2016 Summer Kansas Child

A publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas
Summer 2016 Volume 15, Issue 3
SUMMER FUN
AND SAFETY
ENGAGED
4 MINDS
CONFLICT IS AN
8OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH
PLANNING YOUR SUMMER TRIP?
14DON’T LET SAFETY TAKE A VACATION

Kansas Child
is a publication of
Child Care Aware ®
of Kansas
Executive Director
Leadell Ediger
Editors
BWearing Consulting
Angie Saenger, Deputy Director
Publication Design
Julie Hess Design
On the Cover
Archer Anderson (age 2)
son of Russell and Lorene
Anderson of Paola, Kansas,
plays outside enjoying the
beautiful summer weather.
Photo by: Kathrine Henry,
Dream Photography, Spring
Hill, Kansas
Child Care Aware ® of Kansas,
1508 East Iron, Salina, Kansas 67401,
publishes Kansas Child quarterly,
and is made possible through the
financial support of the members
of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas and
sponsorships from our corporate,
private, and foundation partners.
Kansas Child is intended to provide
a forum for the discussion of child
care and early education issues and
ideas. We hope to provoke thoughtful
discussions within the field and to
help those outside the field gain a
better understanding of priorities
and concerns. The views expressed
by the authors are not necessarily
those of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas
or their sponsors.
Copyright © 2016 by Child Care
Aware ® of Kansas, unless
otherwise noted. No permission
is required to excerpt or make
copies of articles provided that
they are distributed at no cost.
For other uses, send written
permission requests to:
Child Care Aware ® of Kansas,
1508 East Iron, Salina, KS 67401
LEADELL
EDIGER
Child Care Aware ®
of Kansas
Summertime, when the livin’ is easy.
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high…
— Ella Fitzgerald, 1958
I grew up in a small Kansas farming community. As a child, from Memorial Day to
Labor Day I spent almost every moment of the day outdoors. Occasionally, we enjoyed
a family trip (usually to grandma’s house), but it was unusual to take a real vacation.
Mostly my summer included swimming, bicycling, hiking, enjoying friends, and
swinging from the giant cottonwood tree by our pond. Though I rarely swam in it, the
pond was good for fishing and skipping rocks. In the evenings I chased fireflies and
watched the distant lightening that often appeared at the end of a hot day.
Occasionally, my grandfather would take me for a Sunday drive to “inspect the
progress of the wheat crop.” As we drove, all four windows of the car were wide open
to catch a breeze. I attended summer camps that were filled with doing crafts, singing,
swimming, laughter and just plain fun. I made weekly visits to a small library where I
checked out every Nancy Drew mystery they had. Looking back, it seems like there was
never a lack of something to do. I am certain, however that there were plenty of times I
would say to my mother – “I’m bored,” to which she was quick to suggest a chore to keep
me busy. Hanging wet laundry on the clothes line was one cure for my boredom.
There was little “screen time” in my childhood summers. We had a total of three
stations on the television, a black desk telephone with a rotary dial, and air conditioning
courtesy of open windows.
When our children were pre-teenage, my husband and I gave them a challenge: if they
could not watch TV for one full year, they would be rewarded with cash. The only one
of them to complete the challenge was our oldest son. Interestingly, of the three kids, he
had his nose glued to the TV the most. He was about 13 or 14. He started on January 1st
and made it through most of January until the Super Bowl, which he decided he had to
watch. So he started over. Now a parent himself, he has offered the same challenge to his
three oldest children, our grandchildren (ages 8 to 14). Computers, 24-hour access to a
multitude of television stations, movies on demand, books on tape or downloaded on an
electronic device you can hold in your hand; it’s all very different! Two of the three have
taken on the challenge. As you can imagine, they are trying lots of new ideas to fill their
time without technology. Summertime should offer them a variety of alternatives.
Whatever you have planned for the summer, I hope you take time to watch for
lightning bugs.
Kansas Child is distributed at
no cost to Child Care Aware ®
of Kansas donors. Single
copies are available
to anyone at a cost of
$5 each, prepaid.

p. 4
p. 17
p. 10
IN THIS ISSUE
Engaged Minds.............................. 4
Safety Tips..................................... 6
Bike Safety.................................... 6
Breastfeeding Friendly
Child Care Designation................ 7
Conflict is an Opportunity
to Teach.......................................... 8
Ensuring Children
Enter School Ready
to Learn ......................................... 9
Hot Car Safety.............................10
Take the Time to
Smell the Flowers........................10
Supporting Foster
Grandparents................................11
Value of Youth Sports in
Manhattan.....................................12
Supporting Leadership and
Professionalism...........................13
Planning Your Summer Trip?
Don’t let safety
take a vacation............................14
Engaging Families.......................15
Books for Summer fun...............16
Learning Doesn’t Stop................17
p. 19
Healthy Snack Options...............18
There is No Place Like Home.....19
Heads Up......................................20
Mapping a Great Summer..........21
What’s in Your Cup?...................22
Pool Safety..................................23

Engaged
Minds
Summertime activities help
your child be prepared for school
By William Hall, Superintendent, USD 305, Salina Public Schools
Summer is often the time set aside for families to take a
breath and relax, to regenerate from the busy on-the-go lives
that typically happen during the school year. I recently had
the opportunity to address more than 700 third-graders at the
annual Kansas Kids Fitness Day activities for area students.
As I shared with these students, summer is a time for fun and
for staying active, and yet it is equally important that they keep
their minds as sharp as their bodies. So, “turn off that television,
and pick up a book to read over the summer.” As a matter of fact,
I challenged all of the third-graders to read at least 10 books over
the summer, and to email me as they complete each one to let me
know what they read and what they liked or disliked about the
book.
The point is, there are many activities parents and child care
providers can do to ensure that when August rolls around and
the school bells ring, our children are ready and engaged for the
start of school.
There are 90 days during the summer, and most children do
not have a structured learning environment. As such, many
children may suffer from “summer learning loss.” Research
indicates that students consistently score lower on assessments
given to them at the beginning of the school year than they did
on those same tests three months earlier. Because of a lack of
access to quality summer learning activities, this gap in learning
is further compounded when children from low- and highincome
families are compared.
Here are a few facts to consider.
•§
Most students lose about two months of grade level
equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the
summer. Low-income students also lose more than two
months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their
middle-class peers make slight gains. (Cooper, 1996)
•§
Parents consistently cite summer as the most difficult time
to ensure that their children have productive things to do.
(Duffet et al, 2004)
•§
Children lose more than academic knowledge over the
summer. Most children, particularly those at high risk of
obesity, gain weight more rapidly during the summer break.
(Von Hippel et al, 2007)
Quality learning
activities do not need to be
costly and can be provided to all
children. The first, and most important
issue for parents to consider, regardless of
the child’s age, is to continue to make learning a
priority, whether on a family vacation, enjoying
that backyard barbecue, or just passing time.
Children need to know that engaging their
minds through discovery-based learning
activities, or reading that favorite book, is going
to be a regular part of their summer schedule.
So, shut off the television and let’s get started.
Before laying out some summer learning
activities for children, let’s consider their
physical needs. Children of all ages should
be engaged in some form of physical
play each day. This can be in the form
of outside activities, such as visits
to the local park or short walks to
the library or local museum. Even
playing catch on a regular basis can
go a long way to assist with a child’s
fine motor development.
It is also important that children
maintain solid nutritional
guidelines and eat healthy, balanced
meals on a regular basis. Many
communities offer free summer meal
programs where students can eat hot,
nutritional lunches. I encourage you to look into
whether your community offers this option and to have
your child participate.
4 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

