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FOR HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILIES

I WILL...

Celebrating the Earth

Gaming in the Grass Family fun yard games

Stretching to their Potential Healthier Kitchens

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Tampa Bays BEST Summer Camp Guide

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TA B03-09 L E O F1/30/09 CONTENTS TWParentGuide 3:38 PM

FOR HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILIES SPRING 2010

Page 1

Summer Vacation This year, more than ever, you need to

7 9

Editor’s Letter Walking the Talk

Real families taking real steps to improve their health and the environment

12 Happy Healthy News 15 Great Giveaways 18 Stretching to Their Potential

Yoga for kids is gaining popularity at home and at school. Read about the benefits and where you can find local classes.

22 Lessons Learned: The Fine Art of Parenting Peter A. Gorski, shares insights and wisdom about parenting and offers them to parents in an easy-to-read and easy-to-remember format.

26 Gaming in the Grass

Take family game time to the yard and enjoy some good old-fashioned outdoor games that appeal to all ages

30 Healthier Kitchens

Learn about common kitchen toxins and steps for reducing your family’s risk

An easy-on-the-wallet family beach vacation is right in your own backyard!

Discover incredible deals midweek this summer at the ultimate beach playground! The kids will never be bored with RedBeard the Pirate, a treasure trove of activities and crafts, and the giant High Tide Slide.

You can relax and sway in a beachside hammock and toast the sunset with a tropical cooler.

38 Unexpected Poisons

Baby powder, hand sanitizer gel and grandma’s purse are just three everyday items that can pose a risk to children.

42 Earth Day Around the Bay

Information about local Earth Day events for families

48 I WILL…

Local students pledge to be environmentally responsible ParentGuide’s celebration of Earth Day

Special Insert: Provider’s Focus

A publication of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

Discover the tropical island hideaway … that’s not so far away. It’s time to

FOR HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILIES

I WILL...

Celebrating the Earth

Gaming in the Grass

Family fun yard games

Stretching to their Potential Healthier Kitchens

Call 888.565.7900 or visit www.JustLetGo.com/Kids for spectacular savings on Summer rates.

About the Cover Cover models are wearing organic value statement t-shirts a company that wants to remind the world about what’s really important: earth, compassion, health and charity. Find them at WhenIgrowupIwill. com. Models Brianna, Mikayla, Jackson, Rebecca and Justine are pre-school students from Palm Harbor. Photography is courtesy of Picture People.

www.parentguide.com

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5

SPRING ADVENTURE PHOTO CONTEST with

and YOU! Grand Prize

Official American Girl Deluxe Get-Away Marriott Hotel “Lanie Doll Girl of the Year 2010”

Second Prize Lanie Doll Girl of the year 2010, hammock, and wildlife set

Third Prize Author Signed Book copy of the Lanie Real Adventures

Visit ParentGuide.com and learn how to win.

Upload your photos and find complete details.

Moms and Girls don't wait contest ends March 31, 2010 at 5:00 pm

6 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

Editor’s Letter Pamela Ray Vol. 14 No. 1 TAMPA BAY

® FOR HAPPY HEALTHY FAMILIES

Celebrating 12 years of excellence in family publishing!

Publisher SC Media Group info@sc-mediagroup.com Executive Editor Geodie Baxter Padgett editor@parentguide.com Editor Pamela Ray pam@parentguide.com Contributing Writers J.C. Weir, Sandra Bassett, Christine Park and Dr. Peter Gorski Financial Director Marnie Maxwell marnie@parentguide.com Creative Director Papande Newman VP of National Marketing Mike Menster mike@parentguide.com Marketing Consultants Tiffany Moncada tiffany@parentguide.com Sheila Kilpatrick sheila@parentguide.com Jennifer Harvey jen@parentguide.com Jennifer Johnson jenniferj@parentguide.com Events Director Andrea Mitchell andrea@parentguide.com Web Host Karen Houlding web@parentguide.com The ParentGuide® 120 East State Street, Suite 105-A Oldsmar, FL 34677 1-866-784-8433 Pinellas 727-724-8433 Hillsborough 813-749-8215 fax: 813-855-3158 info@sc-mediagroup.com sc-mediagroup.com For Advertising Opportunities Call 1-866-784-8433

The Happy Healthy Families Edition is a publication of the ParentGuide® and Spectrum Communications Media Group, Inc. It is distributed to readers at no charge. To have it mailed directly to your home contact us at parentguide.com. It is available at exclusive locations such as Shapes Total Fitness, Crispers restaurants and all ParentGuide® event locations. Select locations include pediatrician offices, hospitals, retailers, libraries and more.

ParentGuide® is available through digital media. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs, artwork, designs and editorials printed in the ParentGuide® are the sole property of the ParentGuide® and SC Media Group, Inc. and may not be duplicated or reproduced without the permission of the ParentGuide® or SC Media Group, Inc. ParentGuide® and SC Media Group, Inc. are not responsible for typographical errors, the accuracy of information provided or the actions of the advertisers. Readers should verify the advertising information with advertisers. Unless otherwise specified, all advertising specials are only valid until the publication of the next guide or expiration date of the advertiser. ParentGuide® and Spectrum Communications Media Group, Inc. reserves the right to designate one company per advertisement and to refuse any advertising for any reason. The views expressed in the guide are not necessarily those of the publisher. The ParentGuide® and SC Media Group, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the outcome arising from the contents of the publication.

Happy Healthy Families From the minute parents realize a new baby is on the way, the planning begins.

A new life is being formed and the possibilities for that child’s life stretch beyond the imagination. Parents have the enormous responsibility to teach, guide, lead, love and nurture this child into adulthood. Doing so with purpose requires a plan that goes beyond nursery furniture, name and future schools.

According to nationally-known author and speaker, John Rosemont, too many parents become focused on achievement only. Starting very early, parents worry that the college application won’t be full enough unless there are top-notch grades, athletic performance and volunteer work and for the better part of 18 years, that’s where the effort goes.

But in his seminars, Rosemont asks parents to write a brief mission statement for their young child. Nearly all the time, parents include words like integrity, honesty, character and generosity. He doesn’t see responses that say valedictorian, corporate CEO, professional athlete, doctor or other positions at the top of the social mountain.

He believes that young people are too stressed out about achievement these days and that parents need to focus more on creating the person they envision in their mission statement.

It works in business. So it seems really smart to me to approach parenting with an ending goal in sight, as tempting as it is to wing it and let the years go by in an unintentional blur of busy-ness. The years do fly by don’t they?

This conversation with John Rosemont kept popping into my head as we prepared this issue. Yard games. I have very fond memories of my family playing together, just to have some happy play time. Yoga. I haven’t done much yoga, but I greatly appreciate the benefits for small children and hope that my son can be a more relaxed person than his mother. Toxic chemicals. I want to work diligently to step in and be the advocate for his health so we can prevent illness and disease.

Earth Day. With greater knowledge, he can grow to respect our limited resources and not live a wasteful life.

The value statement t-shirts wrapped it all up for me. “I will…” As a parent, what do I want his unique shirt to say in a way that fulfills my mission statement for him?

Aha moment. “I will live a happy and healthy life.”

For Happy Healthy Families is the updated mission for ParentGuide® and so in each issue, we will provide information to inspire all families to live happier and healthier lives each and every day.

Enjoy!

Quote: Lord, make us mindful of the little things that grow and blossom in these days to make the world beautiful for us.

- W.E.B. du Bois PARENTGUIDE.COM

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SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 2010 AGES 2-10 • 9 A.M.

University of Tampa, Art & Polly Pepin Stadium Events will be held on the track and field. (North Blvd. between Kennedy and Cass St.) Bring the kids out for a day of fun and special activities for the entire family!

Registration is FREE!* Visit www.tampabayrun.com to sign up online or call our office at 813.254.7866 for more informtion.

SPONSORED BY

mob !le

Visit: www.tampabayrun.com or call us at 813-254-7866 for more information.

8 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010 *FREE through Wed., Feb. 17, 2010. $5 registration fee AFTER Wed., Feb. 17, 2010

Healthy Homes

Healthy Finances

Healthy Bodies

Healthy Relationships

Healthy Environment

Walking the Talk

By J.C. Weir

BEING MORE CONSCIOUS OF OUR impact on the planet and our overall health is all the rage. Big companies get all the press, but ParentGuide® knows it is families like yours and ours that will make the biggest difference. So we’ve heard the experts speak and know how to talk the talk. Our commitment is real and so we’re sharing with readers how we walk the walk at home, too.

We have reduced purchasing junk food and found that organic cookies, crackers and chips are wholesome and good tasting.

We grow our own tomatoes.

We have replaced most of our plastic ware and will only purchase items made in the USA and not painted with lead.

We don’t throw things away that can be used again and we have a group for sharing girl’s clothing.

We stopped using credit cards.

We switched to natural Melaleuca products that are concentrated and produce much less trash.

Jack & Linda We eat more whole grains and organic foods. Instead of packaged mac & cheese, I make whole wheat pasta with real cheese sauce. Instead of high sodium frozen pizza, I buy Amy’s organic frozen pizza with whole wheat crust. Delicious! Instead of nitrate-laden hot dogs, I buy organic hot dogs with no preservatives and freeze them until needed.

We use non-toxic cleaners in the house. We started using Zum goat’s milk soap and other natural soaps to cut down on harsh detergents going in to the water supply and into our bodies.

We love Craigslist to buy and sell. A great way to reduce waste and save money. We also stopped buying things we don’t need.

Pam Our whole family eats wheat free so we eat most of our meals at home. I also make our own bread.

I shop around online to find the best prices so I don’t waste gas.

We don’t use bottled water. Instead we installed a reverse osmosis filter.

Papande

We eat only organic meats, vegetables and milk and make sure that vegetables fill at least half of our plate. We use a juicer every morning and no more sweets and processed food. This has been a challenging change but we all feel better! I am thrilled to say that my seven year-old picky eater is now happily eating salmon and tofu pieces!

We stopped using low quality plastic cups and replaced them with glass or BPA-free plastic. We also replaced our plastic storage containers with glass.

We borrow books from our wonderful library system instead of always buying new ones at the bookstore.

We recycle and have a garden, too.

Karen

To help digest food more easily we are eating dinner earlier.

We carpool to school.

We cut down on prepackaged goods and buy larger items to re-pack in reusuable containers.

We stopped using plastic bags for shopping.

