April 08, 2013
Great Start to Quality Resource Center
A note from your Consultants...
In This Issue
Transitions
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Dear Great Start to Quality Providers,

This is your weekly touchpoint with the Great Start to Quality Consultants!  The focus each week will be a shared topic that will provide support to each of you in your daily work with young children and families.  Enjoy!

Dawn and Heather
Quality Improvement Consultants - Eastern Region

 

Transitions
From drop off to pick up and everything in between, transitions are a part of every day life for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families.  
 
For some, transitions are smooth and occur without any issues but for others, transitions can be difficult to accept. 
 
"Many preschool teachers and other caregivers consider children's ability to independently make
transitions between activities one of the essential skills needed in group contexts such as kindergarten and preschool."
(M. M. Ostrosky * E. Y. Jung * M. L. Hemmeter)
  
Click the following link to learn research based strategies to use when supporting children's transitions between activities:
 
 
 
At this time of the year, preschoolers and their families are thinking about the big move to Kindergarten!  This is a special time for children.  The following video clip offers children's perspective on transitioning to Kindergarten: 
Transitions from the Children's Perspective
Transitions from the Children's Perspective

 
Click the following link for helpful tips on making the transition to Kindergarten a positive experience for preschoolers and their families:
 
 
 

How do "Transitions" affect my PQA?

Infant Toddler PQA:
II.  Schedule and Routines
II-E.  Transitions flow smoothly from one interesting experience to the next.   

Preschool PQA:
II.  Daily Routine
II-I.  During transition times, children have reasonable choices about activities and timing as they move from one activity to the next. 

Family Child Care PQA:
I. Daily Schedule
I-A.  Providers establish consistent daily schedule or sequence of events, and children are aware of the schedule.
 
*Check your PQA booklet for Level 5 Indicators*                                          
 
Transition objects on Pinterest...
 
 
We love the idea of a transitional object to help little ones adjust to school. Take my heart, please. A sweet keepsake to help your kids through the first day of school - yours to buy, or make yourself. 
 
We love the idea of a transitional object to help little ones adjust to school. Take my heart, please. A sweet keepsake to help your kids transition throughout the day! 
 
Looking for Training? 


Below is a list of trainings offered in April for each county.  For more detailed information and to register, go to:
 
Arenac/Bay Counties:

Promoting Social Emotional Competence
Rhythm, Rock & Rap
For Kid's Sake:  Mandated Reporter/Child Abuse & Neglect
Taking the Struggles Out of Power Struggles

Huron County:

Early Childhood Literacy and You; 4-Part Series

Lapeer County:

Taking a Closer Look at the Self-Assessment Survey
Rhythm, Rock and Rap
Make Me!
Peer to Peer & Make Me Training Follow Up

Saginaw County:

For Kid's Sake:  mandated Reporter/Child Abuse & Neglect
Building Positive Relationships
CPR:  American Heart Association Infant, Child and Adult
First Aid:  American Heart Association
AHEAD:  At Home & At Day Care.  Working with Children with Special Needs.

Saint Clair County:

SIDS and Safe Sleep
Boys and Girls Learn Differently

Sanilac County:

Anger:  What is it and How does is Affect the Children in my Care?

Tuscola County:

Behavior Expectations and Rules
Round Table Community Resources Conversation

Mail Correspondence and Online:

Schedules and Routines
Using and Extending the Lending Library
Safe Sleep & Shaken Baby Syndrome







Have you visited your Lending Library lately?
 
The Eastern Resource Center's Lending Library is a FREE educational resource available to parents and early childhood professionals. We offer themed bins and CARES bags full of learning materials to enhance your classroom or childcare environment for children birth to age 5! Stop by your local Lending Library to check out something new today!  

 

Not sure where your local Lending Library is located?  

  • Click on "Great Start to Quality Resource Centers". 
  • Click "Eastern Resource Center" on the map to find the Lending Library near you!

 
How to contact your Consultant:

Dawn Kalkman
(Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola)
Email:  dkalkman@sisd.cc
Cell:  989-280-1103

Heather Rousseau 
(Arenac, Bay, Saginaw)
Email:  hrousseau@sisd.cc
Cell:  989-284-2250