WILLIAM HALL
Superintendent
USD 305
Salina Public Schools
William Hall was born and raised in Dodge City, Kan.,
and graduated from St. Mary of the Plains College
in 1982 with a B.S. in history. He earned his M.S in
Educational Administration in 1989 from Fort Hays
State University, and received his district school
administration endorsement as well as his ESOL
endorsement from Kansas State University. He’s
held school administrative positions at Sacred
Heart High School, Salina, and at Atwood and
Ulysses high schools. He served as superintendent
of the Ulysses school district for 11 years.
Mr. Hall and wife, Angela, have two adult children,
Ryan and Tiffany, and two grandchildren, Ian and
Isabelle. Mr. Hall started as the superintendent of
Salina Public Schools on July 1, 2011.
playing and learning a day with your child can make a world
of difference.
It
is also
important
that children
get the necessary
hours of sleep, making the
transition to school much easier
after the extended summer break. I
have had numerous conversations with
parents who shared with me the difficulty
of transitioning their children back to
school due to not following a regular
bedtime schedule during the summer.
Keep in mind, the more children are
kept to a routine, the easier it will
be to transition back to school
in August.
Besides physical
activity, good nutrition
and rest, it is essential
that children be
allowed to “exercise”
their minds during
the summer
months. There
are a number
of activities that
parents can do
with children that
don’t require a lot of time
or expense, but will help
your child maintain his/
her academic skills.
Just 15-20 minutes of
Social/Emotional Development
Social/emotional development is the ability for children of
all ages to express their ideas and feelings, express empathy
toward others, feel self-confident, and more easily manage their
feelings of frustration and disappointment. Essentially, it is
your child’s ability to express emotions in an appropriate and
healthy manner. Positive social/emotional skills allow children
to be successful when interacting in school with their peers
and teachers. Some good examples that will assist your child in
developing social/emotional skills over the summer include:
•§
Have your child play board games and practice taking turns.
•§
Set up several play dates with children of various ages.
•§
Tell your child you expect him/her to clean up after play.
•§
When your child is playing with other children, remind
him/her of the importance of playing nicely and sharing
items such as toys.
Social/emotional skills do not need to be planned lessons
taught by parents. More than likely they are gentle reminders of
appropriate behavior as your child enjoys summertime activities
with other children and adults.
Language Development
The one area where the greatest amount of summer learning
loss is experienced is language development, especially with
reading skills. Dr. Trish Bandré, reading specialist for Salina
USD 305, Salina, Kan., shares this concern: “Students’ hard work
to grow as readers, and teachers’ hard work to get students to a
higher level of success is diminished by a lack of summer reading.
Unfortunately, access to books, especially those at the reading
level of the child, is an issue for many low-income children.”
If students get most of their reading material from school and
Continued on page 6
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 5

Safety Tips
There are several easy and effective ways
parents can help children reduce the risk
of injury.
Think safety
•§
Check the weather report and dress
kids according to temperature and
planned activities.
•§
Wear sun protection. Hats and sunglasses
can protect the face and eyes from sun
damage. Sunscreen should be used even
on cloudy days to prevent sunburn.
•§
Stay hydrated. Bring along water or
sports drinks for the family.
•§
Never leave a child alone in a
vehicle. Even if they finally fall asleep in
their car seat, or you think you’ll be gone
only a moment to run a quick errand,
don’t be tempted to leave a child inside
your vehicle. The inside of a vehicle can
turn deadly hot in a matter of minutes.
•§
Bring your cell phone. In case of
emergencies, have phone numbers
programmed in for the poison control
center and other emergency contacts.
Drive extra safely
•§
Slow down and be especially alert in
residential areas. Children get excited
and might move in unpredictable ways.
•§
Take extra time to look for kids at
intersections, on medians and on curbs.
•§
Carefully enter and exit driveways
and alleys.
•§
Eliminate any distractions inside your
car so you can concentrate on the road
and your surroundings.
•§
Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian
traffic and turn your headlights on
earlier in the day to spot children from
greater distances.
Walk safely
•§
Cross at street corners, using traffic
signals and crosswalks.
•§
Look left, right, and left again when
crossing, and keep looking as you cross.
•§
Put electronic devices down. Keep your
eyes up and walk, don’t run, across
the street.
•§
Teach children to make eye contact with
drivers before crossing in front of them.
•§
Always walk on sidewalks or paths.
If there are no sidewalks, walk facing
traffic and as far to the left as possible.
Children should walk on direct routes
with the fewest street crossings.
•§
Watch for cars that are turning or backing
up. Teach children to never dart out into
the street or cross between parked cars.
For more information visit safekids.org.
Source: © 2013 Safe Kids Worldwide ®
BIKE SAF
It’s a beautiful day — the sun is shining,
the birds are chirping. What could be more
perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before
you pull your bike out of the garage, let’s
find out how to stay safe on two wheels.
Why Is Bicycle Safety Important?
Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents
can happen. Every year, about 300,000 kids
go to the emergency department because
of bike injuries, and at least 10,000 kids
have injuries that require a few days in
the hospital. Some of these injuries are
so serious that children die, usually from
head injuries.
A head injury can mean brain injury.
That’s why it’s so important to wear your
bike helmet. Wearing one doesn’t mean
you can be reckless, but a helmet will
provide some protection for your face,
head, and brain in case you fall.
A Helmet How-To
Bike helmets are so important that
the U.S. government has created safety
standards for them. Your helmet should
have a sticker that says it meets standards
set by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission. Wear a bike helmet EVERY
TIME YOU RIDE, even if it’s a short ride.
Continued from page 5
the school is not open during the summer,
where will students get that material? In
Salina we are fortunate that the Salina Area
United Way has started a reading initiative
as part of the summer free lunch program
mentioned above. One day a week, students
who attend the program are read to by
community volunteers and also receive a
free book to take home. It is essential that
we get books in the hands of students,
especially during the summer months.
According to language experts, the
average child knows about 8,000 words
when he/she enters kindergarten. When
exiting high school, the average high school
graduate should have a working knowledge
of 87,000 words. This difference of 79,000
words represents about 6,000 words that
need to be learned each year as a child
progresses through school. The summer
break is an excellent opportunity to build
Your bike helmet should fit properly.
Never wear a hat under your bike helmet.
If you’re unsure if your helmet fits you
well, ask someone at a bike store.
Once you have the right helmet, you
need to wear it correctly. It should be
worn level and cover your forehead. Don’t
tip it back so your forehead is exposed.
The straps should always be fastened. If
the straps are flying, your helmet likely
will fall off your head when you need it
most. Make sure the straps are adjusted so
they’re snug enough that you can’t pull or
twist the helmet around on your head.
Don’t throw your helmet around. That
could damage it and it won’t protect you as
well when you really need it. If you do fall
down and put your helmet to the test, be
sure to get a new one. They don’t work as
well after a major crash.
Many bike helmets are lightweight and
come in cool colors. If you don’t love
yours, personalize it with some of your
favorite stickers. Reflective stickers are a
great choice because they look cool and
make you more visible to motorists.
For more tips and information check
out http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bikesafety.html!
n
Source: www.kidshealth.org
vocabulary. Developing oral and written
communication skills over the summer is
essential to continued success of students
as they start the new school year.
Summer activities that will help your
child’s language development include:
•§
Provide real-life experiences, such as
having your child order his/her own
meal in a restaurant.
•§
Sidewalk chalk — yes, sidewalk chalk.
What better way to allow children
to express themselves, both with the
written word and creatively? Chalk
drawing not only allows children to
explore their artistic side, it also can
help with word associations. Besides,
it’s an easy cleanup with the nearest
garden hose.
•§
Blowing bubbles provides a great
learning opportunity for younger
children. Besides counting skills,
children can begin to understand the
6 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