Andrea

We eat home-cooked meals together as a family.

We feed our spiritual needs by going to church and taking classes.

We have family game night on a regular basis

We shop consignment whenever possible.

Jennifer

Tell us how you walk the talk at Parentguide.com. To inspire other families, reader responses will appear on our website and some will be selected for future issues.

PARENTGUIDE.COM

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KELLOGG’S ”SPECIAL K” 5K WALK

& STROLLER ROLL Sat., Feb. 27, 2010

The Kellogg’s “Special K” Walk & Stroller Roll will be open exclusively to 5K walkers and joggers or walkers pushing baby joggers and/or strollers. The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association encourages Healthy Living for the entire family, and invites families to walk together and those with little ones to come out and enjoy an event created especially for them.

Fees for adults and children five years of age and over will be $25 until Sun., Jan. 31, $30 online only until midnight on Sun., Feb. 21 and on Race Weekend, February 26 & 27, $35. Registration fees for stroller age children four years of age and under will be $10 until Sun., Jan. 31 and $15 online only until midnight on Sun., Feb. 21 and on Race Weekend, February 26 & 27.

STROLLER CHILDREN WILL ALL WEAR #1 RACE BIBS AND WILL RECEIVE A FINISHERS MEDAL AT FINISH LINE Visit: www.tampabayrun.com or call us at 813-254-7866 for more information.

mob !le

10 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

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11

Happy Healthy News Cougars Feeding the Soul With help from faculty, students, fellow boy scouts and parents, Eric Curkan, 17, of Countryside High School has just built the school’s first hydroponic garden on an enclosed but unused slab of concrete outside the agriculture classroom. “The location was a miracle,” said Eric’s mom because the former auto shop work area had electricity, water, security and just the right amount of sun. Eric’s vision has multiple benefits – all of them sustainable.

The first was to obtain a grant from the Southwest Water Management District to pay for the equipment that will teach water conservation in gardening to students at the school for years to come. The second was to earn Eagle Scout with this project and the third was to benefit the families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg by furnishing a steady supply of fresh salad fixings.

So far Eric’s vision to create a “garden of the future” has come true. His 323 squarefoot space now houses 20 hydrostackers connected by tubes that will feed and water his organic seeds to create an abundance of fresh produce that will benefit a local charity.

By not using soil, hydroponic gardening eliminates the need to clear land, the use of pesticides, erosion and runoff. The plants sit in vermiculite and perlite which promote faster growing plants that are richer in taste, larger in size, and resistance to pests.

The school’s garden club grows vegetables the traditional way and also donates them to charities. “At CSHS we believe that students are most successful when they are connected to the school and community, and what better way than growing vegetables with their peers and teachers and donating then to a great charity like the Ronald Mc Donald House and the Sheriff Youths Ranch,” said Chris Bates, assistant principle and garden club advisor.

Trash Trooper Litter Hotline Frustrated watching drivers toss cigarette butts out the window? How about cans, paper and other types of litter? If so, grab your pen and phone to do something about it. Take action with Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful and its Trash Troopers volunteer program.

A trash trooper is any private citizen who witnesses and then reports a litterbug seen on Hillsborough County highways and roadways. Record the vehicle’s tag number, color and type of vehicle; when and where the violation took place; and description of the litter.

Never to confront the violators, simply report the information to Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful Trooper Litter Hotline 1-877-Y-LITTER or 1-877-954-8837.

Offenders will receive a warning letter that outlines the Florida anti-litter statutes and penalties for the violation. These violations include throwing cigarette butts and other trash out of the car window; blowing or falling debris from an improperly covered vehicle and illegal dumping.

As a local non-profit organization, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful works to prevent litter, promote recycling and beautify the community. Join the clean-up effort as a volunteer for the Great American Cleanup on April 17 or by adopting a road. For more information, find them at khcbonline.org.

12 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

Free Tax Help

4-H SET 4 Kids!

It is tax season again and families are encouraged to check their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), an important credit that could mean $5,600 or more as a tax refund.

Pinellas County 4-H Youth Development is helping to grow the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers through its 4-H Science Engineering, and Technology (SET) program.

A new web page has been launched to help children discover science, engineering and technology through fun learning games and activities, videos, career exploration and resources for science projects. Check it out at pinellascounty.org/extension. Each month the site will be updated, including projects connected to the environment and alternative energy.

The IRS estimates that up to one in four eligible taxpayers could miss out on EITC because they don’t check it out. Eligible taxpayers can get their EITC only if they file federal income tax returns and specifically claim the credit. Anyone with income under $49,000 from wages, self-employment or farming in 2009, should see if they qualify. Several changes have been made to EITC this year due to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Lower income families may qualify for free tax preparation from the Prosperity Campaign. The United Way of Tampa Bay leads several agencies in this volunteer effort.

To learn more about how the Prosperity Campaign can help you with your tax preparation, visit UnitedWayTampaBay.org/freetaxprep.

Listings for both Hillsborough and Pinellas County are provided. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.

4-H SET was developed because the U.S. is falling dangerously short of scientists, engineers and technology experts. Pinellas 4-H is positioned to meet the challenge of developing youth in these areas because of its connections to the research and resources of the University of Florida and established outreach programs in the community.

March for Babies

Aflac Iron Girl

Around 200,000 babies are born each year in Florida and the March of Dimes wants all of them to be healthy.

You can help the cause by participating in the March for Babies on April 24, 2010 in Tampa and Safety Harbor. Go to Marchforbabies.com to register.

As part of the Iron Man family, Iron Girl is an inspiring and motivating fitness program that encourages girls to walk and run for a lifetime of good health. Their annual 15K/5K event will be held at Clearwater Beach on April 10, 2010. Motherdaughter teams can run or walk their way to the finish together. Participants get a shirt, finisher medals and a commemorative Aflac Iron Girl plush duck. Team fee for the 15K is $90 and the 5K is $50. For more information or to register for their newsletter, visit Irongirl.com PARENTGUIDE.COM

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 We would like to thank all our generous sponsors who supported OCS through our 1/23/10 golf tournament at Crescent Oaks Golf Club in Tarpon Springs!

813-792-1825

Ben Patty Enterprises

Lyden Oil Company

One Stop Pharmacy, Inc.

Dolman Law Group

Rushing Orthodontics

Lizard Sportswear

CGB Insurance

Grand Vista Pools

Pyramid Pavers

Eternal Rest Funeral Home

The Dunagan Family

The Calimano Family

OCS Spirit Squad

All Quality Roofing

Tesco San Juan

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting

Green Iguana

Mrs. Roberts’ Second Grade Class

www.odessachristianschool.org

Mike Borkowski

Final Friday Fun Fest M arch

26,

Ages 8-11 years Sleep-over F l a s h l i g h t To u r

2010

* * *

* * *

Movie Snacks FUN!

It’s a little spooky... and a lot of fun. Spend the night at DFAC with 12 other brave souls. $35/person includes breakfast!

Pre-Registration required. Call for more info!

Second Sundays are ALWAYS fun!

Februar y 14th March 14th

April 4th**(closed the 11th for our annual May 9th

1:30-3:30pm

Garden Par ty Fundraiser)

Sponsord by

The Second Sunday of every month plan on exploring the children’s hands on museum for FREE! Come be AMAZED!

14 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

1143 Michigan Blvd Dunedin, FL 34698 7 2 7 . 2 9 8 . D FA C w w w. d f a c. o rg / p g

Great

Giveaways Coupon Mom Saves You Money Stephanie Nelson, the creator of CouponMom.com shares her strategic money-saving techniques in her new book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half.

Nelson knows that Americans are hungry for bargains these days, so she developed the ultimate strategy for bargain shopping and coupon clipping that doesn’t sacrifice nutrition or quality. Also included are meal- planning tips, recipes, and cost-comparison guides, as well as inspiring real-life stories.

ParentGuide® wants lucky readers to get their own copy of this helpful book. Become a fan of ParentGuide® on Facebook and learn how you can win this book.

Math Adventure to the Moon LeapFrog® has a new DVD and it’s all about beginning math skills for the 3 – 6 set. LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon takes both preschoolers on an educational and entertaining mission to the moon where they will learn early math skills like counting, sorting and addition. Friends Tad and Lily want moon rocks for a math assignment, so they board a rocket ship to start their quest and learn that math is everywhere.

The DVD is available at the end of February, but ParentGuide® has copies to give away. Become a friend on Facebook and learn how to win.

Win a Yoga Class Haris Lender loves teaching yoga to kids. She also loves teaching classroom teachers how to share Kidding Around Yoga with their students. Imagery, breathing, relaxation and meditation are used very successfully in a school setting. ParentGuide® has a spot in an upcoming 2-day workshop for a local preschool, elementary or secondary teacher. More information is at ParentGuide.com/contests.

Jim Henson’s The Song of the Cloud Forest Jim Henson’s The Song of the Cloud Forest and Other Earth Stories features a brightly colored cast of puppet animals celebrating the beauty of and discovering the real dangers threatening the survival of both the rainforest and its inhabitants. This new DVD is combined with Jim Henson’s The Animal Show with Stinky and Jake: Lions, Tigers & Bears, for a fun-filled and educational giveaway offer from ParentGuide®.

PARENTGUIDE.COM

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16 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

KIDS FIRST! Family Film Fest Free Fun for the Whole Family

Bring your blanket and pillow. Jammies allowed!

Movies on the Waterfront

Movies in the Park

On the downtown St.Petersburg waterfront- Facing Tampa Bay Every 3rd Saturday at dusk February 20 March 20 April 17

Downtown Gazebo on Main Street At the John Wilson Park

The St. Pete Pier

Safety Harbor

Every 4th Friday at nightfall February 26 March 26 April 23

Log on to parentguide.com for movie schedule and event details Sponsored in part by:

PARENTGUIDE.COM

17

Stretching To Their Potential

By Sandra Bassett

YOGA FOR CHILDREN IS SWEEPING THE NATION and Tampa Bay. Several studios already offer classes, but soon you’ll see more youth classes around town, thanks to Haris Lender, a local yoga instructor who will be teaching Kidding Around Yoga to other yoga teachers and anyone else interested in sharing it with kids.

“The benefits are amazing and it’s not limited to formal yoga classes,” said Lender. “I have preschool and classroom teachers, therapists, nurses and parents wanting to learn the basics of meditation, guided relaxation, breathing techniques and imagery to help them work with children.”

