December
2015
Showing Gratitude for the Little Things...
Showing gratitude for the little things is a good habit for us and for the children in our care. 

An attitude of gratitude makes you more successful as well. Studies show that people who are grateful are more likely to stick with personal goals, health and academic goals, and they are more likely to have positive attitudes toward school and work. Practice simple gratitude rituals with children: say what they are thankful for at the dinner table, remind them to be grateful and to recognize gratitude in others. 

More on the Science of Gratitude:

Playing Laughing, and Learning in Preschool
Looking for some tips to connect with children in a humorous way?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children put together 8 tips to help you laugh more with your children!
  1. Know the children's interests. Learn about the books, music, movies, and television show the children are interested in. Use the information to relate to the children and laugh with them. Considering children's cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds is also important. Children from different backgrounds often experience humor in different ways.
  2. Talk with preschoolers about laughter and humor. When the children laugh, ask them what they find funny. Discussions about laughter help teachers discover children's perspectives and understand what led to the laughter. As children become more aware of their laughter, they will see it as something desirable they want to repeat.
To read all 8 tips, click here.
Cabinet Services
Have you ever wondered at what age your child should be able to roll over, sit up, talk, or even problem solve? 

These are all natural questions that many parents have about their child's growth. One way to check if your child's growth is on track is by using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and the ASQ-SE (Social Emotional). The Children's Cabinet can provide these screening tools to parents on the Subsidy program. In as little as 15-minutes you can make sure your child's growth is on target. Early identification of developmental delays and getting the support your child needs is the best way to ensure your child is reaching his or her full potential. To access the ASQ and ASQ-SE questionnaires online, click here .   

If you are interested in using these tools or have any further questions about how these tools are used, please contact Mikaela Cunningham in Las Vegas at (702) 823-2966 or Cristal Roldan in Reno at (775) 856-0107.
Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities in Child Care Provider Training
A new course has been added to The Children's Cabinet Child Care Aware Training Academy online provider class offerings in both English and Spanish!

The training -  Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities in Child Care is approved by Nevada Registry for 3 training hours as well as .3 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits, and can be taken to meet the Child Development/Guidance & Discipline training requirement. The course discusses principles and characteristics of developmentally appropriate practices, in addition to motor, language, cognitive, and physical development areas. Case studies give examples of modifications that help children with disabilities in each area to be successful in a child care setting.

The new course is listed under the Other Trainings section.

Click here for more information.
This is How Anger Physically Feels to Children
Anger is a natural (instinctual) emotion that humans and other species have in common. And, no matter our age, background, or education, no one is immune to anger. 

Before we lose complete control of our thoughts and emotions to stressful situations (known as Triggers), our bodies provide us clues - strong physical sensations that help alert us when we become angry. We must recognize our own unique sensations (known as Body Cues) and teach our children to recognize theirs. Once noticed, we must quickly use a calming technique before it's too late! Click here to watch this video of several young children demonstrating how they recognize their physical "warning signs" when angry and what they do to calm down. 

For more information about helping both you and your school-aged child learn how to manage stress and anger more effectively, please refer to our  Parent Education Opportunities catalog for the next  Positive Approaches toward Managing Anger (PAtMA) series for preteens (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-18), and  The Parent's Guide to Teaching Anger Management workshop. 
Violent Video Games Are Linked to Aggression, Study Says
But there's not enough evidence to suggest they are linked to criminal behavior
Violent video games are linked to more aggressive behaviors among players, according to a new review of research. In a report published Aug. 13, an American Psychological Association task force reviewed more than 100 studies on violent video game use published between 2005 and 2013. They concluded that playing video games can increase aggressive behavior and thoughts, while lessening empathy and sensitivity toward aggression. The task force also concluded that although some studies suggested links to criminal violence and neurological changes, there wasn't enough evidence to determine a connection. To read the entire article, click here .
Nevada Silver State Stars
Nevada Silver State Stars QRIS creates a culture of continuous quality improvement for Nevada's child care programs. The website provides families with the information to make more informed decisions regarding the type of child care program they would like for their child.

