#LookUp!

#LookUp!

Julia @ Kids Matter

            My Facebook app just alerted me to the fact that several of my “friends” have enjoyed and liked my quick wit and Twitter constantly bleeps at me, to let me know that someone I have never met is now “following” me. I am sooo popular and loved by social media!

            WHAT AM I DOING??? What are any of us doing? Have we lost touch of who we are? Why is it that kids today can barely speak, let alone write the English language? Why do I see parents simply hand over their $700 phone to their seven year old for entertainment instead of a book? I have asked parents what their kids are looking at or playing on their phone; I always get the same responses, “It keeps him quiet,” and “… because she sees me on it and wants what I have”. That last statement really hits the bulls eye, “… because she sees me on it and wants what I have”. Recently, I ate at Red Robin and everywhere families sat in similar situations; kids jumping and screaming in the booth seats, higgledy piggledy, while their parents looked down at their phones, simply ignoring them.

The table at meal time should be a time for family conversation and recapping each other’s days. Studies have shown that children and adolescence that have at least four meals per week at the table with their family are more emotionally and socially sound than those families who don’t eat together. Also, they have a lower risk of smoking and drinking, as well as higher grades in school. Research states that the reason for these results is due to families eating meals together, at the table, without electronics as a distraction. Your family enjoying a meal and conversation together provides structure, boundaries, and a sense of belonging for your child. All these things are needed for the developmental health of your children.

            It may seem hard enough just to get your teens to the table, let alone to the table without their phones, but if you set that rule early and stick to it for yourselves and them, you will have far more socially adjusted and happy children.

            I recently saw a Youtube video. It was a young man who wrote and performed a spoken word film about unplugging ourselves from our phones. The central message is about getting back to communicating with one another, and more importantly with our kids. Put down your phones, show interest in your kid’s lives, and eat dinner at the table. Show them and teach them that your family unit is, and always will be, more important than whatever is trending.  

Meet the Child Care Council Staff

Introducing Veronica R.

Robin @ Kids Matter

Veronica was born in Augusta, Georgia, but grew up in Darmstadt, Germany.  As you probably guessed, she is an, “Army brat”.  Both her mother and father were in the Army.  She didn’t come to Kentucky until she was around 14 years old.  She said, “At first I didn’t like Kentucky.  The southern people and way of life caused a kind of culture shock for me.  But, as I’ve gotten older… I can’t imagine living any place else.”   She still speaks a little German, but has lost most of it, because it’s not called for very often in Kentucky.  However, Veronica is part Dominican, so she also speaks Spanish.

Growing up overseas and in the military has had a great impact on her values regarding family and parenting.  She was raised in a very strict manner, with tight rules and responding with, “yes sir, no sir,” but was able to play outside freely, without having to worry about safety and things happening like we do now. She said, “As a child, I knew my place and respected it. I have tried to parent my children that same way.”  One of her fondest memories from childhood is when she was a girl scout and went to Paris for a field trip.  On that trip, her mother told her to be aware, that she would see more than many others will get to see in their lifetime.  Veronica said, “…it was true.  Remembering that time pushes me to achieve more and get back to that point.  Sometimes I imagine going back there and living my life out. “

The two things Veronica is most proud of in her life are graduating college; she was the first graduate in her family, and being a mom.  She said, “They are the best things I ever could have done.” She is the mother of 13 year old twins, a boy and a girl, a 7 year old boy, and is pregnant now.  She is due in early December and is not planning on finding out the sex of the baby before it is born.  She has a wonderful man in her life, who is the father of three children, making them the, “New Age Brady Bunch”.  She said, “He’s a superior guy who has helped me through the tough times.”  She is very proud of the children, saying they are all great athletes.  They play soccer, which she coaches.  She wouldn’t trade them for the world!

In her spare time, which she never seems to have enough of, she likes to travel.  That love probably comes from her childhood and being part of an Army family.  She loves to see landmarks, tour museums, and try different foods.  Sounds like fun!  However, Veronica may need to slow down a little on her travels.  She described herself as a, “speed demon”.  She said she has almost received about 60 speeding tickets.  She has been able to get out of most of them, and only has four on her record.  One judge even advised her to start walking instead of driving, because he was tired of seeing her.

Veronica came to work for the CCC in 2012.  She actually worked in the West Region for a few months before being transitioned to the East Region, without even moving her office.  Her advice to other eligibility workers is, “don’t take things personally in the office.  There is a difference between sympathy and empathy, and personal involvement in your work affects the way you see things.  Remember you can’t please everyone, and at 4:30 you have to leave your work in the office and go home.”  She said, “I see my future as still working at the CCC, just married and raising my family and winning the lottery would be great too!”

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

Belinda @ Kids Matter

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, first observed on May 30, 1868, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. While the holiday is in honor of the fallen, it is also a celebration of life for families throughout this great nation. Many families choose this weekend to kick off summer and spend great family time, bonding. May 29, 1983 was the day that started this annual weekend celebration for my family. That was the birth date of my first son. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a woman in search of a future, I was a mom. So, in addition to honoring the fallen, we opted to also celebrate family.