Yoga can start when a mom does prenatal yoga. She can transition to a mom-baby class, a mom-toddler class, a mom-preschooler class and so on. Debbie Geery, an Oldsmar yoga teacher says preschoolers tend to do better in a class without parents but that ‘tween girls love getting to do yoga with mom.

Adolescent boys respond well too. Geery’s most favorite experience with youth was teaching middle school football players. “They started out skeptical but soon saw how it made them better athletes and helped them relax.”

Today’s young people experience high levels of stress.

Starting them early with yoga discipline will help them have better coping skills, improved concentration and greater confidence and physical fitness.

Teachers are learning anecdotally what research has found: yoga helps young people academically as well as

18 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

physically. “It works on many levels,” says Marsha Wenig, president of YogaKids International. “On a physical level, it develops strength, flexibility and concentration,” she says. “But the main thing it gives children is the feeling of ‘I can do it.’”

Wenig also says it’s important to know how they think.

You don’t teach children like you teach adults,” she says. “You have to empower and excite them about being physically and mentally fit. To them, it’s fitness, fun and feeling great.”

Yoga classes for all ages are taught at various locations throughout the Tampa Bay area.

In St. Petersburg, Haris Lender’s, Kidding Around Yoga offers classes at two locations during the week. Class and registration information is available at Yogawithharis.com.

Check out her Rock-n-Roll yoga and find out about her teaching workshops.

In Oldsmar, Debbie Geery has a kids’ yoga class. Find out more at hotyogafusion.com.

Other locations for finding yoga classes for children are Yogani in South Tampa (Yogani.com). The classes at this studio teach yoga through animal poses, imaginative games, storytelling, songs and relaxation to stretch young bodies and young minds.

Yoga with Jeanette has Yogamotion, Twister Yoga, Laughter Yoga and Reiki Yoga classes for kids and Hatha Yoga for ‘tweens and teens. Read more at Yoga-withJeanette.com.

Photos by Yoga By The Dozen™

Benefits Of Yoga • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Connects oneself and others Improves socialization skills and boundary awareness Improves focus and concentration Improves balance and coordination Increases strength and flexibility Improves overall physical fitness Improves motor planning skills Improves fine motor skills Increases sensory integration Improves memory and reading retention Improves speech via improved breathing and alignment Teaches tools to calm the body Teaches sequencing (often challenging for learning disabled children) Promotes creativity Reinforces the learning process Offers tools for living and growing up in the world today Offers children with special needs, and children of all ages, opportunities to expand their horizons.

Yoga at Home

Yoga by the Dozen

YogaKids DVDs: 1, 2 and 3

Yoga By The Dozen™ provides a fun, energetic

YogaKids delights and encourages children through simple, creative and playful exercises . They’ll stretch like dogs, roar like lions, and stand like graceful flamingos. YogaKids includes 20 simple yoga poses and five original songs that enhance respect for nature, increase strength and flexibility and challenge imagination.

For ages 3-6. Individual DVDs are $15.00 at yogakids.com

children’s yoga DVD designed especially for children ages 2-6. JoAnna Ross and her 12 young friends demonstrate 12 poses that give children the basics of yoga.

DVD is $17.99 at yogabythedozen.com.

PARENTGUIDE.COM

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20 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

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Lessons Learned: The Fine Art of Parenting

Over the course of many years practicing pediatrics, studying child development, observing families and growing humble as a father, I have learned a number of lessons about the very fine art of parenting.

I have distilled the wisdom I have been taught by children and their families into ten basic principles, practices and guidelines that seem useful for all families. I hope you will find them meaningful. Please add your own insights to the list. Life experience is the greatest teacher and the best gift to share. Thank you for your devotion to the children in your life.

1 2 3 4 5

Follow your heart.

6 7 8 9 10

Children sense when adults are being sincere or not.

Besides, you can usually trust your emotions to lead you in the right direction. And you’ll model for your children how to communicate honestly.

Appreciate each child’s strengths and respect their limits.

All children have intrinsic worth and special qualities that help them relate, persevere and shine an inner light.

Similarly, each child has abilities in some areas and challenges in others. Our job is to encourage them to stretch within safe and acceptable boundaries.

Honor individual differences that distinguish each child as a unique person.

Even within the same family, children have their own personalities from the start. Since we can’t take for granted that one child will respond like another, we have to get to know and understand the nature of each individually.

Care to set consistent, secure boundaries.

Children feel courageous enough to explore their limits when they also feel comfortable that they won’t hurt or embarrass themselves. And after all, if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t bother to teach them how to balance self-control and self-will.

Know and respect your own emotional thresholds and physical limits.

All of us reach a point when our mind, body or spirit become exhausted and unable to act rationally or react quickly. Children need their parents to offer them their best attention and decisions. So taking care of yourself is also in the best interest of your children.

Make and keep your own friends and support systems.

Life outside of parenting restores energy for the job and takes some of the pressure off of you and your children.

Relationships, work and recreational activities can add pleasure and vigor to you while teaching your children the value of being connected.

Ask for help – interdependence is healthier than independence.

Modern life is somehow both noisy and isolating. Loneliness is depressing and depression is paralyzing. So do the world a favor – teach children the advantages of relationships and support.

Spend time with a child when you can’t be interrupted – time matters as much as quality.

Children want and need our company. They also know when our attention is divided between them and telephone calls, chores, or thoughts. Protect some time each day when you can devote yourself to the child’s interests.

Teach and learn from disappointments.

Truth is, we always learn more from our mistakes than from our successes, especially if we remember that our intrinsic worth is not linked to a bad decision.

Value your parental love and guidance as the greatest contribution to our nation’s security, prosperity and civility.

Children who grow up caring to succeed and to contribute guarantee a healthier, better educated, wealthier, stronger and more humane society. We teach most effectively by example – children observe and follow how we treat neighbors, co-workers, customers and strangers. In many ways, the child is father to the man.

Dr. Gorski Peter A. Gorski, M.D., M.P.A. is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Children¹s Board of Hillsborough County and Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, and Psychiatry at the University of South Florida.

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Gaming in the Grass

IT’S NO SECRET THAT OUR MODERN WORLD IS A very different place for children and families. Take playing outside for instance. Kids used to run around on their own for hours and they knew two things: stay out of trouble and be home by supper time.

Unfortunately this generation of little people doesn’t know that same type of freedom.

Safety is the major concern for most parents. But after-school activities, organized sports, parent work schedules, video games, homework and urbanization have all contributed to the decline of time spent outdoors simply playing for fun.

26 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

Parents can rejuvenate their families by making a commitment to outdoor play time together. Family game nights can be moved to the backyard for some old fashioned fun that can bring all ages together for light-hearted competition, physical activity, fresh air and lots of laughter.

For a very small investment, families can create a fun atmosphere that suits age range, yard size and budget. A little imagination and the determination to have fun outdoors on a regular basis is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

Pa re nt G u i d e’s To p Te n G a m e s fo r t h e G ra s s

1 Tetherball

6 Pop up Soccer Nets

2

Croquet

7 Bean Bag Toss

3

Badminton

4

Ring Toss

You don’t see these on many playgrounds anymore.

But it remains a game loved by kids of all ages. The pole can be installed permanently in the ground or in an old tire. Great for small yards, too. Many options are out there, but for great quality at an affordable price we like Park and Sun’s model shown here. $59.99 at Amazon.com.

Family friendly footwork is easy and portable with these pop-up soccer nets by Franklin. Purchase one or a pair. Folds down for easy storage. $59.99 for a pair at Amazon.com.

Not just for tailgating, this game can be played in the yard at any time. Give the bean bags a toss and score points. Girls against the boys or kids against the parents. This version of the game by Fundex is about $80 at Amazon.com.

You can play it serious or you can it with small children to enhance motor skills and coordination. For silly backyard play, choose Melissa & Doug’s Happy Giddy Croquet set. Around $40 at Learning Express Westchase or Amazon.com

8 Horseshoes

Try your luck and see how any ringers you can get. Keep it safe for smaller children by using this set with rubber horseshoes to teach distance and enhance coordination. By Schylling toys. $8 at Amazon.com.

Chasing the birdie around can be good exercise and a source of laughter for the whole family. For an affordable set that will last, choose Park and Sun’s BM Pro with aluminum poles, net, racquets, birdies and case for around $85 at Amazon.com.

This game can be set up according to skill level -- closer for the smaller kids and further away for the older ones. Create family challenges like “loser empties the dishwasher” to inspire friendly competition and build skill. This durable wood set with easy-to-throw rings is around $30 at Amazon.com.

5 Stepping Buckets

9 Monster Feet

A few sets of these and your kids can be stomping across the grass in their own monster derby. $9.95 at Amazon.com.

1 0 Mini Frisbee Golf Set

An excellent balance and confidence builder.

Challenge children to use left legs only, walk sideways or have time trials. Six heavy plastic buckets are connected with nylon rope. Very durable! Buckets can be tipped over for ping pong ball toss. $69.99 at Edumart.com.

Search Learning Advantage Stepping Buckets.

An easy to set up stand with basket becomes the target for small plastic Frisbee disks. Has chains to catch the disks. A fun way to practice aim for all ages. $24.99 at Amazon.com.

PARENTGUIDE.COM

27

One million square feet of new hospital.

200 pediatric specialists.

One happy girl.

Katie, Age 9 For Katie, a team of pediatric specialists in gastroenterology, nutrition, speech-language pathology and occupational therapy all helped her develop the vital motor feeding skills she needed. It’s a highly specialized level of care that has been our sole focus since 1926: to provide exceptional care for children, and only children, in every way. Now with more pediatric specialists than ever before and an outstanding new hospital, we continue in our mission to ensure the very best children’s care in the world, that’s just as special as each and every child.

28 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

www.allkids.org

FOCUS PROVIDER’S

Spring 2010

A Publication of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

New Provider Reps Elected to ELCHC Board of Directors Risk Management Plans in Action: Is Your Program Really Ready?

Child Care Options for Military Families

www.elchc.org School Readiness Information Quality Counts for Kids Voluntary Prekindergarten Child Care Resource & Referral Info Advocacy Information Community Events and ELCHC Training Info Forms and Publications Important Links and Resources

The information you’re looking for is just a click away!