ETY
On average, children are more
than twice as likely to be hit by a
car and killed on Halloween than
on any other day of the year.
concept of small, medium and large by
asking them to distinguish the size of
the bubbles they are creating.
•§
Of course, read, read, read! This is
the one activity that will produce
the greatest results when it comes
to maintaining or growing language
development skills. Join the summer
reading program at your local library
and challenge your child to read many
books over the summer. Or read the
local newspaper with your child to
help grow their language development.
Most importantly, read with your child
to model good reading behavior.
The summer break is an excellent
opportunity to build vocabulary. As your
child reads this summer, have him/her:
•§
Talk about what they have read
•§
Write about what they have heard
•§
Draw pictures of what they have read,
and, read aloud what they have written
Play and More Play
The bottom line is that summertime is
meant to be fun, so above all else, keep it
fun. There are many enjoyable, discoverybased
activities that will engage your child
while building on their knowledge of the
world around them. For instance, engaging
your child in growing a vegetable or flower
garden is a great activity for understanding
the life cycle of the plant and the importance
of protecting our environment. Children
are always excited about making things. The
website www.dadcando.com offers great
ideas for making inexpensive items that will
help your child with problem-solving, oral
communication, and language development.
Besides, what better way to spend quality
time with your child?
So, pull on a T-shirt and shorts and get
ready for a meaningful and memorable
summer with your child. n
Breastfeeding Friendly
Child Care Designation
Child care programs that provide
support and encouragement for
breastfeeding families make it easier
for mothers to continue breastfeeding
after returning to work. Thus, their
babies continue to receive optimal
nurturing and nutrition.
Child Care Aware ® of Kansas is
recognizing child care programs that
provide support to breastfeeding
families and employees with a
special Breastfeeding Friendly
Child Care Designation. To
receive the designation, child care
programs must meet five criteria
that demonstrate a culture of
breastfeeding support. These include:
Creates a culturally appropriate
breastfeeding-friendly environment.
Has written policies that reflect
a commitment to support
breastfeeding mothers.
Provides educational materials and
information to breastfeeding mothers
and family members.
Ensures that staff are trained in the
skills needed to support and promote
breastfeeding.
Has written policies that reflect
a commitment to support
breastfeeding employees.
Programs receiving the Breastfeeding
Friendly Child Care Designation will
receive a certificate and a window
cling to display. In addition, Child
Care Aware ® of Kansas will update
your provider profile information
to reflect your designation as
Breastfeeding Friendly. Profiles are
distributed to families looking for
child care.
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 7

Conflict is an
By Vicki Price, Parent Education at CAPS
(Child Advocacy and Parenting Services)
When a child comes to us and complains
about being pushed, we usually go right
to the bullier and reprimand him/
her. However, our first response really
should be to teach the target. We need
to teach this child to be assertive but
not aggressive.
Dr. Becky Bailey, the developer
of Conscious Discipline, advocates
asking the target, “Did you like
it?” The child will respond, “No.”
Then we say, “Go and tell him/her
— I don’t like it when you push,” or
“We don’t push at our daycare.” A
good tip is to practice this with
the target so that he/she can
successfully speak to the bullier.
What a great life skill you
will be teaching! The child
who can say these kinds of
statements will not stay a
target for long.
BULLYING
Bullying is not a rite of passage. The repercussions are of grave
concern and we can feel powerless against it, but we need not.
There are many things teachers, caregivers and parents can do to
empower children to not be bullied.
We must teach targets and witnesses that they can change their
behavior. They may not be able to change the bully, but they can
change how they react to the bullying behavior.
We must teach targets that they can:
•§
Talk to a trusted friend or adult
•§
Ignore the bully (consistently!) without showing ANY kind of distress
•§
Use strong body language — keep up their “2 Cs” — chest and chin
•§
Look people directly in the eye and speak in a firm, clear voice
•§
Try to make a friend of the bully
Speak to the bullier with words like, “stop that”, “cool it” or “knock
it off.” For those very verbal kids who like to use big words and
sentences, coach them to say, “That’s out of line. I treat you with
respect and I expect the same from you.”
8 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

CHEYENNE
SHERMAN
WALLACE
GREELEY
HAMILTON
STANTON
MORTON
LOGAN
WICHITA
KEARNY
GRANT
STEVENS
RAWLINS
THOMAS
SCOTT
FINNEY
HASKELL
SEWARD
DECATUR
SHERIDAN
GOVE
LANE
GRAY
MEADE
NESS
NORTON
GRAHAM
TREGO
HODGEMAN
CLARK
FORD
PHILLIPS
ROOKS
ELLIS
RUSH
PAWNEE
EDWARDS
KIOWA
COMANCHE
SMITH
OSBORNE
RUSSELL
BARTON
STAFFORD
PRATT
BARBER
JEWELL
MITCHELL
LINCOLN
ELLSWORTH
RICE
RENO
KINGMAN
HARPER
REPUBLIC
CLOUD
OTTAWA
SALINE
MCPHERSON
HARVEY
SEDGWICK
SUMNER
WASHINGTON
CLAY
DICKINSON
MARION
BUTLER
COWLEY
MARSHALL
POTTAWATOMIE
RILEY
GEARY
MORRIS
CHASE
WABAUNSEE
ELK
NEMAHA
LYON
GREENWOOD
JACKSON
BROWN
SHAWNEE
COFFEY
WOODSON
DONIPHAN
ATCHISON
JEFFERSON
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
ANDERSON
ALLEN
LABETTE
CHAUTAUQUA
MONTGOMERY
JOHNSON
MIAMI
LINN
BOURBON
CHEROKEE
REGION ONE
opportunity to teach
WILSON NEOSHO CRAWFORD
Empower the Witnesses
In bullying situations, however, the real
power lies with the witnesses. A bully can’t
be a bully without witness approval. Most
witnesses have no idea of the power they
have — they think the bully is running
the show, and they have little or no ability
to stop it. OUR MOST IMPORTANT
JOB, THEN, IS TO EMPOWER THE
WITNESSES!
Research tells us that the critical use
of witness power occurs within the first
10 seconds of the bullying. The bully
is watching for the reactions of those
nearby — to see if they will join in, laugh
in approval or look fearful and downtrodden.
The bullier is also keenly aware
of non-approval, and if that is shown, well,
the bully’s days are numbered. Witnesses
must learn this and use their power in
ways that are comfortable. Some can talk
to the bully, while others may only feel able
to speak privately to the target. Any choice
is a good choice, as long as it is a show of
non-support for the bullier.
Witnesses can:
•§
Talk to a trusted friend or adult
•§
Ask the target to play or go give them
a hug
•§
Support the target privately by saying,
“I am sorry that happened.”
•§
Respond publicly to the target. “This
isn’t right. We don’t treat people like
this at ABC Preschool.”
•§
Speak calmly to the bullier by saying,
“That’s bullying. Stop it.”
•§
Talk to the bully and ask them if he/
she is OK — is he/she sad or mad
about something? Give the bully a
hug. Only a very brave witness can
try to befriend and help a bullier.
Teaching Targets and Witnesses
How to Speak Up
Whatever lines we want the targets and
witnesses to speak, we must help them
to know HOW to speak them. They
must always use a strong, calm voice
— screaming back and calling the bully
names only makes them become what they
dislike — they become the new bully. So,
“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean
much unless you do what’s right.”
we must coach children how to use their
strong inside voices, their information
voices, so that their words and vocal tone
show that they are in charge. Targets and
witnesses must show that the bully is not
strong enough to create any feelings within
them — such as sadness, anger or fear.
Children’s voices and body language must
show that they are not annoyed or upset
by the bullier — they are simply speaking
the truth and showing their power. They
are showing who is really in charge of the
situation, and it is NOT the bullier.
Promoting the Positive
— Theodore Roosevelt
Becky Bailey also teaches, “what you
focus on, you get more of.” So, focus
on the positives in your classroom
— celebrate the kindnesses shown
when a child helps someone or gives a
compliment. Make a kindness bulletin
board where children can do “put-ups.”
Talk about being bucket-fillers of each
others’ buckets. Read books like Words
are not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick or
One by Kathryn Otoshi. One beautifully
and simply demonstrates witness power.
Children have to watch us use empathy
with others, find solutions rather than
blame, and practice listening and
negotiation skills. Show the children how to
support a bully-free world. Be an example
of how to build others up instead of tearing
them down, and how to look at the world
with our hearts instead of just our eyes. n
Vicki Price, B.A., M.S., has been the Director of
Education at CAPS (Child Advocacy and Parenting
Services) in Salina, KS since 1992. She was an
elementary school teacher and a school board
member. At CAPS, she presents “Happy Bear”
(a sexual abuse prevention play) and Bullying
Prevention programs in area schools as well
as teaches parenting classes. She also writes
parenting articles for the Salina Journal. She and
her husband, Scott, have 3 children, 2 sons-in-law
and two grandchildren.
Ensuring Children Enter
School Ready to Learn
Child Care Aware ® of Kansas-
Region One has worked with several
communities to assist with discussions
on how to support child care providers
and meet the needs of working
families. Child Care Aware ® is able to
provide materials that support learning,
attend meetings to be a voice for young
children and the early education field,
and participate in phone calls to share
information and data.
Recently, the complex topic of
child care supply and demand was
discussed at a community meeting
in Salina. From this facilitated,
collaborative conversation, an Early
Childhood Study Committee was
formed. The committee, established
by Bill Hall, superintendent of schools
for USD 305, Salina, consists of early
childhood partners, chamber of
commerce members, United Way staff
and school personnel.
The committee will continue to
facilitate valuable conversations in an
effort to ensure all children in Salina
enter school ready to learn. They have
developed three focus areas with
regard to child care:
•§
That there is high-quality care
provided for children.
•§
That there are enough child care
slots for working families.
•§
That child care is affordable for all
working families.
We are excited about this creative,
collaborative discussion group and
will continue to support this work,
and similar work taking place in
communities throughout Region One.
After all, our mission is to ensure that
high-quality early education is available
to all Kansas families and children.
Contact us today if you need
information or resources by calling
855-750-3343.
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 9

