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Give your kids the
GIFT
of
CONFIDENCE
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Salem Stayton Silverton 503.362.9548 503.769.2398 503.362.9548
BryanJohnsonOrthodontics.com
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Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
appy Holidays!
I seriously can’t believe it’s that time of year again, already! Where on earth did 2016 go? No matter how much I look forward to the holidays, I do tend to stress about the stress! This year I vow to really stay in the moment and enjoy the small things in my life. Remaining present for all the wonderful memories that are being made, can really go a long way toward easing stress and anxiety. I know that I am looking forward to cranking up the holiday tunes, cranking out some holiday cooking and cranking up the heat as the days get wetter and colder. There’s something that’s just so cozy and comforting about this time of year. This issue has some great tips for finding the happy in your own holidays, some thoughtful gift-giving that might save you from stepping on Legos, and a genuine piece about helping your child remain grateful throughout the holiday season and beyond. As I look back on 2016, I am so delighted at the amazing people I have met while growing this magazine, and how much kindness and helpfulness the people in Salem have brought my way. Thank you to each and every one of you! I’m so looking forward to spending time with my little family while we honor our small but significant traditions, and feeling so thankful to live in such a beautiful area of a beautiful state for this beautiful life that we have been given.
your
Here’s wishing this holiday season is long on laughter & bear hugs! XOXOXOXO
Yvette 5
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by Jenifer Trivelli, M.S
1. We choose based on logic, not on heart/spirit.
It’s 2p.m. Family will start trickling in in one hour. Originally happy to have won out over the sister in law who always does holidays perfectly at her house, today you’re wondering why you ever wished for bragging rights because this perfect holiday gathering just ain’t happening.
We often try to create our family’s holiday experience based on someone else’s ideas of what it should look like. We envy the person in our lives that appears to have it all together; pressed linens, subdued children, and plenty of loved ones adoring their perfect existence. We act on these logical ideas about what should be, and it depletes our life vitality. We get farther and farther away from the experience we are wanting to have.
One of the kids is dressed and ready, the other is crusty from the pumpkin pie they destroyed earlier that morning. Buzzers are beeping, you can hear the faint sound of someone crying (outside; not your kid, thankfully), and the dog just relieved himself on the carpet for what feels like the millionth time. You have no idea where your help is, and the walls are closing in around you.
2. We view holiday planning as just another fire we need to extinguish. Our society exists in a constant state of stress. There is always, always something to be done. And when there’s no one demanding our attention, social media pulls at us.
At this point, you inevitably ask yourself: Why am I doing this??
Here are five ways we get off course in the midst of holiday madness, and how to get back on track: Find us on facebook! /willamettekidsandfamily
We’ve wired ourselves to be busy. Couple that with the thoughts we torture ourselves with; I’m not good enough, not pretty enough, not rich enough; not a
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good enough mom, partner, friend, etc. and we are bombed continuously and from all directions.
also choose to stay afloat by recognizing our aliveness amidst the turmoil. All emotions are on the spectrum of aliveness. You cannot be alive and avoid experiencing uncomfortable things. You are here, and you are doing it. It’s not perfect, it didn’t happen exactly as you drew it out in your mind according to the opinion of others.
When we operate in this way, we can lose sight of the moments we seek to attain. Moments of connection. Moments of presence. Moments of depth to look back on and smile.
3. We’ve become numb to our internal signals that we’re on the wrong track.
Dare to dream big, and be satisfied with every small step of the journey along the way.
Anytime we are ignoring our physical and emotional needs, we are choosing against our intuitive clues for vitality.
Now may be the perfect time to assess: What is truly meaningful to you, in this season of celebration and wonder?
When we act out of duty, from a “should,” with heaviness and disdain, we are encouraging the cycle of stress and dis-ease.
Jenifer Trivelli, M.S., author of Peanut and the BIG Feelings: a Guidebook for Children, works with children, couples, families, and organizations to deepen self-understanding, increase emotional regulation, and promote healthy relationships. She partners with The Trauma Academy LLC to further aid parents and organizations that serve children who have experienced trauma. Please reach her by email at jenifer.trivelli@gmail.com.
What if you choose these less and less? What if you chose actions based on your internal cues of happiness, lightness, warmth? What new and ever changing possibilities are there for how life can look and feel and taste?
