Ivy Learning Resource & Referral Newsletter

Serve and Return

Serve and return interactions shape brain architecture. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills. Much like a lively game of tennis, volleyball, or Ping-Pong, this back-and-forth is both fun and capacity-building. When caregivers are sensitive and responsive to a young child’s signals and needs, they provide an environment rich in serve and return experiences.

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/serve-and-return/

WHY IS BUDGETING IMPORTANT?

Here are my top three reasons why budgeting is so important for your childcare business.

It Helps You Make Sure You Have Enough Money to Operate

When you create a budget, you create a plan. You are helping yourself visualize how many expenses you will have and how much money you will need to pay for all those expenses.

It Helps Achieve Personal Goals

Opening a childcare business was our dream. We did it because we love influencing children and helping them build a solid foundation for life. This is true, but we still have other goals, don’t we? Goals like paying off our mortgage, taking a vacation, paying for our children to attend higher education or training, or just affording life. Budgeting for our business leads to achieving our personal goals.

It Puts First Things First

Budgeting will help make sure there are enough funds to cover that electricity bill next month. If the utility budget is short, the budget shows you where to cut spending and give that money to the electric company to keep you and the children cool. It will help you put the most important things first, so you never lose the quality of your program.

Check out this article from Harvard Business School for a more in-depth look into why budgeting is important.

Why Is Budgeting Important in Business? 5 Reasons (hbs.edu )

UPDATES!

Have you done your semi-annual update yet? Twice yearly (January-June and July-December), Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral agencies are required to gather information from early care and education programs throughout our region to update our system. This is the best way to keep things like your hours, rates, educational accomplishments and other facets current so parents have the latest information when searching for child care. And a great way for parents in the area to know you! We will contact you in person, by phone or email to request the information, and we would appreciate your responses! Even text us the words, "No Changes" and we will make sure it is recorded in the database. You can also complete an update form by visiting our website. Click the link below.

Click Here for Ivy Learning website

Celebrate International Mud Day on June 29th!

Each year International Mud Day is celebrated in June in programs worldwide, but did you know it began as a project of the World Forum’s Nature Action Collaborative for Children. Here’s how Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal and Gillian McAuliffe from Australia launched the idea.

n 2009 at the World Forum for Early Childhood Care and Education in Belfast, the idea of International Mud Day had its beginnings. Two members of the Nature Action Collaborative for Children, Gillian McAuliffe from Western Australia and Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal, discussed the challenges children faced when playing in mud in each other’s context.

Read the entire article here

Article

Check out this InBrief from the Center on the Developing mind showcasing the effects of extreme heat on babies & young children and read about actionable solutions to prevent or minimize these impacts.

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/extreme-heat-affects-early-childhood-development-inbrief/

Reading corner

Infant/Toddler

You'll never know dear, how much I love you. I’ll give you lots of hugs...and kisses every day! This playful new shaped board book from Sandra Magsamen features a plush sun-shaped finger puppet embedded through the center of the book! This puppet then becomes a character on every spread, offering a uniquely interactive reading experience for you and your child. With a sweet interpretation of this beloved children's song, and adorable illustrations, this playful board book invites little readers to sing along and reminds them just how loved they are”.

Author and illustrator: Sandra Magsamen

Northeast Region Corner

Hello Northeast Providers,

Preschool

“A simple and fun introduction to beginner science, covering the themes of weather, temperature, plant life, and the animal kingdom. Winter, spring, summer, and fall are each represented by a vibrant outdoor scene revealing seasonal changes, from ponds freezing over, to baby birds leaving their nests for the first time. And with changes in weather come new things to try it's windy enough to fly a kite and spin pinwheels; it's rainy enough to splash in puddles, use an umbrella, and search for worms; it's snowy enough to build a snowman, go sledding, and drink hot chocolate. But is it warm enough for ice cream? When we reach the bright sun of the summer spread, we hear the answer: Yes, it is!”

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? Board book – Illustrated, February 13, DK (Author).........

Activity ice cream in a bag link https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/ice-cream-in-a-bag/

School Age

Summer Is Here Hardcover – Picture Book, May 7, 2024

by Renée Watson (Author), Bea Jackson (Illustrator

“Summer is here! No dark clouds in the sky, it's a perfect day for play. What joy will summer bring me today?” “Summer is finally here, and she's bringing the most perfect day! From sunup to sundown, there's so much to do on this lovely summer day. Her stars shimmer like spilled glitter across the sky. I whisper a wish and say goodbye to the day. I wish summer would stay.

Renée Watson celebrates iconic childhood joys in this love letter to summer featuring bright, sun-drenched art from Bea Jackson

Activity: Summer bucket list... Enjoy the summer but remember to be safe with lots of water and sunscreen. Hats are good to shade little faces and be mindful not to keep them out too long and keep eyes on weather temperatures.

--The Book Cornert

Activity: Sunshine Canvas paint bottom of feet yellow and press on canvas or sturdy paper

Preschool

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? Board book – Illustrated, February 13, DK (Author).........

Activity ice cream in a bag link https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/ice-cream-in-a-bag/

School Age

Summer Is Here Hardcover – Picture Book, May 7, 2024

by Renée Watson (Author), Bea Jackson (Illustrator

Renée Watson celebrates iconic childhood joys in this love letter to summer featuring bright, sun-drenched art from Bea Jackson

Activity: Sunshine Canvas paint bottom of feet yellow and press on canvas or sturdy paper

Preschool

Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? Board book – Illustrated, February 13, DK (Author).........

Activity ice cream in a bag link https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/ice-cream-in-a-bag/

School Age

Summer Is Here Hardcover – Picture Book, May 7, 2024

by Renée Watson (Author), Bea Jackson (Illustrator

Renée Watson celebrates iconic childhood joys in this love letter to summer featuring bright, sun-drenched art from Bea Jackson

Events and Trainings

See upcoming events here!

NE Region’s Thrive Network meeting June 22nd, 2024 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northeast-region-family-child-care-network-training-tickets-888659262777 Northeast Region Family Child Care Network Training Join us for the next Northeast Oklahoma Region Thrive Network .This month is Outdoor Exploration! www.eventbrite.com When children are very young, they need an opportunity to explore and utilize all their senses. To really discover the joy, as well as be able to experience the adventure of their natural curiosity and their ability to know, and find out about the world in a way that's relaxed. And in a way that really cultivates a passion that last their lifetime. A lot of times parents and caregivers don't know about the importance and the value of having children outdoors. They don't know about challenges of early childhood obesity, diabetes, and attention deficit disorder in young children. A baby shouldn't be watching television because it affects their brain wave patterns and makes it more difficult for them to learn. They need opportunities to work with hands on discovery-based inquiry-oriented learning environments. Join Tina McClintic on June 22 to learn more about the importance of outdoor learning environments.

Events and Trainings

Ivy Learning is here to serve you!

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource & Referral serves the North Central and Northeast Regions of Oklahoma, which includes 19 counties. For more information and to contact your regional representative, expand the section below.

North Central Region: Kay, Lincoln, Logan, Noble, Nowata, Osage, Pawnee, Payne & Washington Counties

Northeast Region: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Ottawa & Sequoyah Counties

Request Technical Assistance from our Resource and Referral Specialists

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource and Referral can provide technical assistance to childcare providers. Technical Assistance services help providers improve or enhance the quality of childcare through structured and intentional services which supports the development of specific skills and practices. As a result, providers will be able to implement knowledge about quality in their individual care giving situations.

Request Technical Assistance