What Is The 66 Percent? - NYSPEP eAnnouncement

You've heard about the gap between the 1% and the 99%. But have you heard about the 66% yet? Among 4th-graders, 66% overall are not reading at grade level, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation. For children from low income families, that statistic rises to 80%. Why does this matter? Because those children are less likely to graduate high school. And they will have less economic success.
If the students who dropped out of the Class of 2011 had graduated, our economy would likely have benefitted from nearly $154 billion in additional income over the course of their lifetimes, according to the Alliance For Excellent Education. A February 25, 2013 headline in the New York Post reads, "High School dropouts cost $1.8 billion every year".
NYSPEP knows your work with families is so important. You can help close the gap! Parenting Educators, along with managers, directors, coordinators, staff, and specialists in Home Visiting, Childcare, Early Education, Head Start, Early Care & Learning, Infant & Toddler Programs, Parent-Child Home Program, Family or Social Work, Reading or Literacy Programs, Child Care Resource & Referral Networks, and anyone who supports families with children are invited to attend. Connect with peers in other organizations. Get educated on the latest research. Learn how to help parents obtain the early literacy skills, tools, and resources they need to raise children who are ready for school and life.

Planting the Seeds for Early Literacy
Latest Research & Strategies for Professionals Working with Parents

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 • 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Carondelet Hospitality Center • 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road (Rte. 155) • Latham, NY
Just $35 Per Person!

Keynote by Mary Haust, Parents as Teachers, Binghamton School District
Poster sessions accompany a buffet lunch
Panel discussion on statewide community resources
Afternoon workshop on literacy strategies with parents

Early check-in begins at 9:30 AM. Enjoy continental breakfast and informal networking with professional peers who share similar interests. Keynote starts at 10:15 AM. This event is sponsored, in part, by the NYS Office of Mental Health.

Keynote Presentation

KEYNOTE: Digging Deeper; Sowing for Success. Mary Haust, Parents as Teachers. Parents play a critical role in determining whether or not children will experience inequality at the start, according to research. Parenting educators also play an important role in helping parents support language acquisition and early literacy. Learn what the research reveals about the inequality of language acquisition, how parents can bridge that gap, and how this research can influence parenting education practice. Participants will break into small groups to discuss challenges and solutions to engaging parents in literacy-based practices with their children.

Choose ONE Workshop

WORKSHOP AGES 0-3: The Seeds of Literacy Are Sown in Very Fertile Soil! Sarah Hughes, RMC Research, Inc. and Mary Haust, Parents as Teachers. Create pathways for learning using the NYS Early Learning Guidelines and NYS Pre-K Foundation for the Common Core. How can parents support these pathways at specific points in development? How can professionals support parents in their role of preparing a strong foundation for literacy? Attend and find out!
WORKSHOP AGES 3-5: Leveling the Playing Field: Infusing Rich Language into the Home Environment - Preparing Children to Begin School Ready to Learn & Thrive. Elizabeth Spiro, The Guidance Center of Westchester. An engaging conversation will follow a review of the current research on literacy acquisition. Partipate in modeling best practice techniques. Discover how to support parents in preparing children for school-readiness. This is an interactive workshop!

Network & Get Connected

Showcase your success with parents in promoting language acquisiton and early literacy skills with their children. Plan to describe your activity in 3 minutes or less and provide handouts. You may bring a standard tri-fold display board (approximately 36" x 48"). Attendees can view your table during meals and breaks throughout the day.
If you're not ready to present a poster session, you can still provide information about your work or organization as it relates to early literacy. Please, bring one item, such as a brochure, flyer, or business card for the Take-One-Table.
Please RSVP during registration. Space for the Poster Sessions and Take-One-Table will be provided on a first-come basis for those who RSVP. Questions? Please call the NYSPEP Coordinator at 518-445-1273.

BONUS: The first 100 registrants through the door will receive a complimentary booklet Born Learning: Recipes for Learning tips, ideas, and an overall research based approach to helping young children develop verbal communication skills. 