4. We use familiar excuses to defend our choices. “Not enough money, not enough time, not enough love to surround me. Not the perfect combination of the three that I think I need for happiness and abundance.” Use moments which have already existed, and ones that exist now all around you, to inspire you to create more. There has never been a better moment than this one.
5. We forget we have a choice in the matter. When we hit a road bump, we can choose how to respond to that. When we feel frustrated and hopeless, we can get sucked down into that mindset. We can
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PICKY - EATING Yes, you CAN win the war. As a healthcare provider, one of the
by Adrienne Mee
meal or day to get a feel for their overall diet.
more common complaints I hear from parents is that their young son or daughter doesn’t eat enough or will only eat certain foods. Being a fussy eater is a toddler’s prerogative. And, while your child’s picky eating habits may be frustrating or worrying to you, rest assured you are not alone - this behavior is completely normal. Here are a few simple tips to remember when struggling with a toddler with fussy eating habits:
Offer a variety of healthy foods and try to eat as a family. One of the best things you can do as a parent is to continue to offer your fussy eater a variety of healthy foods and eat a variety of foods yourself. It can take up to 10-20 exposures to a new food for a child to determine if they actually like that food or not. Eating together (when possible) and role modelling good eating behaviors at meal times helps your child learn how to develop healthy habits which will last a lifetime.
Being a picky eater is completely NORMAL. Compared to infancy, weight gain slows from about age 2, and your child’s eating habits may begin to be influenced by a variety of factors. Food neophobia, or the fear of new foods, is common among very young children and may be one of the reasons your child refuses to eat. Presenting a familiar food in a new way is another possible cause of food rebellion, such as cutting up a sweet potato instead of serving it in a familiar mashed way (How dare you!). Your toddler may also be trying to establish his or her independence at meal times or may just not be hungry.
Children will not starve themselves. Toddlers are actually very good at eating when they are hungry, although this may not coincide with meal times. Look at what your child is eating over the course of an entire week instead of a particular
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Show excitement about foods you buy at the grocery store or prepare for meals, and let your child help when possible. This will help foster similar excitement in your child.
Instead, try allowing your child to choose one component of a meal such as the vegetable or the meat, or try serving one of your child’s favorites alongside a new food or one which he has not liked on previous occasions.
Above all else, don’t force your child to eat as it may contribute to the development of negative food associations and create more problems in the long run.
The overall message I give to parents is to just be patient.
Fussy eating is a
Limit milk, juice, and other sugary drinks.
normal developmental phenomenon which will pass as your child grows.
When a good portion of a child’s daily caloric intake is achieved through milk, juices, or other sugary drinks, food intake will decrease. Limit milk to 16-24 ounces per day, juice to 4-6 ounces per day or less of 100% fruit juice, and eliminate other sugary drinks completely. Offer only water between meals to ensure a good appetite for meal times.
Most children outgrow their picky eating habits by the age of 4 or 5, but some children may continue to be picky eaters throughout childhood. If you are concerned with your child’s eating habits or if your child is experiencing any abnormal symptoms, speak with a healthcare provider today. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will be able to accurately measure and monitor your child’s growth and determine if your child is developing normally.
You are NOT a shortorder cook. Watching a child refuse food is difficult for many parents, and the temptation to provide food the child will eat can be overwhelming. However, feeding your child his or her favorite food at every meal because it is the only food he or she will eat is not ideal for developing healthy eating habits and may further reinforce fussy behaviors. Not to mention, this can be an incredible hassle for you as the parent!
Adrienne Mee, MSN FNP-C, recently relocated to the Willamette Valley and is a mother to two young daughters. She is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner with Armstrong Wellness Family Practice in Salem. With a strong clinical background in pediatric nursing, Adrienne has a passion for children’s health and enjoys working with children and families to achieve optimal health and wellness. To reach her, please contact Armstrong Wellness at 503-581-1198
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HOW I FEED MY FAMILY FOR ONLY $10 A DAY. by: Mellissa Stanturf
Pinching your pennies? Frustrated with
5. Coupons from apps you sign up for as reward members- I use the Cartwheel app for Target, Walgreens, Safeway, and Rite Aid.
living paycheck to paycheck? Can’t seem to get out of that hole known as debt? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then couponing may be just what your family needs to save money, spend less on groceries and household goods, and lessen the stress of financial worry.
