Our Kids' Corner

At Clackamas ESD, we commit to celebrating and validating the cultural backgrounds and historical contributions of the families and communities we serve year-round. “Our Kids’ Corner” newsletter is a reflection of our commitment to be inclusive of all the families and communities we serve.

In the first five years of life, experiences and relationships stimulate children’s development, creating millions of connections in their brains. Their brains develop connections faster in the first five years than at any other time in their lives. Our hope is that these newsletters will give you tools to help support your child's social and emotional development and prepare your child to enter preschool and Kindergarten ready to learn!

The Pyramid Model is a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. The goal of the Pyramid Model is to create an environment where every child feels good about coming to school. We do this by designing classrooms that promote a child's interest in learning and by building positive relationships among children, families, and staff.

Why do we use Pyramid Model? Click the links below to learn more.

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Routines play an important role in supporting young children’s social and emotional growth. Having regular routines at home helps kids develop self-regulation skills, which are essential for good mental health. When children can regulate their feelings and behaviors, they’re better able to recognize their emotions and use strategies to manage them, so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

Sometimes, when parents and caregivers hear the word "routine," they think it means having a strict schedule or a lot of structure every day. But routines are more about being predictable and accessible. Predictability means creating relationships and environments that feel steady and consistent to children, like caregivers responding in reliable ways and certain activities happening at regular times. This sense of predictability helps children feel safe and supported, which is essential for their development.

What can a routine look like?

• Dinner is after I get picked up from childcare

• Mom/dad/grandma pick me up everyday

• Someone lets me know when there is going to be a change (e.g.: we are going shopping after school today instead of going home)

Bedtime and dinnertime routines have been shown to be especially helpful for children. These routines give kids a sense of stability because they know what to expect and when to expect it. They’re also easy for children to join in, even at a young age. For example, your child might help set the table for dinner or pick out a book to read together before bed. These small, predictable moments create meaningful connections and help your child feel secure and included.

Visuals to Support Routines at Home

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What is inclusion?

Preschool inclusion refers to the practice of integrating children with diverse abilities, including those with disabilities, into the same early childhood education settings as typically developing children. This approach aims to provide equal opportunities for all children to learn and play together, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes socialization and learning for everyone.

Why is Inclusion important (<- Click here for more information)

Preschool inclusion fosters diversity, nurturing an environment where children of all abilities learn and play together. This approach promotes empathy, social skills, and a sense of belonging, laying a foundation for inclusive communities. As children collaborate and celebrate differences, they develop a richer understanding of the world, creating a community of learning and acceptance in the preschool classroom.

What does the Research Say About Inclusion?

Research on preschool inclusion show several benefits, including improved social skills and positive attitudes toward diversity for all children. Studies have concluded that inclusive settings build up academic and developmental skills for children with disabilities. Additionally, research shows that inclusion improves the social and emotional skills of typically developing peers by promoting empathy and understanding.

The Power of Inclusion

At Sunshine Early Learning Centers, we are dedicated to offering a learning environment where every child can thrive. We use a strength-based, family-centered approach to care and education, focused on developmentally appropriate, play-based learning. Our programs are designed to be diverse, inclusive, and culturally responsive, with professional development for our staff and supportive community services available across the board.

We are proud to offer free early learning programs through Early Head Start and Preschool Promise at both our Milwaukie and Oregon City locations. These programs are open to all families, supported by funding through ERDC, scholarships, and parent pay options. We aim to provide an inclusive program model that meets the needs of every family while creating a welcoming classroom environment for all children. We are currently enrolling Preschool Promise (Milwaukie) for 3-5 year-olds, Sunshine on 21st for infants through school-age children, and Oregon City for 2-year-olds through school-age children.

Our Sunshine Shines Bright Family Advocacy program helps break down barriers to learning by offering a variety of essential services, including parent education, dental screenings, assistance with housing, clothing, and food needs, safety materials, and referrals to community resources. By offering these supports and collaborating with Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE), we’ve created inclusive classrooms that support children of all abilities. Our goal is to ensure that all children can learn alongside their peers and succeed in Kindergarten.

Sunshine is proud to share that over the last two years, we’ve reduced suspensions and expulsions to zero by partnering with EI/ECSE to create inclusive policies and procedures. These include using indicators like BIRS (Behavioral Incident Report System) and data collection to ensure every child has the support they need to succeed. Together, we are creating a bright future for every child in our care!

What skills will children be developing?

Fine Motor Skills: Picking up and placing small toys, adding glitter, and handling materials help strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor precision.

Decision-Making and Creativity: Choosing which toys or items to include encourages creative expression and decision-making as children personalize their globes.

Following Directions and Sequencing: Engaging in the step-by-step process of creating the snow globe helps children practice listening to instructions, understanding sequences, and completing tasks.

Sensory Exploration: Shaking the finished globe provides a calming sensory experience, allowing children to explore visual and tactile sensations (or auditory if the water and glitter make sounds).

How can I make this make activity more accessible for my child?: If your child is still developing fine motor skills, try offering large items for easier handling, and provide assistance as needed during assembly. If your child has a preference for certain textures over others and skip the glitter in favor of materials they prefer.

What skills do children will my child be developing?

Problem-Solving Skills: Children use clues to figure out where to look for items, developing problem solving thinking and decision-making abilities.

Language and Communication Skills: Describing items, following verbal or visual clues, and discussing their finds supports vocabulary development and expressive language skills.

Gross and Fine Motor Skills: Outdoor hunts encourage movement like walking, bending, and picking up items, while handling small objects develops fine motor skills.

When children read books with characters they can relate to and see themselves reflected in, this serves as a mirror in which they can see themselves reflected in positive ways in the classroom. It supports the development of a positive self identity and a sense of belonging.

On the other hand, books that serve as windows into the lives and cultures into people who are different teach children empathy and inclusion.

Please check out the books below for some amazing books you can share with your children that will provide either a mirror to show them how amazing they are or a window to see how amazing the people all around them are.

What is this class about? In this class, you will have the opportunity to connect with other parents while learning how to promote your child's social emotional skills. We will discuss ways to prevent and support challenging behaviors.

Attendance not required for all classes.

For children ages 2-6

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Wednesday 1/22/25 1pm - 2pm over zoom

Register here before January 15

Espanol

Miércoles, 29 de enero, 2024 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm a través de Google Meet.

Regístrate aquí antes del 15 de enero

Flyers attached at the bottom of this newsletter

Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education

Clackamas ESD delivers Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) support to young children who exhibit delays or disabilities that affect learning. Click here to learn more about how to schedule an evaluation if you have concerns about your child's development.

Head Start to Success

Our Head Start to Success programs provide free comprehensive preschool to three- and four-year-old children who are experiencing poverty. Head Start to Success works in partnership with local school districts throughout Clackamas County

Childcare Resource and Referral

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) of Clackamas County supports high-quality child care throughout our region. We offer professional development, training and technical support to child care providers.

Please forward this newsletter and share our information with anyone you think might enjoy the content or benefit from our services.

Website: https://www.clackesd.org/early-learning/
Location: 13455 Southeast 97th Avenue, Clackamas, OR 97015, USA
Phone: 503-675-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clackesdearlylearning