Parents as Teachers
NKC Schools * September 2018
Welcome Back Families!!!
It feels so great to be reunited with all of you again and if you are new to the North Kansas City School District Parents as Teachers program, Welcome! We look forward to partnering with you and your family this school year to help you and your child/children grow and develop. We hope that you take full advantage of the visits, resources, group connections, Success by 6 Center and library times that our program has to offer.
As we are always striving to grow and change to bring families the best services, you may see some new things during your home visits this year such as a contract and new assessment tools. We want to ensure you are getting everything you can from our program. We strive on building relationships with each family in the best way that fits you.
We hope you have a wonderful year with the Parents as Teachers program and if you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to call me!
Please enjoy this short video all about Parents as Teachers in the North Kansas City School District. https://www.facebook.com/NKCParentsAsTeachers/videos/1738704753105127/
Courtney Holt
Early Learning Coordinator
816-321-5453
Family Connections
We kicked off the school year with a warm and sunny evening at the Northland Miniature Railroad. We had a great turnout and it was so much fun seeing all the smiles on the children's faces as they rode the train! See below for pictures.
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS FALL INCLUDE:
September 20th, Touch-A-Truck 5:30-7:00 PM, 1950 NE 46th St. KCMO 64116
October 18th, Sensory Stations time & location TBD Explore a fun variety of sensory play activities with your children and hear from an occupational therapist about the importance of sensory play and what to do if you notice sensory aversion concerns in your child.
November 15th, Drive-in Movie Night time & location TBD. Experts agree too much screen time for very young children can hinder their development. We want to show you how to make watching a movie with your child fun and interactive! Children will decorate their own box cars before heading off to the "drive-in theatre" to enjoy a show and a snack.
December 6th, Rhythm & Music Johhy & Adam are back for another evening of music and entertainment as families learn about the importance of rhythm games & activities & join in on family sing-alongs with a variety of percussion instruments that people of all ages can use.
All Aboard the PAT Express!
Storytime and Playtime
Parents as Teachers staff will have a variety of toys to play with and/or check out immediately following story time at 11:00 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. North Kansas City Public Library is located at 2251 Howell St, North Kansas City, MO 64116, across from Dagg Park.
Fall Dates:
September 5th & 19th
October 3rd & 17th
November 7th & 28th
December 5th & 19th
Storytime begins at 11:00 with playtime immediately following from 11:30-12:30pm
Tell Me More About These Screenings and Assessments
Below is a list of the screening & assessment tools your Parent Educator (PE) may use with your child/family this year to help document the growth of your child and the strengths of your family.
ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) Completed once a year, usually in the fall. This is a play based screening, that works to celebrate children's milestones and identify possible delays in children ages 3 months to 5 1/2 years. It focuses on communication, large and small motor, problem-solving and personal-social development.
ASQ-SE (Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional) Completed once a year, usually in the fall. PE's will ask parents a variety of questions regarding your child's current social and emotional development, looking for any areas of concern, and discussing any questions you may have.
Hearing/Vision/Health: PE's will do a brief functional assessment of your child's hearing and vision as well as complete a health questionnaire. This functional assessment does not replace going to a Dr for any concerns you may have.
PICCOLO (Parent Interactions with Children) new in 2018. This assessment will be used with a small number of families this year. PE's will provide you with a fun activity to do with your child for about 10 minutes. While you are playing with your child your PE will observe how your child engages with you and together you and your PE will discuss what aspects of play and interacting are easy for your family and where you might like to develop your parent-interaction skills more.
Bracken-3 (new in 2018) This assessment will be used with a small number of preschool-aged children this year. The Bracken is designed to measure your child's kindergarten readiness through a quick 10-minute question and answer session while your child looks at a variety of pictures. It will be given at the beginning of the school year and again at your last home visit of the year, to help show you the growth your child has made as you prepare them for kindergarten.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the tools mentioned above please speak to your parent educator or call Courtney Holt at 816-321-5453.
Success By 6 Resource Center is Open with Extended Hours
We have new hours this year!
Monday 8:30 - 11:30 & 2:30 - 6:30
Tuesday: 8:00 - 12:00
Wednesday: CLOSED
Thursday: 8:30 - 11:30 & 2:30 - 6:30
Friday: 8:00 - 12:00
North Kansas City School District requires that all visitors present a valid driver's license or state ID to enter our facilities.
Repurposed Play
The pool may be closed but there are still lots of ways to use those pool noodles at home for learning and fun.
Pool Noodle Sculptures
Pool Noodle Race Tracks
Pool Noodle Painting
Pool Noodle Alphabet Match
Pool Noodle Card Holders
Pool Noodle Boats
Health and Safety
Just as it does every year without fail, influenza season – also known as flu season – is coming. Many people don't realize it, but the flu can be a very serious illness. It causes thousands of deaths in the United States every year, some of which are among previously healthy children.
As a parent, the best thing you can do to protect your children from the flu is to get them vaccinated. Everyone around them should be vaccinated, too.
The AAP(American Academy of Pediatrics) recommendation this year is that all eligible children 6 months and older should get the flu shot. The AAP reviewed the data about the latest form of the nasal spray and made the decision that there just was not enough new information to be confident that this season's nasal spray flu vaccine would work as well as the flu shot to protect children.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) decided to go ahead and recommend the nasal vaccine as an option for the 2018-19 flu season, along with the usual flu shot. Still, The AAP recommends children should only get the nasal spray this coming year if they are healthy and at least two years old and wouldn't get vaccinated otherwise--for example, if your child is absolutely refusing the shot but is willing to get the nasal spray or if your doctor is out of the flu shot but has the nasal spray available.
For additional tips and information on flu prevention click on the link below.
Information provided by the CDC https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Prepare-Your-Family-for-Flu-Season.aspx