Take the time
Hot Car
Safety
By Amber Rollins
Director, KidsandCars.org
It’s summertime. On average, every year 38
children in the U.S. die from heat stroke while
in vehicles. In about 55 percent of these cases,
a child is unknowingly left in the vehicle,
usually by a loving, responsible parent or
caregiver. It’s happened to a teacher, police
officer, nurse, clergyman, child care provider,
soldier … even a rocket scientist. Lack of
sleep, fatigue, stress and changes in routine
are the most common factors. Many times,
the child was supposed to have been dropped
off at child care.
In about 30 percent of these tragedies, a child
got into a vehicle on his or her own and was
unable to get out. These senseless deaths are
both predictable and 100 percent preventable.
Safety tips for parents and caregivers include:
•§
Make it a routine to ALWAYS check the back
seat every time you park.
•§
Put your phone, handbag, briefcase, or your
left shoe in the back seat as a reminder
to open the back door before leaving your
vehicle.
•§
Work with your child care provider to
implement a policy to call immediately if a
child doesn’t show up as scheduled.
•§
Be especially careful during holidays and
changes in routine.
•§
Always keep vehicles locked and keep
keys and remote openers out of reach of
children!
•§
If a child is missing, check both the inside
and the trunk of all vehicles immediately
and thoroughly.
•§
NEVER leave a child alone in or around a
vehicle, not even for a minute.
“Our challenge isn’t so much to teach
children about the natural world,
but to find ways to nurture and
sustain the instinctive connections
they already carry.”
— Terry Krautwurst
And notice
the bugs!
10 Kansas Child

HARVEY
SEDGWICK
SUMNER
BUTLER
COWLEY
REGION TWO
to smell the flowers
By Sherron French
Early Care and Education Specialist,
Child Care Aware® of Kansas
The summertime schedule often keeps
children shuffling from one activity to
another without much rest in between.
Escaping to nature to smell the flowers,
discover the bugs and squeeze the mud
brings a much needed slower pace that can
rejuvenate, energize and inspire children.
Whether it is in your backyard, a walk
around the neighborhood or a trip to the
local park or nature center — there are
many skills that can be learned through
nature play.
Taking a stroll around the backyard can
be a great way for children to discover roly
polys, caterpillars, beetles, flies, butterflies
and bumblebees. When adults encourage
children to explore, it leads to greater
interest in natural things. Children have a
natural curiosity about the world around
them. Be sure to allow plenty of time for
observation of bugs. Expand the child’s
knowledge through questions such as,
“how” or “why”; bring along a pad of
paper and writing utensils to record
observations; and encourage vocabulary
by using words such as antenna, thorax
and colony. Expand upon the experience
by asking, “I wonder what ...” or, “I
wonder if ...” questions, allowing the
children to answer with their own
hypotheses. Teach children to respect the
natural environment by not disturbing
the creatures and their homes and by
acknowledging that the outdoors is where
bugs live. If children are fearful of the
insects, acknowledge their fears and allow
them to explore at their own pace; this will
lessen the fear they are experiencing.
Trees and flowers attract the bees and
bugs; however, they are also very attractive
to children. Take time to notice the
difference in the flowers and trees around
you. Point out the various colors found in
the plants. Discuss the different leaves, buds
and flowers. Bring a collection bag along
on a walk to gather seeds, leaves, sticks,
stones and fallen flowers from trees and
plants. Be sure to respect the environment
by not plucking, pulling or damaging a
plant or tree. The items gathered can be
used for classifying objects through sorting;
such as gluing or taping materials on a
piece of paper for a nature collage. Or they
can be used as natural brushes to paint
with. Discover what imprints different
leaves and seeds make in play dough. Use
magnifying glasses to view the sticks and
stones or create a nature sculpture with your
collection of rocks, seeds, sticks and leaves.
Take the time to talk about the growing
process and life cycles, seasons and how to
help plants to grow. Slow down the walk
and carefully observe the different flowers
and trees; you just might find a hidden
creature waiting to be discovered!
Nature offers many experiences that
are very different from our indoor
environments. Take advantage of the
unique sensory opportunities that can be
found outdoors – push bare feet into warm
sand, splash in a pool or puddle of cool
water; squish toes in wet mud or create a
messy mud pie!
Children enjoy thrills such as running
up and down a hill. Memories are made
by climbing on a large rock and splashing
in a large puddle of water. Nature
experiences can also provide a calm period
for children. Go outside and watch clouds
form. Nothing is more relaxing than
listening to the birds singing. So, slow
down, gather up a blanket and simply lie
under a tree and read your favorite book!
Through your summer travels be sure
to take the time to seek out new nature
adventures where ever you may go! Plan
ahead to visit local parks or recreation
areas, zoos or wildlife parks, nature
centers, walking trails, botanical and
community gardens or plan a walk in the
area where you are. These destinations
offer adventure, learning and most of all an
opportunity to connect with nature! n
Supporting Foster
Grandparents
Thanks to a brief conversation
between a Specialist and a Foster
Grandparent volunteer, Region
Two has been able to enhance
the Foster Grandparent program
across our area. Before leaving
a classroom one day, a Specialist
asked the director about the kinds
of support Foster Grandparent
volunteers receive. The Director
shared the contact information
for the Butler County Foster
Grandparents.
The Specialist made a phone
call to Rachel McKee, the Foster
Grandparent Coordinator. Rachel
shared that Butler County Foster
Grandparents offers monthly
meetings where community
members speak and provide
training for Foster Grandparents
in various counties.
Through this connection,
Foster Grandparent events
have been scheduled in Harvey,
Butler, and Sumner Counties.
In April, the program was
“Workplace Ethics across the
Generations.” Grandparents have
enthusiastically requested further
training on additional topics,
such as birth order. The events
have also stimulated interest in
the annual Growing with Children
Conference.
We look forward to continuing
this relationship with Foster
Grandparents in all our counties!
Kansas Child 11

Value of youth
By Chris Nelson, CPRP, CYSA,
Youth Sports Recreation Supervisor,
and Angie Sutton, CPRP, CPP,
Community Relations Director,
Manhattan Parks and Recreation
Organized youth sports programs are
one of the greatest resources available for
instilling valuable life skills in youngsters.
Physical activity is vital to the holistic
development of young people, fostering
their physical, social and emotional
health. The benefits of sport reach beyond
physical well-being.
Our goal through parks and recreation
is to provide a fun, safe and rewarding
experience for youth ages 3 years through
high school. Kids learn the importance of
teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance,
rules, respect for authority and how
to win or lose with dignity. Physical
education and sports build healthy habits
that encourage life-long participation in
physical activity, and have a positive effect
on overall public health.
The 2015 Riley County Community
Health Improvement Plan includes
healthy lifestyles as one of the top
HEALTHY
FUEL
FOR
HEALTHY
ATHLETES
12 Kansas Child

