I Mandikiki' For Guam Families With Children Birth To Eight Volume 5, Issue 3 December 2011 Inside this issue: Gross Motor is NOT Gross! ..............................................1-2 Early Learning Council/SAC Sponsors Courses ..............3 Getting Your Child to Eat Healthy ......................................4 Early Intervention Ad/Pilot Teleaudiology ......................5 Child Care Facilities on Guam/New Requirements ....6-7 Working with Young Children Advertisement ................8 Page 1-2 Gross Motor is NOT Gross! By Vera Blaz Gross Motor really is not gross! I borrowed that title from a video that demonstrates the importance of promoting gross motor skills. While a child can certainly become sweaty and stinky, which may be referred to as "being gross" in one sense, in terms of child development, promoting movement, and development of gross motor skills, they most certainly aren't gross! Child development refers to how a child is able to do more complex things as they get older. As a child grows, he or she develops skills known as social, cognitive, language, fine motor, and gross motor. Gross motor skills refer to a child's use of his or her body's large muscles. When a child is lifting his head, rolling over, crawling, sitting up, walking, running, etc., he is using his large muscles. The development of these gross motor skills is important to a child's overall development. While we wish that an infant could stay small and cuddly, growth is inevitable and will happen. From the moment a baby lifts her head when placed on her stomach, her gross motor skills are developing. As she gets bigger, she will be able to roll over, lift her body off the surface, sit unaided, crawl, and eventually walk. As she learns how to perform these actions, her ability to keep balance and change positions will aid in learning how to run, skip, hop, and jump! As your baby grows, it is important to engage in activities that help develop his gross motor skills. Encourage your baby to turn his head by shaking toys that make noise or calling his name. Place toys in front of him while on his tummy. While sitting, place an activity table or activity box in front of him. When he begins to crawl, put his favorite toys just out of reach so he has to move to grab them. Once your toddler starts walking, take her for walks on various surfaces. Place pillows or cushions on the floor when she starts jumping. Let her roll or throw a ball, build towers with blocks, or dance around the room while listening to music. As your toddler gets more confident, he will want to run and jump a lot. He may also want to ride a bike or play on a swing. Your child will be able to do all of these activities using his body's large muscles. As your child gets older, the world around her becomes more interesting. She may become more adventurous and start climbing on everything! Nothing is off limits for climbing in the mind of preschooler. Offer safe climbing alternatives such as the jungle gym at a nearby park to get that climbing practice in! In elementary school, your child will be able make choices about the types of activities in which he wants to participate. Organized sports such as soccer, basketball, football or baseball are good activities for the continued development of gross motor skills. The bigger he grows, the more time he will spend engaged in gross motor activities. Encourage itÉ even if he ends up being stinky and sweaty because gross motor really isn't gross! Photo with caption: Once your toddler starts walking, take her for walks on various surfaces. Place pillows or cushions on the floor when she starts jumping. Let her roll or throw a ball, build towers with blocks, or dance around the room while listening to music. Table 7 rows, 3 columns Gross Motor Developmental Milestones by Age Group Age Group, Milestone, What You Can Do * Age Group: Birth to 8 months Milestone: Reaching for objects What You Can Do: Place favorite toys just a little out of reach, gradually moving the toy farther away. Try using toys of different sizes and textures. * Age Group: 9 to 18 months Milestone: Cruising/walking What You Can Do: Babies begin to cruise, hold on to furniture to walk, and eventually walk unassisted. To encourage the development of this skill, child-proof your furniture by covering sharp corners and leaving the floors clear. * Age BGroup: 19 to 24 months Milestone: Balancing What You Can Do: Now that your toddler is steadier as she walks, you can encourage balancing activities for further gross motor development. Using masking tape, make straight, curved or zigzag lines on the ground for her to follow. * Age Group: 25 to 36 months Milestone: Kicking a ball What You Can Do: Your child is now walking and running everywhere. Develop the skill of kicking a ball by having balls of assorted sizes on hand and encourage him to kick towards a goal of some sort. * Age Group: 3 to 5 years Milestone: Riding a bicycle What You Can Do: Your preschooler has probably mastered pedaling a tricycle. She may want to venture into riding a two-wheeler! Provide a safe riding area for your child and possibly leave the training wheels attached until she is