Summer is the prime going-outside time for little folks! Most young children love to be outside, even when it is so hot that it is not safe to be out for long.

 

♥         Take even non-mobile infants outside in a shady spot, lay on a blanket or beach towel. Add a shallow tray with water for them to splash! There is now sunscreen safe for infants under 6 months.

 

♥         Other infants can be on the ground also, but with sunscreen.

 

♥         Toddlers love to roam the yard looking for “stuff n’ crawly things”! Be sure the area is safe from harmful items.

 

♥         Add a tarp or shower curtain with water on it for them to slip n’ slide! Be sure to sunscreen the children, also.

 

♥         Take the sensory table outside in the shade, also. Provide pouring/measuring props, plus add soap for washing dolls and toys.

 

♥         Most children enjoy a sprinkler, however, some do not. Try to have both types of opportunities available.

 

♥         Toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children enjoy spray bottles. Request a clean spray bottle from each child. Add water, warm weather, swim suits and watch the fun!

 

During the hottest of the Kansas summer, providers may need to rearrange the daily schedule to go outside in the early morning and late afternoon. If only for ten or fifteen minutes, the children need to go outside on a daily basis, infants included.

 

Did you know that most infants, mobile and non-mobile, love to be outside on a blanket on the ground! It goes without question that toddlers love to be outside roaming the yard! This is a grand time of year to be out of the house or classroom for much of the day.

Watching the clouds drift by (be sure to call that to their attention), watching the leaves fall from the trees, pointing at the school buses as they roll by, or crunching the brown leaves that might be laying nearby are but a few activities available in the great outdoors.

Infants do enjoy buggy rides, but they enjoy being on the ground, free to move and exercise those muscles even more. Even the two to four month old infants not yet moving need “ground time” to push, experiment and bear weight on those arms and legs. Thanks to all of the brain research of the past eight to ten years, we know how important floor/ground time is not only for physical development but also for brain development. There is a direct link between allowing infants time to explore their environment physically and expanding those dendrites in their brain.

Be sure to check out the training schedule on our website for professional development opportunities specifically about infant/toddler care.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Maggie Thompson 785-925-4059 (cell) May 3, 2009 mthompson@kdheks.gov www.kdheks.gov

KDHE announces two presumptively confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in Kansas This afternoon, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is announcing two presumptively confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in Kansas, with additional cases likely to be announced soon. One case is in Sedgwick County and the other is in Johnson County.

In both cases the local health departments are following the guidance provided by KDHE when dealing with a confirmed case. This includes a through case investigation and management of the patient and close contacts.

This weekend KDHE’s laboratory received test kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that gives state public health laboratories the ability to test for the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. Up to this point, state laboratories had to send specimens to CDC for final confirmation. The CDC requires that laboratories using the new test kits send five specimens that test positive for the virus to the CDC’s laboratory in Atlanta for verification before the KDHE laboratory is certified to announce confirmed cases. Until KDHE receives the certification from the CDC, KDHE will refer to these cases as presumptively confirmed, but will treat them as confirmed cases until they learn otherwise.

After KDHE receives further laboratory results from the specimens submitted to CDC and communicates with the local health department, a news release will be issued. No additional information on these cases will be available from KDHE at this time.

KDHE is still awaiting the results from the specimen sent to CDC involving the probable case of a hospitalized patient in Johnson County announced on Friday afternoon,

To date Kansas has two confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, one probable case waiting determination from CDC and now two presumptive positive cases waiting for determination by CDC.

Stay tuned for additional information from KDHE on the 2009 H1N1 flu virus and its impact on Kansas either later this afternoon or Monday morning.

As with any influenza virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce the chance of spread: C

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.

 

# # # As the state’s environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotes responsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans. Through education, direct services and the assessment of data and trends, coupled with policy development and enforcement, KDHE will improve health and quality of life. We prevent illness, injuries and foster a safe and sustainable environment for the people of Kansas.

