Head Start Family News News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • February 2021 Director’s Corner
February Offers Many Reasons to Celebrate Hello Head Start!
family plan that encourages exercise Here we are in the second month of 2021 already! In and healthy eating habits! Exercise, February we recognize Black History and Heart Health can be as simple as committing to taking a walk every day. month as well as Valentine’s Day. Did you know that the first black women to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry, was Marie Maynard Daly? She’s pictured below in her lab. One of her contributions to medical science was the relationship between cholesterol and hypertension, which of course affect the heart.
Also, take this opportunity to create a meal menu and discuss healthy eating habits together as a family. Last but not least, keep up with your annual physicals and doctor appointments.
What a great opportunity it would be to create a
In the United States we simply celebrate the day with love, romance and friendship. I like to think of it as a day we can tell someone how much we appreciate them - a simple gesture, but one that could mean so much to someone. That’s another great family activity you can do together!
Speaking of the heart, Valentine’s Day or St. Valentine’s as it is also called is Sunday, February 14. These two conditions are very important concerning This day’s origin has a lot of mystery in it, but began heart health. We know that exercise and diet are critical in Rome, Italy with the celebration of the Festival of Lupercalia. to our overall health.
As we continue to move through the beginning of 2021, it is our goal to possibly re-open some classrooms, when it is safe, for children who will be transitioning to kindergarten. We will certainly communicate when and if we have this opportunity.
This photo is from an April 2020 Charged Magazine article. Learn more about Dr. Daly by reading the article at this link: http://chargedmagazine. o r g / 2 0 2 0 / 0 4 / h i d d e n - f i g u re s - b e y o n d - m a r i e maynard-daly/
Until then, please engage in our virtual learning through ClassTag, and participate in all of the wonderful learning activities that our Head Start staff is providing.
Head Start Works! www.lccaa.net 1-888-245-2009
Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. Head Start Director
Children Build Skills While They Pretend If you were asked to name the best toy ever, what would you say? A Barbie doll? Nintendo? A Cabbage Patch Kid? In 2011, Wired magazine put out their list of the “5 Best Toys of All Time.” The list contained, in order: a stick, a box, string, cardboard tubes and dirt. At first this seems like some sort of a joke. Why would an electronics magazine select these ordinary objects? Think about it. All of these items can become other things. A stick can be the oar to your box that becomes a boat, while the cardboard tube makes a great language, problem solving and telescope. Another stick and some social-emotional skills. These string make a great fishing pole! skills all lead to future academic The best part? They can become success, so pretend play should be different things when this game is encouraged in every household. The best way to do this is to create over. According to Scholastic magazine, a prop box for your child. It doesn’t pretend play involves using an have to be full of expensive items, object to represent something else just start off with some of the items by giving it action and motion. In listed by Wired. You can also add doing so, your child is building such things as clothing, hats, shoes,
cooking and eating utensils, and old books and magazines. Don’t forget writing utensils! Your child can be encouraged to create signs, menus or anything else that goes along with their pretend play. Don’t forget to add yourself, but let your child be the boss. Pretend play also builds those important leadership skills.
Finding Screen Free Family Activities
special place for books and magazines. Ask an older child or other family member to read to a younger child Children are learning all the time. Head Start has and to you. compiled a list of activities that can become part of your Outside the Home daily routines or just a fun day. Learning for children is Children should go outdoors every day for exercise, fun. Learning and playing with your children can also fresh air and fun. You and your children will have be fun for parents and grandparents. greater freedom outdoors to jump, hop, swing, look, In a world of virtual learning, it can be difficult to find activities that don’t involve screens.
In the Kitchen
and listen. Let your children make noise! Remind them In the kitchen, you and your children can do many about any rules you have for playing outside. Talk about all the things you and your children see in things together: put away groceries, prepare meals and snacks, set the table. Your children will feel good about the sky, near the house or apartment their successes as they use their large and small muscles Look up toward the sky at different times of the day and look for shapes and colors. with your children. Read to your children each day.
For more ideas, visit: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs. Give your children a chance to imitate reading to gov/parenting/article/fun-learning-parents-childrenyou from magazines, books, and newspapers. Have a activities-handbook.