MARSHALL
POTTAWATOMIE
RILEY
GEARY
MORRIS
CHASE
WABAUNSEE
ELK
NEMAHA
LYON
GREENWOOD
JACKSON
BROWN
SHAWNEE
OSAGE
COFFEY
WOODSON
DONIPHAN
JEFFERSON
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
ANDERSON
ALLEN
LABETTE
CHAUTAUQUA
MONTGOMERY
MIAMI
LINN
BOURBON
CHEROKEE
REGION THREE
sports in Manhattan
three priorities out of 13 issues identified
by the community. Physical activity and
nutrition were indicated as critical to the
quality of life, with childhood obesity,
healthy habits, recreation opportunities
and recreation facilities as subtopics.
Manhattan Parks and Rec analytics
indicate that more than 70 percent of our
community’s youth are involved in some
aspect of our programs and activities.
More than 700 kids take swimming
lessons each year, and nearly 1,000 kids
play baseball, softball or T-ball during
the summer. New programs are being
developed to involve younger children
and their caregivers in family-friendly
fitness activities. These programs
frequently fill, so additional dates and
times are being added.
As a community, our biggest hurdle
is indoor court space during the cold
months. There are 19 courts, but the
primary demand for space by the school
district leaves a small window of time to
satisfy the 4,566 annual court hours used,
not including additional programming
being developed. The lack of indoor water
accessible to the general public results in
a deficit of year-round aquatics classes. A
major initiative is underway to address the
needs of citizens, as we’re projected to grow
by another 2,500 families in the coming
five to 10 years.
Nationally, the trend for free play —
kids using parks and recreation facilities
for active play — is on the rise. Increased
access to space for physical activity
leads to a 25 percent increase in people
exercising three or more days a week.
Policy initiatives, such as healthy vending
and concession efforts, smoke-free venues,
changes to the built environment (access
to trails, parks and recreation facilities)
are critical to help prevent chronic
diseases and related risks. The role that
parks and recreation facilities play in
health promotion and disease prevention
is an essential benefit, no matter the size
of the community.
Youth sports are a crucial component
in the development of our children, and
a significant contributor to the skills they
need to lead healthy lives and to have a
positive effect on public health. n
Supporting Leadership
and Professionalism
WILSON NEOSHO CRAWFORD
Since 2013, Region 3 has been
grateful to receive a recognition grant
from the Kansas Health Foundation.
These funds have allowed us to
focus specific efforts in the areas of
leadership and professionalism in
early childhood.
In multiple locations across our
service area, we have offered a
professional development course
entitled “Building Leadership in Early
Childhood at All Levels.” The course
is based on the Kansas Leadership
Center principle that leadership is
an activity rather than a position.
It helps participants explore five
strategies for growing their own
leadership capacity — regardless of
job title, setting or role.
After recently completing the class,
one family child care provider
shared: “I never really thought of
myself as being a leader. Now, I will
think more about how I am a role
model for parents and for other
providers. I also plan to check out
the advocacy resources. I never
considered that just talking positively
about my job to others was being an
advocate. I can do that!”
Another way Region 3 promotes
leadership development in the field
is by offering regular Director’s
Toolbox events. Designed for
child care center directors and
administrators, Toolbox topics
have included creating a vision and
mission statement, working with a
board, marketing, team building,
ethical conduct and more.
http://www.healthykidshub.org/sites/default/files/documents/HealthyFuelHealthyAthlete.pdf
Kansas Child 13

Planning your
summer trip?
Don’t let safety take a vacation
By Cherie Sage
State Director, Safe Kids Kansas
Whether heading out for a weekend
of camping or trekking across the
U.S. on a destination vacation, many
of us will be traveling this summer.
And, traveling with children guarantees
an adventure.
While you are out making great
memories, here are a few tips to help
ensure your stories have happy endings.
Tips for car travel
•§
A car or other vehicle will be likely be
involved in some leg of your trip. Make sure
everyone is appropriately buckled — babies
and toddlers in car seats, older children in
booster seats, and adults and older kids
wearing seat belts. If the car is moving,
everyone must be buckled.
•§
If you are a breastfeeding Mom, pull over
for breaks. It is unsafe, and illegal, to hold
your child on your lap when the vehicle is
moving on the road, even for something as
healthy as breastfeeding.
•§
Kids do better when they are able to take
regular breaks and run off that pent-up
energy. When planning your travel, take
into consideration frequent bathroom and
leg-stretching breaks. But, never leave a
child alone in the car, even for a minute. The
inside of a vehicle can become dangerously
hot in a matter of minutes.
Pack the car seats
•§
If you are traveling by plane, take your
children’s car seats with you. Children’s
forward-facing harness seats that are FAA
approved typically can be used on a plane’s
window seat. All other car seats and booster
seats can be gate-checked.
•§
When you reach your destination, whether
you take a taxi, ride with family or friends, or
get a rental vehicle, you’ll have your own car
seats that you are familiar with and that you
know fit your children.
•§
While some rental companies have car seats
available for an additional fee, many of these
seats are missing instruction manuals and
might not be in good condition. Even with
your own car seats, be sure you read your car
seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual
so you know how to correctly lock the car
seat into an unfamiliar vehicle. It’s not as
simple as just buckling the seat belt.
•§
If you are uncertain or have trouble getting
your car seat installed, contact a certified
car seat technician. They will help ensure
your child is as safe as possible, and in a
correctly installed seat. To find a car seat
inspection station near you, visit www.
kansascarseatcheck.org.
14 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

ATCHISON
LEAVENWORTH
WYANDOTTE
JOHNSON
REGION FOUR
Safety upon arrival
•§
Think about your destination. What’s the
weather forecast? Will you be out in the
sun? What will you be doing? Will you
be around water? Will you be around a
campfire? Where will everyone sleep? Are
there any hazards you need to plan for?
•§
If staying with family or friends, it is
important to have a conversation before
you arrive about safety, especially if it is
with someone who does not have young
children. Are potential poisons locked up
out of reach? Do they have a safe place
for your baby to sleep, or do you need to
bring a portable crib? If they have a pool, is
it surrounded by four-sided fencing with a
self-latching gate?
•§
If you are going to be doing any activities
such as boating or biking, remember to
pack your safety gear. If you’ll be outside,
bring sun protection. If camping, dress your
family in layers and plan for the weather.
Keep an eye on kids around campfires, and
always actively supervise kids around water,
even if they are wearing a life jacket. Make
sure you tell a family member or friend
where you will be and when you expect to
return.
Prepare to have fun
•§
Last tip: When you make the journey fun,
everyone has a better time. Pack portable
snacks, drinks, surprises, audio books,
games and/or activities to keep everyone
comfortable and entertained. They do not
have to be expensive or elaborate. Looking
for an inexpensive souvenir? Have your kids
mail a postcard to themselves from your
various stops. When they get home they will
have great mementos right in the mailbox.
Happy travels
to you and
your family
and remember,
safety doesn’t
take a vacation!
Engaging Families
Making positive connections
with families through a variety of
activities and frequent opportunities
is important for every provider,
but developing a single-family
engagement plan that works for all
is impossible.
Becca, a Region Four family child
care provider, shared with us
some information about her family
engagement activities:
“Relationships between parents and
the provider are so important for the
child’s development. Working together
as a team ensures that children
get the best start to life. I regularly
schedule low-cost activities for my
families.
“It is rare not to find every one of my
families in attendance at the weekend
family field trips I offer every other
month. Just a few weeks ago we
met up at Deanna Rose Children’s
Farmstead (Overland Park) to explore
and play together. After checking out
the new calves and feeding the baby
goats, we rode the mini-tractors and
watched a blacksmith hard at work.
We played on the playgrounds for a
long while before heading out to the
picnic tables to enjoy a healthy lunch
we had each packed.
“Family field trips provide a chance
to strengthen my relationships with
parents. They also allow parents to
build networks among themselves
in relaxed settings away from the
hustle and bustle of the work day.
At the end of the day all of these
strong relationships create a healthy
and happy environment for all of the
children in my program!”
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 15

