Have you been Booed?

A new Halloween tradition is spreading rapidly grass-roots fashion
throughout America called, "Getting Booed". It involves a family making a Halloween gift basket and leaving it anonymously on a neighbor's door step with a sign that says, You Got Booed! The receiving family's job is in return, is to make up another simple gift basket and play the trick on another family in the neighborhood who doesn't have a 'got booed' sign on their door. This is great for getting to know other families in your neigborhood that have children about the sames ages as yours.The gift basket could be as simple as baked goods, simple,fun,homemade fall or Halloween decorations to candy you purchase. If you work in an office this could be a good way to start another office tradition among your coworkers.

Here are some Poems for your 'got Booed' sign.

The air is cool, the season is fall, soon Halloween will come to all.
The spooks are after things to do; in fact, a spook has brought this to you!

BOO is a shield, from the witching hour, Just hang it up and watch its power.
On your front door is where it works, it ward off spooks and scary jerks.

The power comes when friends like you will copy this and make it TWO.
We'll all have smiles upon our face. No one will know who "Booed" the place.

Just one short day to work your spell or a big ZAP will strike your tail.
And don't forget a nifty treat, like something cute or something sweet.

Please join the fun, let's really hear it! Spread some Boo's and Halloween spirit.

You have been "Booed" (Put poem on a cutout ghost)

The Phantom Ghost has come to town,
To leave goodies you have found.
If you do not wish a curse to fall
You must continue this ghostly call.

First, post this ghost where it can be seen
And leave it there till Halloween.
This will scare other visiting ghosts away.
Be sure to participate, don't delay.

Second, make two treats,
Two ghosts, and
Two notes like this.

Deliver it to two neighbors that might have been missed.
Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt...
And make sure they put their Booed Ghosts out.

Next, you will have only one day to act, so be quick
Leave it at the doors where the ghost has not hit
Deliver it at dark when there is no light...
Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight.

And last but not least, enjoy the season.
Don't worry, be happy for all the right reasons.
Be cool, have fun and remember, don't be seen.
Share the Spirit of Halloween.

Remember, Have fun and watch the smiles as they appear. Happy Booing!

Newsletter for October, November and December 2010

Newsletter Xxxx[2]

Lets All Make This Promise To All Our Children

As a Parent, I Promise.....

To read to my child because children learn from good stories to be compassionate; to treat others as persons, not objects; to have courage; to have hope; to take action; and to take responsibility.

To promote my child's self-esteem by giving him opportunities to build competence and confidence; by giving her specific praise for her work and displaying it for others to see; by letting him share in family responsibilities and decisions.

To encourage my child's curiosity and natural interest in science and math because all children need to learn both and all children can; to engage with my child in activities to observe and discover so she can see that science and math are part of our everyday lives.

To pay attention to TV when my child is watching; to introduce him to programs like "Reading Rainbow," "Ghostwriter," and "Mister Rogers;" and to watch TV together so we can talk about what we see.

To turn off the television more because both child and adult programs include enormous amounts of glamorized violence.

To be involved in my child's education throughout the school years by showing in every way that I think education is important; by talking with my child's teachers; by volunteering my time and talent to the school.

To enjoy my child as we grow and learn together.

From the webpage http://www.ael.org/rel/fc/fcpromis.htm

AEL is a U.S. nonprofit, regionally oriented education research, development, and service institution. Its mission is to link the knowledge from research with the wisdom from practice to improve teaching and learning.

Fun Learning Songs

Here are two fun learning songs that you can do with your toddler that teaches body part names. Thumbs maybe a little hard at first to get into position to wiggle but as they do this over time it will help build the muscles required to wiggle their thumbs. There are a lot of other body parts to wiggle that will make them giggle. This can be done sitting down or standing. When they are sitting use the hands to go around each other in a circle. If you are standing up they can twirl around.