Each year on Memorial Weekend, our family comes together to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and life events. We spend time together eating, chatting, and letting all the grandkids just play their little hearts out. We have a cookout with big cakes and lots of picture taking to commemorate the event. Lots of friends and family are invited; games are played and presents opened. And oh, the many laughs that have filled my soul. It’s hard to imagine that this year marks the 31^st anniversary of our traditional Memorial Day weekend.

These special family times are just fleeting moments in the overall scheme of life. We take them for granted, more than we should. You never know what life event may happen and suddenly you find that one family member no longer in attendance. Suddenly, even a memory of the chaotic event, planning and organizing, can bring about a smile. Why? Because… even if it is only one event, it is still time cherished as family.

Family holidays and traditions are simple ways to keep family unity. Don’t allow times like these to slip away without even a second thought. Cherish every moment with your family… yes, even those with whom you don’t have an excellent relationship. The soldiers of this world have put their lives on the line in order to afford you the liberty of being free. Don’t we owe it to them to make the most of our family time? Slow life down for one simple weekend, to laugh and play with your family. Put away the cell phones. Hide the Xbox. Turn off the laptops and tablets. We all need to slow it down, relax, and enjoy life with our family. You don’t always know what lives you touch or what lives touch you until that life is no longer there. Remember, spend time with those who put a light in your heart as often as you can.

Happy Memorial Day from my family to yours!

Meet the Child Care Council Staff

Introducing Debbie G.

Belinda @ Kids Matter

I say this from the perspective of a customer service representative and a customer… it’s been my experience that many people often take CSRs for granted. We tend to go in, conduct our business, and promptly exit; making no connection, and often dismissing the worker without a second thought. Seldom do we show them the courtesy and respect they truly deserve, let alone take the time to get to know the person helping us. Today, I introduce you to someone I imagine customers always wanting to take the time to converse and get to know. She is an incredible person with a delightful disposition. You can’t help but smile when you talk with her, as her soulful and caring nature just reaches out and grabs you. Please meet Debbie, an Eligibility Specialist with the CCC, who has worked in the field of child care assistance for 16 years. She devotedly covers Christian and Trigg counties, always providing service with a smile. Debbie conveyed that the best part of her job is, “Getting to be a part of helping all those precious children”.  Debbie feels so strongly about helping children that if she were not working at the CCC, she would be a teacher.

Debbie has an amazing personality. I couldn’t help but to wonder what motivates and inspires her. So, I asked and her answer was no less inspiring than her personality. “My dad is who inspired me to be who I am. He always loved to do for others. He taught me to go above and beyond, even during his last days, terminally ill with cancer. I was sick one day and he called wanting to do something for me when he could barely even walk across the floor to help himself. He always made sure that I knew he was there for me no matter what.” I felt her tears and pain as she spoke of her dad. Debbie said, “During his last days, I will always remember the way he handled himself. He stayed so positive and strong the whole time. I hope that I can be half the person he was.” She conveyed an interesting story to me, and though it was heartbreaking, it was immensely inspirational. “Dad bought a 1965 Mustang and fixed it up for my sister when she turned 16. He painted it silver with red interior. She was six years older than me and my sister used that car until she got another. He then fixed the Mustang up for me. He painted it candy apple red. I loved that car so much. I kept it for three years and then gave it back to him and he fixed it up for himself that time. He is gone now, but we still have the car in our family. Dad left it for my son and nephew to share. I hope and pray that it will always stay in our family. Just looking at that car is like seeing my dad all over again.”

Debbie has been married to Tommy for 23 years and they are the proud parents of a now 16 year old Mustang driver. Debbie says her son, Matt, is her greatest achievement in life. Having a child took careful planning and not taking the medicines she needed to treat her Crohn’s Disease. She says, “I was able to stay off my meds for the two years prior to conception and with the grace of God, had a healthy baby boy.” Debbie’s motto about life is, “…it’s living each day as if it were the last”. I couldn’t agree more, and firmly believe she lives her motto as a shining example for the rest of us. Asked if she was given three wishes what would they be she said, “My dad back, my husband not having to work nights anymore, and no families suffering from hunger in the world.”

So, when you are out doing your daily shopping and appointments, remember to take a moment to recognize the person helping you. We need those, like Debbie, to shine the ray of hope and encouragement in our lives.

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross

Britton Riley (Guest blogger) @ Kids Matter

The American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881, by Clara Barton and a circle of acquaintances, in Washington, D.C. Barton led the American Red Cross for 23 years, during which time the first disaster relief efforts were conducted and aid was provided to the United States Military during the Spanish-American War.

