Parents as Teachers
Baby Chargers
May 08, 2009
tinyK...what is it?
Through Keystone Learning Services (formerly known as NE KS Education Service Center) we are fortunate to have a wonderful team of child development specialists available to help us with our Baby Chargers when any area of development isn't moving along as it should, whether that be speech & language, motor skills, feeding & diet issues, and more. Our tinyK staff includes speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians, psychologists, and other early childhood specialists.
There are multiple ways to contact the tinyK - Infant/Toddler Special Services staff if you have questions or concerns about how your littlest learner is developing: contact their office directly @ 785.887.6004 ext. 3 -or- contact your district's Early Childhood Specialist Elaine Scott @ 913.426.3878 or escott_pat@yahoo.com. Elaine will provide a variety of screenings to get a snapshot of your child's development.
If those screenings and your observations raise some red flags, Elaine will contact the tinyK team and request an initial evaluation by their staff that will take place in your own home. Sometimes the tinyK staff will just need to come for a short period of time to get your child up and running; other times the plan calls for more. You, the parent, are the CEO of your home and child and will be an active voice in the plan of action set up for your child and his or her needs.
Not sure what might be some red flags in your child's development??? Check out the following list:
HEARING:
3 mo. not startled by loud sounds
5 mo. does not react to familiar sounds or voices
6 mo. does not enjoy musical toys
12 mo. does not understand simple phrases like "bye-bye" or
"pat-a-cake"
chronic ear infections (more than 4 in one year)
talks very loudly
LANGUAGE:
4 mo. does not 'coo'
6 mo. does not vocalize (ie. squeal, laugh)
8 mo. does not imitate change of pitch; does not babble (ie.
'mamama'; 'bababa')
12 mo. does not wave 'bye-bye'
18 mo. does not jabber expressively; does not use singe words;
does not follow simple commands (ie. give it to me)
20 mo. does not point to indicate needs
24 mo. does not put 2 words together (ie. 'go bye-bye', 'my
shoes')
30 mo. is not understood by people outside the family
VISION:
3 mo. does not smile or have eye contact
6 mo. does not follow things with his/her eyes
8 mo. does not reach across midline (the center of their body)
rubs eyes frequently
eyes appear red, watery, crusty
frequently tips head or squints to look at things
both eyes don't move together
HEALTH/NUTRITION:
immunizations are not current
has obvious dental concerns
has regular digestive problems
is underweight/overweight
has unusual skin color (yellowish; ashen)
has difficulty sucking, chewing, swallowing
attempts regularly to eat non-food items (paint, dirt)
24 mo. not eating finger foods
24 mo. not drinking from open cup or using a straw
PLAYING:
7 mo. does not put toys in mouth
9 mo. shows no interest in social games (pat-a-cake;
peek-a-boo)
24 mo. does not stack toys; pour or dump sand/water; not interested
in simple puzzles; does not turn pages of book; does not point to
basic body parts when asked to
SOCIAL/ADAPTIVE:
3 mo. does not smile
6 mo. does not respond to familiar people
12 mo. does not show emotion (anger, affection, etc.)
24 mo. does not test people and show independence; does not show
interest in other people or playing with other children; is not
able to remove clothing
MOVEMENT:
4 mo. does not lift head off floor when on tummy; is stiff
or
is 'floppy'
6 mo. does not roll over
10 mo. does not sit without support
12 mo. walks on tip-toes
15 mo. has not yet pulled to stand, cruised on furniture, stood
with no support
18 mo. is not yet walking alone
24 mo. does not run, climb, throw/kick a ball
trips or falls often; appears clumsy
SENSORY/BEHAVIOR:
has extreme irritability; cries often
has difficulty comforting self (with pacifier, blankie, etc.) or
being comforted by caregiver
has persistent destructive behavior
is under-reactive or overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights,
sounds, textures
is ritualistic with language or behavior (ie. repeats words, rocks,
bangs head)
poor sleep habits
This is just a brief list. If your child or a child you know has
one or more of these red flags call on tinyK or Parents As Teachers
to help put your fears to rest. We all want our little ones to grow
up strong, happy, and healthy...tinyK, Parents As Teachers, and USD
339 are here to help!