Anxious Times Call for Calming Steps
Let’s face it, we have not been living our “normal” lives for quite some time. Not only has your own life been disrupted, so have the lives of everyone in your family - including its youngest members. Children are very sensitive to disruptions and their lack of communication skills may make it difficult to express this to you. The language they use may come in the form of misbehavior or regression (as in a pottytrained child having accidents). Here are some tips to help you through anxious days: Deal with your own anxiety first. Stop and take a few deep breaths before delivering any news that may upset your children. They will take cues from your demeanor. Turn off the news! There are many troubling statistics and events being reported, and most are not appropriate for little ears or eyes. If your child is showing regression by having accidents or baby-talking, do not overreact. Negative attention can reinforce a behavior. Create a “safe spot” for your child. Use pillows, blankets, books or other comfort items to make a space your child can visit to regain a sense of calm. Get outside! Fresh air and exercise do wonders in changing a mood. Create routines. Children thrive on predictable schedules. If you don’t have a morning or bedtime routine, this is a great time to set one. Even better, create a visual schedule that shows each step of the routine (bedtime story, kiss, go to sleep). Try to stay within five steps or it may be too overwhelming. Finally, remember that your Head Start partners are here to help. We can teach breathing techniques, help create picture schedules, or just be here to listen. If you want further assistance or tips, you can also reach out to our Mental Health Consultant, Donna Jezewski at 440-7520039, or by email at donna.jezewski@ ohioguidestone.org.
February 3 is World Read Aloud Day Join millions of readers around the world by celebrating World Read Aloud Day on Feb. 3.
LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day in 2010 in celebration of the power of reading aloud to create community, to amplify new stories and to advocate for literacy. Studies show that daily reading aloud to children puts them almost a year ahead of children who do not receive daily read alouds regardless of income, education level or cultural background. For more information on World Read Aloud Day, including activities you can do with your child and storytelling tips, visit our Learning Resources page: https://www.lccaa.net/programs/head_start/learning_ resources.
Good Oral Health Habits Start Early February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life. Realization of the importance of early oral health has grown along with the American Dental Association’s event. Beginning in 1941 with a one-day event in Cleveland and a weeklong event in Akron, the ADA created the national observance day in 1949. It grew to a month long awareness campaign in 1981.
formula, breast milk or water in a baby’s bottle. Juice or sweet drinks are not healthy for your baby and can cause sickness and tooth decay. Water Your Pacifiers: Never dip a pacifier in honey, sugar or anything sweet because this coats the mouth and teeth with sugar. Never clean off a pacifier by putting it in your own mouth.
My Gums are Tender: Your baby might drool, be more cranky than normal, and have sore, swollen gums while teeth break through gums. Use a clean, cold teething Head Start uses the I Am ring, cold spoon or clean finger to Moving I Am Learning curriculum rub baby’s gums. enhancement to teach healthy Sugar Free Lullaby: Do not put habits. Their mascot “Choosy” your baby to sleep with a bottle or provides the following tips for early sippy cup of milk or juice because oral health: this can cause cavities. Singing lullabies helps your child go to sleep Choosy Babies and does not cause cavities! Babies Need Healthy Mouths: Baby Teeth Are Important: As Even before you see the first tooth, soon as baby teeth appear, cavities wipe your baby’s gums after feeding can start. Use an infant toothbrush and before bedtime using a clean, and water to clean baby’s first teeth. damp wash cloth wrapped around your finger. Choosy Toddlers What’s In That Bottle?: Put only
bottles before laying down for bed, otherwise your child’s drink may irritate or damage teeth while sleeping. Never put your child to bed with a propped up bottle. Try a Cup When Year One is Up: Try to have your child start drinking from a cup around 12 to 14 months.
Safe Sippy Cups: For mouth safety, make sure your child is Toddler Toothpaste: By 2 years sitting down, not walking or running old, start using a tiny dot of fluoride while drinking from a sippy cup. toothpaste (smaller than a pea) when Don’t Lose Baby Teeth to you brush your toddler’s teeth. Cavities: It’s important to keep Spit Don’t Rinse: Have your toddler spit out the toothpaste after brushing, but don’t rinse with water. The toothpaste that stays in your toddler’s mouth will coat teeth with fluoride that strengthens and protects them.
baby teeth cavity free because they help your child speak, chew and keep the space open for the next set of teeth.
Cup or Sippy Cup? A sippy cup is not a bottle and it’s not a pacifier. Unless it’s being used at meal time Bottle Free Naps and Bedtime: with milk, fill a sippy cup ONLY Finish bedtime and naptime with water.
