem solving skills because as they grow older their will be situations where she will have to try to figure out problems that arise.

 

I encourage you to encourage pretend play rather than if she uses something as a phone you say, "sweetheart that's not a phone".

 

 

Be well

 

 

And the road trip continues...

Letter recognition

Introducing your infant/toddler to letters should be fun. While you are reading books to your baby
You should introduce her to letters. The title of books usually have large letters on the cover. Infants/toddlers recognize straight lines and circles fist .If they have been scribbling you will notice that they scribble in circles and then straight lines. You should introduce the letter T and  then O and the P.
Children learn by having concrete experiences , things that they can touch . If your toddler has a train set you can use the  pieces of the tracts to make the letter T or you can use cardboard to make the letter T. Add the letter to the items that your infant/toddlers plays with. You will notice that in a few days she will be able to identify the letter T outside of her play area For example : when you are walking or driving or on the cover of a book. You will notice the excitement in her eyes and her voice.

Social Skills

 

Observation
Yesterday  I was  at an event . My friend had her 3 year old son with her also . He walked up to a little boy and offered his ball wanting to play with the child and the child walked away. He went to another child and it was the same  response. The adults that were with the children did not encourage either child to interact.

This is a skill that is needed before children enter kindergarten. The ability to interact with peers out  in a multicultural setting.
 This shows that the adults themselves are lacking that skill. It is a challenge to guide your infant/toddler  in gaining  these important skills  when the caregiver has a deficit in knowledge .

Being In Tune

On August 21,2014     Time: 8:30 am
I was making breakfast and Ajani was playing in the living room alone. I heard him crying . Ajani what is wrong ? I asked from the kitchen . He was struggling to explain. I walked to the living room and he is laying on the floor with his two legs in one foot of his shorts. I  di not laugh because toddlers do not like when you laugh at them. I asked him if I can take a picture sure he said.

This action indicates that he is ready for a new transition . He is ready to learn how to get himself dress. I helped him remove his legs from the shorts and slowly showed him how to put his pants on.
As a caregiver it is very important that you are in tune with your infant/toddler and read their cues. This will allow  you to help your infant/toddler along the developmental line.
 

We will see how  much time it will take him to make this transition. Being able to dress yourself is another  in the developmental process. It builds self esteem/self confidence and allow children to feel competent.
coming soon our parent community list serve.

The First 2000 Days Campaign -New York

When you get a chance I would like for you to read my article.
Daseta Gray, Author at Kidz Buzz @ Kidz Central Station
When does literacy begin?

Join us at the Children's Festival in Brooklyn 8/23/14 11am - 4pm

Look for the Sabree Education Services booth. We will sell gently used children's books and developmental toys and music (newborn to age 5). Some items are $1. 

Toddler boy clothing 12 months - 4yrs. (summer and fall items) price begins at $3

St. John’s Place block between Brooklyn and Kingston Aves. 11am - 4pm

See you there


PANFEST DEBUTS AT KID’S FEST
Some of the New York area’s best and youngest steel band musicians will be vying for prizes and fame in the first annual PanFest, a junior steelpan competition, presented by the Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center on Aug. 23 in Brooklyn.
The PanFest event is part of the CLACC-C Children’s Festival, a free annual event of music, games and food and loads of Caribbean culture and traditions. The Children’s Festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. and the PanFest starts at 4pm.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/20-million-grant-usvi-initiative-article-1.1906262#ixzz3Ay1eZODV

The festival will be held on St. John’s Place block between Brooklyn and Kingston Aves. (Carlos Lezama Way), in front the CLACC-C headquarters and museum at 1028 St. John's Place.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/20-million-grant-usvi-initiative-article-1.1906262#ixzz3Ay1NcFNG

Join us 8/22/14 for a Free Open House in the Bronx

11:15am - 12:30pm

New Settlement Community Center 1501 Jerome Ave, New York, NY 10452

(Jerome Ave & 172 St)

 

We will sign you up for fall classes

Spread the word

 

Spread the word



Language Development -during the first three years

It is very important for your toddler to begin to understand language and begin to make the connection with word and actions/meanings. Toddlers are funny  usually when or if  Ajani finish drinking the amount of juice that in his cup . He would hold the cup toward me and not say anything . I would ask him would you like the rest because he knows that there is more in the container.Recently when he his finish his drink he began to hold the cup out and say "  I want the rest".I realized that I had to begin to introduce a new vocabulary . I began saying would you like some more Ajani? It has been a few weeks and he has added   that new word in his vocabulary.He now says "Nana I want more".  We will now begin to expend his language by introducing more vocabulary "Nana may I have more please". I  began this process and will give him time to process  and add  the new words to his vocabulary .
Language development and the ability to express your needs verbally is critical to the reading process. It is very important that you are in tune with your baby . It is also very important for you to read and gain an array of knowledge that will help you to get your baby to the different developmental mile stones.