Many stores now have apps where you clip coupons into your app for easy use at checkout, view the most current ads, and create shopping lists based off of these coupons and sales. Apps can be downloaded to an Ipad or smartphone, and are great tools for saving money.
Here are tips on how I brought my monthly grocery and household goods bill for a family of five down from $600 or more to just $275. I’ll bust the most common myths about couponing.
The stores that I use the most are: 1. Walgreens and Rite Aid for household good items and some random food items.
Couponing isn’t just rewarding for your pocketbook. It’s actually enjoyable and with the savings you earn, it will give you the ability to enjoy activities that you may not otherwise be able to.
2. Target. It’s Target; they have everything a family ever needs. 3. Safeway. The coupons they give and the sales they run can actually save you hundreds.
There are several places to get coupons and I suggest: 1. Sign up on redplum.com to have the redplum inserts sent to your mailbox.
4. Albertsons. The nearest one to Salem is in Keizer.
2. Sign up on smartsource.com to have the smartsource inserts sent to your mailbox.
5. Fred Meyers. After collecting coupons and store ads, I create a meal plan for my family and a list of household goods based off of the current sales. By meal planning two weeks at a time, I save even more depending upon weekly sales. Upon looking at the sales ads and the coupons, I then create a meal plan. Sticking to the meal plan eliminates standing around wondering what to cook for dinner and the constant, “What do you want?” “I don’t know.
3. Coupons.com has several amazing coupons that you can clip online and print directly from your home printer. 4. The weekly newspapers. I usually get one Oregonian and one Statesman Journal. Inside you’ll find the local ads from local stores as well as the Red Plum and Smartsource.
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What do you want?” which can end up as a trip to a fast food restaurant or spending money on something from the grocery store that isn’t on sale. *Do not get discouraged if this takes you a few hours at first. Once you become familiar with the ads, the coupons, and the different stores and the sales they run, it usually won’t take more than two hours of preparation time each month.
Sites for meal ideas:
Common myths about couponing are the following: “I don’t have time for couponing.” It is
Safeway & Albertson’s Hacks:
• Pinterest • Allrecipes.com (Enter ingredients from sales ads and it will generate recipes.)
• Crockpot meals are simple & time savers (find on Pinterest or Allrecipes)
true that couponing when first starting out can be a tedious process. However, look at it in savings. If I am saving my family $400 with 4 hours of work then I am paying myself $100 an hour to coupon. Who doesn’t have time for that?
• $10 off of $50 the beginning of each month. Have you & someone else in the family buy $50 each and instantly save $20. • During football season wear OSU or Ducks gear on Saturdays and receive an extra 10% off. • Chicken is usually on sale the beginning of the month for $1.69. Buy your month’s worth before the price increases. • Ground beef sale dates vary per month. However, they can be as low as $2.99 each month at certain times. Wait for that time and then buy for the month.
“We eat organic or very healthy. You can’t coupon or save for that.” Albeit
more difficult to coupon when you have a strict diet, etc. you can still definitely coupon. Stores such as Safeway give $10 off of $50 the beginning of the month. You can still buy your organic meats and produce and get that $10 savings. You can also use the rewards points at Walgreens and Rite Aid to receive money off your purchases. I have built my points up so much at Walgreens that I basically pay for my purchases via my points and each time I purchase new points are replacing the old points. Everyone needs shampoo, toilet paper, laundry soap, dish soap, toothpaste, body soap, etc.
Walgreens Hacks: • Look for the items you need that give back points. • Once you reach 50,000 points you’ll receive an extra $10 off.
“Coupons make me look poor. I don’t like mooching off the system.” First, you
General Hacks:
Mellissa Stanturf is a professional photographer and mom, who lives in Sheridan, OR and enjoys helping educate other parents on how to get the most for their money.
www.willamettekidsandfamily.com has even more tips on how you can save!
aren’t mooching off the system. The manufacturer pays the store the coupon price. The store is still making their money. Second, coupons don’t make you look poor. They make you look like a smart shopper. Who wants to pay full price when you don’t have to?