2

THE PROVIDER’S FOCUS - SPRING 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS Provider’s Focus JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010 PROVIDER’S

FOCUS Publisher

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County 1002 E. Palm Avenue, Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 202-1000 • Fax: (813) 204-1711 www.elchc.org

In This Issue

Executive Editor Tracie T. White Contributing Writers Dave McGerald Susan G. Morris Karen Perkins Janet Stutzman Lorinda Gamson The Provider’s Focus is a quarterly publication of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. It is printed in limited quantities and distributed to readers at no charge.

If you would like to submit an article to be included in the Provider’s Focus, listed below are the remaining submission deadlines for the 2009 - 2010 publication year:

5

Rodriguez & Gassen to Represent Providers on ELCHC Board of Directors

8

Child Care Options for Military Families

9

Digital Childhood: Alternatives to Television Viewing for Young Children

10

Risk Management Plans in Action: Is Your Program Really Ready?

12

New Directors Institute Offered at NOVA

13

Recipe for Success Announces Second Session of Three-Part Training Series

3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Articles should be typed, double spaced, in 11 or 12 point Arial, Times Roman or Courier font. Any accompanying photos or artwork should be in high resolution jpeg format and sent as a separate attachment along with the article (not inserted in the article). Photo releases should accompany any photo submissions.

It is preferable that articles and photos are submitted electronically to twhite@elchc.org with the words Focus Article in the subject line of the e-mail. However, they may be submitted on CD or faxed (articles only) if necessary. All submissions are subject to editing for content and space availability.

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

3

FROM THE CEO A Word

First, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

We begin 2010 with a laundry list of challenges that mirror those we’ve had for a few years now. The shortsighted, band-aid approaches of the past have not addressed the needs of the children and families of our community. On the positive side, the Federal Stimulus Dollars have plugged the leak in the dam temporarily, but we will be facing severe budget cuts in October of 2011 when they disappear. This is what we are facing right now: Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) The State Legislature replaced $38 million in recurring trust fund dollars with non-recurring Federal Stimulus Dollars this year… So when the Stimulus Dollars disappear, providers will suffer the consequences.

Additionally, due to unanticipated growth in the VPK program in 2008-09 and 2009-10, the State is running the VPK Program in a deficit of $28.2 million dollars.

Based on information from the December 7, 2009 VPK Estimating Conference, the projected growth of the VPK program is 15,774 children for 2010-11, in addition to the 156,000 children currently being served. This will require an additional $42.8 million to maintain serves to VPK at the current rate. If no new dollars are allocated for VPK, the base student allocation could be reduced from the current rate of $2,575 to $1,890 per child, resulting in a significant erosion of quality and a drop in the number of providers able to offer VPK. If you are interested in advocating for the VPK program, please go to our web site and look for “Advocacy”. Another interesting fact: The 2008 state base student allocation for other universal pre-k programs is Georgia ($4,249) and Oklahoma ($3,966). For states with evolving or targeted programs, the allocation is: Alabama ($4,415), California ($3,607), Illinois ($3.372) and New York ($3.948). Regardless of program type, Florida has the lowest base student allocation ($2,575) in the nation.

School Readiness The school readiness budget was also rescued this year with Federal Stimulus Dollars. Hillsborough received

4

THE PROVIDER’S FOCUS - SPRING 2010

by Dave McGerald, CEO

over $5 million in Stimulus Dollars through October of 2011. All of these dollars went into slots for our school readiness children, none of these dollars were spent on administration. Statewide we will need to replace over $50 million dollars in the school readiness budget in October 2011.

Legislative Updates Each year about this time we begin to provide updates on our web site regarding any proposed legislation that may impact the early care and education industry. We will again be posting that information and hope to begin posting the updates beginning Monday, January 25th.

Please check this from time to time as many of the Bills are revised throughout the process. Below are short summaries of the Bills that have introduced so far: Senate Bill 428 (House Bill 0201): Requires the owner or operator of a child care facility to report background screening results to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) before employing a person at the child care facility. Prohibits the hiring of a person with a disqualifying offense without being granted an exemption. Prohibits the Agency for Health Care Administration from granting an exemption from disqualification from employment in an assisted living facility under certain circumstances, etc.

Senate Bill 474 (HB0085): Requires a portion of Powerball net revenues to be allocated to voluntary prekindergarten education programs.

Provides for the use of funds.

Senate Bill 834 (HB 0411): Provides for certain household children to be included in calculations regarding the capacity of licensed family day care homes and large family child care homes.

Requires the DCFS or the local licensing agency to report violations of certain advertising requirements applicable to child care facilities to the state attorney's office. Revises such advertising requirements, etc.

To Represent Providers on ELCHC Board of Directors In October 2009, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC) notified area providers that seats were soon to open on its Board of Directors. Those two seats were for the Private and Faith-Based Child Care Provider Representatives. While the majority of seats on the ELCHC Board of Directors are appointed or legislatively mandated, these two seats are elected by the Hillsborough early childhood professional community. The Coalition solicited nominations for the entire month of November, during which the Coalition received seven nominations. Over 1300 ballots were then mailed to area providers who had from December 1 to December 22 to submit their votes.

The Coalition is happy to announce that Cynthia Rodriguez was elected as the Private Child Care Representative and Carrie Gassen elected as the Faith-based Child Care Provider Representative.

Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Gassen will each serve a four-year term and will assume their seats at the January 11, 2010 Board Meeting. The Coalition thanks everyone for their involvement in the election process and hopes you will support and work with your representatives as they represent your interests on the Board of Directors! Congratulations.

Senate Bill 848 (HB0383): Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; Provides that prekindergarten instructors in school-year prekindergarten programs delivered by private providers and public schools must meet new professional credentialing requirements beginning July 1, 2013. Deletes provisions relating to alternate educational credentials, to conform. Repeals a specified provision relating to aspirational goals for the professional credentials of prekindergarten instructors, etc.

House Bill 223: Revises definition of "child care personnel" to include persons who work in summer 24hour camps; requires summer day camps and summer 24-hour camps to be licensed by DCFS and requires employees thereof to undergo level 2 background screening; repeals exemption from fingerprinting requirements for summer camp personnel.

House Bill 511: Creates "John F. Serrano, Rachel Lou Napier, and Alexandra Ali Safety & Accountability Act"; provides minimum licensing requirements for window blinds and other window coverings; provides for facility liability under certain circumstances; authorizes DCFS to provide certain information regarding window blinds and window coverings.

That’s all I have for now folks. I look forward to our next issue and as always, we thank you for your continued support of the Coalition and your dedication to the children and families of Hillsborough!

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

5

St. Joseph’s Children’s Mobile Health Cl Times are tough for the families we serve. Many do not have health insurance and many that do, have insurance that does not cover immunizations.

There is good news for those families. Children can get FREE immunizations and physicals, as long as they fall into ONE of these categories: • They are enrolled in Medicaid; • They don’t have health insurance • They are an American Indian or Alaskan Native, or • They are covered by insurance that does not provide immunizations

Parents or legal guardians should bring: • A photo ID • A copy of each child’s immunization record (REQUIRED for everyone whether you need shots or not) • All children seen must attend with their legal guardian To make an appointment, families should call their local Family Support and Resource Center. Parents should be aware that they are unable to provide Sports physicals.

6

THE PROVIDER’S FOCUS - SPRING 2010

linic Offering Free Immunizations and Well Child Exams All appointments are FREE! Sports Physicals are NOT provided At Good Samaritan Mission there are no appointments - Please arrive at start time

LOCATION

DATE

TIME

APPOINTMENT STATUS

The Network

February 4

4 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

Ruskin

February 9

4 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

Brandon

February 11

3 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

North Tampa

February 17

10 am - 2 pm

Call for appointment

Good Samaritan Mission

February 23

10 am - 1 pm

No appointment needed

Town & Country

February 25

3 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

The Network

March 4

4 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

Children’s Board

March 9

3 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

Brandon

March 11

3 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

Good Samaritan Mission

March 23

10 am - 1 pm

No appointment needed

North Tampa

March 24

10 am - 2 pm

Call for appointment

Town & Country

March 25

3 pm - 7 pm

Call for appointment

North Tampa FSRC 1401-A E. Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 558-1877

Town & Country FSRC 7520 W. Waters Avenue Tampa, FL 33615 (813) 356-1703

Brandon FSRC 1277 Kingsway Road Brandon, FL 33510 (813) 740-4634

Children’s Board 1002 East Palm Avenue Tampa, FL 33605 (813) 204-1741

The Network 639 East Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 752-8700

Good Samaritan Mission 14920 Balm Wimauma Rd. Wimauma, FL 33598 (813) 634-7136

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

Ruskin FSRC 201 14th Avenue S.E. Ruskin, FL 33570 (813) 641-5600

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

7

>

Child Care Options for Families

Military

he National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) works with the U.S. Military Services to help those who serve in the military find and pay for a portion of child care that meets their unique needs.

The collaborative efforts of the U.S. Military, NACCRRA and local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies are enhancing the quality and building capacity of child care throughout the country.

Operation Military Child Care (OMCC) provides child care assistance for activated or deployed National Guard, Reserve and Active-Duty Military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force) personnel whose children are enrolled in non-Department of Defense child care programs that are state-licensed and have a valid inspection report completed by the state licensing agency within the last 12 months. Assistance consists of locating child care options within the community and providing reduced child care fees through a subsidy.

Families are eligible during the service member’s deployment and 60 days thereafter. In addition, a subsidy is provided for 90 days while a non-military spouse is looking for employment.

Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) provides fee and location assistance similar to OMCC, but with a focus on high quality child care. The military considers the following accreditations and credentials as determinants of high quality care: • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) • National Accreditation Commission (NAC) • National Early Childhood Programs Accreditation (NECPA) – accredited child care centers • Council on Accreditation (COA) – accredited school age programs • National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) – accredited family child care homes

8

THE PROVIDER’S FOCUS - SPRING 2010

• Child Development Associate (CDA) – credentialed family child care home provider

• A family child care home provider possessing an Early Childhood Education or Child Development degree from an accredited college or university Child care assistance is available to families of Warriors in Transition, military members who are injured. NACCRRA and the U. S. Military have partnered to find and pay for licensed child care for six months during the recuperation period. The program is available nationwide wherever the injured member is receiving either in-patient or outpatient medical care. NACCRRA coordinates with state and local CCR&Rs to help military families locate child care in the civilian community when a military program is unavailable. This allows the spouse to be at bedside or help with out-patient medical appointments.