CURTIS STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 1000 SW JACKSON ST., STE. 540, TOPEKA, KS 66612-1367 Voice 785-296-0461 Fax 785-368-6368

Have you considered spending most of the day outside? Spring is a grand time because it is not too hot. Everything that you do inside can also be done outside. From snack and painting to the obvious water and sand play to Legos and blocks, all can be experienced outside. Bring the home living center outside complete with dishes and dolls. The children can pretend to be camping or picnicking in the back yard.

 

By spending a large portion of the day outside, children have the opportunity to discover many “nature things” that they ordinarily would not be able to do. Cut the bottom out of a paper kitchen cup, one for each child. Show them how to hold it up to their eye and search for bugs or sticks or flowers in the yard on their hands and knees. Another project is to make binoculars for each child from toilet paper rolls. Fasten the tubes together, but let the children paint the outside. If the children glue cotton balls on the tubes, the binoculars can be used for cloud watching!

 

A flat bed sheet makes a great substitute for a parachute. Add a beach ball and kids around the edges and great fun will follow. Baseball season is upon us, also. A Christmas wrapping paper tube makes a great bat for a masking tape ball. Let the children wad masking tape into a ball the size you think would work best for the ages of your children. After playing with it for a while, the stickiness will wear off!

 

If you have a large shaded area or a covered patio, try napping outside even with infants. Ground rules need to be set, and perhaps some children might not sleep, but you would be the hero-of-the-day!

 

Children love to be outside. Take advantage of the warm weather and their natural affinity for the outdoors. Our great Kansas weather will soon be too hot!

Child Start is committed to sharing important information to all child care facilities located in our district office. The following information was shared with us by the City of Wichita Department of Environmental Services, the Sedgwick County Health Department, and the CDC. Please follow the links for important information about Swine Influenza. Even if you do not reside in Wichita or Sedgwick County, this information is very important!

Swine Flu Information for Child Care Providers (City of Wichita, Department of Environmental Services)
The City of Wichita, Department of Environmental Services has released information and recommendations specific for child care providers in the city of Wichita. This information includes What are Swine Influenza (flu), and the symptoms to watch for?, How is it spread and how it is treated?, and What can we do to prevent the spread?

Information Regarding Suspect Cases of Swine Influenza (Sedgwick County Health Department)
The Sedgwick County health Department has prepared a report (4/28/09) about number of confirmed cases, considering possibility of swine influenza virus infections in children and staff, and how to report suspected exposures and symptoms. Click the title link above to read more information.

Swine Flu Information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
For complete Swine Flu information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has up to date information on the pandemic levels, locations of confirmed cases, and a wealth of information about prevention and how to stay healthy.

Sebelius, Napolitano to Host Webcast on H1N1 (Swine) Flu, Answers Questions from the American People
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will host a Webcast to answer questions from the American people regarding the H1N1 flu on Thursday at 1:00 PM ET. Sebelius and Napolitano will be joined by Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rich Besser.

Public Notice Child Care and Development Fund State Plan Topeka – The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) is preparing the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan for 2010-2011.

CCDF supports the Child Care Subsidy Program (financial assistance to low-income families) as well as early learning quality initiatives such as child care provider professional development, child care resource and referral, Kansas Early Head Start, and regulation and licensure of child care facilities.

SRS is hosting two public meetings to solicit stakeholder input. Meetings will be held on Thursday, April 30, 10:00-11:30 and Monday, May 11, 6:30-8:00 at the SRS Learning Center, located at 2600 SW East Circle Dr. South, in Topeka.

Individuals unable to travel to Topeka can participate in the meeting via teleconference from one of the below sites:

• Atchison SRS 410 Commercial 913-367-5345
• Chanute SRS 1500 West 7th 620-431-5000
• El Dorado SRS 410 N Haverhill Road 620-321-4200 x267
• Dodge City 1509 Avenue P 620-227-8508
• Garden City SRS 1710 Palace Drive 620-272-5800
• Great Bend SRS 1305 Patton Road 620-792-5324
• Hays SRS 3000 Broadway 785-628-1066
• Hutchinson SRS 600 Andrew 620-663-2731 x303
• Kansas City SRS 402 State Avenue 913-279-7000
• Lawrence SRS 1901 Delaware 785-832-3700
• Manhattan SRS 2709 Amherst 785-776-4011
• Overland Park SRS 8915 Lenexa Drive 913-826-7300
• Pittsburg SRS 320 S Broadway 620-231-5300
• Salina SRS 901 Westchester 785-826-8000
• Wichita SRS 230 East William 316-337-7000