Books for Summer fun
Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach
By Alice Eberhart-Wright
Child Development Specialist and Family Therapist
When the seasons change, it’s a good opportunity for new
activities, foods, experiences with nature, and of course, books.
Summer means more time with children who
would normally be in school, so I chose three
books that would appeal to a wide age range.
This board book by Kenny Harrison combines the fun of a beach
with a favorite game -- hide and seek. Even before a baby can use
words, she or he might learn to point to Harry, who is easily found on
each page. This simple book is appropriate for beginning readers.
Oceans are scarce in Kansas, but as a fun activity creative child
care providers and parents can create a beach with sand, a wading
pool, beach towels and shovels. If children have actually been to a
real beach, ask parents to provide pictures to share.
Picnic
Moving up the age scale to preschoolers, consider Picnic, by
Emily Arnold McCully. This book is a Caldecott winner with
charming illustrations and a story with a theme that appeals to
adults and children like.
A large mouse family climbs in the truck to go to the country
for a picnic. There are lots of mice to keep track of, so no one saw
Little Bitty fall off the truck on the rough road (no seat belts in the
back of a pickup truck).
What is one of our greatest fears as adult caregivers? Losing a
child on a field trip! What is one of the biggest fears of children?
Being lost and forgotten!
In the excitement of all the things to do in the country, it takes
a while before Little Bitty is missed. The awful awareness occurs
when it is time to eat, and one little mouse is gone. Eating is quickly
forgotten until Little Bitty is found. Finally, the family is reunited
and the picnic is a joyous occasion. This book calls for a picnic, don’t
you think? It can be a real picnic or a pretend one. Use your imagination.
Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World
Written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, Over on a Mountain:
Somewhere in the World is a good read for children who are ready for learning
about other places, exotic animals, and all kinds of new activities. This book calls
out to readers to sing new words to Over in the Meadow, explore maps, do art
activities, and look for hidden animals on a nature walk.
Be sure to look for the hidden
animals on every page,
and then learn about them
from facts at the back of the
book. Although the book is
suggested for 3- to 8-yearolds,
I learned new things
as an adult reader! I knew
nothing about wombats from
Australia, ibises from the
Alps or snow leopards from
the Himalayas.
Happy summer reading! n
16 Kansas Child

“Summer shouldn’t just be a vacation. Instead, it should be a time to get ahead, to branch out and learn new
skills, to have new experiences such as acting in a play or doing some outdoor learning. And for anyone who’s
fallen behind, it’s a time to catch up on lessons they missed. And of course, you’ve gotta read, read, read!”
— First Lady Michelle Obama on the occasion of National Summer Learning Day 2015
Learning Doesn’t Stop
By Marcia Dvorak, Brandon Hutton and Rachel Willis, Kansas Enrichment Network
School is out, and youngsters
are ready for a change. Adults are
embracing the end of school and
schedules and worries about being
tardy, homework, and projects.
However, according to the National
Summer Learning Association, we
cannot forget the learning.
All youngsters fall victim to learning
loss if education isn’t a part of summer
experiences.
An equivalent of two months loss in
math computation skills can occur.
The achievement gap widens between
low- and higher-income youth.
Weight gain can occur, especially in
those at high risk of obesity.
We need to engage youth in inquirybased
experiences that blend in
academics. Many summer programs
combine summer school and camp,
combining learning and fun. Some
community-based programs operate
7:30 a.m. till 6 p.m. Mornings offer
sessions with certified teachers for
reading and math practice, often based
on state test scores results. Providers
support the learning components in
the afternoons by scheduling field trips,
guests, or enrichment opportunities
such as visits to the zoo, museums, or
exercise activities such as swimming,
nature hikes or bike rides.
For some, summer is a perfect time
to incorporate social and emotional
learning through board games,
team-building activities, theater and
role-playing. Leaders use teachable
moments to instruct on anti-bullying,
conflict resolution, and team building.
Community or service-learning
opportunities offer youth a chance
to appreciate their community and
experience the joy of giving back.
STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) skills are in
demand for many careers. Give kids
an opportunity to gage their interest
in STEM careers through programs
where they can design straw rockets,
experiment with trebuchets, wire a
cardboard house, construct balancing
toys, or create paper bridges.
Consider establishing a teaching
garden where children learn through
organic gardening projects with raised
garden beds.
For older children, summer is
a good time to take an ACT
review course or participate
in multicultural and
poetry events.
For kids interested in math, consider
math games. Or how about wandering
around a labyrinth with numerical
obstacles and trapdoor puzzles?
Learning during the summer in
Kansas can be exciting and knowledgebuilding
while combatting summer
learning loss. Check for programs
near you.
For parents who want to promote
academics at home, there are many
online options, including:
• Literacy: Scholastic and Reading
Superhero program
• Writing: readwritethink
• Adventure with academics:
Brain Chase
• Creativity: DIY
• Older students: Rocket21
www.kansasenrichmentnetwork
Kansas Child 17

Healthy Snack Options
By Christi Smith, Early Childhood Wellness Director, Child Care Aware ® of Kansas
While adults can get through the day without many between-meal snacks, children
can’t. They have smaller stomachs and cannot get all the key nutrients they need with
just breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serving healthy snacks to children is important to
providing good nutrition and development of lifelong healthy eating habits. Avoid
sugary, empty calorie options. High-fiber snacks such as fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains and low-fat dairy products make good snack options.
If you are you worried children won’t try something new, consider pairing it with
one of their favorite foods. Introduce jicama with the more familiar green beans.
Consider texture; some children like cooked broccoli while others prefer fresh
broccoli. Don’t forget about the presentation. Try cutting new foods into fun shapes
using cookie cutters. Keeping seeds and nuts in nice jars is inviting. Make healthy
foods look fun, and children will be excited to eat them.
Try these healthy snack ideas:
Fruit: Bananas, oranges, and clementine’s come prepackaged in their own peels, keeping
the fruit protected. Apples can be wrapped in a paper towel to keep clean. Dried fruit travels
well. When serving canned fruit, watch the sugar content.
Veggies: While carrots are a quick and easy snack, other fresh veggies such as green
beans, snap beans, edamame, jicama, celery, baby cucumber and tomatoes are also great
additions. Celery can be spread with cream cheese, peanut butter or almond butter. Add
sweetness with raisins.
Whole Grains: Pair whole wheat crackers with protein toppings such as string cheese,
mini-Babybel cheese or peanut butter. Whole grain English muffins, pitas or tortillas can
be served with hummus or bean dip. Popcorn can be flavored by adding parmesan cheese,
garlic powder or other non-salt spices.
Granola bars: Looking through the granola bar aisle can be overwhelming. Look for bars
made entirely of nuts and dried fruit, or with added whole grains. Be sure to check the labels
to avoid hidden fats and sugars.
Unique sandwiches: Use lettuce to wrap meat and cheeses. Or, spread mustard on a slice
of deli turkey and wrap it around a breadstick. Use a tortilla instead of bread. Use cookie
cutter shapes to make sandwich cut-outs.
Dips: Dip apple slices or strawberries in low-fat yogurt. Dip pretzels in mustard; pita chips
in hummus; graham crackers in applesauce; crunchy granola bars in yogurt and waffles in
cinnamon applesauce.
No-Bake Energy Bites
INGREDIENTS
1 cup dry old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup of toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
DIRECTIONS
Stir all ingredients together in a medium
bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and
let chill in the refrigerator for half an
hour. Once chilled, roll the balls to the
size you would like.
Store in an airtight container and keep
refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Pumpkin No-Bake Energy Bites
INGREDIENTS
1 packed cup chopped dates
¼ cup honey
¼ cup pumpkin puree
1 Tbsp. flax seed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground ginger
pinch of salt
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup toasted coconut flakes
1 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
Combine the dates, honey, pumpkin
puree, flax seed, cinnamon, ginger,
nutmeg, and salt in a food processor,
and pulse until smooth and combined.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl, stir in
dry oats, coconut flakes and pepitas until
evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate
for at least 30 minutes.
Once mixture is cool, use a spoon
or cookie scoop to shape it into your
desired size of energy balls.
Alternatively, you can line a small baking
pan with parchment paper and press the
mixture evenly into the pan, let it cook,
and then cut into bars.
18 Kansas Child