Speaking with your baby-The First 2000 Days

I remember a few months ago I visited  a friend and my grand son was with me. He was 11 months old  and I was speaking with him and the friend said " you are talking to him like he is five years old". I explained to her that infants/toddlers develop language by hearing it. They store the information and when it it time for them to speak they have it to use. They need to hear the sounds,patterns and pronunciation  in order for them to learn language. Before children speak they need to do pre-speech (making sounds) before words are formed. When they begin to speak and they are not able to say the word clearly you must repeat the word each time they say it wrong. Have them took at you and you say the word slowly for them and you must continue to do that until they are able to say the word correctly.Once she says it correctly you celebrate " wow Sharon you said it" make a big deal . Once she gets it that's it. You both have reached a developmental mile stone. You can now move to other things. Each step  of  language development is a process. You must be in tune .

Reading- The First 2000 Days Campaign New York

Ajani woke up at 5am today(8-12-14)
He asked his mom to read him a story . He is 2yr.11months . It is great that he loves books that is because he has had months of experience with books . He has a variety of books  and has in favorite. He is able to identify most of the alphabet . He understands that letters make words . This morning he said to his mom "mommy more words". We will begin his reading journey. He already knows the letters in stop . When we are walking he usually say the letters and one of us will say "that word is stop". He has leaned that letters make words. We will begin to introduce him to the site words .

This is a transition from just looking at pictures to now understanding that the letters make words. He also understands language and is able to express his needs .For example : if you ask him are you hungry he will say yes or no. If he is doing pretend play and you ask him what are you cooking ? He will say I cooking eggs  we will extend his language by saying  wow you are cooking eggs.
infants/toddlers must understand language before they can get ready for reading words.
We will see how the reading process develops.

Music- The First 2000 Days Campaign New York

Memory
It is very important that you play a variety  of children's music for your infant /toddler. Music helps to build vocabulary, memory ,listening skills , follow directions,  different cultures and  patterns . Music teaches many other skills but for the young infant that is what we should focus  on.

It is important to play a variety of music for your baby. However, children's music are slow and the words are clear this allows your infant/toddler to sing along with the songs and follow the directives  in the songs.
Here are a few great songs that you should play at home and  in the car. Car rides are great for infants/toddlers to listen to children's music. It is  best to play the same songs over and over as young children learn from  repeating experiences. Soon your toddler will be singing along with her favorite song.
Music in Motion by Louis Reich
Multi Cultural Children's Songs by Ella Jenkins
Adventure in Rhythm  by Ella Jenkins
Puyumayo Kid
 Lullaby a Collection- produced by Leib Ostrow
Ronald Gill- My Farm


These are great songs to start you infant off .

Transitions-The First 2000 Dys Campaign

Transitions: the ability for your infant/toddler to be able to leave  an activity or a space without a big fuss. Transitions can be a challenge for some young children when they get to pre-school. For example you are giving your child a bath and when you are ending the activity she does not want to leave the water . She begins to cry. one of the ways that you can help her with the transition is to have her say bye to the process. You can say something like "Sharon let's say by to the tub". She will cry a little but after doing this for a number f times she will not cry when you say "ok we are going to end your bath now let's say by to the tub".

I have seen many children fall apart during transitions and sometimes they are referred for special services because it has become an emotional issue. It is very important at home that you provide several experiences in way of toys, trips etc.  If you do not teach your infant/toddler how to transition both from objects, people and places it can become a problem in pre-school.
The ability to adjust /adapt to different situations is a skill that she will need for life. Keep this is mind as you continue your parenting journey.

The Farmer's Market

Good morning everyone  we will not be at the market today .

We hope that you will enjoy purchasing your fresh fruits and vegetables  and we will see you next Tuesday at the market.

Object Permenence -Discovery four

Young infants do not understand that when an object is  removed from site it is  still the same object when you return it. Constant contact with a caregivers face and  familiar objects  give the infant the opportunity to learn that , it is called object permanence. To understand that objects still exist when they are  out of the child's site begins to give the child a sense of permanence in the world, and it deepens the relationships with the child's caregiver.

 Good example is - when you drop your infant/toddler off at her caregiver and she is screaming . You keep saying honey I will be back to get you . She does not understand that you  will be back she feels that once you are out of her site that's it. Ay your baby gets a little older and begin to understand that you pick her up each day then she will get it. It is a stage of development.

