Keeping Military Families Connected

On November 5, Sesame Street and The Electric Company unveiled a new collection of resources for military families.  Produced by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street and The Electric Company, these innovative resources are designed to military families stay connected and communicate during times of tremendous change and uncertainty.

Provided in cooperation with the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, these new resources include:

• FamiliesNearAndFar.org – a free bilingual website designed for military families
• Feel Electric! – a free mobile app, available on the App Store, that encourages children to explore and express their emotions
• The Electric Company Magazine Special Edition for Military Families
• The Electric Company Extended Learning Program – afterschool tools for educators, filled with literacy and math-based lesson plans, games, activities and tips.

While Sesame Street is generally associated with toddlers and preschool age children, there are also resources designed for school-age children.  They recognize that school-age kids need support in handling the challenges of being part of a military family, especially the added stress of having a parent deployed.  The Electric Company  is giving these older kids a way to express themselves.  Using the website, children (young and old) can create art, make a video, record an audio message, create a greeting card and customize a family page, including adding Sesame Street characters as friends.

Content will be distributed through multiple military channels, including Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), Boys and Girls Club of America and other programs that support military families.  CompuChild will also promote the initiative to its centers, parents and students.

Online Halloween Happenings for Kids

Looking for some online activities for the kids this Halloween.  Learn about pumpkin patches, make Halloween crafts, play some games with a Halloween twist, or create an eCard using pictures of the kids.  Check out a few of our favorites through the links below.

1. Learn about Pumpkins
2. Halloween Crafts
3. PBS Halloween Online Games
4. More Online Games and Activities
5. Create a Halloween eCard

Keep your children safe and let the kids have fun!

Sesame Street 2.0

This week, Sesame Street, a perennial favorite of parents, children and their care givers, launched their 42nd season with a new twist.  Elmo, Grover, Big Bird and friends on Sesame Street will know be learning about 21st century skills.  The show will focus on a STEM curriculum.  STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.  It is buzz word that educators and even President Obama use in an effort to bring awareness to these specific subjects where  U.S. students are falling behind their peers in other countries. animations.  While much of the focus on STEM education has been directed at older children, Sesame Street is bringing awareness to younger children.

“Sesame Street’s curriculum fosters children’s natural inclinations to ask questions and encourages investigation and experimentation in order to make new discoveries,” adds Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop.  “By approaching STEM education as an integrated discipline through the process of scientific inquiry, rather than individual domains, the curriculum helps children develop a better understanding of how things work, and builds stronger cognitive reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

According to the Sesame Street Workshop, producers of the the show, Season 42 of Sesame Street also introduces a new interstitial featuring the excitable, inquisitive and furry orange monster, Murray. In 11 new segments airing at the beginning of each STEM-related show, Murray poses a scientific question and sets up an experiment to find the best answer to his question. With help from some friends, Murray observes, investigates and discovers the answers to his questions! “Murray’s Science Experiments” furthers the season’s STEM curriculum focus and helps preschoolers say, “Let’s find out!”

With the focus on STEM education, the show will have a brand new segment “Murray’s Science Experiments;” new “Super Grover 2.0” stories and new “Abby’s Flying Fairy School.”  We are very excited to see more focus given to these disciplines.  Since 1994, CompuChild has been a supporter of technology education for young children and we are thrilled that others see the benefit as well.  What do you think of the changes to Sesame Street?

Cool Websites for Children in Preschool

I was recently asked for some of my favorite websites for preschool age children.  What are your favorites?  Here is just the start of mine.  Check back soon for a list of more websites.

www.pbskids.org A perennial favorite for parents and kids.  Enjoy your favorite television characters while playing games, coloring, videos and music.

www.sesamestreet.org Learn fun facts about Big Bird, Elmo and all the Sesame Street characters.  Play games, watch videos, and find crafts to do with your child.

www.activitytv.com Lots of great ideas for crafts, family gifts, jewelry, puppets, cooking and so much more.  Videos and written directions make learning easy for kids and parents.  Plus, different skill levels to choose from.

www.starfall.com This is a great educational site that kids enjoy too.  Comes highly recommended by educators and parents.

www.seussville.com Enjoy the writing and illustrations from these classic favorites.  This site includes interactive games, contests, and information on Dr. Seuss and his works.

www.thekidzpage.com Explore free printable & online kids games, activities, puzzles, clip art, coloring pages and online coloring.

www.fisher-price.com Online games and activities for preschoolers, toddlers and infants.  Plus find an Age-by-Age Playtime Guide, Play Tips, Parenting Help, and of course, you can check out their toys.

www.kidsholidaycrafts.com Find fun and easy craft projects, puzzles, coloring pages, etc. for many holidays or seasons.

www.professorgarfield.org Listen to music, learn to draw Garfield, read a book or build a cartoon.

www.nickjr.com Games, activities, videos, recipes and printables with all your Nick Jr. friends.

We would love to hear from you about your favorite sites for young children.  Post a comment below.

Technology Education Expanding in Oklahoma

We are pleased to announce Raylene and Dustin Hynes from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma have joined the CompuChild franchise system.  With their addition, CompuChild now provides age-appropriate computer instruction for young children in 29 states.

Both Raylene and Dustin have extensive backgrounds in education.  Dustin is a computer teacher and coach for the Broken Arrow Public Schools.  Raylene has also taught in the Broken Arrow Public Schools, as well as Union, Peckham and Skiatook school districts.

Raylene and Dustin are currently adding Tulsa area child care centers and schools to their schedule.  Affordable classes are conducted in childcare centers and preschools on a regular basis to provide children with a structured progressive curriculum in technology education while utilizing educational software.  In fun and fast-paced classes, children learn about computers in an environment that emphasizes collaboration and cooperation.