There is no place like home
By Marie Treichel
Provider Services Manager,
Child Care Aware ® of Eastern Kansas
What does it mean to be a
Kansan? This is the question my
husband and I asked ourselves
when planning our family vacation
in 2010. Our children were 16, 14
and 11 and had lived in Lawrence
their entire lives, but we knew there
were many places in Kansas that
they had no idea existed.
Before long they would be adults
and might move to another state or
country. What would Kansas mean
to them, then? We decided that for
our children to know their home
state better, we should take them
to places outside our town and the
typical tourist sites to experience
the people and places less visited.
The first step in planning the
trip was to find these interesting
places and people, and then map
out how we would visit them within
a week. A friend suggested the
book, Kansas Curiosities: Quirky
Characters, Roadside Oddities&
Other Offbeat Stuff, by Pam Grout.
It turned out to be the perfect
resource for planning our trip.
With this book, some searching
on the Internet, and a road map
of Kansas, we plotted our trip. We
put stars next to the places that
sounded most interesting to us.
With more than 200 suggestions,
and many recommendations for
restaurants we must try, we had
plenty of options to choose from.
Although it was a little difficult
to get buy-in for a Kansas trip
from our two teens, having them
involved in the planning improved
their dispositions and made for
engaging conversations. Our
11-year-old said he was good with
us deciding on where we would
stop, so long as we packed enough
beef jerky for the ride.
We visited the Grassroots Art
Center, in Lucas, and saw a wide
variety of works created by selftaught
Kansas artists; walked
through a 40-foot castle in a
retired math teacher’s Junction
City backyard — complete with
a waterfall, plaza and lush castle
grounds; and stopped for square
pie in Troy.
In McLouth, (Jefferson County),
we took a family photo atop the
boulder that sits right in the middle
of a street (because it was too big
In 2015 the Kansas Tourism
Division kicked off the Kansas
Bucket List campaign. Check out
this link for more great information
about popular destinations: http://
www.travelks.com/includes/
content/docs/media/2016_KS_
Bucket_List_Checklist1.pdf
to move, so the town just paved
around it); visited the David Rice
Atchison Museum (he was a U.S.
president for one day); and in the
town of Cuba (Republic County),
which has moved locations three
times, we saw the state’s largest
rocking chair.
We toured a wind farm, visited
Concordia and learned about one
of Kansas’ many German POW
camps; and in Blue Springs, we
walked the town square, which
actually is round. By the end of the
week, our children learned more
about Kansas history than there is
time to cover in school, met and
saw the works of the many talented
and creative minds who call
themselves Kansans, and realized
that at the end of the day, there is
no place like home. n
Kansas Child 19

HEADS UP
Stop, Think, Connect
Adapted from Stop.Think.Connect. TM , OnGuardOnline.gov
You text, you play games, you share
photos and videos. You update your status,
you post comments, you probably spend
some time in a virtual world.
Being online — connected through
some sort of device — is how you live
your life. And as you spend more of
your time there, it can be easy to overshare,
embarrass yourself, mess up your
computer and possibly get messages from
creepy people. The truth is there are some
risks involved in socializing, playing and
communicating online.
Regardless of how fast your fingers fly on
a keyboard, phone or tablet, the best tool
you have to help avoid risks online is your
brain. When you’re ready to post or send a
message or a photo, download a file, game
or program, or shop for something — stop
for a second. Think about things like:
Do you know and trust whom you’re
dealing with — or what you’re sharing or
downloading?
How will you feel if your information
ends up somewhere you didn’t intend?
Asking a few key questions can help
you protect yourself, your friends and your
computer. Here are a few more things to
stop and think about before you click.
Share with Care
Your online actions can have real-world
consequences. The pictures you post and
the words you write can affect the people in
your life. Think before you post and share.
What you post could have a bigger
audience than you think. Even if you
use privacy settings, it’s impossible to
completely control who sees your social
networking profile, pictures, videos or
texts. Before you click “send,” think about
how you will feel if your family, teachers,
coaches or neighbors find it.
Get someone’s okay before you share
photos or videos they’re in.
Online photo albums are great
for storing and sharing pictures.
It’s so easy to snap a shot and
upload it instantly. Stop and
think about your own privacy
— and other people’s — before
you share photos and videos. It
can be embarrassing, unfair and
even unsafe.
Interact with Tact
Politeness counts. Texting
is just another way for people
to have a conversation,
and texters are just
like people talking
face-to-face or on the
phone: they appreciate
“please” and “thank you” (or
pls and ty).
Tone it down. In online
conversations, using all CAPS, long
rows of exclamation points or large bolded
fonts is the same as shouting.
Use “Cc” and “Reply all” sparingly.
Before you send a message, stop and think
about whether everyone needs to see it.
Avatars are people, too. When you’re
playing a game or exploring an online
world where you can create a character
and interact with others, remember real
people are behind those characters on the
screen. Respect their feelings just like you
would in person. Remember that your
character or avatar is a virtual version of
you — what does it tell people about you
and your interests?
Don’t impersonate. It’s wrong and can
be hurtful to create sites, pages or posts
that seem to come from someone else, like
someone in your class or a teacher.
Speak up. If you see something
inappropriate on a social networking site
or in a game or chat
room, let the website know
and tell an adult you trust. Using
“Report Abuse” links can help keep sites
fun for everyone.
Don’t stand for bullying — online or off.
Treat others the way you want to be treated
— whether you’re interacting with them
online, on your phone or in person.
The Protection Connection
Use privacy settings to restrict who can
see and post on your profile. Many social
networking sites, chat rooms and blogs
have privacy settings. Find out how to turn
20 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

Mapping out a Great Summer
these settings
on, and then do it.
Limit your online friends
to people you actually know.
Learn about location-based services.
Many phones have GPS technology, and
there are applications that let you find out
where your friends are and also let them
find you. Set your privacy settings so that
only people you know personally can
see your location. Think about keeping
location-based services off, and turning
Continued on page 6
By Cynthia Jarrell
Daycare Owner/Operator,
Independence, Kansas
Child care during the summer
months can be overwhelming. Planning
multi-age activities, kids coming and
going due to summer activities, and
those hot Kansas summer days when
you have to stay indoors — all can add
up to chaos! They don’t have to. With
a little effort, summer can be easy, fun
and even a learning event.
If you don’t have a daily schedule,
creating one will make a difference.
Your day, your sanity and your business
will improve.
Once you have your daily schedule,
think about how older children can
help you: Ideas include hand-washing,
setting the tables, playing P.E. teacher
during physical activities, and helping
younger kids with projects. Getting the
older kids to help is a great way to teach
responsibility, empathy, and to include
them in activities that may be too
young for them. It also shows them you
understand they are able to contribute.
Younger kids look up to them and will
mirror this with even younger children.
Pick a theme for the summer. Last
year we chose Nutrition, and this year
we chose STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics). Your
summer theme must be broad enough
to break down into weekly themes.
Some of our weekly themes are Oceans,
Space and Sky, Science projects and
Weather. The best way to get the kids
excited is to brainstorm ideas with
them. Including them in the process
also helps you chose activities they
want to participate in, and that is half
the battle!
The next step is to plan daily
activities. Again, look for activities
older kids can help younger kids with,
and choose activities for older children
that can be broken down over a couple
of days or more. The older kids can do
these activities during nap or freeplay
to give the younger ones time to
interact with each other.
Next, plan larger activities that
families can get involved in. With
our STEM theme we are planning a
Where do you start? How do you
map out a great summer? What
ideas do you use to keep children
of a variety of ages active and
engaged? Follow these steps to
have an enjoyable summer:
•§
Create a daily schedule.
•§
Pick a theme for the
entire summer.
•§
Plan weekly themes and
daily activities that tie into
the overall theme.
•§
Plan family activities.
•§
Have fun!
science fair. We always do art week,
and this year we are doing a full-blown
art exhibit.
We will have the older kids making
appetizers, and after five days of art
projects, each child will pick a project
to display. We also do a family potluck,
and this year we are planning it around
a science activity. Getting families
involved is not always easy, but letting
them know the plans at the beginning
of the summer and keeping them
updated will increase involvement.
Most of all, have fun and be
consistent! Figure this is a first
attempt and don’t try for perfection.
Do activities you enjoy, and if they
fail, recognize that this is a learning
experience of what not to do next year.
Your enthusiasm will spur
enthusiasm. Your excitement will mirror
excitement. With some planning, you’ll
be surprised how the kids will have fun
and be engaged. You will spend less time
dealing with negative behaviors and
more time enjoying your days, the kids
and your business! n
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 21

