Newsletter November 2017
Newsletter September 2017
October 5, 2017
Newsletter December 2017
January 10, 2018
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FAMILIES
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Thanksgiving is a great time to teach children the importance of thankfulness and gratitude. There are so many fun traditions to start, games to play, and books to read!
The importance of Raising Grateful Children
“Being able to feel and express gratitude have been correlated with happiness, optimism and better quality relationships, as well as physical and mental health. In other words, when you invest the time and make the effort to teach your child the value of appreciation and thankfulness, not only will other people notice it, but you will arm them with emotional strength. That will improve their quality of life, now and in the future.”
Check out the full article “The Importance of Raising Grateful Children” here.
There are so many great children’s books about gratitude (see some examples below)
 “In Thankful Eileen Spinelli, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings.”
 “The book Thanks From the Very Hungry Caterpillar follows The Very Hungry Caterpillar and celebrates all that makes us most thankful.”
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| COMMUNITY | |
| Upcoming Events!
Please join us Wednesday, November 15th from 7:00-9:00pm for a screening of Raising of America. This documentary is changing the conversation about early childhood. This film discusses the importance of early childhood and the desperate need to improve our current system. Raising of America tells the stories of families and communities doing all they can to provide the nurturing environments all babies and young children need to thrive-while too often hindered by social conditions. And when parents are pressed, babies pay the price. The consequences may last a lifetime, shaping both individual outcomes-learning, earning and mental and physical health-as well as the future health, prosperity and equity of the nation.
The film makes a compelling case that improving conditions for families with young children is perhaps the most prudent investment any nation can make. Panel discussion will follow the film.
For more information and to register please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-justice-film-series-the-raising-of-america-tickets-38655340163
SPARK Monthly Meeting  |
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| PROVIDERS | |
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The Spirit of Adult Play from Exchange Everyday
 In the book Developing People in Early Childhood Organizations (part of the Art of Leadership series), Bonnie Neugebauer asserts that children need adults in their lives who “model the importance of play…but in so many early childhood programs, people have forgotten how to be playful. They are focused on order and routines…there is no serendipity, no wonder, no surprise.” She explains that adults who embrace play will be “extravagant with their:
Time: The process is valued beyond the outcome…so it must be possible to continue the experience across blocks of time, even across days and weeks…
Energy: Play requires total commitment…
Resources: Play consumes resources. For a block city to grow, there must be enough blocks to meet the ever-expanding need…
Sense of Self: Play requires that one forget oneself. If self-conscious about their play…children and adults are crippled…
Sense of Order: There must be room for using things and doing things in new ways…
Joy: Play without enjoyment is just plain hard work. Players need to laugh, and boast…Play brings out the best in us.”
Check out more from Everyday Exchange here! |
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