January is usually the time of year we make fresh goals in life that will better us and our families.  Some commit to exercise or eating healthy.  Maybe reading a new book, saving money, or spending more time with family.  If you are looking back at your goals from this past January and realizing things just haven’t gone as planned, well, join the group! I wrote on my calendar January 1, “2020...the year of double blessing!”  Hummm...not exactly. (emphasize eye roll)  Earthly disasters, social unrest, Covid-19, loss of jobs, children home from school, sports/activities eliminated, isolation, fear, etc (I know you have a personal list running through your mind).  Recently, I remembered a book I read called One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp. She challenged readers to FIND the GIFTS in life among the EVERYDAY things.  New goal...Redeem 2020 by counting my blessings daily. Some days are easy.  I breeze through two hands of blessings before lunch.  Other days, I have to find the single thing that made me smile that day.  The first signs of Autumn, children that napped, or the very fact that I remembered to get milk on my way home. By numbering these simple GIFTS in life I realized there are many things I am grateful for this year. Throughout the day I find myself looking for the positives, finding the good, and focusing on my ‘haves’ and not my ‘have nots’.  The circumstances surrounding me haven’t changed much, however, my perspective and attitude are climbing to new heights.  Now, I challenge each of you to redeem your 2020 by counting your blessings and finding the gifts in life among the everyday things!   As you continue to navigate life, and the constant changes and challenges it brings, your Parent Educators are here to support you.  We already see you as a success...you are here, and you are wanting to do the best for you and your family.  TOGETHER, we’ve got this!

TOGETHER we have already adapted to the way we visit through Parents As Teachers.  We are doing our best to keep you connected, informed, and safe.  One way we are meeting with families is via Zoom.  Zoom is a FREE app that can be downloaded to your phone or other electronic device.  Zoom allows face to face visits with your parent educator from the safety of your home.

We are excited to introduce you to our new High Grove Principal, Stephanie Bradley.  Her leadership and vision for our families, education, and community are exceptional!

Mrs. Bradley was born and raised in Cypress, Texas.  She joined the United States Army right out of high school and served nearly four years before starting her family.  She started her educational career in 2004 as a kindergarten teacher, spent 11 years in the classroom as a second-grade teacher and three years at the middle school level as an Instructional Coach. Her most recent position within the school district was Coordinator of Professional Development and Extended Programs.  This 2020-2021 school year begins her new journey as the Principal at High Grove Early Childhood Center.  She is very excited to work directly with families and their children in order to help High Grove students build a strong base for lifelong learning.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS (Please note: THESE ARE TENTATIVE AND MAY CHANGE)…
October 20 5:30-6:30 Trunk or Treat @ High Grove
December 15 5:30-7:00 Winterfest @ High Grove


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“When you know better, you do better”--
Maya Angelou        

Parenting can naturally be stressful and frustrating in the best of times, but when you add  a global pandemic, a presidential election year and an increase in racial tensions, it is understandable that parents can be under a lot of additional stress.​  

The following article published in the September 2020 issue of KC Parent by Christa Meinyk Hines will introduce you to Mindful Parenting and share 8 Things Mindful Parents do Differently. Mindful Parenting can prepare you for a better way of responding to your children that will help to preserve the special parent-child relationship that you already have.  If you participate with Parents As Teachers, you are already doing one of the things mentioned in the article.  You are learning about child development each time your parent educator visits with you and your family.  To discover the other 7 things mindful parents do, follow this link.

Hello!  We want to take a moment to thank you for allowing each of us to visit with you and your family in your home this year. We know that this year did not end as we thought it would, but we still valued our time together, even if it was by way of a video call. Thank you for taking a chance with online virtual visits and adjusting with us during this time. Thank you for your patience as we attempted to provide the same quality of service that you have received in the past. We hope that it was a valuable experience for you.  It has been a true honor and a privilege to continue visiting you.

We look forward to connecting with you again in August, when school returns to see each of your and your families again and to see how everyone is doing. Have a great summer!

We wish you well!

Grandview C4 Parents as Teachers

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood to adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – later in life.  

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. Make sure your baby doesn’t get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids. The sun rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During those times, take the follow action steps to protect your children and yourself.  

1. Seek shade - under a tree, umbrella, or a pop-up tent
2. Cover up – long-sleeved shirts, long pants made from tightly woven fabric (dry clothing of darker colors may add more protection)
3.  Wear a hat – floppy hats that can shade face, scalp, ears, and neck
4.  Wear sunglasses –that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays
5.  Apply a sunscreen – SPF 30 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum)

​When choosing a sunscreen, it's best to select one  that does not contain the ingredient oxybenzone, since it is chemical that may have hormonal properties.
 
Apply generously 30 minutes before going outdoors
----- apply to ears, nose, back of neck, carefully around eyes, hands, tops of feet, and     back of knees (apply sparingly to face and back of hands of infants under 6 months), reapply at least every two hours if child is dry
----- apply a water-resistant sunscreen if child is in water and reapply more often (at least every hour)
----- you may want to apply lip balm that contains SPF

 How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun? 
 Sun Safety and Protection Tips 
Sunscreen for Dark Skin a Must

Autism - A diagnosis I had heard of a few times before but never really paid much attention to, after all, I didn’t have a child with autism, or so I thought. Looking back on Eli’s first year of life, I could see some of the signs. He was an incredibly laid-back baby, and he preferred to be alone. He wasn’t really smiling a whole lot or babbling much.
He was somewhat oblivious when someone would walk into the room, even if it was my husband or I. Looking back at pictures, I notice now how Eli’s eyes were always looking in the other direction.
 
By his 15 months well visit, the pediatrician had us fill out an MCHAT- a screening for autism. His score was somewhat high, but we opted for a wait-and-see approach. Around his 2nd birthday, we truly knew something was amiss. The few words he had acquired, he lost. Certain skills that he had acquired, even physical skills, he lost.

The decision was made to take him to the Munroe Meyer Institute in Omaha, NE where a team of professionals evaluated him for several hours. At the end of the visit, we were given the news that Eli had been diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism. My heart didn’t want to believe that my perfect miracle of a baby boy had autism. The team highly recommended multiple therapies, including PT, OT, and applied behavior analysis or ABA therapy. I felt so bad seeing my son, two years old, go through all the different therapies. His schedule was insanely busy, and many times I questioned if we were doing the right thing.     

Today, he is 8 years old. While still classified as severe and nonverbal, he has made great strides. The grief is still there, some days it’s worse than others, especially when it comes to school and seeing just how different he is from other children his age.
My only regret is not taking him to be evaluated sooner. Looking back, it was my own fear causing me to be so hesitant. I see others in my situation with their children, and every time I encourage early intervention, and I share my story of Eli. The best thing we ever did for him was having him evaluated to get the ball rolling. He still has an incredibly busy schedule of therapies, but I know without a doubt, he would not be where he is today without them.

Darcie

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Do you ever wonder why you should complete the Census?  Watch this quick video to find out!  

Messy Night
High Grove Early Childhood Center
March 10, 2020
5:30-6:30 P.M.
Join us for a night of hands on fun. We will have lots of messy activities where children will be learning as they play.  The best part is you won’t have to clean up when they are finished.
RSVP: 816.316.5515 or
Email: melanie.johannes@Grandviewc4.net
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The activity will be cancelled if school is closed due to inclement weather. 

Be sure to stop by the library during your visit to High Grove Early Childhood Center to browse through our collection of books especially selected for the children we serve.  There will be books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  We also intend to have a diverse selection of books for all of our families.