Continued from page 5
them on only when needed. Ask
yourself, “Does this app need to know
where I am?”
Trust your gut if you feel threatened
or uncomfortable because of someone
or something you find online. Tell
someone who can help you report your
concerns to the police and other people
who can help.
Do you download apps? If you
do, you might be giving the app’s
developers access to your personal
information — maybe even info that’s
not related to the purpose of the app.
For example, say you download an app
that lets you make a drawing out of a
photo, but the company that made the
app gets access to your entire contact
list. It might share the information
it collected with marketers or other
companies.
You can try to check what
information the app collects — if it tells
you — and check out your own privacy
settings. Also think about whether
getting that app is really worth sharing
the details of your life.
Protect Your Information
Some information should stay
private. Your Social Security number
and any financial information such as
credit card numbers or bank account
numbers should not be shared.
Keep your passwords private. The
longer your password, the harder it is to
crack. Don’t share your passwords with
anybody, including your best friends.
Don’t reply to text, email or pop-up
messages that ask you to reply with
personal information — even if the
message looks like it is from a friend,
family member or company you
know, or threatens that something bad
will happen if you don’t reply. These
messages may be fake and designed to
steal your information.
Stop.Think.Connect. TM is a national public
awareness campaign aimed at increasing the
understanding of cyber threats and empowering
the American public to be safer and more secure
online.
OnGuardOnline.gov is the federal government’s
website to help you be safe, secure and
responsible online.
Adapted for use in the magazine. For the full
brochure checkout https://www.onguardonline.
gov/articles/pdf-0002-heads-up_0.pdf
TEMPERATURE (F)
What’s in Your
By Christi Smith, Early Childhood Wellness Director, Child Care Aware ® of Kansas
Remember learning in one of your
first biology classes that about twothirds
of the body is made up of water?
Seems impossible, doesn’t it?
And while the truth is that the percent
of water in the body varies, one thing is
certain: Water is vital to keep your body
running well and is the best thing for
you when you are thirsty.
Drink at least four glasses of water
a day. Avoid sugary drinks, which
basically are sugar water with no
vitamins, minerals or protein. Fruitinfused
water is a good alternative to
sugary and chemical-filled soft drinks.
They’re refreshing, attractive and the
How much water is needed?
touch of natural sweetness might help
curb sugar cravings.
Drink more water...
•§
Keep a pitcher of water in
the fridge.
•§
Add slices of fruit such as lemons,
limes or oranges to the water.
•§
Fill a reusable bottle of water
to take on the go.
•§
Serve water between meals.
•§
Order water with your
restaurant meals.
•§
Drink a glass of water when
you brush your teeth.
The amount of water needed will vary among young children. To prevent
dehydration, Increase water intake on hot summer days and during physical activity.
Age Range
1 – 3 years About 4 cups
4 – 8 years About 5 cups
Adequate Daily Water Intake
9 – 13 years About 8 cups for boys and about 7 cups for girls
14 years & older About 11 cups for boys and about 8 cups for girls
This table is adapted from the DRI (Dietary Reference Intakes) reports for Water, Potassium, Sodium,
Chloride, and Sulfate. The report may be accessed at www.nap.edu.
110º 136º
HEAT INDEX GUIDE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100%
104º 119º 124º 131º 137º
100º 109º 114º 118º 124º 129º 136º
94º 97º 100º 102º 106º 110º 114º 119º 124º 129º 135º
90º 91º 93º 95º 97º 100º 103º 106º 109º 113º 117º 122º 127º 132º
84º 83º 84º 85º 86º 88º 89º 90º 92º 94º 96º 98º 100º 103º
80º 80º 80º 81º 81º 82º 82º 83º 84º 84º 85º 86º 86º 87º
n Comfortable Outdoor Play n Use Caution n Dangerous
22 Kansas Child A Publication of Child Care Aware ® of Kansas

Cup?
Keep drinking water safe: make
available throughout the day
Children should have access to
drinking water throughout the day.
Provide opportunities for children
to serve themselves by making small
pitchers of water available so that
they can pour their own water. For
younger children, provide water
bottles. Label each with their name
and picture. Place a Velcro dot on the
water bottle to hold a small, laminated
WATER...
•§
Quenches thirst
picture. The picture can be removed
when cleaning and is a great visual for
children to identify their bottle.
Storing water bottles can be tricky
for larger programs. Over-the-door
shoe racks with pockets are a good
solution. Children can reach the
bottles, yet the mouths of the bottles
don’t touch, keeping them sanitary.
Source: 12345 Fit-tastic (include the logo).
For more information about 12345 Fit-Tastic
visit www.fittastic.org.
•§
Carries nutrients through the body
•§
Helps absorb foods
•§
Improves skin
•§
Keeps you regular
•§
Prevents tooth decay
Pool Safety
By Rynekah Barbour
Child Care Surveyor, Johnson County
Department of Health and Environment
With summer finally here, Charlie’s House
would like to share some safety tips for
enjoying the fun-filled pool season.
Stay Close, Be Alert and Watch
•§
Always watch your children and never
leave them unattended. Designate a “water
watcher” who won’t be preoccupied by
swimming, reading a book, talking on a cell
phone or other distractions.
•§
Practice touch supervision with children
younger than 5 years. This means that the
adult is within an arm’s length of the child
at all times.
•§
Keep children away from pool drains, pipes
and other openings.
•§
If a child is missing, check the pool first.
Learn and Practice Water Safety Skills
•§
Learn to swim. The American Academy
of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons
for most children age 4 and older, and for
children 1 to 4 years who are ready to learn
how to swim.
•§
Know how to perform CPR on children
and adults.
•§
For above-ground pools, always keep
children away from steps or ladders. When
the pool is not in use, lock or remove the
ladders to prevent access by children.
Have the Appropriate Equipment
•§
Install a fence at least 4 feet in height
around the perimeter of the pool and spa.
•§
Use self-closing and self-latching gates.
The latches should be higher than a child
can reach — 54 inches from the bottom
of the gate.
•§
Ensure all pools and spas have compliant
drain covers.
•§
Install a door alarm from the house to
the pool area.
•§
Have life-saving equipment such as life
rings or reaching poles available for use.
www.ks.childcareaware.org Kansas Child 23

NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SALINA, KS 67401
PERMIT NO. 122
PO Box 2294, Salina, KS 67402-2294
www.ks.childcareaware.org
Call Toll Free 1-855-750-3343
Whether you are family
searching for child care
a community needing information
about young children
or a child care provider wanting
to become a change maker
We are here for YOU!
Coming soon… a new texting feature to gather feedback, share information and send reminders about upcoming opportunities.
Join us TODAY! | 855-750-3343