Parents as Teachers
Twin Valley USD 240 / November 2021
KOO KOO Kangaroo
Many people were not sure who Mrs. Lawson (Bennington Preschool Teacher) and I were for Halloween. I thought this would be a great time to share with you about a great site to share with your children. Koo Koo Kangaroo is a great way to add music and movement to your child's life. I used this many times while teaching preschool in Tescott. This is great self esteem building and is so good for those kids who need to build on their social emotional skills to encourage them to engage with other children in a group. It also touches on all five developmental domains that we look at for our children.
1.Language
2.Cognitive
3.Gross/Fine Motor
4.Personal/Social
5.Social/Emotional
Some other great videos to check out for your kids is Go Noodle and for parents check out Kid Snippets not only will this first give you a little chuckle for the day but also allows you to see how kids sometimes see things from their eyes!
Does My Child Need a Flu Shot this Year?
Answer From Pritish K. Tosh, M.D.
In most cases, yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu (influenza) vaccine for all children 6 months and older in the United States — ideally by the end of October. This year the CDC recommends the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly in young children. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu and its complications. The flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of dying of the flu. Research shows this is true for both children with an underlying medical condition and children who are healthy.
Getting a flu vaccine is especially important this season. The flu and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause similar common symptoms. Flu vaccination could reduce symptoms that might be confused with those caused by COVID-19. Preventing the flu and reducing the severity of flu illness and hospitalizations could also lessen the stress on the health care system.
Depending on your child's age and health, you might be able to choose between the flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine:
- Flu shot. Flu shots can be given to children 6 months and older. Side effects might include soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given. A fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea and tiredness also can occur.
- Nasal spray. The nasal spray flu vaccine can be given to healthy children 2 years and older. Side effects of the nasal spray in children might include a runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, a slight fever and a sore throat.
The flu vaccine can't give your child the flu. The nasal spray flu vaccine contains viruses that are weakened so that they won't cause the flu. The flu vaccine also doesn't protect your child from getting COVID-19.
The number of flu vaccine doses your child needs depends on a few factors:
- 2 doses. If your child is younger than age 9 and is getting the flu vaccine for the first time or has only had one dose of the vaccine in total prior to July 1, 2021, plan for two doses given at least four weeks apart. Have your child get the first dose as soon as possible.
- 1 dose. If your child is age 9 or older, one dose is enough. One dose is also enough if your child is younger than age 9 and has had two or more flu vaccine doses given at least four weeks apart at any time before July 1, 2021. The two doses could have been given in the same season, in consecutive seasons or in any season.
Keep in mind that it takes up to two weeks after vaccination to be protected from the flu. Check with your child's doctor before your child gets the flu vaccine if he or she isn't feeling well or if:
- Your child has any medical conditions. The nasal spray vaccine isn't recommended for children between 2 and 17 years old who are taking aspirin or a salicylate-containing medication. It also isn't recommended for children ages 2 through 4 years old who have been diagnosed with asthma or have had wheezing in the past 12 months. The nasal spray vaccine isn't appropriate for children who have weakened immune systems. Talk to your child's doctor if your child has an underlying medical condition, such as chronic lung disease, or if your child is age 5 or older and has asthma.
- Your child had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine. The flu vaccine isn't recommended for anyone who has had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine. Check with your child's doctor first, though. Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine.
If your child has an egg allergy, he or she can still receive the flu vaccine.
Playgroups Are Back!
I am so excited to be able to have playgroups back in person. Our program will be hosting one playgroup each month at each playroom IN both Bennington and Tescott. Families will be required RSVP by November 5th in order to attend. Due to still needing to cover Covid restrictions we are only allowed to have a certain number of people in the room. Please make sure you RSVP as that will be the only way to attend and for us to keep count. The playgroups will only last one hour and families will have to check in at the office upon arrival.
10 great books to read to your little ones during Thanksgiving
- I’m Thankful (by Terri-Sue Hill)
- Llama Llama Gives Thanks (by Anna Dewdney)
- Being Thankful (by Mercer Mayer)
- Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks (by Margaret Sutherland)
- The Bernstain bears Give Thanks (by Stan and Jan Berenstain)
- I am Thankful (by Suzy Capozzi)
- Biscuit is Thankful (by Alyssa Satin Capucilli)
- The Giving Tree (by Shel Silverstein)
- The Thankful Book (by Todd Parr)