Over the years, the Red Cross has grown to be one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations. The Red Cross responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters each year, through the mobilizing power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

While many people see the American Red Cross as simply collecting blood supplies and responding to large national disasters, there are also Red Cross activities and responses happening daily, right in your own community.  On a daily basis the Red Cross not only responds to large-scale disasters, but also to individual home fires. On the scene, we provide support to First Responders and work directly with clients to ensure their immediate needs for food, clothing, and shelter are met. We provide our clients with a comfort kit of basic toiletry items and also bring stuffed animals in case there are children involved.  Stuffed animals provide the comfort a child needs to believe everything is going to be okay. We want the children to feel safe. Beyond our time on scene, we also work with clients in the weeks and months following the disaster to make sure their needs are met and they are on the path to recovery. 

The American Red Cross also provides emergency communications to the Armed Forces. When a member of the military, or their family, has an emergency and needs to contact a loved one overseas, they call our 24/7 Emergency Communications Center (877-272-7337). There, a Red Cross representative collects all pertinent information and validates the request to be passed along to the member in the Armed Forces, or their commanding officer.

Volunteers and Donors are the cornerstone of the Red Cross, our response, and the services we provide. The mission of the American Red Cross is to “… alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and generosity of donors”.  That’s what we continue to do daily. The Red Cross is a volunteer led organization and receives little federal funding.

YOU can help! Contact your local American Red Cross to find out about volunteer opportunities. Visit RedCross.org to learn more about ways you can donate, give blood, or take one of our numerous lifesaving courses.

Britton M. Riley, Regional Lead Specialist, Disaster Services, American Red Cross Evansville, IN

Lesson Plan: Mary Had a Little Lamb

Lesson Plan: Mary Had a Little Lamb

Dora Wilson (Guest Blogger) @ Kids Matter

Through the sing song lyrics of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, we have all had a lamb follow us to school one day. What young child wouldn’t find that the most amusing thing to have happen? May 24^th marks the 184^th anniversary of the nursery rhyme written by Sarah J. Hale. It is believed that the nursery rhyme was inspired by a true event. Nothing inspires learning greater than bringing a story to life. The following is a lesson plan to celebrate the anniversary of this historic nursery rhyme. Be creative and add your own touches to inspire those precious little minds in your classroom.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

By: Sarah Josepha Hale

Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow,

And everywhere that Mary went

The lamb was sure to go;

He followed her to school one day-

That was against the rule,

It made the children laugh and play

To see a lamb at school

And so the Teacher turned him out,

But still he lingered near,

And waited patiently about,

Till Mary did appear.

And then he ran to her and laid

His head upon her arm,

As if he said-"I'm not afraid,

You'll shield me from all harm."

"What makes the lamb love Mary so,"

The little children cry;

"O, Mary loves the lamb you know,"

The Teacher did reply,

"And you each gentle animal

In confidence may bind,

And make them follow at your call,

If you are always kind."

Monday

General information: Teach the difference between a lamb and a sheep.

Reading: Give each child the Mary had a little Lamb booklet, have the children stand when you say the word “Mary” and make the sound “baaaaaa” when you say lamb. Give the children something to do for each section.

Math: Cut out lambs and allow the children to count them.

Art/Music: Have the children color and design their own sheep. Give them different materials such as ribbon, cloth, and pompom balls for them to decorate their sheep.

Physical Education: Teach the children how to move like sheep.

Tuesday

General information: Teach the schools rules about pets.

Reading: Make a game using lamb sight cards. Let the children draw a card from each stack to match the word with the picture. A picture of the lamb eating should pair with the word “eat”.  

Math: Get a stuffed lamb and have one of the teachers walk around the class with the classroom counting together as the lamb walks up to them.

Art/Music: Play the nursery rhyme song and allow the children to dance.

Physical Education: Children run to school (play as if they are running to school).

Wednesday

General information: What do lambs eat?

Reading: Give sight words on index cards to play memory game.

Math: Make cards with different numbers of lambs on them. Children can then match the number to the corresponding lamb card.

Art/Music: Allow groups to work together to construct sheep from clay, paint or other mediums.

Physical Education: Hide-n-seek, one child has a sheep hat and one child has Mary hat, the other students try to find where the lamb and Mary are hiding.

Thursday

General information: What does shearing mean?

Reading: Create a felt board story for children to tell. Allow the children to add their version to the felt story and record their ideas.

Math: Give each group a selected number of cotton balls (wool) have them take turns gluing them on the big lamb picture.

Art/Music: While playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, in different languages, allow the children, acting as sheep, to play musical chairs.

Physical Education: Students will walk like a lamb; move their arms as if they are shearing a lamb, and running like they are chasing a lamb.

Friday

General information: Take a field trip to see a lamb or ask someone to bring in a lamb.

Reading: Bring out the Lamb puppet and tell a story about what lambs like and don’t like.

Math: Take several different lambs and have them matched to the other lambs and do the same for little girls. Make minor differences to each one so the children will need to pay close attention to detail.

Art/Music: The children will make a school house, a barn, and a pasture to reenact Mary had a little lamb.

Physical Education: Students will have relays to bring the lamb into the school yard.