more comfortable being on a bicycle. * Age Group: 6 to 8 years Milestone: Obstacle Course What You Can Do: School age children would have fun navigating through an obstacle course. Set up activities such as riding a bike in between cones, shooting baskets, climbing over a small hill, etc. References: http://www.earlychildhood.msstate.edu/motoractivities/infant-toddler.pdf; http://www.printables.familyeducation.com/child-development/growth-and-development/64344.html; Hugando Parent Play Book for Children Ages Birth to Five. Available at www.guamcedders.org. Page 3 Early Learning Council By Terrie Fejarang A swearing in ceremony for the new Guam Early Learning Council took place on June 28 at the Governor's Conference Room at Adelup. The Honorable Eddie Baza Calvo, Governor of Guam, officially swore in the 25 members who represent families and child-serving agencies and organizations and delivered inspiring remarks on the important role the Council must take to ensure that a complete system of services and supports are made available to Guam's youngest residents. The roles and responsibilities of the Council include providing recommendations on: * effective policies supporting children birth to eight; * prioritizing funding in support of child and family outcomes; * promoting and supporting acquisition of funding opportunities; * providing the Governor and Legislature with a "State of Early Childhood Health and Education on Guam" brief; * establishing policies and procedures for effective decision making processes; * regularly reviewing goals and objectives to ensure relevance and responsiveness. The Council, which is led by co-chairpersons Christine Calvo, First Lady and Elaine Eclavea, Guam CEDDERS Initiative Area Coordinator, meets quarterly. Photo with caption: The newly sworn in Guam Early Learning Council discussed the merits of Legislative Bill 141-31: "An act to promote Early Childhood Learning and Development opportunities through the promotion of Modern Child Care Facilities by providing Business Privilege Tax Exemption for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes" on July 12. SAC Grant Sponsors Early Childhood Courses Photo with caption: (Left photo) Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, Vera Blaz (standing), reviews course requirements with participants during the first session of "Working With Young Children Part A" held in October. Three more sections were also offered in November with a total of 89 participants who are foster parents or child caregivers completed the course and earned 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs). Additional sections of this course along with Part B of the class are scheduled to be offered starting the second week of January 2012 (see advertisement on back page). These courses are supported by the Guam State Advisory Council grant and the Guam Early Learning Council. For more information on future course offerings, call Terry Naputi 735-2363 or email at terry.naputi@guamcedders.org. Page 4 Getting your Child to Eat Healthy By Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, Ph.D., RD, Nutrition Specialist/Professor, College of Natural & Applied Sciences, University of Guam Most parents know that kids should eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products on a daily basis. However, not everyone knows how to get kids to eat those healthy foods. The best way to get kids to eat healthy foods is to set a good example because PARENTS are the most important influence on their child. Parents can do many things to help their children develop healthy eating habits for life. Offering a variety of foods helps children get the nutrients they need from every food group. They will also be more likely to try new foods and to like more foods. When kids develop a taste for many types of foods, it's easier to plan family meals. Cook together, eat together, talk together, and make mealtime a family time! The following are some tips for setting good examples: 1) Show by example - Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with meals or as snacks. Let your child see that you like to munch on raw vegetables. Try new foods yourself! 2) Go food shopping together - Grocery shopping can teach your child about food and nutrition. Discuss where vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods come from. Let your children make healthy choices. 3) Have your child help you in the kitchen - When kids are given small jobs to do in the kitchen to help prepare meals, it makes them feel "grown-up" and important. Kids are also much less likely to reject foods that they helped make. The following are suggested activities for kids at different ages: 4) Offer the same foods for everyone - Stop being a "short-order cook" by making different dishes to please children. It's easier to plan family meals when everyone eats the same foods. 5) Reward with attention, not food - Show your love with hugs and kisses. Comfort with hugs and talks. Choose not to offer sweets as rewards. It lets your child think sweets or dessert foods are better than other foods. When meals are not eaten, kids do not need "extras"-such as candy or cookies-as replacement foods. 