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What's In This Newsletter?
- What to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Seven Types of Self-Care: Pleasure
- All About Being Three!
- PLAY: A Seattle Children's Study
- Teacher Clock Hours Available
- Child Care Health & Safety Featured Classes
- Free Library Resources
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What to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine
- We are currently in Phase 1A.
- Are you wondering what phase child care providers fall into, where and how to get vaccinated? Click here for more information. Hint: Child care providers are in Phase 1B.
- A Phase Finder online tool is scheduled to be launched by the end of January. The current version is set up only for health care workers. Watch for more details on Phase Finder and from the Snohomish Health District Child Care Health Outreach Program.
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7 Types of Self-Care: Pleasure
Self-care is about taking the time to put your health and well-being first. We are referencing Dr. Greg Markway’s seven types of self-care.
This is part 5 of a multi-part series.
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The next self-care strategy that we will examine, is pleasure. If you find yourself hesitant to engage in pleasurable activities because you feel guilt or shame regarding pleasure, you’re not alone. In some Christian teachings, pleasure is associated with the seven deadly sins a.k.a. cardinal sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. The connotation is that if you engage in too much pleasure then you may fall into one of these deadly sins. However, pleasure can be key to our health and well-being. There has been a shift in mainstream thought and encouraging pleasure may no longer be a hard sell for most people as a self-care strategy; it is a noble thing to pursue.
So, what is your pleasure? Here is a list of ideas for pleasurable activities: - Get take-out food and bring it home and surprise someone.
- Dig around in the dirt, plant some new bulbs or get an indoor plant and repot it! Most home improvement stores will have these items.
- Watch a movie or a show online or exchange a movie with your neighbor. Choose your favorite type, maybe comedy, or if you need a good cry choose something sad to watch.
- Do a craft project, create some art, be original, create a memory scrapbook!
- Journal about whatever you want to, or you can keep a gratitude journal which is known to increase happiness.
- Walk your dogs, or simply pet your animals in their favorite spots. They will surely show you their appreciation. Accept their attempts to let you know they love you.
- Take a photo walk by yourself or with a member of your household. The idea is simply to take photos of things that interest you.
- Use your senses: stop and smell the roses, listen to inspiring or beautiful music on YouTube, look for beauty everywhere, touch a child or a loved one who you live with,
- Slowly eat something you enjoy and savor it. Be mindful as you eat and notice the texture, the smell, the flavor.
Pleasure is sure to help our mood and help us feel cared for. Charles Eames said,
“Take your pleasure seriously.” It is truly a gift to be able to engage in pleasurable activities in order to decrease stress. Please note that just doing something that is good for you, but do not enjoy, does not qualify as self-care. Things that are good for you, but do not bring you joy, is not what we are striving for here.
Another take on pleasure is from Brené Brown, who is a professor and writer. She talks a lot about being your authentic self and says that only when we are vulnerable and are being our true selves can we find meaningful and pleasurable relationships. In fact, she says that not being ourselves in a relationship results in the loss of pleasure in life. She says,
Sometimes we bury our wishes and desires so deep under the pressure of what we have to do and to be that we end up not knowing who we really are... Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.
Brené Brown explains the consequences of abandoning your authentic self, “If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment and inexplicable grief.” So celebrate a fleeting moment, seek joy, gratitude, and grace. Becoming your authentic self is a process, so be patient and let your true self lead you to the pleasure of life.
In closing, I want to share one more quote by Mary Wilson Little. She says,
“There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.”
As you ponder self-care, cut yourself some slack, relax, enjoy yourself! Certainly, we deserve some pleasure in the midst of hard work and dedication to serving our loved ones and others.
By Sue Starr, SHD MCH Resilience Subject Matter Expert |
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All About Being Three!
“It takes a big heart to help shape little minds.”
Three-year-olds are pretty amazing little people.
They are very busy developmentally with lots of changes happening: physically, cognitively and socially/emotionally. Let’s discuss this stage of child development and what makes these preschoolers so delightful! We will also look at what is challenging and hard about being three!
Physically, most three-year-olds can run and walk without tripping over their own feet. They can jump, hop and stand on one foot. They are getting better at walking backward and going up steps one foot after the other. They climb and catch a large ball, they can kick and throw a smaller ball. They can also pedal a trike!
Regarding thinking and mental skills, three-year-olds can copy a circle, name some colors, put together a three to four-piece puzzle, make up stories and play make believe with animals, dolls and people. They can turn a doorknob, stack more than a few blocks, and play with toys that have levers, buttons and moving parts. They follow commands with 2-3 steps, uses pronouns like I, you and we, and prepositions like under, in, and on correctly. Usually three-year-olds converse using two or three sentences at a time, and speak clearly enough that even a stranger can understand them. They know their name, age and gender and can name a friend.