For more tips and activities to teach good habits, visit www.ada.org/NCDHM2021.
Partner Spotlight: Case Western Dental Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine is taking the lead to fight against early childhood cavities, the number one chronic infectious disease in children in America.
By partnering with Head Start, the goal is to take preventive measures to reduce the number of children sent to the operating room for dental treatment. Onsite, comprehensive dental exams are scheduled twice a year. This service is targeted to every Head Start child who has not seen the dentist in the last six months. Parents are encouraged to come and watch exams. Any other child under the age of eight can also receive services.
“Sesame Street” spinbrush, toothpaste, mirror, sticker of choice and a grade sheet informing parents about their child’s teeth, and whether or not follow-up care is needed. XX Educational presentations are scheduled annually for staff and parents about the importance of children’s oral health. XX Active involvement with the Health Service Advisory Committee.
XX Children are in a safe and familiar environment.
XX Service is billed to the child’s insurance, which covers dental screening costs twice a year. In the event of no insurance, the Head Start program will cover any costs.
XX Children take home their own battery-operated
XX End of the year review of completed services.
Partnership Services XX Non-invasive lap-to-lap exams.
Book of the Month: Curious George Visits the Dentist February is Dental Health Month and Head Start is wild about good dental health! Students brush their teeth every day at school and we always have dental health activities and books in the classroom. Reading books about the dentist prior
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to going will help ease children’s fears because they will know exactly what to expect. We recommend Curious George Visits the Dentist by Margaret and H.A. Rey. Remember: healthy practices established in childhood are more likely to become healthy habits later!
Make Time to Be Healthy
As a new tool this year, all LCCAA Head Start families were provided with a free email address. This is used by your teacher, family service worker and other staff to share important information. It should be checked regularly. Contact your Family Service Worker if you need help!
I Want To Be Like You! Your child will do what you do. If you eat healthier food, your child will too. Together Is Better! Have your child help set the table, make the
meal, and clean up. This is great “together” time after a busy day! Happy Talk = Happy Tummies! Talk about nice things at meals because it helps food digest better! Show your child how to chew food slowly to help with digestion. Turn Off To Tune In! At meal time, turn off phones, TVs, and computers so families can pay attention to each other. Bring everyone to the table to eat together for a family meal.
Shaping Behaviors Series Repeating
Feb. 16, 12 p.m.: Preventing Misbehavior and Meltdowns. This session will share effective strategies for setting limits.
LCCAA Head Start partner Ohio Guidestone is again offering a series of free sessions for parents who want to expand their parenting tool box.
Shaping Behaviors: Tools of the Trade begins Feb. 2 at 12 p.m. with a session on the Power of Play. All sessions are free and available via Zoom. Sessions typically run for consultant with Ohio Guidestone, one hour, with extended time given Lorain County. for discussion and questions. Zoom Other Sessions: links and passwords are posted on Feb. 9, 12 p.m.: The Art of ClassTag. Effective Praise, Encouragement The sessions are presented by and Incentives. This session will Donna Jezewski, M.Ed., LSW, help you shape the good behaviors a therapist and mental health you’d like to see more of.
Feb. 23, 12 p.m.: Reducing Misbehavior. This session includes a discussion of calming skills and effective consequences. Material for these sessions is taken from The Incredible Years, a curriculum for parent education, and Conscious Discipline, the discipline philosophy used in LCCAA Head Start classrooms. For more information, contact your teacher, family service worker or home visitor.
Getting Ahead Groups Forming Online You are not alone. Many Getting Ahead group members have said they were surprised to learn they were not the only people struggling. The friendships and insights they gained from joining the Getting Ahead group are truly life changing, they say.
Ahead “essential” to their lives Zoom regularly for eight weeks and and eagerly switched to the online discuss a wide variety of items from platform Zoom as soon as possible. Ruby Payne and Phil DeVol’s book “We have always used a ‘kitchen Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin-By table’ style setting,” Client Services World.
