Our Kids' Corner

November is Native American Heritage Month. 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 that commitment as we honor Native American Heritage Month, which is in the month of November each year.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

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How can you incorporate this understanding into your day-to-day interactions?

• Celebrate the richness and beauty of Native American culture via events from the Native American Youth and Family Center of Oregon — see their Facebook pages details

• Read books with your child that are about people from other cultures

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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Choose 2-3 rules that are important for your family.

Examples:

- Use gentle hands to touch

- Pick up your toys when you are done playing

▶ Write down the rules as “do’s” (instead of “don’ts”). As an example, clean up your toys instead of don't leave a mess.

▶ Pick rules that apply to situations where your child needs reminders.

▶ Pick rules that your child can learn to do (e.g., appropriate for your child’s age and abilities).

▶ Make a rules chart. Add a picture that shows your child following the rule. Have your child help or watch you make the chart.

▶ Show and tell

▶ Focus on teaching your child the rules.

▶.Your introduction to the rules should be for teaching your child in an interesting and fun way,

▶ Show your child what it looks like to follow the rule. You might need to break it down into smaller steps. Model it. . Take turns with your child and be silly, showing them what it looks like to follow the rule and not follow the rule.

▶ Make up a story about the rules and use it to review the rules.

▶ After learning the rules, play a game to see if your child can remember the rules. Give a big hug or high five after they recite the rules to you. Remember that your child is learning the rules. It will take time and practice before they can follow them.

Practice makes better. You may need to review and practice the new lots of times before your child independently remembers. Celebrate your child’s effort and success. Offer specific praise and encourage your child for learning and following the rules. (Example: Wow. You picked up all your toys. Your room looks so clean!)

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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

Materials:

• Apple-scented playdough. Here is a recipe to try. (Or you can watch a video demonstrating how to make it)
• Large cookie cutters, rollers, or textured stamps.
• Optional: small plastic apples or cinnamon sticks to press into the dough.

• Let your child squish, roll, and mold the playdough.
• Use adaptive tools, such as large handles or rollers, for children with limited hand strength.
• Encourage smelling and describing the apple scent while playing.

Fine Motor Skill: Manipulating playdough and using tools like large cookie-cutters, stamps, rollers helps refine the pincer/grasp motions and bilateral hand use (both hands working together)

Sensory Development: Feeling the texture of playdough, when incorporating scent it helps olfactory development and the link between smell and language (“This smells like cinnamon/ apple!”)

How can I make this activity more accessible?

• Smell: Some children may be sensitive to strong smells, textures, or noise. Offer an option to opt out of scent or have an alternative (unscented dough)
• Visual impairment: Use tools with strong contrast (e.g., bright color cutters against plain dough), or tactile stamps (raised apples, textured sticks) that they can feel.isual impairment: Use tools with strong contrast (e.g., bright color cutters against plain dough), or tactile stamps (raised apples, textured sticks) that they can feel.isual impairment: Use tools with strong contrast (e.g., bright color cutters against plain dough), or tactile stamps (raised apples, textured sticks) that they can feel
• Sensory processing differences: Provide a quieter space or less-stimulating version of the activity (e.g., fewer tools, plain dough, fewer smells) if the full set is overwhelming

Materials Needed:

• Sturdy Paper, Cardstock ,or Cardboard.
• Pencils or Brown Markers
• Washable tempera paint in fall colors (red, yellow, orange, brown green)
• Q-Tips (Cotton Swabs)
• Paper Plate or Palette

Activity:

1. Paint Setup: Pour small amounts of each fall color onto the paper plate or palette, ensuring the colors stay separated for maximum vibrancy.
2. Create the Canvas: Using a brown marker or pencil, draw a simple tree trunk and branches. Alternatively, draw a large leaf outline for a simpler focus.
3. Load the Tool: Dip only the tip of the cotton end into paint. The goal is to lightly coat the tip, avoiding saturation that leads to smearing.
4. Dotting and Tapping: Press the Q-Tip straight onto the paper. You must lift the Q-Tip completely after each tap to create a distinct, small dot.

• Color Variation: Encourage frequent switching between red, orange, and yellow frequently. They will see the magic of pointillism when the dots of different colors sit next to each other, making the eye mix them from a distance.

Fine Motor Skill: precise tapping (requiring controlled pressure and release).

Visual Discrimination: noticing where more color is needed to fill the shape.

Concentration: maintaining the constant tapping motion over time.

How can I make this activity more accessible?

• Use Larger Tools: Substitute the Q-Tip with a pencil (using the eraser end)
• Bundle the Q-Tips: Use 3-4 Q-Tips rubber banded together. This creates a wider "stamp" that covers more area with less individual effort.
• Finger Painting Option: If grasping any tool is too difficult, revert to pure finger painting using the same dotting motion.
• High Contrast: If visual tracking is a barrier try using very high contrast colors. For example, use bright yellow dots with dark blue paper instead of lighter colors.

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.

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