Socially and emotionally, this age likes to copy what friends and adults do. They really like routine and get upset with big changes. They show a wide range of emotions and have learned to take turns. Three-year-olds like to be helpful, and openly show affection. They are often potty-trained during the day, and can get dressed and undressed without help. They understand concepts like “mine, “his,” and “hers,” and are concerned about peers being upset. Fortunately, this age child does not get upset when parents leave, so child care drop off usually goes smoothly. Between the ages of three and four, a child really starts to understand that her body, mind and emotions are her own. She also shows fear of imaginary things. Kids this age start to pretend more during play and try on different roles.
Caregivers of young children field hundreds of “why” questions every single day. According to Harvard-based child psychologist Paul Harris, a child asks around 40,000 questions between the ages of two and five. Asking “why” is a sign of curiosity and wanting to understand the world around them. Why questions are important is because understanding usually increases a child’s sense of security and understanding. All day it’s “why did he do that?”, “Why is he sad?”, “Why can’t I play in the water?” This can go on for what seems like forever.
Preschoolers have only been in the world a short while, so life experience is minimal. However, their wonder and imagination is huge! Their brains are really trying to connect the dots in their new and fascinating world. By asking “Why?”, a child lets you know that something you said or something they observed is interesting, and that they want to explore it further by talking to you about it. However, we don’t always have all of the answers to their never-ending questions, and trying to come up with acceptable answers can be exhausting. How can a why-weary child care provider respond to a child with frequent curiosity?
Instead of constantly answering the why questions, try turning the tables. You can become the why asker! By asking open-ended questions, you allow the child to do the thinking and develop critical-thinking skills which is the foundation for learning. Sometimes the preschooler will try to get at the real reason why, but other times they may come up with a silly or crazy answer, which will create laughter and joy!
Truth be told, having fun and laughing are probably more important than finding out all of the answers to the many, many questions. The answers to the questions may be eventually forgotten. On the other hand, connecting with you, their esteemed caregiver, is allowing you to share a special moment. This positive interaction is most likely all the child really wants. Sharing positive emotions with you will help the three-year-old feel valued, content and special! This gift you give a child in your care is one of the greatest gifts of all!
“The best way to make children good is to make them happy.”
--Oscar Wilde
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PLAY: A Seattle Children's Study
Come PLAY with us! Preschoolers Learning and Active in PLAY is a Seattle Children’s research study testing to see if wristband activity trackers help kids, teachers, and families be more active and healthy. Children ages 3 to 5, child care providers/preschool teachers, and parents are eligible to participate in the six-month program. Participating child care programs receive free STARS trainings for their teachers, rain gear for all-weather play, and 1:1 consultation with coaches for goal setting and action planning. Dr. Pooja Tandon is the primary investigator for this study.
To learn more about PLAY, please see the attached flyer or contact us at PLAY@seattlechildrens.org!
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Teacher Clock Hours Available
Teachers, don't forget that STARS credits or certificates can be turned in for Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) clock hours. See Featured Classes and Registration Information at the end of this newsletter for our current course offerings. Click here for more information from OSPI.
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Free Library Resources Available
Reading is a wonderful activity for children, and is a particularly great way to support learning and development when outdoor play is more limited in the winter months. The Sno-Isle library system offers a variety of free resources that can be accessed with a library card. Services include contact free book holds and pick-up, remote printing and digital materials. Click here for more information.
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Stay updated on COVID-19 requirements and recommendations. The class is updated regularly to reflect the most current guidance. Click here for an informational flier.
In child care environments, children and child care providers are particularly vulnerable for illnesses because diseases can spread easily in group settings. Adults and children who are not fully vaccinated are susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases. By learning about vaccines, how they work, and the diseases they prevent, child care providers can help educate parents and make sure that everyone has the necessary vaccines to prevent serious illnesses. This course gives an overview of why adults and children in child care settings need vaccines. The course reviews the immunization regulations in place (with recent WAC changes) to protect child care providers and children, and what to do if an outbreak happens. Information on the COVID-19 vaccine is included.
Classes are available to everyone. Learning courses can be taken at no cost. If you wish to obtain a certificate or In-Service Hours/STARS credit, cost is $10 per credit hour (unless otherwise noted).
Remember that child care providers are able to apply for reimbursement through DCYF up to $250.00 once each year. Click here for more information. Registration InformationVisit the SHD Child Care Health Outreach Program Course link. At the top of the page, select the SignUp link and enter the requested information. Search for classes in the Course Catalog. Once you successfully complete the COVID-19 class, you will automatically be able to print a Certificate of Completion awarding you with one in-service training hour (STARS Credit) and your name will be entered into the MERIT System. An in-service training hour is also available for the Immunizations course. To obtain credit, click on the STARS credit/certificate module of the Immunizations course (in the Course Catalog) after completing the learning course.
For questions contact: childcarehealth@snohd.org or 425-252-5415
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Contact InformationSnohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave., Ste. 104, Everett, WA 98201
Email: childcarehealth@snohd.org
Program Phone: 425.252.5415
Website: http://www.snohd.org/238/Child-Care-Providers
Received this as a forward? Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
The Child Care Health Outreach Program staff are available to consult with you on these and other health, safety, and nutrition topics by phone, by email, or at your child care. |
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