The draft plan will be available to review and download at www.srskansas.org. Comments may be submitted by mail to SRS EES, DSOB, 915 SW Harrison St., Suite 580, Topeka, KS 66612, Attention: Sally Paige Kahle or via email to SallyPaige.Kahle@srs.ks.gov. Please identify in the subject line: CCDF State Plan Comments. Comments will be accepted through May 25, 2009.

For additional information, please contact Sally Paige Kahle at 785-296-5019 or e-mail at SallyPaige.Kahle@srs.ks.gov.

Workshop Availability as of Apr 10 2009 4:47 PM
Date	Time	Workshop	Max Seating	Seats Taken	Seats Available
Apr 13 2009	6:30 PM	Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Cooking	35	29	6
Apr 13 2009	6:30 PM	Pediatric First Aid Introduction Refresher	12	8	4
Apr 14 2009	7:00 PM	Child Abuse Recognition Reporting/Signs & Symptoms	35	31	4
Apr 16 2009	7:00 PM	Tools of the Trade III	35	7	28
Apr 18 2009	9:00 AM	5 Minutes A Day Keeps The Tantrums Away	15	0	15
Apr 20 2009	6:30 PM	Pediatric First Aid Introduction Refresher	15	0	15
Apr 20 2009	7:00 PM	Pediatric First Aid Introduction Refresher	35	11	24
Apr 21 2009	6:30 PM	Cre.Curr.for I/T & Twos-Tasting and Preparing Food	15	3	12
Apr 21 2009	6:30 PM	Pediatric First Aid Introduction Refresher	20	0	20
Apr 23 2009	7:00 PM	Nuts and Bolts of Center Care 101 Pt 3	35	0	35
Apr 25 2009	9:00 AM	PCAN-M1, Building Collaborative Relationships with	35	6	29
Apr 27 2009	7:00 PM	Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Dramatic Play	35	29	6
Apr 28 2009	6:30 PM	Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Block Play	16	0	16
Apr 28 2009	6:30 PM	Flexible, Fearful or Feisty – The Different Temp	20	3	17

Entice the infants and toddlers in your care to develop a love for books by creating a cozy area for reading. Introducing children to books and literacy contributes to brain and language development, promotes attachment, and develops a beginning sense of humor.

 

Any corner or protected space will qualify! Provide a basket of board books (no, you don’t need a fancy book display shelf), a throw rug or carpet, some pillows and maybe an overstuffed chair for adult and child, if you have one. Parents may have one to donate; be sure to ask. Display photos of each child reading or relaxing in the cozy area.

 

Even very young children need a quiet place to relax. Gather one or two children and read several times throughout the day. This is an especially effective tactic for distracting the active child. Many times activity level is a plea for attention. What better way to fulfill that need than by snuggling and reading?

 

Call us for assistance with setting up your new infant/toddler program!

 

Glenda Higbee, Infant/Toddler Specialist

316-682-1853

The new listing of workshops for April, May, June, and July are located in our newest CRIB Notes which should be hitting your mailboxes soon!  If you do not receive one please contact us and we can send one out to you!

You can view all of our trainings in our training calendar located on our website: www.childstart.org.

This issue includes:

• Infant/Toddler Recruitment Specialist – New Position
• Average Infant/Toddler Rates
• April & May Child Start Professional Development Events
• Be Prepared!
• Protecting Young Children
• Economy Recovery
• Library Corner
• Low-Fat Dairy
• What About the Referral Process?
• Upcoming Events
• Milk is Food!

Click the link below to see the Child Start April/May 2009 Newsletter (pdf format):

complete-child-start-april-may-2009-newsletter