Cognitive impairment

A cognitive impairment is caused when the brain is injured or there is something that keeps the brain from developing. This could happen when the baby is growing inside the mother or after the baby is born. Four main categories lead to a cognitive impairment:

• Problems during pregnancy: When the baby does not develop properly inside the mother. A mother with some infections can affect the growth of the baby inside her. If a mother drinks alcohol or takes particular drugs, she may well be hurting her baby, and it can cause a cognitive impairment.
  
  
• Problems at birth: If a baby does not get enough oxygen during birth, it can cause a cognitive impairment.
  
  
• Something passed on from mother or father: Each of us has a map of whom we are within our bodies. This map is written in a code called DNA, which bundled together makes genes. Parents pass on traits such as skin color or height through genes. The genes of the mother and father can combine in a way that the child is born with a cognitive impairment.
  
  
• Health problems/accidents: Diseases such as meningitis and the measles can lead to a cognitive impairment. Car crashes, near drowning and other brain injuries are even more common causes.

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How common are cognitive impairments?

Nearly 3 out of every 100 people in the U.S. have a cognitive impairment. Close to 613,000 children ages 6-21 have some level of a cognitive impairment and need special assistance in school.

The Arc, 2001, Twenty-fourth Annual Report to Congress, U.S. Department of Education, 2002

Intentional communication -The fist 2000 Days Campaign

Stage three

Intentional communication from three to 10 months

Some babies move through the developmental stages quicker than others. By six months you should begin giving your babies experiences that will verify that their cues are being read. For example, when your baby holds up her hands you should pick her up. You should know when the baby needs a based on her behavior. You should allow your baby space to grow BT creating a safe environment that allows exploration. Introduce your baby to new skills like standing up this strengthen her legs and prepares her for walking, clapping hands, and moving to music. Your baby is curious. You should provide developmental toys for your baby that will allow your baby to independently interact with. Provide infant/toddler books for your baby in a bin on the floor, this will give easy access. She will read when she wants to. Babies love empty boxes provide one and observe. It is very important that you read the infant’s cues then you will learn to respect their needs.  Sometimes your infant wants to be alone and you should allow “me time”.

125 street Farmer's Market 8/5/14

Good day,

Join us at the Farmer's Market 8/5/14 we will have story time at 11am
Urban Yoga Foundation joining us for toddler yoga at 4pm.  You can also finger paint throughout the day or straw blow paint.

We also sell gently used infant/toddler books and developmental toys all age appropriate.


Location 163 West 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd


Toddler activities at the 125 Street Farmers' Market schedule 8/5 - 9/2/14
8/5    11am story time (engaging thru reading w/your infant or toddler)
          4pm Toddler yoga w/ Urban Yoga Foundation (every 1st Tuesday of the month)


8/12 11am & 3pm  Mask making w/Finger paint  (teaching language skills thru finger painting)
        4pm story time 
                  
 8/19 Straw blow paint art making picture frames
 
8/26   11am & 3pm   Cooking: Making play dough (developing fine motor skills)
         4pm   story time 
9/2    11am story time (engaging thru reading w/your infant or toddler)
          4pm Toddler yoga w/ Urban Yoga Foundation (every 1st Tuesday of the month)

Be well

 

Observation

Tuesday June 17th 2014
Time 8:30pm
Age 2.6
Ajani was watching one of his favorite programs. He got up from the floor walked to the kitchen . He came back with an open can of nutriment in his hand he put the can on the table . He went back to the  his sippy cup. He screwed off the top from his cup .he put the top on the table took up the his almond milk and began to pour it into the cup. NaNa look " I pour milk"

Learning that events are caused -Discovery two

When infants are young they do not understand cause and effect . A good example is when they get their teeth , they try to bite the caregiver because they do not understand that biting hurts. The
caregivers need to  explain to the infant that biting hurts. I recall my grandson was biting he was about 22 months and his mom pretended that she was crying and he began to cry also. That was the last time that he bit her. He began to learn empathy.
He learned that biting caused an effect. Young children also learn through  experiences .That  why it is important that you provide positive experiences for infants/toddlers. Experiences  build a brain.

Learning Scheme - Discovery one

Yes what is that ? It means that the infant begins to learn cause and effect this begins  early . a good example : when the baby is playing with a rattle and  discovers that shaking the toy creates a sound a she usually continues to shake it as if to say  let me make sure this is what is really happening . The brain is amazing because it does not forget once it has been exposed to an experience. As the infant gets older she begins to learn about soft things, sticky ,light things ,bouncy things ,things that make noise you get the picture.
It is very import to provide a variety of materials for your infant/toddler that will allow her to discoveries.

Infants/toddlers do not need a curriculum when they are in care  they need staff that are trained in infant/toddler development . Many caregivers who are working with infants/toddlers are not trained for the service they are delivering. That is one of the reasons that causes the lack of quality.