Coordinator and Getting Ahead Books and materials are free to Facilitator Amy Steele said. “Now, participants. Discussions include we are literally bringing the program finances, planning for changes, time management, how to negotiate and “The conversations were to your kitchen table.” fantastic,” said Head Start Policy Getting Ahead groups meet by much more. Council President Susan West, who A Facebook group specifically for recently completed the program. participants and graduates is also “And it’s just conversation. You’re active. learning and you don’t even realize The program is designed to be you’re learning.” individualized and confidence Getting Ahead is an empowering building, while examining the many program in which participants find factors that hold people back, not strengths, learn skills to become just money. financially secure and work toward Groups are forming now and personal goals. The program will continue to form. Morning, helps individuals living in poverty afternoon and evening times are build their resources for a more available. Meetings are scheduled prosperous life for themselves, their around group members’ needs. families and their communities. If you have questions or are ready Those participating in groups as to sign up, contact Steele at 440COVID-19 struck called Getting 204-3121 or asteele@lccaa.net.
Is Your Refrigerator Running? We Can Help! Nothing is worse than seeing your carbon monoxide detectors. food spoil when you’re on a tight To be eligible, clients must reside budget – unless it’s a staggering in Lorain County and live at or electric bill. LCCAA can help! below 200 percent of the Federal Community Connections is Poverty Line AND be a customer of available to Ohio Edison customers Ohio Edison. If you are currently a who think their refrigerators or HEAP or PIPP participant, you may freezers are using more energy than be qualified. Renters can qualify if they own they should. the appliances. Verification and a If our auditor determines your appliance is not working properly, waiver of liability from the landlord it can be replaced for free. The is required.
your home to audit and/or replace your appliances and lightbulbs. Our auditor will: XX Visit only one home per day. XX Wear a mask and booties. XX Clean anything he touches. Our office will call you prior to your appointment to verify you are not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.
Learn more and find out if you As long as the threat of spreading qualify by contacting Colette Park program also offers energy efficient light bulbs for all fixtures in the COVID-19 remains, we are taking at 440-204-3151 or cpark@lccaa. client’s home and, in some cases, extra measures of care when we visit net.
Winter Crisis Helps Keep You Warm
Winter heating assistance for residents who are by telephone. LCCAA’s satellite offices remain closed. without heat or threatened with disconnection remains Those with a pending disconnection notice must available in Lorain County through March 31. provide an account number during appointment Winter Crisis applicants must be living at or below scheduling to place a hold on the disconnection. 175% of the federal poverty line or have a COVID-19 Missing or rescheduling the appointment may result in diagnosis. Crisis appointments can be scheduled at app. disconnection. capappointments.com for the following reasons: If you have questions about an existing application, XX Heat has been disconnected;
XX XX XX XX
you can also call 440-245-1870 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to speak with a representative. A disconnection notice has been received; The lobby reception window at 936 Broadway Ave. You need to establish new service; in Lorain is open for one visitor at a time. Masks are You need to pay to transfer service; required. No documents are accepted at the window. A Bulk fuel users have less than a 10-day supply of weather-tight, secure document drop box is stationed at the agency’s rear lobby entrance. wood, coal, pellets, propane or oil;
Contact your family service worker or home visitor if you need help applying for this program. See our Due to COVID-19, all appointments will be conducted website for other programs currently available. XX A member of the household has had COVID-19
LCCAA is offering several programs for those impacted by COVID-19. If you need help paying your water/sewer bill, your rent or your mortgage, check our website for active programs and apply as soon as you are able. www.lccaa.net/programs
Upcoming Events at LCCAA Head Start Cascade Head Start Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution Firelands Head Start Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution Griswold Head Start *Feb. 1: Safety Meeting, 8:30 a.m. Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 17: Parent Meeting, 1:30 p.m. *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution Hopkins-Locke Head Start *Feb. 1: Safety Meeting, 10 a.m. Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution
LaGrange Head Start Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution Wellington Head Start Feb. 3: World Read Aloud Day Feb. 12: Records Day, No School Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day, No School *Feb. 18: Health Services Meeting, 9 a.m. *Feb. 18: Policy Council Meeting Feb. 22: Care Bag Distribution
Home-Based Head Start Socializations are all virtual. Early Head Start will meet Feb. 5 and 19 at 10 a.m. Head Start will meet Feb. 5 and 26 at 10 a.m. Since our students are virtual, meals will be distributed for most of our centers on the following dates: Feb. 1, Feb. 8, Feb. 16 and Feb. 22. Students at Firelands and Wellington are able to receive meals from the school districts that host our classrooms.
