May Lebo Light

M a y 1 , 2 0 1 4
The Lebo Light
P a g e 6
SCHOOL READINESS: SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL
by Theresa Whalen
Social-Emotional development is all about
learning about yourself and others.
Beginning at birth, children develop
relationships with people around them;
however, learning to interact, communicate
and share with others takes years of
practice. Understanding and learning to
control emotions and behaviors is also a
long process and takes patience. While
social-emotional development continues
well into the teenage years, there is much
we can do, beginning at birth, to support our
children.
From birth until around 8 months of age,
children are learning to trust that their caregivers
will keep them safe, meet their basic
needs and love them. What are some
things parents can do: respond quickly to
your baby‘s needs, position your baby to see
your face and make eye contact, take your
baby to experience new and interesting
things.
From 9 months to 18 months of age,
children are curious they are discovering the
world around them. Parents can do many
things to support children during this stage
of development, including: play and talk with
your child on their level, set limits related to
safety, provide a safe environment for your
child to explore.
From 19 months to 36 months of age
children are developing their own identity
and independence. Creating opportunities
for your child to learn to do things for herself
and use her imagination are important
during this time. Encourage your child to
make simple choices, set limits that will
teach him respect for himself and others,
support pretend play and creative
exploration.
During the preschool years children
continue to practice and expand upon their
social emotional development. Parents can
do many things to encourage and support
this development. Provide opportunities for
children to build relationships with their
peers through cooperative play. Teach
empathy and self regulation by being an
empathetic parent, ask yourself what your
child is experiencing, put her feelings into
words and then do something to help or
support her.
Encourage your child to be persistent. Build
his self esteem by praising him for his effort
and accomplishments. Support
cooperation by giving your child
responsibilities at home. Teach tolerance
by teaching children to appreciate the
differences in their peers, praise them for
the empathy that they show others.
When parents help children learn about
themselves and others there are many
fabulous things that happen. Discipline
becomes easier because children are
better able to manage their feelings.
Parenting becomes easier because we
better understand the needs of our children
and how to respond to them. Children are
able to learn because they feel safe and
secure. They do better in school because
they are curious, confident and comfortable
with routines. Children are ready to learn!
If you have concerns about your child's
development, talk with your primary care
physician. He/She can help you to decide
what next steps are best for your child. In
addition, Coffey County Special Education
Cooperative offers developmental
screenings throughout the year. These are
free screenings available to any child birth
to age 5.
Check back next month for more on
school readiness!
Want help preparing your child for
school?
Check out ECKAN Head Start!
Contact Stacy Brite
409 Neosho, Burlington
364.8223
KINDERGARTEN AND
PRESCHOOL
IMMUNIZATIONS
ALL students enrolling in
Kindergarten and Preschool MUST
have a current physical on file with
the school. PRIOR to entering
Kindergarten and/or preschool for
the school year 2014-2015.you may
obtain the physical from you
physician or from the Coffey County
Health Department. The Health
Department will be offering
Kindergarten and Preschool physical,
a l o n g w i t h R E Q U I R E D
IMMUNIZATIONS, at the Coffey
County Health Department, located
in the courthouse basement in
Burlington, Kansas. All KANCARE
health insurance will be billed for the
physical. If you don't have
Amerigroup, Sunflower or United
Health Care the fee in $10.00 during
the months of APRIL and MAY. After
May, the cost will increase to
$25.00. The fee includes vision,
hearing, speech, developmental
testing, urinalysis, hemoglobin and a
complete physical assessment. If
you have BC/BS, Preferred Health, or
KanCare, we will bill your insurance
for the immunizations. If you don't
have the previously mentioned
insurances, the cost will be $20.00
per injection with a sliding fee scale
available. If you have any questions
or want to make an appointment,
please call the Health Department at
620-364-8631.
LEBO 4TH OF JULY QUILT BLOCK TOUR
Please join the library and the town of Lebo in celebrating 4th of July: Silver
Celebration! The library will be sponsoring a tour similar to a "barn quilt tour" that is
popping up all over the country. The library will provide a 2' x 2' piece of primed plywood
for you to paint a quilt block pattern on. Or you can also make it any size you like and
provide your own materials. (Some have indicated an interest in placing larger ones on
their sheds, garages, etc.) These can then be displayed by your front door, on a stake in
your yard, or anywhere visible from the sidewalk/street. Block patterns can be chosen
from many aspects in your life like trades (Carpenters Wheel), biblical, (Jacob's Ladder,
Crown of Thorns, Dove in the Window, or everyday life, (baskets, corn & beans). Tour
maps will then be made available from the library for the 4th of July weekend! Please
call the library at 256-6452 to sign up or have your name put on the tour list by May 10,
2014. Thank You for your support!