• Sign up for store and manufacturer newsletters and check their Web sites for coupons. • Many stores will allow you to combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon. Try it and see how much you save! 13
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Dropping off magazines to Iris Valley is always a pleasure, and something of a highlight for me. I love to see the little ones, happy and learning in an atmosphere that is nurturing and fun. I can almost feel them growing!
I also hire caregivers with a mother’s heart so parents can be assured their kids are well-loved. Iris Valley has some really remarkable teachers! Our Infant/ Toddler program teachers, Consuelo, Eira, and Crystal have all been with us for more than 7 years and are hands down the best “baby whisperers” around.
I wanted to learn more about what they have to offer our community, so I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the owner/ director, Connie Williams.
Our Preschool department has many teachers that are committed to helping our children reach their amazing potential, as well.
WKF: I’m curious, it looks like you’re pretty well established here in Keizer, how long have you been serving this area?
Cathy and Jessica, Our school age teachers, have both been with us for more than 8 years. They are excellent teachers who excel at making a fun and exciting atmosphere for the group.
CONNIE: It’s been a while! We have been in business for 10 years now, Wow! WKF: I see lots of different aged kids at Iris Valley, what are the ages that you provide care for?
WKF: It sounds to me like there is mutual respect amongst your staff. That’s a huge benefit! Another important benefit that I needed when my kids were in preschool, was busing. Do you provide transportation? Which schools do you service?
CONNIE: We are a comprehensive learning center facility that provides care for kids from ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. From babies to school age, we’ve got you covered.
CONNIE: We do! We provide transportation to and from all 7 Keizer Elementary schools. We also provide field trips for all no school days.
WKF: I know first hand that finding good childcare can be difficult, what sets you apart as a great choice for childcarefor familes in and around Keizer?
WKF: Being a small business in a community means giving back when you can. How does Iris Valley contribute to the neighbors in and around Keizer?
CONNIE: I think one of the best things we offer is a flexible care schedule and extended hours. Iris Valley offers care from 5am to midnight 7 days per week.
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CONNIE: We love Keizer and have shown our appreciation by collecting food and
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offering canned food drives for UGM in the past. WKF: In closing, would you like to sum up the benefits of enrolling our precious kiddos in Iris Valley Learning Center? CONNIE: Our certified childcare center operates under the highest standards, provides all meals, and only employs trained and experienced teachers. This ensures your children are always safe, secure, and growing as a person when they are in our care. One of the biggest benefits of day care in the early years lies in the areas of socialization. This is because young children have to learn early on how to share, use their voices to solve conflicts, and be team players. We at Iris Valley are honored to be a part of our families lives and look forward to serving Keizer for many years to come. For more information about Iris Valley Learning Center, see their ad on page11 or visit their learning center at 530 Dietz Ave NE in Keizer, Right behind Arby’s on River Rd. Connie can be reached at 503-393-4337.
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Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Christmas in the Garden
West Salem HS Presents: Cinderella. Get special treatment at A Sweet and Greet with Cinderella Saturday mornings before the matinee. Bring your little one (ages 3 to 12) for refreshments, and photo taken with cast members. Costumes are encouraged. Seating is limited. Make your reservation today!
See their website for additional dates and times. Christmas in the Garden is an award-winning event featuring ice skating, a traditional German Christmas Market and light display in the charming Rediscovery Forest. Holiday Express tram, artisan vendors, holiday beverages, festive music & carolers, fire pits and photos with Santa. Admission: $5-$10. 503-874-8100 www.oregongarden.org/events
West Salem HS:1776 Titan Dr. NW Salem 97304 NOVEMBER 10 & 11, 17 & 18 - 7 PM NOVEMBER 12 & 19 - 2PM & 7 PM
www.westsalemdrama.com An Old Fashioned Christmas
Oregon State Fairgrounds 2330 17th St. NE Salem SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 - 10:00AM TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016 - 4:00PM
Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday atmosphere with gifts, arts, crafts, food and antiques. Live entertainment. Candy Land maze leading to Santa, demonstrations and activities. Admission: $5. centraloregonshows.com
Polk County Craft Festival
Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center 520 S. Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall 97371 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 - 9:00AM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016 - 5:00PM
Enjoy two buildings full of hand-made crafts. Food available. Free admission. 503-623-3048
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The Oregon Garden 879 W Main St Silverton 97381 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 - 5:00PM TO 9:00PM
Holiday Express Train
Oaks Park Station located at 7805 Oaks Park Way, Portland 97202 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25- SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
Train runs weekends beginning November 25. Check website for full schedule. Enjoy a 40 minute roundtrip ride through scenic Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge along the Willamette River. Early dusk departures offer a great chance to see the train decorated with lights. Coffee, tea, hot cider and cookies. Boarding begins 20 minutes prior to departure; arrive early. Ticket prices range from $7 to $19. Group and family rates available. www.ticketswest.com/events/holiday-expresstrain/14554/
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Santa Arrives at the Salem Carousel! Riverfront Carousel- 101Front St NE Salem FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 AT NOON
Come see Santa’s train arrive at the Carousel! Complimentary Hot Cocoa and more! This is a free event. See our ad on page 9 for even more amazing holiday events!