In order to inquire about eligibility for the military fee assistance and referral services, military personnel should contact NACCRRA directly by calling 1-800-424-2246 or online at http://www.naccrra.org/militaryprograms.

Digital Childhood Alternatives to Television Viewing for Young Children

By Susan G. Morris, School Readiness Supervisor

Recent years have seen what could be described as an explosion in electronic media marketed directly at the very youngest children in our society: a booming market of videotapes and DVDs aimed at infants aged 1 to 18 months, and even the launching of entire television networks specifically targeting children as young as 12 months. With this steady stream of new media aimed at the very young, one might ask, “What is really known about young children’s use of such media or the impact on their development?”

A study recently released, entitled Preschool-Aged Children’s Television Viewing in Child Care Settings, which specifically examined the quantity of television viewing in day care settings has sparked a storm of attention nationwide. The study found that as many as 70% of home-based child care settings and 36% of centerbased child care settings watch television daily. More importantly, when television was viewed at all, infants and children spent 2 to 3 hours watching in homebased programs and 1.5 hours watching in center-based programs. Furthermore, this ‘viewing information’ is not always communicated to parents. So, if you add the viewing hours in child care settings to a child’s average home viewing time, this more than doubles their total amount of screen time!

The rationale for the use of television in day care settings seems to be that television is viewed as an educational activity. However, at the levels of viewing reported in this study, even educational television has limitations. High levels of TV watching in young children are associated

with poor performance at school, poor social skills and poor fitness. Even ‘background television’ (television that is on but not being actively viewed) was shown to interrupt children’s play. In short, opportunities for interaction with peers and teachers, as well as play time, are all components of high quality child care. Children are not getting those key developmental opportunities if they are viewing television at the levels reported in the study. It is also important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two should not be watching television at all and preschoolers should not watch more than one to two hours of age-appropriate media a day including TV, computer and video games.

With these recommendations in mind, here are some activities that parents and child care providers can offer as alternatives to TV viewing: •

Allow time for hand’s on activities such as blocks, manipulatives, housekeeping

•

Encourage conversation with other children

•

Listen to children and encourage them to talk with you

•

Spend time on projects that involve the development of small muscles; cutting, pasting, tearing, modeling clay, play dough, water or sand play

•

Provide a class puzzle for children to work over time Continued on page 12, see ‘Digital’

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

9

RISK

MANAGEMENT

PLANS IN ACTION Is Your Program Really Ready ?

By Lorinda Toole-Gamson, Program Specialist Quality Counts for Kids Program,

s part of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County’s Quality Counts for Kids Program, providers are required to have a detailed, written risk management plan. This plan must include information on how the provider will handle missing children, security threats, utility failure, natural disasters, and a host of other emergency situations. Some providers initially feel overwhelmed by the task of developing a risk management plan, others question the need for such a detailed plan and occasionally providers tell us that their plan is that parents will come and pick up the children immediately if there is an emergency.

In the United States almost 12 million children younger than five years old (approximately 6 out of 10) spend part of their waking hours in the care of people other than their parents. Child care providers, more times than not, serve single-handedly as the front line of defense for managing emergency situations when it comes to these children. In recent years we have witnessed the plight of children in various disasters such as 9/11 and the destruction in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. What do these incidents have in common? All of these disasters did, or had the potential to tear children from their parents and families for extended periods of time.

In serious situations, such as those noted above, parents may not be able to reach the child care provider and staff knowing what to do in those instances may not be the ‘no brainer’ we might think. The purpose of a comprehensive risk management plan is to help the provider adequately and realistically plan for the unexpected. An article published on the Exchange EveryDay web site entitled “One Day at Fort Hood” offers up a recent, real-life example of risk management planning put into action. The article, excerpted below, read: On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. At the time of this incident, 1,300 children were being cared for in the post’s four child development centers and 49 family child care homes.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. J. Yveta Phillips, the Chief of Child, Youth and School Services at Fort Hood received a call that “a possible shooter was on the post” and instructing her to exercise “shelter in place.” By 1:55 p.m. all four centers and 49 homes were “locked down.” What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff that was away on break was not allowed to return to their centers.

When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 p.m. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.

In this situation, the swift and keen response of leadership and staff proved the value and effectiveness of emergency preparedness training. Providers frequently have an idea of what they would do in case of an emergency, but the purpose of risk management plan training is to help providers put in writing how they will prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency situations. Putting the plan in writing helps providers confirm that the plan is feasible and ensures that all the necessary details have been covered. It also allows providers to easily share the information with staff and parents. Trisha, a director participating in Quality Counts for Kids, wrote “I had a risk management plan but I had never considered writing it down. My staff and I had discussed several scenarios and what I expected of them in terms of keeping our precious ones safe. But until I learned of the risk management requirement, I never realized the importance of the details such as having water, snacks and toys available until help arrived. Thanks to Quality Counts, I feel our center is a safer place.”

Risk management training is offered periodically through the YMCA’s Family Child Care Plus Program and Leading the Change, delivered by NOVA Southeastern. If you are interested in learning about these trainings or Quality Counts for Kids, please contact Lorinda Gamson at 813-202-1003 or via e-mail at Lorinda@elchc.org.

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

11

‘Digital’, Continued from page 9 •

Read, read, read, read to children, and have them read to you. Successful readers read often.

•

Put on music so children can listen, sing and dance

•

Provide real-life items for children to view; an aquarium, ant farm, bird feeding station

•

Provide an extra outside time, collect leaves, rocks, etc. Play games with the children. Remember active children will not be obese children!

•

Play board games with children

•

Provide a variety of materials for children to use such as paints, paper, markers, lace, ribbon, “found junk” to develop their creativity

•

Encourage parents to remove televisions from their child’s room

Our children are growing up in a media-saturated environment with almost universal access to television.

Let’s face it, media and technology are here to stay and are virtually guaranteed to play an ever-increasing role in daily life, even among the very young. But as professional caregivers, we know that young children need a wide variety of opportunities and experiences with the real world, with other children and with caring adults. They need time to play. Imaginative play is the single most important way three to six year olds learn, grow, and work out their feelings, fears and fantasies.

So in your early care setting, turn off the television and offer the children in your care more time to develop their ability to entertain themselves and spend more time on all the other important experiences they need to grow and learn.

Sources: Christakis, Dimitri A., and Garrison, Michelle M., Preschool-Aged Children’s Television Viewing in Child Care Settings. Pediatrics. 2009

Director Institute Now Offered at Nova Southeastern University

By Janet Stutzman, Project Director Project PITCH

On December 3, 2009, fifty-seven early childhood administrators in Hillsborough County attended Nova Southeastern University’s first Director Institute. The staff of the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies in Tampa organized the event. Local directors, assistant directors and owners participated in an assortment of sessions focused on both increasing their management knowledge and on developing new skills. Session topics included hiring and firing laws by Cathy Beveridge, partner in Fowler White Boggs law firm, leadership, playground safety as well as telephone and tour techniques.

Lea Wansbrough of Hillsborough County Health Department shared tips for maintaining a healthy center in order to have healthy children and staff and there were opportunities to network with both new friends and old throughout the day.

If you missed this great opportunity, be sure to register for the next Director Institute to be held on February 18, 2010. Cathy Beveridge will return to address wage and FOCUS hour issues and2010 a round table THE PROVIDER’S - SPRING 12

discussion on marketing and staff retention will be held during the morning.

Afternoon sessions will offer a choice of hands-on opportunities in the University computer lab, the leadership session repeated by popular demand, or a presentation of both innovative and grass roots methods of staff communication.

Flyers with registration details and cost are sent by e-mail so be sure to contact MSI Project PITCH Director Janet Stutzman at (813)-574-5423 or stutzman@nova.edu if you would like to be included in future notifications. In addition to the February 18 date, additional Director Institutes are planned for April and August. If you did attend on December 3, tell your friends – and join us again!

Dear Q-Tip: I’ve noticed that some providers in my area are advertising that they are ‘Eco-Healthy Child Care Programs’. What does this mean? And how does a program receive an ‘Eco-Healthy Child Care Program’ designation? Signed, ‘Growing Up Green’ Dear Growing Up Green, Eco-Healthy Child Care (EHCC) is an innovative and unique program available to child care providers throughout the nation. The goal of EHCC is to educate and empower child care providers to reduce toxic substances in their child care facilities and to encourage parent to choose “eco-healthy” products and practices.

phthalates in toys, formaldehyde in furniture, pesticides used on lawns or inside buildings, mold, mildew, poor indoor air quality, lead-based paint and thermometers containing mercury. Facilities that comply with 20 of the 25 items, including two mandatory items, receive a certificate and poster announcing their Eco-Healthy endorsement.

As a child care provider, small changes you make can have a big impact on the children in your care. Many illnesses (e.g., asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, neurological problems and some childhood cancers) are linked to pollution and products we use every day.

Children are particularly at risk because their bodies are still developing and they have natural habits, such as hand to mouth behavior and crawling on the floor, that increase their exposure to toxins.

For more information visit the Eco-Healthy Child Care website at www.oeconline.org/kidshealth/ehcc.

For those who want to make environmentally healthy choices, Eco-Healthy Child Care is a free, voluntary endorsement program available to child care providers throughout the U.S. Providers apply to become endorsed by filling out a 25-item checklist, available in both English and Spanish. The checklist addresses issues like

The benefits of becoming an endorsed EHCC facility are many, but most important is that EHCC providers provide a healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly setting for children by reducing the number of toxins in their child care facility. In this way, they help prevent illnesses, diseases and disabilities linked to chemicals of concern.

Quality Tip, or Q Tip, is our new column where we answer your quality questions. Have a question you want answered? Submit it by e-mail to twhite@elchc.org and write in the subject line ‘Q Tip’ and we may feature the answer here!

Recipe for Success Announces Second Session of Three-Part Training Series The second session of Recipe for Success has been scheduled! This 2-hour training designed specifically for VPK instructors connects cooking activities for 4-year-old children with early literacy. This second training session centers around the book, Feathers For Lunch, by Lois Ehlert.

The story is about a little cat who escapes from his house looking for food. The cat’s efforts to secure himself a meal of birds provides opportunities to awaken young children’s interests in the natural world around them. The information VPK instructors will gain through this training will help lay the foundation for children’s future interests in biology, botany, and physical science. This training promises to be as interesting and as fun as the first training session! Participants may select one of 6 currently scheduled dates between February 18 and March 24, 2010.