6) Limit screen time and encourage physical activity - Allow no more than 2 hours a day of screen time like TV and computer games. Make physical activity fun for the whole family. Involve your kids in the planning. Walk, run, and play with your child instead of sitting on the sidelines. At 2 years: * Wipe tables * Hand items to adult to put away (such as after grocery shopping) * Place things in trash * Tear lettuce or greens * Help "read" a cookbook by turning the pages * Rinse vegetables or fruits At 3 years: All that a 2 year old can do, plus: * Add ingredients * Talk about cooking * Scoop or mash potatoes * Squeeze citrus fruits * Stir pancake batter * Name and count foods * Help assemble a pizza At 4 years: All that a 3 year old can do, plus: * Peel eggs and some fruits, such as oranges and bananas * Set the table * Crack eggs * Help measure dry ingredients * Help make sandwiches and tossed salads At 5 years: All that a 4 year old can do, plus: * Measure liquids * Cut soft fruits with a dull knife * Use an egg beater Page 5 Ad: Are You Concerned About Your Child's Development? Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), under the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education, provides services and support to young children birth to three years, who have or are at-risk for developmental delays and disabilities. GEIS can help address your concerns about your child by providing: * Developmental assessments * Individual family service planning * Home visits and therapy * Playgroups to help build socialization skills * Parent education and support * Service coordination with other local agencies : If you feel your child is developing differently from other children, call GEIS at 300-1329. This advertisement is facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Devleopmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS) through a contract with the Guam Early Intervention System (GEIS), Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Guam CEDDERS Launches Pilot Teleaudiology By Victoria Ritter The first-ever diagnostic testing for hearing loss via teleaudiology was performed on an infant just under three-months old at the University of Guam on October 19. The pilot teleaudiology project is an 18-month partnership between the Bill Daniels Center for Children's Hearing at the Children's Hospital-Colorado, and Guam Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (Guam EHDI) at the University of Guam CEDDERS, with support from the Guam Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Through specialized equipment, software, and a broadband connection, audiologists at the Colorado hospital operate the Guam-based audiological instruments from Colorado to test infants for a hearing loss, with assistance from an audiometrist on Guam. The pilot teleaudiology project addresses the critical need for pediatric audiological services in the Pacific. Because of the project, infants on Guam who do not pass their newborn hearing screening can now be evaluated on-island for a hearing loss before 3 months of age. This allows early intervention services to be initiated, if needed, by the time the infant reaches 6 months of age, providing the infant and family the greatest opportunity for the child to develop speech and language in a timely manner for life-long success. Photo with caption: Technology enabled Dr. Erica Schicke (on computer screen upper left) at Children's Hospital-Colorado to test the infant's hearing with assistance from Bobbie Maguadog (center), Guam Department of Education audiometrist, and Dr. Susan Dreith (left), Children's Hospital-Colorado audiologist. Page 6-7 Licensed Child Care Facilities on Guam as of Dec 20, 2011 ABC 123 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel: 632-8570 Fax: 632-2444 ABC CHILDREN'S CENTER Tel: 637-9441 (Dededo) Tel: 989-9441 (Yigo) AGAT BAY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel: 565-2223 Fax: 565-5502 AMAZING KIDS 2 CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel: 472-2271 Fax: 472-2285 ANANDA MARGA PRE-SCHOOL CENTER Tel/Fax: 632-9251 BAMBINI MONTESSORI SCHOOL Tel/Fax: 649-2636 BLESSED SEED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY & DAY CARE CENTER Tel/Fax: 477-4333 CENTER FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT Tel/Fax: 632-0883 DOC'S DAY CARE AND PRE-SCHOOL–L.L.C. Tel/Fax: 646-1857 DOMINICAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel: 477-7228 / 472-1524 Fax: 472-4282 FIRST STEP EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONAL CENTER Tel/Fax: 632-2839 GADAO PRE-SCHOOL AND DAY CARE CENTER Tel: 734-0627 Fax: 734-0458 "GOOD DAY" CHILD LEARNING CENTER Tel/Fax: 653-1699 GUAM LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Tel: 734-2452 GUAM'S LITTLE TREASURES Tel/Fax: 646-6036 GUAM MONTESSORI INC. DBA MONTESSORI LEARNING CENTER Tel/Fax: 633-0240 HARMONY KIDS CHILD CARE CENTER Tel: 649-4467 Fax: 647-0032 INFANT OF PRAGUE NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN Tel: 734-2785 Fax: 734-1055 INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Tel/Fax: 734-7919 KIDDY LAND PLAY & LEARN CENTER Tel: 632-7678/77 