R
E
A
C
H

a monthly e-newsletter for Delaware's early childhood and school age programs
 


MAY 2016


You're here for Delaware's children and families. 
We're here for YOU! 
Delaware Professional Development NOW!
14 Workshops Now Available!
  • Free online professional development anywhere, anytime!
  • Online training using your computer, iPad or smartphone.
  • Meets annual clock hour requirements and CACFP needs.
  • Quality-assured training to support your work in Delaware Stars.
  • Registration through DIEEC.
NEW Family Child Care Classes Added
NEW dates for Family Child Care Credential classes have been added (click here for new classes)! These dates are approaching quickly so register now, online or call 302.831.3239.
May 4th Advocacy Day
Let your voice be heard!  Plan to attend Advocacy Day and  join early childhood education providers, parents, business and community leaders to meet with legislators and share what's important to you about early childhood. Wear Yellow!
9am-4pm, Legislative Hall, Dover DE (Photo ID required)
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day: May 5th
Children's Mental Health Matters!
National Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children's mental health and to show that positive mental health is essential to a child's healthy development starting at birth.
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

ECMHC is a free service that is effective in addressing and supporting young children's (2-5 yrs.) social and emotional development in early care and education settings.

ECMHC provides onsite consultation for teachers, directors, and other staff; related to both classroom wide and child specific challenges. 

Please CALL or 

TEXT 302-256-9308

Click here for the brochure! 

Worthy Wage Day, May 1st
Every May 1st kicks off Worthy Wage Week to call attention to the importance of early learning and the dedication of the workforce that educates our country's youngest learners.  Order your free buttons and bumper stickers!
Family Child Care Curriculum Raffle!
Are you a family or large family child care program in Delaware Stars?  Are you thinking about purchasing a curriculum? 
  • Enter to win a Lakeshore Family Child Care Curriculum Kit!
To enter to win this month's raffle, send an email to delawarestars@udel.edu and tell us why you chose to be a Delaware Stars program.  The winner will be announced in next month's edition of REACH!

Build Your Professional Development Calendar Now!
Spring is a time of renewed growth in nature, and it is also a good time to think about your professional growth and learning. Building professional in-service days into your calendar is not only a way for you to increase your knowledge, skills and practices, but also builds a community of learners as your team learns new concepts together. Use your program's vision for children and families, and your program's goals, to build your Facilities Professional Development Plans. Planning ahead shows your investment in both yourself, your team and the children and families you serve! 

A great way to use those professional in-service days is by participating in a series such as  Foundations of Curriculum. Now is the time to begin making your arrangements. Planning in advance will give you, and your families the opportunity to accommodate your professional development schedule.  
 
A new calendar will be advertised in July so that you are able to help your staff build their individual professional development plans, too. You can download calendars and access new workshops on our website
97th Children's Book Week May 2-8, 2016!
Celebration of Children and the Joy of Reading!
Children's Book Week originated in 1919 and was started by Franklin K. Matthiews, librarian of the Boy Scouts of America. He proposed creating a Children's Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers, and librarians, to encourage children to be readers.

Looking for ideas to celebrate Children's Book Week?  Share how your favorite children's book from your childhood impacted you and/or share your Children's Book Week celebrations on Delaware Stars for Early Success Facebook Page! You will be entered in a raffle drawing to win a collection of books for your program. You can also enter via email to delawarestars@udel.edu
Let's Talk and Sing About STEM!
Science, Technology, E
ngineering & Math

click to enlarge
Talking is Teaching by Too Small to Fail has some wonderful ideas and resources to teach science, technology, engineering and math to infants and toddlers in developmentally appropriate ways.  Sing, read and talk about STEM concepts with your children.

This resource speaks to children's natural curiosity about their world. Click the graphic below to enlarge and click here for more resources in English and Spanish to use in your programs.
TA TIDBITS
Benefits of Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood
Did you know that healthy social and emotional development in early childhood helps children to:
  • develop positive relationships,
  • experience, express, and regulate emotions,
  • explore and engage with their environment.
Children with well-developed social and emotional skills are more likely to... click here to continue
Program Spotlight
Building Positive Relationships 
At the Fairchild Day School, it's common to see staff sitting on the floor playing with children and conversations are plentiful.  Kristen Griffin, the infant lead teacher, greets every infant and their family with welcoming words.  Her attentiveness to the infants is evident in her knowledge of each baby in her care. She provides each infant with... click here to continue
Delaware Stars Advisory Committee
Here is the Agenda, Minutes and Presentation

The Delaware Stars Advisory Committee held their 2nd meeting on April 20th, 2016 at the DIEEC Training Room in Dover, Delaware.  The Advisory Committee members provided input on communication strategies, engagement of current and future programs in a model of continuous quality improvement, and the process of document verification.  Click above to see the minutes and meeting presentation.  Email delawarestars@udel.edu if you have input you'd like to share.



Congratulations to Linda Bennett and Babes on the Square Too, winner of High Scope Curriculum!

Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
Delaware Stars for Early Success
Professional Development Department
Main (302) 831-3239 | Fax (302) 831-4223
Visit PD at www.dieecpd.org
Visit DE Stars  at: www.delawarestars.udel.edu


Like us on Facebook