The cost for the training is $15.00 per person (includes materials). If you attended the first training session, The Very Hungry Caterpillar that was held in September/October 2009, be sure to bring the Training Manual you were issued to this training, as new materials will be distributed. Those interested in attending the Feathers for Lunch lunch may download a complete training packet with dates and the training registration form on the Coalition’s web site at www. elchc.org. Click on the Provider tab and go to the VPK page!

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

WWW. ELCHC.ORG

13

JANUARY 2010

APRIL 2010

61st Annual Southern Association for Early Childhood Education (SECA) Conference “The Early Childhood Years: A Time of Opportunity” January 21, -23, 2010 Little Rock, AR Phone: 1-800-305-SECA

2010 National Afterschool Association Convention April 19-21, 2010 Washington, D.C.

Web Site: http://www.southernearlychildhood.org 2010 Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) National Conference “Children 2010: Leading A New Era” January 25 - 27, 2010 Washington, D.C. For information, go to: www.cwla.org/conferences

MARCH 2010 National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies - 2010 National Policy Symposium “Making Connections: All Families, All Children, All Settings” March 9 - 13, 2010 Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill Washington, D.C. Partnership for America’s Economic Success National Conference March 10 - 11, 2010 National Press Club Washington, D.C. The focus is on using research and networks to advance policy, with a particular emphasis on engaging business leaders to become early childhood advocates. Register online at www.partnershipforsuccess.org/register. php?eid=47

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THE PROVIDER’S FOCUS - SPRING 2010

Join thousands of afterschool professionals for outstanding learning and networking experiences at the National Afterschool Association Convention. The event will feature hundreds of workshops from across the afterschool field. For details, visit www.naaconvention.org/registration.html.

MAY 2010 17th Annual National Foster Care Conference May 12-14, 2010 “Footsteps to the Future” Clearwater, FL This conference will address a variety of problems facing Foster Care Specialists, Foster Parents and various Social Service Professionals who desire to enhance their skills in order to create the best foster home environment. Each general session and workshop will present innovative ideas on how those working with youth can deal with these everchanging situations. For conference rates and other details, go to: www.danielkids.org/Sites/web/content.cfm?id=275

JUNE 2010 National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development - National Association for the Education of Young Children “Emotional Intelligence: A 21st Century Skill for Children and Adults” June 6 -9, 2010 For details, go to: www.naeyc.org/institute/ Florida Family Child Care Home Association 18th Annual Conference “Enhancing Our Minds” June 22-27, 2010 Clearwater Beach, FL More info: www.familychildcare.org

In Tampa

January 28, 2010 $59.99 Introductory Offer when you register online!

For details, registration & payment information: www.proeea.com PROEEA Presents 14455 Tierra Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 264-1674

10 02 E . P a l m Av e n u e • Ta m p a , FL 33 6 0 5

Remember to Submit Your ‘Hands’ by March 10, 2010 Children’s Week and the Week of the Young Child were established as special times to shine a bright light on children’s issues and to speak up and speak out on behalf of our tiniest citizens!

Annually, as part of Children’s Week events held in Tallahassee, over 100,000 paper cut-outs of children’s hands grace the Florida Capitol Rotunda for an entire week as a reminder to legislators and child advocates that we must take great care of our children. We encourage schools, child care centers, family child care homes, and even individuals to take part in this time honored tradition.

In 2010 we will also be ‘Hanging the Hands’ locally at the 2010 Week of the Young Child Family Fun Day Celebration which will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Just as in the past - - We need your help in making those hands to display in Tallahassee and locally! You get them to us and we’ll make sure they get to Tallahassee! Questions about the Hands? Call Betsy Drake at (813) 744-8941 x 232.

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #949 TAMPA, FL 33605

BY WED., MARCH 10, 2010 DELIVER YOUR HANDS TO ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County 1002 E. Palm Avenue, Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33605 School District of Hillsborough County Net Park Business Center 5701 E. Hillsborough Avenue, Suite 2301 - c/o CCR&R Tampa, FL 33610 Early Childhood School Readiness Programs - North Tampa Office 9303 North Florida Avenue, Suite 104 Tampa, FL 33612

HillsborougH County HealtH Department The Leader In ProTecTIng The PubLIc’s heaLTh Immunizations Work!

Immunizations

FREE to all children who have no immunization insurance coverage. Medicaid accepted at all health department clinics.

Always

Keep a copy of your child’s immunization record and take it to every healthcare visit. It is a vital piece of information!

INFLUENZA SEASON IS UPON US

Take time to get a flu vaccine and get your child vaccinated, too. Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs. This includes cleaning your hands often and covering your coughs and sneezes (it’s best to use a tissue and then, throw the tissue away).

TELL YOUR CHILD TO:

Stay away from people who are sick Clean hands often Keep hands away from face Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others

12 – 15 MONTHS All children should have completed the basic immunization schedule by 12-15 months of age. Be sure your baby is complete.

SCHOOL READINESS

Your children can receive their boosters for kindergarten as early as 4 years of age. Immunizations for 7th grade entry can be received in the 5th and 6th grades. Don’t wait. Get ready for school now and avoid the rush.

Hillsborough County Health Department Immunization Sites Crosstown Immunizations 4591-B East Adamo Drive, Ste. 210 Tampa, FL 33605 813-307-8077

North Hillsborough

Floyd Kelton

Hillsborough County Health Department

http://hillscountyhealth.org/immunizations/immun_main.htm The mission of the Hillsborough County Health Department: Promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida.

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications are being archived for at least three years and may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

4704 Montgomery Ave. Tampa, FL 33616 813-307-8055

Plant City

Joyce Ely

205 14th Avenue S.E. Ruskin, FL 33570 813-307-8056

302 N. Michigan Ave. Plant City, FL 33566 813-307-8057

9827 N. Sheldon Rd. Tampa, FL 33615 813-307-8053

University Area

13601 N. 22nd Street Tampa, FL 33613 813-307-8058

Sulphur Springs

8605 N. Mitchell Ave. Tampa, FL 33604 813-307-8054 PARENTGUIDE.COM 29

Healthier Kitchens

By Pamela Ray

A HEALTHIER KITCHEN IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE food. It’s also about how you cook it, store it, serve it and clean around it. A number of toxic chemicals reside in most kitchens, yet most families don’t even know their names. Learning the dangers that lurk in your home and making changes in the products you buy can reduce your family’s exposure to dangerous chemicals and help save the earth at the same time.

Today’s modern environment exposes children to more than 80,000 chemicals, most of which did not exist fifty years ago and are registered for use in commerce in the United States. These chemicals are used in a variety of daily items like plastics, household cleaners and personal care products. Federal law does not require pre-market safety testing for products that contain many of these chemicals. And of the 15,000 most commonly used chemicals, more than 80% have not been tested for potential health effects on children and none have been tested for health effects when they interact with one another. Because of this lack of testing, the health effects on children are not really known.

Child health activists point to the increase of childhood diseases. The incidence of cancer in children jumped 26% between 1975 and 1998 and is the secondleading killer of American children, after injuries. The percentage of children with asthma has risen more than 200% from 1980 to today and that rate is rising more rapidly in pre-school-aged children than in any age group. Allergic dermatitis (itchy rash) has increased over 300% from the 1960s to the 1990s. Hay fever is now believed to affect up to 40% of children. Diagnoses for ADHD and autism have jumped almost 400% in the last twenty years. Autism now afflicts one of every 150 American children.

30 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

Hazardous chemical ingredients in household products fall into these major categories: 1. Carcinogens that cause cancer and/or promote cancer’s growth 2. Endocrine disruptors that mimic human hormones and are linked to reduced fertility, premature puberty, miscarriage, menstrual problems, challenged immune systems, abnormal prostate size, ADHD, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certain cancers.

3. Neurotoxins alter neurons, affecting brain activity, causing a range of problems from headaches to loss of intellect.

Busy parents don’t always have the time or know where to go to find important information about the products they use. And if they do, much of that information is difficult to interpret. A breakdown of chemicals is listed in the sidebar to this article, “Know Their Names.”

Plastics: Storing and Serving Food

Plastic is everywhere and so who would think this pervasive modern invention could be dangerous to our health? Unfortunately for plastic lovers, researchers have found that some plastics leach harmful chemical into foods and drinks, especially when it comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners and when exposed to excessive moisture.

More than 100 studies have found unhealthy issues with Bisphenol A or BPA, but not enough for the EPA to make a ruling. So EPA or not, many families are wising up about BPA and its other dangerous partners, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and phthalate. Many plastic items contain these chemicals, including baby bottles, plastic bowls and take-out food containers.

Plastics come in different forms and knowing what’s what can be confusing. First, learn the plastic numbering system (1 – 7) and start looking for the triangle symbol on the bottom of plastics used for identification. The safer choices to use with food are 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Learn to recognize, and then avoid, polycarbonate (number 7) for food usage. Polycarbonate plastics are hard and clear. Common items made from this BPA-containing plastic are food storage containers, baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, bowls and tableware. Also avoid #3, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and #6, polystyrene.

“I routinely flip everything over to see what number is on the bottom,” said Cindy N., mother of four in Palm Harbor. “When shopping, I just have to remember 7 – 3 – 6. Don’t buy anything with a 7, a 3 or a 6.”

Some tips for using plastic more safely in the kitchen: • Retire old plastic containers that are heavily worn or scratched as they tend to leach increasing amounts of toxins as they age.

• Be careful serving and storing hot foods or foods made with fats or oils in plastic containers. These foods more readily facilitate the transfer of plastic toxins.

• Never microwave foods in plastic containers.

“Microwave safe” means the container won’t melt or warp, but doesn’t mean it won’t leach. Heating plastics increases the potential for leaching of chemicals into your food.

• Never microwave food in yogurt tubs, take-out bowls or other one-time use containers. These containers can warp or melt, possibly causing harmful chemicals to migrate into the food.

• Avoid using plastic sandwich bags or plastic wrap products or make sure the brand is free from both BPA and PVC. Ziploc, Glad and Saran are promoted as being free of BPA and PVC – but keep in mind these plastics live for 1,000 years in our landfills.

Remember that if you are pregnant or nursing, BPA chemicals are passed through your bloodstream directly to your baby.