NYC: A few seats remain on the van to pick up & drop off registrants via the Amtrack train station in Albany-Rensselaer. Pick-up in Albany at 9:45 (7:15 out of Penn Station) and return on the 4:15 train out of Albany. ONLY confirmed individuals will be transported. Please call the NYSPEP Coordinator at 518-445-1273 to reserve / confirm a seat on the van.

Western / Finger Lakes Regions: The Carondelet Hospitality Center offers exceptionally afforable rooms. Please CLICK HERE for more information. To arrange a room and schedule your arrival, please contact Sister Patricia Conron at pconron@csjalbany.org or call 518-783-3536. Note: it may take up to 3 business days for a reply.  

REGISTRATION IS SOLD-OUT & CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT - THANK YOU!

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  Produced for NYSPEP by Prevent Child Abuse New York

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NYSPEP eNEWS 04-07-2014

The New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) eNews is published bi-weekly with the exception of monthly editions in July and December. Please share with friends and colleagues. Visit our website at www.nyspep.org and click "Join NYSPEP" to sign up for the NYSPEP eNews.

To announce an event or resource, send details to nyspep@nyspep.org. Please include your name and phone number, in case we have questions. 

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NYSPEP NEWS: NYSPEP Website - What's New at NYSPEP.org?; NEW! Credential Coordinator Email Address

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NYSPEP Membership Meeting - Planting the Seeds for Early Literacy; NYSPEP Webinar - Credential Orientation; PCANY CAP Conference - Ideas, Inspiration & Innovation; with Pre-Conference Institute - Grant Writing; Los Ninos Services, Inc. and Fordham University - Young Child Expo; Adelphi University Program - How Young Children Communicate Trauma

RESOURCES: Zero To Three Mobile APP - Let's Play!

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www.NYSPEP.org

What's New On Our Website?

Our website is under construction with lots of exciting new changes! Check out of refreshed layout, navigation, and valuable new pages and content at www.nyspep.org.

Also, the Parenting Educator Credential Coordinator has a new email at credential@nyspep.org.

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NYSPEP May Membership Meeting & Training Institute

Planting the Seeds for Early Literacy:

Latest Research & Strategies for Professionals Working with Parents

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 • 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM 

Carondelet Hospitality Center • Latham, NY

$35 Per Person - Register Online

Keynote at 10:15 AM by Mary Haust ⇔ Continental Breakfast ⇔ Poster Sessions ⇔ Buffet Lunch ⇔ Panel Discussion on Statewide Community Resources ⇔ Workshop on Literacy Strategies with Parents; choose either Ages 0-3 or Ages 3-5. Early check-in starts at 9:30 AM. This event is sponsored, in part, by the NYS Office of Mental Health. Seats are filling up fast. Register now!

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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NYSPEP Webinar - PE Credential Orientation

Orientation & Application Process Tier I, II & III

Tuesday, May 06, 2014 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Wyn Frechette, Credential Coordinator credential@nyspep.org

Parenting Education is now recognized as a specialty requiring unique skills and knowledge. Many related professions provide a component of parenting education in support of parents and families with children. Learn how the Credential recognizes achievement, supports advanced learning goals, and sets a path for advancement. Attendance at this Orientation satisfies the application prerequisite. 

NEW! Credential Email Address: To contact the Credential Coordinator, please email credential@nyspep.org. 

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Prevent Child Abuse New York - 19th Annual CAP Conference 2014

Ideas, Inspiration & Innovation - Register Now!

Monday, April 28 through Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Albany Marriott Hotel • Albany, NY

Ideas, Inspiration & Innovation, the 19th annual New York State Child Abuse Prevention Conference, offers highly rated workshops, quality programming, and national presenters will inspire and equip you to strengthen families, prevent child abuse, and improve outcomes for at-risk children and families. Co-presented by the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, Office of Children and Family Services, and co-sponsored by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - New York (APSAC - NY).

