Great Start News
October 2020
Our Children, Our Community, Our Future
This Just In!!!
Great News!!
The income cap for families to receive high-quality preschool through our Jackson County Great Start Readiness Preschool programs has been lifted for the 2020-2021 GSRP preschool year! This means that if you thought you may not qualify for our programs, you now will if you have a child turning 4 by December 1st!
Please visit our Preschool Partnership page to find more information on programs located throughout Jackson County. Then, begin the application process by completing the interest form or by calling (517) 768-5130.
After your interest form is submitted, you will receive a phone call about completing your application during an enrollment appointment. Click here to view a list of documents to collect in preparation for this appointment.
Babies' Nutritional Needs
From 1 to 2 years old, toddlers continue to eat more solids. Toddlers need foods that are good sources of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Good foods for toddlers at this age include:
- iron-fortified cereals, rice, bread, and pasta
- breast milk or whole milk, and other dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt
- fruits and vegetables
- meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and beans
In general, toddlers over age 1 need 3 meals a day, plus healthy snacks.
For more information on several topics related to your child's health, please visit healthychildren.org.
Easy Apple Bake
1 apple
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons raisins
Directions:
- Core apple and put it in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Fill the middle of the apple with raisins.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Cover the apple with a second bowl.
- Microwave for 1 minute.
Help your child read the recipe and make it together. Enjoy!
Sesame Street: Family Play App
Have you heard of Sesame Street: Family Play app? It was designed for parents grappling to find things to do with their children at home. It is simple, educational, and entertaining for absolutely everyone. The app strengthens your child's learning in:
- Letter and Number Recognition, Science and STEM
- Self-Regulation and Executive Function Skills
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Imagination and Creativity
- Healthy Habits
Third Year Myth
Reality: By age 2, most childhood immunizations (shots) are done. But your child should continue to get a yearly flu vaccine. He or she may also need some booster vaccines before starting school. In addition to vaccines, your child should:
- Attend regular checkups with his or her pediatrician.
- Be brushing his or her teeth twice daily.
- Be attending regular dental cleanings.
Please visit the CDC to view an easy-to-read immunization schedule that includes all ages.
Face Off
Here is a fun game to play with your child that will also teach your child about feelings.
Make a face that expresses a feeling and ask your child to make a face that expresses a different feeling. If you make a happy face, he/she could make a sad face, etc. Talk about if and when your child remembers people making faces like these.
This game supports your child's ability to think flexibly about a variety of feelings and strengthens his/her working memory to recall experiences when these feelings were expressed.
To learn more about how you can help build your child's life skills at home, visit Mind in the Making.
Sleep Struggles?
Try getting your child to bed fifteen minutes before their actual bedtime. Use this time to simply talk and connect with your child. You don't need to talk about anything specific. It can be as simple as reflecting on something really great that happened during the day, sharing a childhood story of your own, or making up a bedtime story together. Sometimes children need an outlet to unwind at the end of a long day, especially now with so many changes taking place. This closeness with you will help your child relax. You will benefit from this special time too!
To see the sleep guidelines for the children in your life, please visit the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Outdoor Play
Studies have shown that children can learn a lot from playing outdoors by exploring their surroundings, being curious about what's around them, and finding joy in seeing new things. On top of that, outdoor play supports physical development and imagination.
There are plenty of fun things that you can do this fall with your children outdoors. Rake up a pile of leaves and jump in. Collect leaves, pinecones, and other items and create something. Go for a walk in the woods or in your neighborhood. Play a game of basketball. Or, go to a park.
This has been a rough year for us all, but fresh air and sunshine has positive benefits for us all!
If you would like to learn more about the importance of outdoor play, please visit MSU Extension and register for their free Extension Extras Parenting Hour workshop.
Virtual Online Storytime
Support is Available
One option is infant mental health, supporting children from birth to three years old, focusing on social-emotional development, and working through the bond of the parent.
For more information, please call Jessica Hendricks at (517) 780-3337 or jhendricks@integroservices.net
Website: http://integroservicesmi.com/
Be Kind to Yourself
Contact Us
Chrissy Blackwell: Great Start Co-Coordinator christina.blackwell@jcisd.org
Jennifer Ganzel: Great Start Families Parent Liasion greatstart.parents@jcisd.org
Kelly Friedland: Early Childhood Grant Support and Data Specialist kelly.friedland@jcisd.org
Resha Willis: Great Start Playgroups Coordinator jacksonplaygroups@gmail.com