“Getting rid of plastics in the kitchen really wasn’t that hard,” said Michelle M., mother of three in Tampa. “I switched to stainless steel and glass storage containers and then dumped all the cheap plastic and melamine plates in exchange for my mom’s old Corelle dishes. I feel so much better knowing my children are a little safer at home.”

Moms have options now. Baby bottles made from glass and sippy cups made of stainless steel can now be found at most discount stores and online. Even lunch containers are going plastic free for good health and to reduce waste. According to Kids Konserve (Kidkonserve.com), the average child generates 67 pounds of lunchtime trash per year.

Their Waste-Free Lunch Kit has stainless steel bowls and beverage bottle, plus a reusable sandwich wrap.

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Healthier Kitchens continued Toxic Household Cleaners

As far as glass goes, Pyrex has stood the test of time as a durable option for cooking, storage and serving. Discount stores carry child-size glass dishes, including Corelle, a hit from the 70’s, which is lightweight glass that resists chipping. These staples from the past may not be as colorful, cheap or convenient as plastic, but peace of mind is well worth the switch.

Non-stick Cookware

Today’s Teflon-coated pans were first marketed as The Happy Pan in 1961. Housewives marveled at their non-stick capabilities and they grew in popularity through the decades.

However, the chemical that is Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), has created some not-so-happy controversy about its safety to animals and humans. There are no official government warnings about PTFE at this time, but here a few tips about using them more safely.

• Don’t overheat a non-stick pan. Use it with low or medium heat only. Leaving it on the burner could cause it release unhealthy chemicals that have been known to kill pet birds. Once a pan has been overheated, discard it.

• If a pan has been chipped or scraped, toss it to avoid chemicals leaching into food.

• Avoid purchasing low end pots and pans as they may only have one to two layers of non-stick coating. The best quality pans have seven layers of coating and pose a smaller risk. To test, rub the surface. If you feel tiny ridges, there’s probably only one layer. A good nonstick finish is smooth with a matte finish. If it’s shiny, it’s been coated with silicon and that’s a definite NO for cooking with animal fats.

• PTFE can block the action of estrogen in our bodies and cause harm to lungs. If you’d rather avoid nonstick altogether, then go with traditional cookware like cast iron, stainless steel, anodized aluminum or enamelcoated cast iron. For affordable enamel-coated cast iron cookware, go to Greencookingpots.com.

32 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

Why is it that most cleaning products bear the warning “Keep Out of Reach of Children” in bold type on the label?

Consumer may mistakenly believe that if children don’t ingest these products they will not be harmed by them. Truth is the most common methods of exposure are absorption through the skin and inhaling chemicals into the respiratory tract. We use them in combinations on a typical cleaning day, so it’s possible for a house to contain a mixture of fumes at one time.

While a home may “smell” clean, it’s the fumes and residue you smell. Bear in mind that children pick up that residue on floors, counters, highchair trays, toys and bathtubs – all places that little hands touch before going into the mouth.

The scientific lingo on labels can challenge even the most conscientious parent. Or as in the case of Lysol 4 in 1 All Purpose Cleaner, the very small type on the back of the label is not readable through the liquid. To simplify matters, know that cleaning products are required by law to use one of three words to describe the level of danger: 1. Caution - One ounce to one pint may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male 2. Warning - One teaspoon to one ounce may be harmful or fatal to a 180-pound male 3. Danger - One taste to one teaspoon is fatal to a 180-pound male

A simple rule of thumb is to avoid using any product that reads “Warning” or “Danger.” Research the chemicals listed on product labels through the Household Products Database (www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov), the Cosmetics Database (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com), Toxnet (www.toxnet. nlm.nih.gov) and Scorecard (www.scorecard.org).

The safest course of action a consumer can take is to be informed and make an effort to know their products. Avoid products with fragrances. A clean home should smell like nothing at all. Purchase cleaners that are made from good, old-fashioned common ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, washing soda, lemon juice and borax. Indigo Wild produces a line of cleaners call Zum Clean that can be found at Whole Foods Market. Their Sink & Surface Scrub and Granite & Countertop Cleaner are free from toxic chemicals and actually work.

For someone who’d rather go homemade rather than seek out the right products to buy, here is an easy recipe for a general household cleaner. Perhaps pool together other moms and make a large recipe at one time or share with others as gifts.

Healthy Household Cleaner Mix together

1 Tbsp of Borax powder (find it in the laundry aisle of your supermarket) 3 Tbsp of white vinegar 2 cups of water 1 tablespoon of dish soap 1 drop of essential oil such as peppermint for fragrance (optional) Pour into a reusable spray bottle.

For a simple toy cleaner, fill a spray bottle with nonchlorine bleach (3% hydrogen peroxide) and wipe with a paper towel.

Dishwashing detergent is harsh and full of chemicals you probably don’t want on your dishes. Use this environmentally friendly dishwasher soap instead:

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Mix together 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax, 1/2 cup salt, and 1/2 cup citric acid. Store tightly covered in a Mason Jar. Use one tablespoon per load. Add vinegar to the rinse dispenser for the best results.

Made by Arm and Hammer, washing soda can be found at Amazon.com, if not at a local store. Borax is usually found in the laundry aisle. Kosher salt is with the spices and if you can’t find food-grade citric acid like Fruit Fresh, use unsweetened lemonade packets.

Know their Names Pesticides. Common sense tells us that killing household germs protects our health. However disinfectants are pesticides, and the ingredients in pesticides often include carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Pesticides are fat-soluble, making them difficult to eliminate from the body once ingested. Pesticides, including disinfectants, may also include alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

These lower the surface tension of liquids and help cleaning solutions spread more easily over the surface to be cleaned and penetrate solids. APEs are found in detergents, disinfectants, allpurpose cleaners and laundry cleansers. They are also found in many self-care items including spermicides, sanitary towels and disposable diapers. APEs are endocrine disruptors.

Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a preservative, germicide, bactericide and fungicide. It is found in household cleaners, disinfectants, nail polish and other personal care products.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

Organochlorines (OCs). A combination of hydrogen and carbon, some types are highly deadly, such as DDT. OCs are bioaccumulative which means they collect in bodies. OCs are present in pesticides, detergents, de-greasers and bleaches. OCs are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

Styrene. A substance derived from the styrax tree that is used in plastics such as plastic food wrap, insulated cups, floor waxes, polishes and metal cleaners.

Styrene is a known carcinogen as well as an endocrine disruptor.

Exposure may affect the central nervous system, liver and reproductive system.

Phthalates. Phthalates are most commonly used in the manufacture of plastics.

Phthalates are also used as carriers for perfumes and air fresheners and as skin penetration enhancers for products such as moisturizers. These chemicals are classified as inert and have no product-labeling requirements.

They are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens. Phthalates are known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems. Pregnant women are the most at risk, because phthalates can enter the womb and expose the fetus during critical periods of development.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

VOCs are emitted as gases suspending themselves in the air. VOCs include an array of chemicals and are present in perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and deodorizers.

VOC compounds pose a variety of human health hazards and collectively are thought to be reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in polycarbonate plastic products such as baby bottles and in the resins of can liners for most food products in order to stave off bacterial contamination of the product and to increase shelf life.

There has been great concern over the safety of Bisphenol A, particularly in baby bottles and liquid baby formula cans, as the chemical can leach. BPA, in the body, is thought to mimic the hormone Estrogen, which has raised concern regarding its possible effects on hormonal development. Canada is the first and only country to identify Bisphenol A as a toxic substance and ban its use in a food grade product.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) commonly referred to as vinyl, is the most hazardous plastic on the market.

PVC is dangerous to human health and the environment. Some chemicals that are released during the PVC life cycle are mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, all of which have been proven to be harmful to human health.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the chemical used in the manufacture of Teflon and other non-stick pans. PTFE may be linked to respiratory disorders and chemical pneumonia. It has also been known to kill household birds when a pan is overheated.

34 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

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Unexpected Poisonings

By Pamela Ray

ON THE PRE-NATAL TO-DO LIST, ALONG WITH choosing a name and picking out nursery furniture, is the important task of child proofing the home. Parents buy cabinet latches, baby gates and outlet plugs. Poisons are locked up or moved up and all seems fine until baby becomes a super sleuth from around two years of age until six.

According to JoAnn Chambers-Emerson, RN, BSN, of the Florida Poison Information Center, most poisonings occur under the age of six. Additionally, 70 percent of accidental poisonings can be treated at home under the advice of the Poison Center so a trip to the emergency room isn’t always necessary. And while less than one percent of accidental poisonings result in death, parents need to always be aware of the unexpected.

Diaper bag dangers: You wouldn’t carry bleach in your diaper bag, but it is still likely to contain items that are dangerous if ingested or inhaled – baby oil, baby power with talc, hand sanitizer gel, toothache gel with benzocaine and infant cold medicine. A parent’s bag may contain mouthwash, cigarettes, nicotine patches and perfume. All of these items pose great risk. For instance, sanitizer gel is 67 percent alcohol and just two sips can cause baby’s blood sugar to plummet. And choking on oils can cause droplets to enter the lungs resulting in chemical pneumonia. To read more about diaper bag dangers, go to ParentGuide.com

38 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

A change from routine: Other people can cause an unexpected situation. How many times have you conducted your own hazard search when you visit someone else’s home? Have you ever asked a guest in your home about the contents of the handbag? Seems that most parents do a good job of controlling access at home under normal circumstances, but it’s the parties, reunions, trips, guests and distractions that catch supervising adults off guard. Because as most parents know, if there’s an inch of opportunity those little super sleuths will find anything and everything they shouldn’t have.

Grandparents: About 20 percent of the time an accidental incident happens in the presence of a grandparent and the primary culprit is prescription medicine stored in nonchild resistant containers, such as portable pill containers and plastic bags. It only takes a split second for a young child to find the container and eat the “candy.” ChambersEmerson says that many elderly patients do not know the name or dosage of the drugs they take and that makes it harder for emergency personnel to treat the child. Many common medications taken by older patients can be deadly to children in small doses.

Child-proof the houses of elderly relatives if they will be caring for children.

Rx drugs and teens: Access to prescription drugs is an issue for older children in the home, too, as teenage drug abuse is growing at an alarming rate.

Teens are stealing drugs from their parents’ friends, grandparents and anywhere else they get their hands on prescription drugs.

Dangerous drug cocktails are killing teens and parents need to be sure all medicines are locked up and disposed of properly.

“People are even touring homes for sale to steal medicines,” said Chambers-Emerson. “That’s how bad it is.”