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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PCANY Annual CAP Conference 2014  • Pre-Conference Institute ALL NEW! 

Be Prepared to Win Grant Funding in 2014

Sunday, April 27, 2014 • 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Albany Marriott Hotel • Albany, NY

Jana Hexter, Grants Champion, presents Be Prepared to Win Grant Funding in 2014 for novice grant writers and those seeking to make grant writing more effective. 

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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Los Ninos Services, Inc. and Fordham University

Young Child Expo & Conference

Wednesday, April 23 - Friday, April 25, 2014

New Yorker Hotel • New York, New York

The Expo focuses on early childhood development. Topics are divided between normal child development and addressing special needs of children with autism and other developmental disabilities and challenges. Presenters include: Robert C. Pianta, Ph.D.; Serena Wieder, Ph.D.; Ami Klin, Ph.D.; Edward Hallowell, M.D.; Catherine Lord, Ph.D.; and Michelle Gielan, Founder of the Institute for Applied Positive Research. A networking reception at the Skyroom Times Square will be held Thursday. 

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE.

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Adelphi University, Institute for Parenting - Program

How Young Children Communicate Trauma

Thursday, April 10, 2014 • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

UJA - Federation of New York • New York, NY

Theodore Gaensbauer, M.D. will examine trauma and memory from a developmental perspective. Learn how traumatic memories form and manifest in children under 18 months via preverbal memory capacities, and how trauma is remembered and exhibited in children with developed language and capacity for symbolic play. Effective therapeutic techniques will be discussed as well as the neurobiological mechanisms and implications for treatment.

For more information and to register, please CLICK HERE. 

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Zero-To-Three Network - Free Mobile App

Let's Play!

Zero To Three has launched a free parenting app with fun activities to support early learning. Activities are organized by age and by activitiy. Age groups are 0-18 months, 18-36 months, and 3-5 years. Routine activities include meal time, bed & bath time, shopping, commuting, chores, and a boredom busters category. Available at no cost through iTunes and the Google Play. 

To access the App for iTunes, please CLICK HERE. 

To access the App for Google Play, please CLICK HERE.

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The Power of the Spoken Word with Little Ones

As NYSPEP prepares for our member meeting and training institute "Planting the Seeds for Early Literacy" - a member sent us the following article written from a parent's perspective. For more information about our May 20, 2014 member meeting on early literacy, please visit our website at www.nyspep.org/.

The Power of the Spoken Word with Little Ones
by Karen Holtslag, MS

Language flows from humans like a spring of fresh water from the earth. Our first word is often “Ma.” My understanding of why that may be so came while nursing my infant who looked up at me with love in his eyes and gurgled a milky sound against my breast that came out “mmmmaaaa.” And so it begins. When he was close to a year old he would ride in my arms and point to objects around the room saying, “Dat!” (translation: “What is the word for that?”). He was hungry for language and was constantly keyed in to what his papa and I were saying.  As the old adage goes, “Little pitchers have big ears.”

Consequently I was very conscious of how I spoke to him, what words I chose and what message I wanted to convey. I became more sensitive to the ways we use our voice to augment our words and the impact that has on children. We may employ tone to convey danger, energy to excite enthusiasm, rhythm or melody to soothe. To bring added sweetness or humor to our communications, we can caress or be silly with sounds and vocalizations.

It is not necessary to talk down to little children. All words are new and interesting to them, and the full range of sounds is contained in their babbling. At times I detected Chinese or German inflections in my nine month-old baby’s gibberish. I realized that before he knew words he had the capacity to create all of the sounds of human speech. I decided it would serve him best to use the correct words with which he could learn to communicate and save the goochy-goo talk for playful silliness. These insights came to me within the context of the feedback loop between my little son and me. As he learned what words were all about, I became ever more aware of the power of our spoken words.

