Parents as Teachers promotes the optimal early development, learning and health of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. We equip parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school. This is done through home visiting, developmental screenings and group connections. Please encourage family and friends with small children to call 816-489-7303 to enroll in the Belton Parents as Teacher program.

We have decided to cancel playgroup on Thursday, November 8th, at Cleveland Lake due to the inclement weather coming into the metro area later in the week. The Success by Six Resource Center will be open for families to checkout items for their children to enjoy at home. Each family is allowed to checkout up to six items for two weeks! Please call 816-489-7303 for questions.

We have a new phone system at Grace Early Childhood and Parents as Teachers. The new numbers are:

Parents As Teachers Main Line - 816-489-7303

Grace Early Childhood Main Line - 816-489-7300

You will be able to leave a voicemail for your Parent Educator if need be.

The current numbers will also work for the remainder of the school year for both offices.

THANKSGIVING, what should it mean to you? Thanksgiving Day, as celebrated in North America is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks for the many blessings enjoyed by these nations and their citizens.

In the United States, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November. A meal is prepared with all the trimmings; families gather together and talk, while others watch a game or a parade. Some families may have their own yearly Thanksgiving traditions.

What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?

It is not too late to join us for the second part of the parenting series, Chaos to Calm! Please call 816-489-7303 to RSVP. Childcare is limited so call today to reserve your child's spot.

Shout out to Johnson Farms for a fun filled day at the Pumpkin Patch. Families were able to explore the farm, pet the animals, enjoy the play area and find that perfect pumpkin to take home.

Fall Back In the fall, the clock is moved back an hour, so we gain an hour. For adults and teenagers, it often means getting an extra hour of sleep. Adding an hour to the day is easy, and most adults forget there was a time change within a few days. When we get up on Monday at 7 a.m., we feel more alert and refreshed because our internal clock says it is 8 a.m. On the other hand, some adults may not be able to sleep past 6 a.m.

When a child has had a bedtime of 8 p.m. and rises at 7 a.m., she appears tired and crabby by 7 p.m. on Sunday night following the time change because her internal clock says it is 8 p.m. The parent may decide to put the child to bed at 8 p.m. knowing the child is overtired. The next morning the child rises at 6 a.m. because her internal clock says it is 7 a.m.

Although the time change officially takes place on a Saturday night, for the child it actually begins the next evening on Sunday. The parent should stick with the “old time” all day Sunday for the child’s nap. Then on Sunday evening, the parent should move to the “new time” essentially making the child stay up an hour past the usual bedtime. The parent must continue putting the child down at night at 8 p.m. for the child to make the adjustment to sleeping until 7 a.m. Most children continue waking early for several days, then intermittently for several days. After about 10 – 14 days most children are back on schedule if the parent has been consistent. It will take longer for the child to adjust if the parents have intermittently put the child to bed around 7 p.m.

*Prepared by Nancy Birkenmeier, BSN, RN, Sleep Medicine and Research Center, St. Luke's Hospital.