Look-alikes: Another type of accidental poisoning is due to the look-alike nature of many liquids and pills. “Raspberry Powerade and Windex look the same. Apple juice and Pine Sol look the same.

If someone transfers a cleaner to a smaller container like a used water bottle, a child will not know the difference.” It’s the same with pills. Some look like Skittles, M&M’s or mints” said ChambersEmerson.

• Avoid leaving any medication (nutritional supplement, over-the-counter products, prescription, or vitamin) unattended or within easy reach of children.

• Avoid leaving medications in non–child-resistant containers.

• Don’t leave pocketbooks, purses, tote bags, or jackets containing medication on the floor or within easy reach of children—even if the medications are in child-resistant containers.

• Anticipate that children are natural explorers and will taste-test everything. To a child, pills look like candy.

• Be aware that children will get into places they shouldn’t go.

• When traveling, bring only the amount of medication necessary for the duration of the visit. Keep a list of the names and doses of each medication with an accurate pill count. These precautions ensure that, if a child does get into the medications, ingestion will be kept to a minimum and pertinent information will be available to emergency personnel.

Poison Myths Myth #1: Putting products up high will prevent poisonings. Children learn to climb.

“Mistaken identity is common. I met a woman whose young son ate a candy from the Tic Tac box in her purse. Turned out she kept her Xanax in there so no one would know. Fortunately he only ate one. And there was the woman who went out of town and left a note for her dog sitter. But the note wasn’t read and the sitter proceeded to eat a bowl of cheese cubes laced with thyroid medicine for a Chihuahua.”

Myth #2: Use of “natural” products prevents poisonings. Plants are natural and can be poisonous.

Natural home remedies and health food products may be hazardous to children or to adults in certain situations.

March 14 – 20, 2010 is National Poison Prevention Week.

ParentGuide® and the Florida Poison Information Center encourage parents to know the poisons in and out of their homes and take all necessary precautions to stop accidental poisonings.

When in doubt, call the Poison Center at (800) 222-1222.

Myth #4: All dangerous products are behind latched cabinets. Latches and locks are a great way to reduce access to hazards. But some poisons might be out: perfume, plants, potpourri, lamp oil, cigarettes, mixed drinks, etc.

Myth #3: My child won’t eat bad-tasting things.

Some children are more likely to be adventurous than others, but many children eat yucky things like feces, batteries, coins, mothballs, spit tobacco, roaches, etc.

First Aid for Poisonings Poison in the eye: Rinse with a gentle stream of water.

Inhaled poison: Get in fresh air.

Poison on the skin: Rinse with water. Use a mild liquid soap to remove poison if needed.

Swallowed poison: Do NOT try to make the victim vomit. Offer some sips of water.

Call the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately to see what needs to be done next.

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ALL CHILDREN CAN HAVE A QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT IS ESSENTIAL IN BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is your first resource for information on early childhood care and education services and programs in Hillsborough County.

• Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) • School Readiness Programs and Services • Child Care Resource & Referral Services

www.elchc.org 1002 E. Palm Avenue, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33605 Ph (813) 202-1000 Fax (813) 204-1711

DUNEDIN ACADEMY

"Where Leaders of tomorrow are developed today" Pre-school, Elementary, Middle School, and High School • Nationally recognized, safe school environment • Small school/individualized instruction • Fully accredited/non-denominational • Scholarships available • Certified, degreed teachers, computers, foreign language & character education • Pre-school hours: 6:30-6:00 pm • As seen in Better Homes & Gardens and Town & Country magazine • #1 private school in Pinellas • Private tutoring

1408 County Road 1, Dunedin 727-580-2042 727-733-9148

www.dunedinacademy.com

40 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

LIC # C920745

Explore Magnet Options...

• Smaller schools • Cutting-edge technology • Video Conferencing • Distance Learning

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

• Theme-based instruction •

Advanced Course Scholars Programs

•

Advanced Placement Programs

•

Animal Science

•

Environmental Science

•

Health Explorations

•

International Baccalaureate

•

Math and Science

•

Performing Arts Visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/magnet or call (813) 272-4692 for details.

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Earth Day Around the Bay

by J.C. Weir

Island EarthDays 2010 at Honeymoon Island State Park

Saturday, April 17 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, April 18 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Fun for the whole family with live music & entertainment on big outdoor stage, a Hawaiian Outrigger Race, the Sharkbite Challenge Kayak Race, bungee jumping and rock wall, fresh seafood, beverages, arts and crafts, local vendors, guided walks and presentations. Also for the kids the “Osprey Village” nature education area and crafts.

For more information visit Islandparks.org.

2010 Earth Day Tampa Bay at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa Sunday, April 18 from 11 am to 4 pm.

This annual event will feature eco-friendly exhibitors offering products, information and demonstrations on ways to help you create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, including natural and organic products and services for the home and garden, mind, body and soul. See displays on energy and water conservation, arts and crafts and exhibits by community organizations and clubs, including city and county departments. Extras include a children’s activity area, live music and entertainment and food vendors. Admission and parking are free!

Party for the Planet – Enrichment Day at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa

24th Annual Green Thumb Festival at Walter Fuller Park, St. Petersburg April 24 & 25, 2010 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual city festival celebrates both Arbor Day and Earth Day with environmental and horticultural exhibits, vendors (with every kind of plant imaginable), the Garden Club of St. Petersburg Flower Show, a grow and share program, a diagnostic clinic (bring soil and water samples), a recycling rally, free mulch, plant auction, more than 2,000 trees for sale for $3, free Butterfly plants (500 each day), tool sharpening booth, entertainment, children’s programs, other environmental programs and exhibits, and a food court.

Pinellas County Utilities has an Earth Day T-Shirt Contest for middle school students (grades 6-8).

Design a shirt related to this year’s theme: Green is all you need. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 26, 2010.

Winners will be awarded shirts printed with the winning design and be recognized at their school. For contest rules and entry form go to Pinellascounty.org/utilities/kids.

Happy Earth Day!

Saturday, April 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the living Earth at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo with a day of family fun and discovery. Learn new ways to connect to the environment and make a difference in conservation by spending the day with the animals who share our planet. Enjoy a wide variety of animal enrichment activities, educational displays and exhibits throughout the Zoo. Enrichment Day activities are included with Zoo admission.

From The ParentGuide©

42 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

“Capturing what’s Real” To arrange your photo session contact Shannon Livingston at 727-784-5522 or visit us at www.shannonlivingston.com

Real Kids Real Parents Real Answers The ParentCoach

Dr. Felicia Your Reality Check on Parenting For more information about Dr. Felicia visit parentguide.com

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Invent Now Kids proudly presents the wonder and excitement of the Camp Invention program. Led by local educators, this engaging program immerses children in grades one through six in hands-on, inquiry-based activities disguised as fun! Discounts are available — register today!

presents...

SUMMER VPK June 7 - August 9, 2010

Primavera Preschool 13601 W. Hillsborough Ave 813-855-6718 Infants to Kindergarten • VPK provider Hours 7:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

For local information contact: Danute Krebs at 630.431.7754 or ricandnute@ sbcglobal.net

www.primaverapreschool.com UNLEASHING CREATIVE GENIUS...

ONE CHILD AT A TIME

www.campinvention.org • 800.968.4332 In partnership with: United States Patent and Trademark Office © 2009 Invent Now, Inc. All rights reserved. Photography: © Ableimages/Getty Images

44 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

• Highly qualified staff • Nurturing and fun environment urturing • Traditional education with qualified curriculum raditional • Nutritional lunches and snacks provided utritional • Clean, spacious & colorful facility lean, • Indoor and outdoor playgrounds ndoor • Security cameras and secure access ecurity • Family owned and operated amily

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Multi-age classes for individual accelerated learning Challenging and enriching academic curriculum Robotics, computers, culinary arts, and music Hydroponics Organic Gardening & Organic Lunches Traditional calendar and year round Montessori programs Accredited Montessori Teacher Training Center

Please join us for an open house at the Nebraska Campus Every Thursday morning 10:00am – 12:00pm or call to schedule a tour and Receive a $150 voucher

East Lake Campus 1961 East Lake Road Palm Harbor, FL 34685 Phone 727-781-8980 Nebraska Campus 2355 Nebraska Avenue Palm Harbor, FL 34683 Phone 727-786-1854

TAMPA BAY

They Deserve To Be In A Safe Learning Environment Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas, Inc

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Go to www.childcarepinellas.org for the percentage of federal funds.

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The Original Resource for the Whole Family 46 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

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Play inTHISour Parks SUMMER! Whether your child is into sports, arts and crafts, group games, or a little bit of everything, we are sure to have something for them!

Check Out our Specialty Camps Mangrove Marcus Adventure Camps

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47

In Celebration of Earth Day ParentGuide速 asked some local school children what they will do to make the earth a better place for all

Compiled by Christine Park

I WILL...

When I grow up, I will plant a tree.

Replace my old lightbulbs with compact fluorescent energy saving lightbulbs, Ben, 14 Recycle by picking up any cans I see by the road side, Sasha 14 Plant plants, Zach, 14 Pick up trash on the playground to keep God's creation clean, Sarah, 10 Recycle my plastic bottles, Ean, 11 Throw all my littler away into recycling bins instead of throwing it on the ground, Carter, 11 Respect the plants and walk on the sidewalk, Joshua 12 Pick up the broken glass because I do not want anybody to step on the glass and get hurt, Sadie, 8 Help produce more oxygen. Oxygen is good for people and our environment. I will ask if I may plant trees., Savannah, 9 Help save water, because it helps the people to live. When I wash my hands, I will turn the water off, Ryann, 8 Car-pull with my friend. It helps the environment. I will do it with my friend because he lives next to me, Noah, 9 Recycle plastic because plastic is bad for the environment, Yasmina, 9 Stop picking fruit when it's not ripe. People will not like it when it is not ripe and they just want to throw it away, Jada, 8 Save water. I will plug the sink when I wash the dishes. Gianna, 9 Make an animal sanctuary for wildlife because some animals are losing their nature habitats, Austen, 8

ParentGuide速 thanks the students of Suncoast Waldorf School and Odessa Christian School for their contributions and WhenIGrowupIwill.com for the inspiration and the T-shirts.

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50 ParentGuide: Happy, Healthy Families Spring 2010

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FOR PARENTS WHO EXPECT MORE

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