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Greetings!
NAEYC WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD 2019: CELEBRATING OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS
April 8-12
is Week of the Young Child. This is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest organization of early childhood professionals with more than 80,000 members and a network of 300 local, state and regional affiliates.
The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs/services that meet those needs.
NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life.
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FUN DAYS IN APRIL
Because April is such a great month to celebrate children and early childhood professionals, we thought it would be fun to have some special days mixed in throughout the month.
- Friday, April 5 – MN Twins Day
- Thursday, April 11 – Hat Day
- Wednesday, April 17 – Pajama Day!
- Friday, April 26 – Crazy Sock Day
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TEACHING STAFF APPRECIATION POTLUCK
We would like to honor our fantastic teaching staff with a special potluck luncheon on
Thursday, April 18. In the past, we have asked parents to donate food items for this luncheon. There will be a sign-up sheet located at the parent table if you would like to contribute food for this event. You may drop off your food item in the morning. The teaching staff look forward to this each year and greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
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EFC MAIL IS COMING BACK…
During the week of
April 22-26, we will have EFC mail once again. This was so enjoyable last year & the children were very excited when they received their own mail! Cards will be available at the parent reception (outside the office) where you can write your child and your child’s teaching staff a special note. Place your cards in the green mailbox or email us a note if that is easier! Michelle and Susan will deliver new mail each day to the children and teaching staff. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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EFC ANNUAL ART FAIR
Please join us for our Annual Art Fair on
Thursday, April 25, from 6:15-7:30pm. There will be art displayed throughout the classrooms, activities for the children and light snacks provided. In order for the teachers to set up all of the art experiences the children have been working so hard on, we ask for the children to be picked up by 5:30 p.m. on this day if possible.
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TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENCE
It’s the moment many parents dread. Standing in line at a public place, and having your child lean over and ask, loudly, “Mommy, why is she in a wheelchair?” For some of us, this spurs a visible sense of panic. What do I say? Has my child offended this person? Can I just ignore and make it all go away? Why, oh why is this line moving so slowly?
We may have been taught, explicitly and implicitly, that it is “impolite” to talk about differences. In our own childhoods, perhaps we were soothed by adults who responded, “We don’t talk about that,” or “Everyone is the same.” And then the conversation was closed, just like that. While parents and caregivers sending that message may have thought they were doing the right thing – protecting the dignity of the person whose difference we had noticed, or simply avoiding an uncomfortable conversation – the result was to deny an important learning opportunity.
People are different. We are different in many ways – body size, physical ability, race, gender identity, home language, faith tradition, and on and on. When children observe these differences, they do not automatically cast judgment, they simply notice. In their minds, they are trying to make sense of the world: my skin is light and hers is dark; my family goes to a church and his family goes to a mosque; I walk on my legs and she rides in a wheelchair. When they ask adults about these differences, they need help understanding what it all means. If those adults hush them, the message is clear – “there is something wrong/bad about the difference you have noticed, and it is something that should be avoided.”
To the person the child has noticed, silencing the conversation also sends the message “there is something wrong with you, or I am not comfortable with who you are.” That person is aware of her difference, she lives it every day. So having a child point it out is not a surprise. But what might be a very welcome surprise would be to hear a response that acknowledges that difference while also celebrating her personhood. “Yes, she is in a wheelchair because her legs might not work like ours do. But did you know that people in wheelchairs can do jobs just like people who aren’t?” Or, “People in wheelchairs often ride in or drive special cars made just for them – isn’t that cool?” Or perhaps, “You remember Nana has a wheelchair too. Lots of people use wheelchairs to help them move around.”
If you find your child identifying and asking about differences between people, rather than avoiding the conversation, try some of these strategies:
- Respond honestly and simply.
- Validate their observation and respond with tolerance for others.
- Not all strangers will want to engage in a conversation, but if the person seems open to it, encourage your child to talk with him/her directly.
Alli Zomer, Director of Operations
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
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SUMMER PLANS
We are excited about what’s to come at Especially for Children this summer! We plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, taking advantage of the warmer weather months.
If you have any summer vacations planned, please fill out this
THIS FORM to let Michelle and Susan know what dates your child(ren) will be gone. Thank you!
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Especially for Children
5015 W. 70 Street
Edina MN 55439
(952) 946-9971
Center Directors:
Susan Wilson and Michelle Botz
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