Sole Hope Vendor Fundraiser
Broadway Commons- 1300 Broadway St NE Salem TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 AT 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
We have several talented vendors and local businesses that will be available for your holiday shopping while supporting a wonderful cause! We will have raffles and prizes throughout the evening as well as food trucks and Broadway Coffee. Entrance fee to the event: Please bring a pair of old or new jeans to be reconstructed into shoes for Sole Hope. To learn about Sole Hope, visit solehope.org
Newell Pioneer Village Candlelight Tour
Newell Pioneer Village- 8089 Champoeg Rd. NE Saint Paul 97137 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016 - 3:30PM TO 6:00PM
The village comes alive with costumed interpreters. Enjoy a story teller while children make a gingerbread house to take home. Visit the General Store, and have fun stringing popcorn and cranberries to be hung on the tree. Admission: $6/Adult, $5/Sr, $3/Children. 503-678-5537 www.newellpioneervillage.com
American Ballet Academy - Children’s Nutcracker 2016
Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem 97301 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016 - 7:00PM TO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016 - 2:30PM
Enjoy a holiday tradition. 250+ students will be dancing the full length Nutcracker with advanced dancers, young dancers, detailed costumes and hand-painted props. Profits donated to the Marion County Food Share. Tickets: $15-35. 503-375-3574 www.elsinoretheatre.com
Talk to Santa on Live TV
CCTV Salem- 575 Trade St SE, Salem 97301 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 - 7:00PM
HO HO HO, Santa Claus is coming to CCTV! Join us on Saturday December 17th from 4-6pm for your chance to see Santa and be on LIVE TV! CALL Santa at (503) 588-6444 WATCH Santa on Comcast channel 22
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HOW TO RAISE
grateful in an kids ENTITLED
WORLD.
by Yvette Tripp
No parent sets out to raise a spoiled
one has gone out of their way for you personally or your family, you help your child see a situation outside their typical self-centered scope.
brat. Always with the best intentions, we aim to give our kids better than what we had- or to reward them with everything that we feel they deserve. Being a parent in today’s society can be especially tough, with the sense of entitlement prevalent in everything from advertising, to peer pressure, sports and social media influences, and the instant gratification that comes from today’s technology. Living in these times of surplus can often numb our sensitivities needed to differientiate between needs and wants. And it seems that the holidays sometimes increase the entitled tendancies in our otherwise precious and darling angels.
An example of this might be, “We are so fortunate that your dad made time to help us load the car for your baseball game. I know he had a lot to do already, but he made time for us and now we can leave without being in a rush.” This helps your child recognize that simple gestures by others go a long way toward making our lives easier. Stating that Dad had other responsibilities too, gives his action value, and mentioning the outcome “...now we can leave without being in a rush.” helps your child see the benefit of Dad’s actions on him/her personally.
Teaching our children to be grateful goes far beyond just good manners. It’s more than just the rote memorization of “Please” and “ Thank You”, and it’s also more than donating to the needy or less fortunate. While these are of course, wonderful lessons for our children, instilling gratitude goes deeper toward teaching our children to find happiness, no matter their surroundings. So how do we as parents, help nurture graciousness (which isn’t a natural trait, by the way), within our kids?