For young children, discovering language is like receiving a magical power. If they speak their needs and their parents respond by fulfilling them, they grow to feel trust in their world and trust in their ability to get what they need. This brings them confidence as they move out into the broader arenas of experience, like friendships and school. The words we choose to shape our children’s behavior and teach them about the world, also shape them. My son, pointing at a tulip and hearing our words “flower” and “pretty” was learning the name and quality of the thing he was seeing and experiencing.

So it is when a child does something and hears words spoken about her. She is learning a sense of herself from those words. If she likes to build with blocks and is adept and creative and is praised for that, she will identify with that quality, taking it as a part of whom she is. “I am a good builder.” If she does something wrong and as a reprimand is told she is a bad girl, she will come to see herself in that way. Whether the message is held consciously or unconsciously, she carries the shame of “I am bad.”

It is important to differentiate the behavior from the child. The names or epithets we assign to children inform their growing sense of self and can affect them throughout their lives. We can better use their misbehavior as teaching opportunities. The objective in reprimanding a child is to teach him right action. When he goes astray, it is most constructive to define the behavior as wrong, not the child.

When my son was a little boy I taught him to use words when he was upset and never try to solve problems by hitting. One day he was at the top of a sliding board and the boy behind him was pushing. In my son’s fear he defensively turned around and hit the other child.  When the boy cried my son was devastated. For three nights he had trouble falling asleep because of feelings of guilt over hurting someone. I needed only to explain again that words were powerful enough and hitting hurts both people. Now he understood that for himself. I told him that we all make mistakes and that is how we learn. He never has raised his hand to anyone since, nor does he carry the shame of believing he is bad because he made a mistake.

In my study of clinical hypnosis I learned the power of suggestion on the unconscious mind of an adult in trance. The mind of a small child is just as impressionable, if not more so. Rather than highlighting and emphasizing the inevitable “imperfections” in our children, we can make use of the opportunities presented by their mistakes for teaching a set of values and right action that can guide them. Explaining why it is wrong is the teaching piece. The feeling of discomfort for the child in having done a “bad thing” is the motivation to change, to avoid feeling that discomfort again.

There comes a point in our children’s development, at about age four or five, that I think of as the age of the never ending “Why?”. When I was a child I vowed to myself I would never say “Because I said so” to my child when he asked why something was so or why he couldn’t do something.  However when my numerous explanations from different angles with different nuances of meaning were still met with “why” from my five-year-old inquisitor, I too reverted to that age-old parental response.

Some of the repetition of the question comes from the gap between the child’s use of language and what they can truly comprehend. They feel that if they ask enough times, maybe they will get it.  Sometimes they are just experimenting with testing boundaries.  None of it is need be taken as bad behavior. When met with this verbal version of water torture, have patience and explain again, perhaps in different words or with different examples. But when the “why” comes again and yet again, “because I said so” is a valid response. If delivered in a spirit of good-natured patience, the lesson is imbued with the kindly authority of mommy and daddy, which is what defines the reality of a young child.

Little children are naturally eager to be noticed and “seen” and are hungry for the validation and acceptance of their parents. Therefore, let us find the best in them and name it, reflecting it back onto them, no matter how young they are, no matter what level of language they have. When they make a mistake, teach them with kindness a better way.  In the process they are learning language, proper behavior and a positive sense of themselves.

If we, as parents understand the power of our words on our little ones and speak to them always with loving authority, the words they associate with themselves will provide them with a sense of safety and positive self regard. The confidence this gives children allows them to move through life with a feeling of inner security and the belief that they are capable of learning how to be and behave in the world. It assures them that they are good and capable of doing good things. It allows them to meet life with openness and joy, their natural birthright as little children.

Karen E. Holtslag, MS is a counselor, teacher, workshop leader and Reiki Master practicing in Westchester, Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  She leads seminars and workshops and provides educational and case supervision for teachers and counselors.  Contact: k.holtslag@gmail.com

Dads Take Your Child To School (DTYCTS) Day & Beyond

The Responsible Fatherhood Coalition invites you to the 2014 Campaign Launch for DTYCTS Day and Beyond: Reemphasizing Community Resources.

Please click on the photo below for an enlarged view.