Nov 16

Let’s Move

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By now, most of us have heard about the new government initiative, Let’s Move! Launched by First Lady Michelle Obama, this comprehensive efforts was created to put into place better options and solutions for eliminating childhood obesity. Ultimately, Mrs. Obama believes if we can raise a healthier generation, we’ve made the first big step in finally eradicating this growing epidemic in the U.S.

Let's MoveThis is a powerful effort, but what’s so impressive is the common sense that’s a hallmark of the program. It’s not overwhelming, but rather, a simple and straightforward effort that puts our children on a much healthier path and it all starts with parents and other adults in the child’s life. It’s about providing healthier environments where choice is encouraged, but healthy habits are instilled in the process. It’s about healthier foods in school classrooms around the country and better solutions for child care providers and just as importantly, ensuring families can afford these healthier choice.

“In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition.”

- First Lady Michelle Obama

The Task Force on Childhood Obesity Presidential Memorandum was signed by President Obama, further cementing his family’s dedication and commitment to our nation’s young people. Mrs. Obama has said she hopes one good decision will encourage more good decisions. With attention paid on what families choose for their nutrition, she hopes it will encourage those families to introduce daily exercise into their lifestyles, as well.

Mrs. Obama, along with the task force, have identified five pillars that define the initiative:

Creating a healthy start for children

Empowering parents and caregivers

Providing healthy food in schools

Improving access to healthy, affordable foods

Increasing physical activity

We’re excited to play a role in these efforts and we invite all of our readers to visit the official let’s Move! site where parents and child care providers can find a host of resources to help them define their own game plan.

What kind of changes have your family made? If you’re a child care provider, have you introduced any elements to the First Lady’s initiative? Share your story with us.

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May 26

Summer Fun and Summer Safety

Child Care Practices, Meeting the Needs of Children No Comments »

Now that summer’s approaching, odds are, as a child care provider, you’re gearing up for three months of children who want nothing more than to be outdoors.  There’s just something about those warmer months that energizes all of us, but especially children who are breaking loose after the school year.  With that thought in mind, Alpha Cares has put together some safety tips that will keep your little ones safe as they revel under the warm sunshine.

  • If you haven’t already inspected your swings and other outdoor toys to ensure they’re in good repair, now’s a great time to do so.  Look for exposed bolts on swing sets, compromised cords or chains and inspect anything else that kids tend to make a beeline for outdoors.  Also, walk the grounds where kids will be playing and be sure there are no ant beds or bee hives.
  • With the outdoors comes the threat of bee stings, ant bites and allergy attacks.  Review your course of action with parents so that you take action right away.  Be sure each parent has a signed release in your files for anything you’re authorized to provide, including medications such as Benadryl or Tylenol.
  • Now’s the time to also be sure your first aid kit is well stocked with bandages, antibiotic ointment and other fixes for those skinned knees and bug bites.
  • Kids tend to run at full steam ahead, so be you’re on the lookout for loose shoe strings and other little hazards that can cause big problems.
  • You don’t want to have to deal with dehydration.  Make sure your little ones are getting plenty of liquids.
  • It’s always a good idea to have parents provide a change of clothes.  You never know when little Billy is going to slide into home base and end up with grass stains or covered from head to toe in mud.
  • Finally, don’t forget the SPF sunblock!  This is really important as it affects our health for the rest of our lives.  This is a great time to instill this habit in children, too.

For the kids, they have little patience for the preparations of spending time outdoors, but as adults, we have a responsibility to ensure they’re as protected as possible.  Have anymore great tips or ideas?  We’d love to hear them!  Drop us a line and we’ll be sure to get them posted. Have a great summer!

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Jan 11

Expectations

Child Care Practices No Comments »

Jean Mercer, Ph.D. and author of “Child Myths”, part of the Psychology Today network, recently wrote an article titled “What We Expect to See in Day Care and What We Should Look For”.   It was an interesting read in that she accurately described what many of us see in our own mind’s eye of what a child care setting “looks” like.  Many of us have this image in our minds of how our own day care settings were when we were kids.  She mentions group activities and the familiar “circle time” where the children sit in circles and enjoy being read to or each taking turns telling a story.  She also brings back memories of smocks and finger painting as well as cookie and juice time.  A trip down memory lane, to be sure.

It’s what else she brings front and center that had me thinking about the way child care providers tend to their little ones in contemporary day.  Child care providers approach their responsibilities with a more educated view than our own Miss Smiths’ of yesteryear.  She mentions new research published by J. Ronald Lally in “Zero to Three” in the November 2009 issue of Psychology Today.  Some of the issues most significant for toddlers and infants include child care providers who ensure repeated eye contact is made and communication abilities that are being developed courtesy of the modern child care provider.  She also mentions smaller groups, which is becoming more common.  Today’s child care centers are working to ensure more employees are focused on fewer children at a time so that each child is better able to bond and enjoy being in the center.  This, of course, means fewer problems when Mom drops little one off each morning.

Although frequent teacher changes are expected and even encouraged once a child begins kindergarten, toddlers and other youngsters who have not begun school fare much better when they become familiar with the same faces each day.  It promotes a sense of safety for them.  While some day care centers are assigning their employees to the two year old groups or three year olds, some experts believe the same caregiver during those first initial years is actually healthier for the children.

The biggest difference in today’s child care providers is the way they approach their responsibilities.  More are becoming better educated and are insisting employees not only have some experience or background, but that they are mentally and even legally qualified to care for our society’s youngest.  The days of having a babysitter are long gone;  our partners who play a role in shaping our children today are just as significant and their roles are just as important as Mom and Dad themselves.

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