Talking about what the other person gave up, and what your child gained from it is a quick way to bring it to attention without resorting to lecturing, which we all know tends not to work.
Help them savor the moments. Encouraging our children to slow down and savor a moment can also benefit them by helping them appreciate what they do have, and adds intrinsic value to experiences and things they enjoy. Conversations that utilize recalled memories of the anticipation and joy and the reward of waiting, can also add value. This same effect can come from making
Help them be aware. Daily gentle reminders and awareness can help hone your child’s social skills. By verbally acknowledging when some-
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them wait for certain events or things that they are just sure they cannot live without. This reminds me of the child, Veruca Salt, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. “I want it NoooOOOoow!” Could you imagine making that child wait? Yikes.
Help them know the difference. It is unfair to expect our children to appreciate the bounty of their lives if they don’t recognize it. As adults, we know that there is nothing like lean times to help us appreciate the times of plenty. The same holds true with our children. A great conversation starter, and sneaky way to get in a gratitude lesson is to play a game of “What if...” By sprinkling in questions such as “What if we lived somewhere cold and had no heat?” or “What if we didn’t have a car and we had to walk all the way to the grocery store?” alongside silly and fun questions, we help bring awareness to the daily things that often get taken for granted by adults and kids alike.
Show them the way. This can be easier said than done sometimes, but by modeling gratefulness in every day adventures, we have the power to promote happiness. An example of this from my own life comes from my family’s love affair with our car. You might picture a fancy new SUV, or sports car, but I assure you- we are totally in love with “Big Bertha” our 11 year old beat up, big-bodied van, which faithfully starts every morning as we pat her on the dashboard and tell her “Good Job, Bertha!” This is a fun reminder to the kids that blessings can be found everywhere and there is plenty in this life to be grateful for. Helping our kids learn to be grateful will go a long way toward their happiness as adults, and that- is a gift worth giving. For more ideas on how you can raise a happy and well adjusted and grateful kiddo, please visit our website and blog at www.willamettekidsandfamily.com
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Gift Ideas
that you don’t have to clean up. by Yvette Tripp
You know the drill. You open the door to
lessons as gifts, you also contribute to the prosperity of your child’s neighborhood, by employing the talents of neighbors and community members. This can also provide your child with role models, friends, and experiences that will benefit them well past their karate class.
your kiddos room, sneaking in to check on them lovingly while they sleep. Then, all of the magic suddenly disappears when your bare foot finds a wayward Lego in the dark and you are reduced to tears and un-said curse words in an instant. Careful not to wake your darling Lego-lover, you vow that THIS year, there will BE no more toys. The next scenarios shows you sorting through their room with a trashbag, casually trying to sneak out toys like illegal contraband while they aren’t looking, because you just can’t take it, any more.
We are fortunate that here in Salem, we have many amazing kids’ programs to choose from. Whether it be art lessons downtown, horseback riding lessons, parkour or pottery, there are many choices for even the pickiest of kids.
While part of the joy of the holidays is of course, showering our babies with all of the lastest gizmos and gadgets, there are other ways to thrill them, that don’t require adding on another wing to your home and extra chore time for you.
Experience gifts create memories instead of messy clutter! Examples of experience gifts might be a coupon book for date nights with mom and dad, an itenarary for a short trip, movie tickets, or tickets to a concert. This gives your child something to look forward to, and creates a sense of anticipation that can lead to spectacular memories for the whole family.
Consider giving lessons as gifts. This serves multiple purposes, actually. One, you don’t have to make room in the toybox, and two, enrolling your child in a dance class or music lessons helps foster physical and emotional growth, as well as promises time spent together the whole year through. It may even foster a lifelong love for the arts, or sports, which could lead to scholarships and grants when they are o l d e r. When you give
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Think of clothing as gifts. No no, we aren’t talking giant pink bunny suits or lame Christmas sweaters, but you can tackle both the practical and whimsical with a favorite character t-shirt or pajamas. Teens especially love character tees and hoodies. While you may still have to clean it up from time to time, one article of clothing is much easier than a 1000 piece puzzle, for sure. Win/Win in our book!
