Welcome Spring

WFCCA NEWSLETTER

Volume 40, Issue 1 Spring 2021

President letter

Of course, I'm going to start with the topic of Covid...isn't that the number one topic of conversation these days? I am hopeful that you have started the process of getting your vaccine to stay safe against the virus and your loved ones have all been able to beat this thing to stay healthy. I pray that this will be done soon and we can start to get back to our new normal.

As for WFCCA, we are doing one last virtual meeting this month via Zoom, then plan on starting live meetings again starting this summer. As a WFCCA member, you are welcome to join us and voice your opinion, concerns, have input on all discussions and planning with the board.

Please look at our website for meeting dates and email for specific location details.

I cannot believe this is my fourth year being the WFCCA President! I am officially at the end of my second term, which means I have completed my time in this role. I will remain on the board as the Past President, supporting board members as well as our new President who will be voted in this month. Please attend the conference in September to introduce yourself to her!

I hope that everyone enjoys the spring weather, be able to get outdoors in this beautiful sunshine, and enjoy some family time...even if it's a special Zoom call. Stay healthy!

See you this fall at the conference!!

Leah Zastoupil

WFCCA President

2021 WFCCA Conference registration is now open.

Learn More

Conference Presenters

Presenter Proposals are being accepted until June 30, 2021.

Calling all presenters! Workshop proposals from qualified professionals in the Early Childhood field or related fields are now being accepted.

Whether you're a seasoned presenter, or just starting out, we'd love to have you participate!

For more information, please download the presenter invitation, then be sure to complete and return the presenter proposal by the deadline listed on the form. Thank you!

Family Child Care Credential at Fox Valley Technical College.

Have you ever considered earning the Family Child Care Credential?

Licensed providers who have worked 1000 hours or more in family child care are great candidates for Credit for Prior Learning! This means you might be able to earn credit for the Intro to Family Child Care course by demonstrating your knowledge and skills for things you already do!

For more information and to find out if you are eligible, visit the FVTC Credit for Prior Learning webpage at www.fvtc.edu/programs/credit-for-prior-learning and click on Work Experience.

If you have questions, contact Amy Nogar (nogar@fvtc.edu) or Kathy Meetz (meetz@fvtc.edu).

Coffee Clutch

WFCCA members have participated in two Coffee Clutches for continuing educations hours so far this quarter. We are gearing up for the next round of meetings in the second quarter.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Encouraging Risk Taking

By Peter Pizzolongo

Topics: Appropriate Risk, Health and Safety, Physical Development, Importance of Play

Date: March 09, 2021

Facing risks is an unavoidable part of life for most adults. So, why do we choose to take risks? Is it for the sensational thrill of trying something new, or the tenacious hope that new opportunities will present themselves? Sometimes, maybe, we choose to take a risk just to exhibit a show of confidence. Whatever the reason, the lessons we learn from taking a risk have the potential to lead us on a new path (Rolison 2013) (Zeilinger 2017).

Learning to assess a risk is an essential skill for living.

The ability for adults to take calculated risks has its roots in early childhood. Yet we are in an era of limiting risk taking by children. Most parents (and caregivers of young children) worry about children, wanting them to stay safe—so they resort to limiting the risks that children take. “We are a nation of pushy helicopter parents, . . . waiting below our children on the monkey bars in case they should slip” (Bilinco 2015). By keeping our children “safe”, are we inadvertently preventing them from learning how to calculate risks on their own?