Cell: 483-7073 KIDS R US, GUAM CHILD CARE CENTER Tel: 649-1321 Cell: 777-5454 LITTLE BIG PLAYHOUSE LEARNING CENTER Tel: 479-7529 LITTLE LAMBS PRE-SCHOOL & DAY CARE CENTER Tel: 735-LAMB (5262) Fax: 734-7774 LITTLE ONE'S CHILD CARE CENTER Tel: 633-5451 L.T. DIGI-TELL ENTERPRISES, INC. DBA: DEDEDO CHILD CARE LEARNING CENTER Tel: 632-9734 Fax: 637-9629 MARIA ARTERO CATHOLIC PRE-SCHOOL Tel: 472-8777 Fax: 472-2326 MERCY HEIGHTS NURSERY & KINDERGARTEN Tel: 646-1185 Fax: 649-1822 M.G. HUFFER ADVENTURES IN LEARNING CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel/Fax: 789-2273 MNW dba: LOTS OF LEARNING CHILD CARE CENTER INC. Tel: 477-4245 MY SCHOOL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Tel: 646-2912 Fax: 646-2976 NENE CHILD CARE CENTER Tel/Fax: 734-8368 NOAH'S ARK DAY CARE CENTER Tel: 653-1005 Fax: 653-3515 PALOMARES CHILD CARE CENTER Tel: 646-6725 Fax: 646-2274 PNG CHILD CARE AND LEARNING CENTER Tel: 649-4220 / 4534 Fax: 646-4024/ 5971 PRECIOUS ONE'S CHILD CARE CENTER Tel/Fax: 477-2229 REACH FOR THE STARS LEARNING CENTER Tel: 472-1877 Cell: 482-7802 SAGAN FINA'NA'GUEN FINO CHAMORU Tel: 632-2395 SMART START LEARNING CENTER Tel: 472-4769 TAMUNING DAY CARE & LEARNING CENTER Tel/Fax: 646-5414 TEDDY BEAR CHILD CARE CENTER Tel/Fax: 477-2327 TENDER SHEPHERD CHILD CARE CENTER Tel/Fax: 477-4732 THE LITTLE UNIVERSITY PRE-SCHOOL Tel/Fax: 649-8587 THE YOUNG LEARNER CENTER Tel/Fax: 632-1372 TINA'S LEARNING CENTER Tel: 649-0317 TINA'S LEARNING CENTER II Tel: 734-3755 Cell: 487-6665 Page 7 New Childcare Facility Requirements By Terrie Fejarang Guam Legislative Bill 70-31, which establishes the administrative rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health & Social Services relative to child care centers and group child care homes, was signed into law by Governor Eddie Baza Calvo on June 2, 2011 and is now Public Law 31-73. The law provides updates to the rules and processes that govern child care licensure. A key requirement of this law deals with the child to staff ratios which are outlined in the chart below. For more information on the requirements of this new law you may contact Terry Catahay, Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA) at 475-2653. Table with 6 rows, 5 columns: New Child to Adult Ratio Requirements Age of Child: Birth to 12 months Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements 5:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11) 4:1 Effective Date for New Centers 6/2/11 Effective Date for Existing Centers 1/1/13 Age of Child: 13 months to 2 years Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements: 8:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11): 7:1 Effective Date for New Centers 6/2/11 Effective Date for Existing Centers 1/1/13 Age of Child: 13 months to 2 years Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements: 7:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11): 6:1 Effective Date for New Centers: 1/1/14 Effective Date for Existing Centers: 1/1/14 Age of Child: 25 months to 3 years Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements: 10:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11): 10:1 Effective Date for New Centers: No change Effective Date for Existing Centers: No change Age of Child: 37 months to 4 years Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements: 15:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11): 15:1 Effective Date for New Centers: No change Effective Date for Existing Centers: No change Age of Child: 4 years and older Child:Staff Ratio Previous Requirements: 20:1 Child:Staff Ratio New Requirements (Est. after 6/2/11): 20:1 Effective Date for New Centers: No change Effective Date for Existing Centers: No change Acknowledgements: I Mandikiki' is a publication supported with 100% federal funds through Project Tinituhon, the Guam Early Learning Council, and is facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (Guam CEDDERS). Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Guam CEDDERS Director Elaine Eclavea, Health, Wellness, & Prevention Initiative Area Coordinator Managing Editor: Terrie Fejarang Layout: Sean Lizama This issue of I Mandikiki' was made possible through contributions from the following individuals: Vera Blaz, Terry Catahay, Terrie Fejarang, Rachel T. Leon Guerrero, Ph.D., RD, Terry Naputi, Victoria Ritter, & Lydia Tenorio. Alternative formats (e.g., Braille, large print, or audio tapes) of I Mandikiki' may be made available by sending a request to newsletters@guamcedders.org or 735-2477. Page 8 Full page ad: ATTENTION Foster Parents & Child Caregivers Class offerings: Working with Young Children - Parts A & B Saturdays, January 14, 21, 28, 2012 8am - 1pm Venue: TBA Target Audience: Foster Parents & Child Caregivers Instructors: Part A - TBA Part B - Vera Blaz Cost: Free Advanced registration required by January 6, 2012. To Register: Call Terry Naputi at 735-2363 or email terry.naputi@guamcedders.org This activity is supported by funds from the Guam State Advisory Council Grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Children and Families and facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, and Research (Guam CEDDERS).