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Speaking of books, these are always a hit at our house. If you’re not too excited about buying more Legos, a book about Legos is a great alternative. Doesn’t quite hurt as bad when you step on it, either. In my house it is a tradition to buy Guiness Book of World Records for that particular year. My kids eat these up, and pore over them all year through. Books in a series are great ideas too, in that you can follow up with the next in the series for birthdays and other upcoming holidays. If you’ve been considering a remodel of your house, a room makeover would be a memorable and practical gift. Imagine their surprise, unwrapping paint, tools, new linens and the likes, knowing that soon, they will be working and learning alongside you while helping you to create their fantasy bedroom! I absolutely admit to frequenting the Dollar Store for useless stocking stuffers in the past. While I was thrilled at the bargain, and how little it cost to fill the stocking, I was always dismayed when a few months later, I discovered the dried out fart putty (oh come on, you know everyone loves fart putty...) under a dresser. Some great minimalist inspired stocking stuffers could be an iTunes gift card, new socks, peppermint sticks, lip balm and hair ties, fruit snacks and movie tickets, as well as character toothbrushes or makeup for older kids. And just think. The biggest present of all, is a happier, simpler life and a happier, less stressed family. For more ideas and links to local kids classes, visit our website at www.willamettekidsandfamily.com and be sure to visit us on facebook to share some ideas for gifts that you’re delighted you don’t have to clean up! We can’t wait to hear about it!
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We have a vision that all children safe, healthy, and prepared to learn; families are strong and resilient and that early learning services are coordinated, effective and efficient. Our community is focused on ensuring ensure that children arrive more ready for kindergarten. There have been investments from the state in the early learning system to provide more resources and create early learning hubs, to be able to support this work. This model involves all of the sectors that touch early childhood education – health care, early childhood educators, human and social services, K-12 school districts, and the private sector – have a common place to focus their efforts, resources, and strategies with a shared purpose.
ing parent engagement activities, such as parent education, as a way to connect families with schools earlier. is a free phone app that sends daily messages with easy to do ideas to engage with your child. Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bathtime, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children’s growing minds. The free Daily Vroom app makes it easy to access fun Vroom activities any time to make the most of these precious years when the foundation for all future learning is happening. Daily Vroom enhances the things you already do and helps spark new ideas! Find us at www.joinvroom. org/ for more information or download DailyVroom on your phone.
Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, Inc. works with the community on behalf of the more than 24,000 children in our community who are deemed ‘at-risk’.
Parent Education – we all know that
being a parent can be challenging; and face it, we can all use some ideas or different ways to approach situations. Imagine getting this information knowing that the curriculum has been vetted and is considered evidence based. We are invested in increasing the availability of this type of education. Look for these training opportunities in local schools or as part of what several organizations, such as Community Action and Family Building Blocks.
We also work to reinforce the message that the first five years of life are the time when brains develop the foundation for all future learning.
Kindergarten Partnership and Innovation – in 31 school communities we are working to connect early learning professionals with kindergarten teachers thought professional development activities. Another aspect is hold-
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Literacy – MPELH provides books to
If you have questions, or you would like to know more about our initiatives, please contact: lharnisch@earlylearninghub.org.
Increase in quality child care programs – many child care provid-
WEBSITE
clinics who offer Reach Out and Read. Through Reach Out and Read, children receive a free book during their well child visit along with a conversation with the doctor about the love of reading.
earlylearninghub.org.
ers are working hard to demonstrate achievement of a standard, or star rating, for their child care program. This includes home based providers, center based providers and Head Start programs. There are several competencies that must be met and demonstrated.
facebook.com/earlylearninghub/
While the program is voluntary, it is very much a value to both the provider and to parents. When choosing a child care provider with a star rating, there is more assurance that this program will meet your child’s developmental and social emotional needs.
parentinghub@earlylearninghub.org
pinterest.com/HUBINC/
PHONE 503.485.3219
Together in the community, we can make a difference. We need all of our systems to be going in the same direction and we realize improved outcomes for our children and families. We are here on behalf of the community to make this a reality.
Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, Inc. 2995 Ryan Drive SE, Suite 200 Salem, Oregon 97301
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Please say “I saw it inWillamette Kids and Family.”
Find us on facebook! /willamettekidsandfamily
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Please say “I saw it inWillamette Kids and Family.”
Find us on facebook! /willamettekidsandfamily
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