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Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum

March 2013
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News Bulletin
March 2013 Edgewater Early Learning Center A program of One Hope United 5244 N. Lakewood Ave., Chicago IL, 60640 773.907.0278

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Overall Health Exercise

Nutrition Environmental Sustainability

Look closely at nutrition, package labels to find healthiest foods

When shopping for healthy food for our families, reading nutrition labels can be helpful but also confusing. Most people know the label lists how many calories are in a serving, but other pieces of information are important, too. While whole, fresh foods are always healthiest, families on the go often rely on packaged foods. Here are some tips to make healthier choices: Ingredients lists start with the main ingredient. A healthy first ingredient might be a whole grain, fruit or low-fat milk -- not sugar. There are many terms for sugar, some even sound healthy -- like molasses or dehydrated cane juice. Usually anything listed as syrup or ending in ose is sugar. Seek packages with a short list of ingredients, under five if you can, and the names should be foods you recognize, not chemical names. Nutrition labels list the recommended daily amount of each nutrient for adults, based on 2,000 calories per day. Most children need much less than that. Food labels list the amount of calories per serving. However, many foods and drinks typically consumed by a child in one sitting, such as a bag of chips or a bottle of juice, might actually say they contain two or three servings. Avoid saturated or trans fats and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, found in many cookies and crackers. Choose mono- or polyunsaturated fats instead, found in foods such as almonds, pecans, avocado, fish and olive oil. Limit high-sodium foods. Childrens favorites such as soup, pizza and macaroni and cheese often have a high salt content. Common unhealthy ingredients in foods children enjoy include BHA (breakfast cereals); sodium nitrites and nitrates (lunch meats and hot dogs); food dyes (candy and cereals); caramel coloring (soda); and monosodium glutamate (MSG) or hydrolyzed vegetable protein (packaged soups and noodles; seasoning packets; chips). Examining box claims Fat-free foods, such as frozen yogurt, often are high in sugar. Packages that say all-natural ingredients can be misleading. Read the ingredient list to find out what is really in the product. Look for foods labeled USDA Organic, 100% Organic or Organic. Made with organic ingredients means some ingredients are organic, not all. Also, look for products that say 100% whole grain, rather than just whole grain.

March 48: Self-Assessment for EELC >

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22 23 In-Service Day: Dismissal at 2:30 p.m. No After School Program 30

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Positive Guidance: Effective Parenting Skills for Challenging Behaviors 4:30 p.m.

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March 2528: CPS Off (Full-day programming available for School Age) >

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Four Components of the

onehopechilddevelopment.org

Resources: 1. American Academy of Pediatrics, www.healthychildren.org 2. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm 3. The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com 4. KidsHealth, www.kidshealth.org

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION

Strengthening Families: Protective Factors

Protective Factors #3: Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Its Part Natural and Part Learned!
Raising children can be confusing at times. From good nutrition to healthy ways to discipline our children, theres a lot to know.

As adults, we too are always learning. It is important to understand that we may not have all the answers about parenting, but we are able to continue to learn as our children continue to grow. Our Parent Resource Area offers information about classes, books and support groups about parenting. Monthly parent meetings also provide families with the opportunity to share and learn from others. Please feel welcome to take advantage of any of these resources.

Discipline and Your Child

Our March Parent Meeting will focus on Effective Parenting Skills for Challenging Behaviors. We will discuss different strategies for discipline and ways to change your childs behavior. The tips offered below may help you better handle a tough situation without getting angry: Give a brief reason why you cant do what she wants you to do. Be honest, but let her know you are fair and in charge. It will be time for dinner soon, and I need to be home to get it ready. Candy may hurt your teeth. Offer a solution or an alternative. Even if you believe she knows better, you can remind her. Try saying, Sand is not to be thrown. Try letting it trickle through your fingers, Dont hit people. Tell me in words if youre angry, or hit your punching toy. Remind her that there are other choices. You can say, Would you like to pick out a pack of sugarless gum or an apple instead? or We cant stay now, but we can come back tomorrow. Be consistent in following through on these choices.

From the Directors Desk:

March is certainly a busy time at Edgewater Early Learning Center! Our annual Self-Assessment will take place during the week of March 48, 2013. During this time, we will take part in classroom observations, document review, teacher, parent and administrative interviews, which are all designed to ensure that we continue to offer a high-quality program to our families. Our Self-Assessment will be wonderful preparation for our Federal Review which is set to occur this year! Towards the end of March, our classrooms will also begin to schedule Mid-Year Home Visits with all families. Home visits are an important part of our program, as this time allows the classroom teacher and family support staff an opportunity to speak with families directly in their home environment. During this time, teachers will share goal plans with families based on our last assessment period and will look forward to using your input to create new goals. Classrooms will soon be posting sign-up sheets so families can schedule a time for their home visit that best suits their schedule. We hope to have all visits completed by the beginning of April. I know that scheduling your home visit can be a challenge at times, based on work schedules, school schedules and your availability. Thank you in advance for taking the time to participate in our Mid-Year Home Visits! Our teachers and family support staff are looking forward to visiting with you! Marybeth Mlikotic
EELC Director

Some things will come naturally, but learning more about what children really need will make you a better parent and that will Remember that being a great parent is part natural, but also help our children be good parents when they have kids. What part learned! do you like best about parenting? Who did you learn parenting from? Who helps you when you have questions about your For more information, please visit www.keepyourfamilystrong.org. children? Where do you seek parenting advice from?

Its a Boy!
We would like to congratulate Ms. Jackie and her family on the birth of her precious new baby boy! Ms. Jackie welcomed Samuel Logan on Feb. 8, 2013. Join us in sending Ms. Jackie and her family best wishes!

Books Come To Life!

Thank you to all our families who participated in our Literacy Night, Books Come to Life! We had some wonderful activities planned based on some of our favorite books and stories. Healthy snacks of mini turkey and chicken sammys were enjoyed!

Set firm limits and rules children can understand. Use a firm, kind voice, and keep directions short. You may need to repeat rules and directions until your child remembers for himself. You may not watch that television program. You may turn it off, or I will do it. When you put your shoes on, we will go outside. Yes, I know youre eager to go, but the car will not start until you are in your car seat. Share as many happy times together as possible. Let him know you enjoy being with him. Laugh, play, hug, and cuddle with your child. Compliment good efforts even if the result isnt perfect. Talk with and read to her. Doing these things lets children know that they are important to you and encourages them to want to please you. It takes time, readiness, and practice for children to learn to follow rules just as it does for them to learn physical skills, such as walking, or social skills, such as sharing.

Room 209: Ms. Julia entertains her children and families during story time!

Room 206 created their very own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree.

Room 205: Families, and School agers, enjoyed a special rendition of The Three Little Pigs.