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Imagination Library = FREE books!!!
Dolly Parton knows what it is like growing up poor. She also knows
the importance of books and reading to a child. That is why she
started the Imagination Library - a way to get books into the
littlest of hands. Through the Reading Opportunities Project of
Jefferson County Dolly's dream is realized right here in JCN with
our youngest students. There are two ways this program can touch
you:
First: if you have a child that was born after September 1, 2006
that lives in Jefferson County you can sign him or her up to
receive a free book each month in the mail until they turn 5 years
old.
Second: if you don't have a little reader in your home, but would
like to support this program you can sponsor a child in our
district by providing the funds to make this wonderful program
available.
For more information about either of the above options contact
Diane Trinkle at the Nortonville Library @ 913.886.2060
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Health Fair Coming to Winchester
Mark your calendars for Saturday June 13th at the Winchester
Hospital from 8am-noon. F.W. Huston Medical Center will host the
2nd annual Health Fair, complete with booths, games, food, and fun
for all ages. For more information contact Melody Keirns @
913.774.3331.
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The One-Minute Car Safety Seat Check-up
Using a car safety seat correctly can make a big difference. It
only takes a minute to check a few key points:
1. Does your car have passenger air bags? Never place an infant
seat in front of an air bag. The safest place for all children
(birth - 12 years) is in the back seat. If an older child must ride
in the front, push the seat all the way back.
2. Is your child facing the right way for weight, height, age?
Infants should ride rear-facing until at least 1 yr. old AND at
least 20 pounds. Older children must ride secured with a harness in
a car seat approved for forward-facing until they reach the weight
limit of the harness system. Children must be properly restrained
in a car seat or booster seat until they have reached one of the
following: 8 years old; 80 pounds; 4 ft. 9 in. tall.
3. Is the harness snug and in the proper position? The harness
straps should be the snuggest hug you give your child when they
can't be in your arms. Don't let bulky clothing fool you either.
Harness straps for rear-facing should be at or slightly below your
child's shoulders. For forward-facing with harness, check that they
are at or slightly above your child's shoulders. Also check that
the chest clip is at armpit level - too high and it can interfere
with a child's breathing, too low and they can slip out.
4. What about a child who weighs over 40 lbs. and is too tall for a
car seat? Use a belt-positioning booster for kids that no longer
'fit' into a convertible seat. Once they have outgrown the booster,
make sure the vehicle belt lays low across their hips and the
shoulder portion falls across their shoulder and chest. A child is
typically ready for the vehicle belt when: they are 8 yrs/80
lbs/4'9"; they can sit for every car ride with their back against
the seat-back and their knees bend comfortably over the edge of the
seat.
5. Does the car seat fit correctly in your vehicle? When properly
installed there should be less than one inch of movement
side-to-side or front-to-back.
6. Is the seat belt routed through the proper space and is it
holding the car seat in position on every ride? Check the vehicle
manual child restraint section AND the car seat manual.
7. Can you use the LATCH system? If your vehicle was manufactured
in 2002 or after, the LATCH system should be available. Check your
vehicle manual.
8. Has your child restraint system been recalled? involved in a
crash? purchased at a thrift shop or garage sale? been used for
more than 6 years? All of the above are cause for concern. Contact
a certified child passenger safety technician in your area for
help.
In the JCN area you can contact Jefferson County Ambulance Service @ 785.863.2278. They have 3 technicians on staff. Your Parents As Teachers Parent Educator Elaine Scott is a tech. Contact her at 913.426.3878. You can also access monthly car seat check lanes in Lawrence through Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Check their website for dates and locations.
And finally...are you, the drivers and other adult passengers buckling up? Young children learn by example. Remember...these little Chargers will be teen drivers one day...we want the 'make it click' habit put in place from the beginning.
For other information on keeping your child safe go to www.usa.safekids.org