Click here to see who, in your state, is participating, and who has been working hard towards improving their quality of care!
Recalls

Child Bicycle Trailer Recall
Hazard:  Trailers with black plastic tow bar receivers can separate from the tow bar when they appear to be connected, posing a crash hazard to the child in the trailer.   Click  here for more information.

Girl's Hoodies Recall
Hazard:  The hoodies have a drawstring inside the lining of the hood that surrounds the face which poses a strangulation hazard to children.  Click here for more information.

QBP Recalls WeThePeople BMX Bicycles and Cranksets
Hazard The left end of the bicycle crankset spindle can break, posing a fall hazard to the rider.  Click here for more information.

Pottery Barn Kids Recalls Avengers and Darth Vader Water Bottles
Hazard: The gray paint on the metal portion of the water bottle can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Click here for more information.

XO FOUR Stealth Gaming Headsets Recalled By Turtle Beach
Hazard: Mold spores were found on the headsets, posing a risk of respiratory or other infections in individuals with chronic health problems. Click here for more information.
Office of Early Learning and Development
Below is a list of upcoming trainings being offered by the Office of Early Learning and Development in Southern Nevada

Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Play
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Registration Begins: December 1, 2015

Positive Guidance
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Registration Begins: January 1, 2016

Coping with Stress and Supportive Strategies
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Registration Begins: February 1, 2016

Making Something Out of Nothing At All
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Registration Begins: March 1, 2016

Amazing Spaces
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Registration Begins: April 1, 2016

Make Someone Smile: Motivating & Empowering Teams
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Registration Begins: May 1, 2016

To register for these classes click  here to be directed to Eventbrite. In the Search bar type in the name of the class you want to register for or type in Office of Early Learning and Development to see them all. 

All trainings are from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. Trainings are free of charge and are held at the UNLV Preschool at 900 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89154. For more information please contact Ron Barakat at (702) 668-4325, rbarakat@doe.nv.gov.

Enroll Now!
 
The Children's Cabinet Winter/Spring provider classes are underway and the most current schedule can be found by clicking here . To sign up for classes in northern Nevada contact Cristal Roldan at (775) 856-0107 and in southern Nevada contact Melissa Harlan at (702) 823-2966.   

Please be aware that some of the workshop topics we offer child care providers are age-specified of a youth group that providers primarily work with: Early Childhood Education (ECE - ages 0-5) and Out of School Time (OST - ages 6+). The ECE and OST codes will be located above the class description next to  Target (e.g.,  Target:  CCDF-ECE;  Target:  CCDF-OST).     

Psst! Hey! Yeah, You... After-School Provider...
Out of School Time Workshops Just for You!

We know that folks like you who work with school-aged youth (ages 5-13) in after-school programs are not mandated to take part in Out of School Time (OST) trainings. And let's face it, the costs alone of taking some of these trainings can really add up. But, we have something that we want to share with you - something that can make your lives a little bit easier, not to mention keeping your wallet a bit heavier, too! You see, The Children's Cabinet has some really great workshops that we can offer you. And what's more, we can bring them directly to your facility (based on trainer availability). Plus, we offer follow-up technical support (some we can offer onsite!). Oh, did we happen to mention that all of this is at no cost to you? Yes, you are reading this correctly!
 
You can make a real difference in a child's success, both in school, and in their life. We have some wonderful curriculum and the practical experience to show you how. For more information about the OST workshops we currently offer, contact the following numbers below:
 
For assistance in northern Nevada, contact Crystal Roldan at (775) 856-0107, and in southern Nevada, contact Melissa Harlan at (702) 823-2966.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada
Take Advantage of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada Scholarship Today!

Apply for a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship and get 80% of costs covered toward your bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education!

Please visit the T.E.A.C.H website for more program details, eligibility requirements and contact information.


The Children's Cabinet Services
Would you like to know more about what it is that we do?

Click here for more information regarding services that we provide to our families, care professionals, and communities throughout our state.