My Thumbs are Starting to Wiggle

Sung to the Tune: The Bear Went Over the Mountain
My thumbs are starting to wiggle.
My thumbs are starting to wiggle.
My thumbs are starting to wiggle,
Around, around, around.
Second verse
My hands are starting to wiggle
Etc.
Continue with other body parts.


Another whole body song to learn body parts is Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. To learn the tune go here:

http://bussongs.com/songs/head_shoulders_knees_and_toes.php

Point to each body part as you say it. The faster you go the funnier it gets.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
(Repeat, getting faster each time)

Family Information Network Webinars

Family Information Network’s Educational Sessions Webinar Schedule for September & October 2010
The Family Information Network of Ohio FIN is excited to give you the opportunity to join us for an educational Webinar... A Webinar is a Web-based seminar, a presentation/workshop that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements -- the ability to give, receive and discuss information.
The FIN Consultants have developed eight educational sessions for families in Help Me Grow under the umbrella title Steps Toward Tomorrow. The sessions typically last 1 hour, are free and include handouts. This will allow you to join us if the weather is bad, your child is sick or you don’t have transportation. What you will need is a computer, access to the Web and a phone line to call a toll free number.
Here is a list of sessions scheduled for September and October with a brief description.
Dollar$ gives practical tips on how to organize information and work through the financial system. We also share information on federal, state and local financial resources. For all families in HMG.
Galaxies teaches effective family advocacy skills to assist in being equal members of your child’s team. For all families in HMG.
IFSP shows how to be actively involved in your own Individualized Family Service Plan and make it work for you. For families with a child with a developmental delay or disability.
Pieces helps you learn how to turn your life experience into a powerful tool for assuring quality in Ohio’s Help Me Grow and other systems. For all families in HMG.
Rights is a fast-paced, interactive opportunity to discover the rights guaranteed to families in the Help Me Grow system. For families with a child with a developmental delay or disability)
Seasons provides an opportunity for discussion on the early emotions you may experience when you learn your child has or is at risk for a disability. For families with a child with a developmental delay or disability.
Transition explains federal timelines, federal regulations, and strategies for planning that apply to children turning three and leaving the Help Me Grow system. For families with a child with a developmental delay or disability.
Visioning helps you learn the importance of developing a desirable vision for your child / family including practical ideas on how to. For all families in HMG.
To be notified via email about future Steps sessions or to register for any of the sessions listed, email us at finofohiowebinar@ymail.com. Be sure to let us know the session title, date, time and your phone number. A few days before the Webinar you will be emailed an “invitation” with instructions on how to join the Webinar. The instructions will include a link to the website video and a toll free number to call audio.Just make sure to register before the last date listed below.
It’s that easy!! We are looking forward to meeting you on the Web!



Galaxies Wednesday Sept. 1 10:00 a.m. Patty Dovell August 30
Visioning Thursday Sept. 9 8:00 p.m. Amy Lofton Sept. 7
Transition Wednesday Sept. 15 1:00 p.m. Patty Dovell Sept. 13
Seasons Monday Sept. 20 10:00 a.m. Janet Strottner Sept. 18
Transition Thursday Sept. 23 10:00 a.m. Cindy Bregel Sept. 21
IFSP Friday Sept. 24 10:00 a.m. Cindy Bregel Sept. 22
Dollars Tuesday Sept. 28 10:00 a.m. Georgie Stoner Sept. 26
Pieces Thursday Sept. 30 8:00 p.m. Amy Lofton Sept. 28
IFSP Monday Oct. 4 1:00 p.m. Janet Strottner Oct. 2
Visioning Wednesday Oct. 6 10:00 a.m. Georgie Stoner Oct. 4
Seasons Friday Oct. 8 1:00 p.m. Amy Lofton Oct. 6 Pieces Thursday Oct. 14 10:00 a.m. Cindy Bregel Oct. 12
Galaxies Monday Oct. 18 10:00 a.m. Patty Dovell Oct. 16
Transition Wednesday Oct. 20 8:00 p.m. Amy Lofton Oct. 18
Rights Friday Oct. 22 10:00 a.m. Patty Dovell Oct. 20
Transition Tuesday Oct. 26 1:00 p.m. Cindy Bregel Oct. 24
Seasons Wednesday Oct. 27 7:00 p.m. Janet Strottner Oct. 25
Dollars Thursday Oct. 28 10:00 a.m. Georgie Stoner Oct. 26

