According to their Web site, if you have ideas about what our community needs to be a better place for families or want to learn more about why the early years matter and what you can do to help, then this just might be perfect for you.

It meets for 5 evenings, from April 1 to May 13.  Free child care is provided as well as dinner.

For more information, call Smart Start Central Oklahoma at 523-3519 or click here.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

HECK.

Yep, heck.  Now at first, I thought maybe he shouldn’t be saying it so I didn’t really respond when his teacher told me (well, spelled out) what he had said and how she handled it (she put him in timeout).

But over the weekend, as we watched the kids’ movies Madagascar and Cars, I realized that they say “heck” in those movies (both of which they’ve actually watched at day care).  

So what do you think?  Do you think his teachers are overreacting or do you think “heck” should be considered a bad word? 

Comment here or email me your thoughts.

~Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com

We have a very nice teacher from the school district, who comes over to our house once a month to play and interact with my son.  She evaluates where he is as far as learning and development.  She charts his progress and gives me tools that are relevant to his age.  This program is for any parent of an infant or toddler who wants to give their child the best chance of being ready for school, by taking the opportunity to start learning at home.

Here is a description of the program, from their national website, www.parentsasteachers.org :

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5.

Parents are supported by PAT-certified parent educators trained to translate scientific information on early brain development into specific when, what, how and why advice for families. By understanding what to expect during each stage of development, parents can easily capture the teachable moments in everyday life to enhance their child’s language development, intellectual growth, social development and motor skills.

As a Parents as Teachers family, you receive:

-Personal visits during which your parent educator will share age-appropriate child development and parenting information, help you learn to observe your child, and address your parenting concerns.

-Parent group meetings which are opportunities to share information about parenting issues and child development. Parents learn and support each other, observe their children with other children and practice parenting skills.

-Screenings to assess your child’s overall development as well as health, hearing and vision.

-Resource network that links your family to other community services.

The program is offered throughout school districts in Oklahoma.  To find the contact for your district, click here.

I can’t recommend this great program enough.  This is a resource that is free and its benefits are priceless. 

~Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com