For more information about this educational and fun enrichment program, child care centers, school directors and parents in Tulsa County may call 918-251-9697 or send an email to rhynes@compuchild.com.

CompuChild Celebrates the Week of the Young Child

The Week of the Young Child is a time to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families.   Community groups and businesses throughout the country are celebrating in different ways from hosting events for children and parents to honoring those that work with young children.  This week CompuChild reaffirms our commitment to young children and all those who make a difference in children’s lives.  CompuChild is recognizing Ms. Deena Weitzel from Newtown, Pennsylvania, as Instructor of the Year.

Weitzel teaches technology enrichment classes to students in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  She currently works in four area day care centers and preschools.  Those close to Deena can see how much she loves working with children and wants to make sure that they have fun and learn at the same time.  She has a lot of patience and knows how to get them to focus on the lesson at hand.  In addition to her skills in the classroom, she is also a wonderful employee.  This combination makes her CompuChild’s 2011 Instructor of the Year.

In recognition of her achievement, CompuChild USA will make a donation to Shriners Hospitals for Children, a non-profit organization selected by Weitzel.  Shriners Hospitals for Children provides the high quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs.

The Week of the Young Child is about celebrating children and bringing awareness to children’s needs.  We are excited to recognize Weitzel’s commitment to children and glad she selected a children’s charity that has helped so many children in need.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Young Children

While their are many lists of “top” toys or “best” gift ideas lurking throughout the internet, a recent blog post by the National Association for the Education of Young Children caught my attention.  Unlike other sources, they do not mention specific toys or gift ideas.  Instead their focus is safety and age-appropriateness.

Certainly, safety is paramount.  It seems that many toys have been recalled lately for safety issues.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a list of toys that have been recalled.  Make sure to check the list to ensure children in your care are playing with safe toys.  Visit the Toy Hazard Recalls page for the listing of recalled toys.

Beyond safety, you need to find age-appropriate items for your children.  Some suggestions by age include:

Young Infants: Things to listen to—books with nursery rhymes and poems, and recordings of lullabies and simple songs.

Older Infants: Things to play pretend with—baby dolls, puppets, plastic and wood vehicles with wheels, and water toys.

1-Year Olds: Recordings with songs, rhymes, simple stories, and pictures.

2-Year Olds: CD and DVD players with a variety of music (of course, phonograph players and cassette recorders work too!)

3-6 Year Olds: If a child has access to a computer: programs that are interactive (the child can do something) and that children can understand (the software uses graphics and  spoken instruction, not just print), children can control the software’s pace and path, and children have opportunities to explore a variety of concepts on several  levels.

To check out all of their recommendations, visit the NAEYC blog.

We especially like their recommendation for 3-6 year olds.  To ensure developmentally appropriate computer use, CompuChild classes make a great gift for your child, grandchild or other special child in your life.  Check out the CompuChild website to find out if classes are offered near you.

 

New Franchisee in Indiana

CompuChild is growing in Indiana.  We are very excited to welcome Ann and Wells Arwood to the CompuChild community.  Ann and Wells live in Muncie, Indiana,  located approximately 45 northeast of Indianapolis.  Muncie is also home to Ball State University.

Ann and Wells will be working in east central Indiana communities such as Muncie, Anderson, Marion and surrounding areas to bring affordable, age-appropriate computer instruction to local childcare centers and preschools.  CompuChild classes are offered on a regular basis to provide children with a structured progressive curriculum in technology education while utilizing educational software.  In fun and fast-paced classes, children learn about computers in an environment that emphasizes collaboration and cooperation.

CompuChild is currently adding new schools to the schedule.  For more information about this educational and fun enrichment program in east central Indiana, local child care centers, school directors and parents may call 765-749-4518 or email aarwood@compuchild.com.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities for classes or franchising in another locale, please contact the corporate office at 1-800-619-KIDS or info@compuchild.com.

Franchise Growing in South Florida

We are very excited to expand the CompuChild presence in Florida to ten franchise units.  We would like to officially welcome Dena Iagrossi from Deerfield Beach, FL to the CompuChild community.  Dena lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida just north of Fort Lauderdale.

With Dena’s assistance, we can now offer affordable, age-appropriate computer instruction conducted in childcare centers and preschools to even more of Florida’s young children.  Dena will be serving northern Broward and southern Palm Beach Counties, including Florida communities such as Boyton Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach and Pompano Beach.

CompuChild classes are offered on a regular basis to provide children with a structured progressive curriculum in technology education while utilizing educational software.  In fun and fast-paced classes, children learn about computers in an environment that emphasizes collaboration and cooperation.

CompuChild is currently adding new schools to the schedule.  For more information about this educational and fun enrichment program in Broward or Palm Beach Counties in Florida, local child care centers, school directors and parents may call 954-263-0580 or email diagrossi@compuchild.com.

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities for classes or franchising in another locale, please contact the corporate office at 1-800-619-KIDS or info@compuchild.com.

State Child Care Assistance Policies 2010

The National Women’s Law Center issued a new report, State Child Care Assistance Policies 2010: New Federal Funds Help States Weather the Storm.  Most states, according to the report, were able to avoid cuts to their child care assistance policies between 2009 and 2010 with the help of ARRA funds.  The report finds that most states did not have major changes in their child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, waiting lists, parent copayments, and reimbursement rates, despite cuts to other programs during the same time frame. However, now that states are beginning to exhaust these funds, some states are starting to make cuts or are considering cuts to their child care assistance programs.

To read the full report, visit www.nwlc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/statechildcareassistancepoliciesreport2010.pdf