County Fair Safety for Little Ones

With the Meigs County Fair coming soon I thought I would post these valuble safety tips to use when around the fair animals and the fair in general. Don't forget to take your hand sanitizer and sunscreen with you when you visit the fair.Here are some tips from Dr.Will Sawyer of www.henrythehand.com.

Summertime festivals and fairs mean tons of fun for children, especially when they get to pet a furry farm animal or hold a baby chick in their hands. But you know what's not so fun for kids? Getting sick.

While animals at petting zoos are cute, they have posed a health risk for children (and adults) because the animals' skin, fur and saliva can be contaminated with fecal matter. E. coli and salmonella bacteria are two major health risks facing children at petting zoos.

There are ways to prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases caught at a petting zoo, including proper hand washing with soap and water. However, not all petting zoos have a sink on-site, let alone soap to wash the germs away.

What can we do to prevent our children from getting sick? It's easy: Educate and show children the 4 Principles of Hand Awareness, which have been endorsed by the AMA and the AAFP:

1. Wash your hands before eating and when they are dirty.
2. Do not cough in your hands.
3. Do not sneeze in your hands.
4. Above all, do not put your finger in your eyes, nose or mouth.

The last one is important: Teach children to not put their fingers or hands into their eyes, nose, and mouth. The eyes, nose, and mouth are the only portals of entry for bacteria that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases - the exact ones posing a health risk at petting zoos.

To learn more about staying healthy this summer, visit the Henry the Hand Foundation Web site at www.henrythehand.com.

Thank you for helping to
Spread the word, not the germs!

Dr.Will Sawyer
dr.will@henrythehand.com

Your Are Your Child's Favorite Toy

Playing with your child is one of the most important ways to foster development. No need for fancy toys or expensive equipment. You are your child’s favorite toy! Playing with your child will grant you many rewards as your child will emit squeals of laughter and joy all while learning valuble skills.

There are a few rules you, as the parent need to know. Safety first! Make sure toys don’t have pieces that could come off and be swallowed. Get down on the floor and see what your child might be able to reach.Do you see any dangling cords or open outlets? When your child starts moving they will be exploring everything. Exploring through play is how they learn. Baby proofing your child’s play areas now will mean a lot less no-no’s you will have to say, and you will be saying no-no a lot!

Follow your child’s lead. They will tell you what is interesting to them. When your child sees your reaction in her discoveries they will want play more and more. Remember, playing is the way they learn! Playing with your baby is also a great stress reliever and creates good memories for the both of you. Play is truly the work of your child!

Next, remember your child is unique. Each child develops at their own pace. Your child may have special skills or needs. Watch carefully to see what your child is trying to do. Help them just enough that they manage to reach their objective or if they have accomplished the task show them the next step. You could place a favored object just out of reach and watch how your child tries to move toward it. Give lots of praise and celebrate when your child accomplishes the objective. You will be rewarded with big smiles and lots of baby talk.

The benefits of parent and child play are enormous. As you talk to your child they learn the sounds of words and the rhythm of language. Eye contact and back and forth conversation fosters communication skills. Cause and effect is discovered when your child copies your example and they too make the toy work. Your child perfects hand and eye coordination as he reaches for the object in your hand. They see colors, feel textures, smell different smells and even taste the object, allowing all his senses to develop.

As you can see play is very important for you and your baby. So spend some time playing with your child. The rewards are life changing for both of you!