http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:00:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The fall will soon be here! It's time again for early childhood classes and special events! The following are the top ten reasons to come to early childhood classes: 1. The hospital failed to include an instruction manual when you had your baby. 2. You can load up on parenting information to ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/08/top-ten-reasons-to-come-to-early-childhood-classes/ This month let's focus on the book, The 7 Worst Things Parents Do, written by John C. and Linda D. Friel (both practicing psychologists in the twin cities). On first glance, this book seems to come from a negative point of view. However, there is a ton of practical suggestions for ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/07/parents-7-worst-mistakes/ Ready 4 K has known since our inception that investing in high quality early care and education has tremendous social, economic and educational benefits--indeed, it's our raison d'etre for existing. So it's always welcome news when other organizations, especially ones whose raison d'etre is not early childhood, touts its benefits ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/07/minnesota-2020-touts-early-care-and-education/ Do you have a child you'd like to enroll in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) or School Readiness?  Perhaps you're new to the school district and need to register a child for Kindergarten or other grades?  Please contact your local school district.  Most ECFE offices are closed for the summer, ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/07/school-registration/ 1.  Offer home visits and parent education to every first-time parent to help get her children off to a great start; 2.  Double the number of at-risk children who participate in high-quality early learning opportunities; 3.  Implement a statewide quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs; 4.  Create community partnerships to ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/07/ready4k-has-these-five-goals-for-the-next-governor/ As summer comes around again, there are a multitude of activities parents and children can do together. I hope this article gives parents some new ideas to try. As a parent, I often wandered what role I should "play" in my children's "play". Now I believe there is no right ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/06/summer-play-activities/ The summer reading program runs June 7th through July 30th, 2010. Make a Splash! Read! It's easy & fun! Sign up in the Virginia Public Library's Children's Room, set your goals & read throughout the summer. Programs for preschoolers through teens. Read with Chia! Our favorite reading dog, Chia, will be ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/06/summer-reading-program-2/ As spring turns to summer, our ECFE classes begin discussing their planned activities for the warm weather. When asked about this, most parents will say that their children are enrolled in dance classes, summer sports, or YMCA activities. Parents know the value of routines in a child's life. Even though summer is ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/05/the-value-of-routines/ From Ready 4 K The weekend was marked by fits and starts of floor sessions, conference committees and leadership meetings. Disagreements and clarifying of positions between all bodies over early enrollment of childless adults from General Assistance Medical Care to Medical Assistance, which would qualify for federal matching funds, was at ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/05/end-of-session-the-capitol-monday-may-17/ On its way to the governor’s desk is the omnibus early childhood bill. The House passed the conference committee report 103-30; the Senate did so 57-10 Monday. Sponsored by Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) and Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), HF2760/ SF2505* would direct the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care ... http://quadcitiesearlychildhood.com/2010/05/omnibus-early-childhood-bill-to-governor-may-11-2010/