Join Time Warner Cable’s (TWC) Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) initiative to address America’s declining proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which puts our children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy.  Visit www.connectamillionminds.com and pledge to connect young people with the wonders of science.  The Web site includes listings of science and technology-related learning opportunities across the country. 

Here we list some local events for our youngest learners (children birth to age 5):

Exotic butterfly release at the tropical conservatory at the Museum of Life and Science.  This is a free event that occurs daily at 11 am and 3 pm.  Contact Barry Vandeman at 919-220-5429 or barry.vandeman@ncmls.org for more information.

Nature for Sprouts at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens offers nature explorations for children 3 – 5 years of age.  This four-week program is held on Friday mornings and incorporates stories, movement, music, outdoor explorations and creative projects to introduce young learners to garden ecology and plant science.  Dates are Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28, from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Location: Doris Duke Center. Cost: $24 per child for the four-week program. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 668-1707 for registration.

Knock-Knock Who’s There? at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a class about animal habitats. Dates: Oct. 15 or Oct. 16 from 10 – 11:30 am.  Cost: $6 at the Doris Duke Center.  Ages 4 – 6. Call 668-1707 for registration.

Nature storytime at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens is held on Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am for children ages 3 and up.  Meet at the Doris Duke Center and then go out into the garden for a reading of a nature-themed story and activities to follow.  Dates are Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, and Nov. 19.  Storytime is free and no registration is required.

Nature Ranger Cart at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens is held every Friday morning in October from 10 am to noon.  The Ranger Cart features different science-based crafts and activities for children ages 3 and up. This event is free and no registration is required.

Lemurs Live! at the Duke Lemur Center is a tour for families with children ages 3 and up. Learn about the similarities and differences between lemur species and what makes lemurs some of the most fascinating animals in the world.  Tour length is one hour and the cost is $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 – 12.  Call (919) 401-7240 to make a reservation.

Botanical “Sweet Peas” discovery mornings at the North Carolina Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill)
Held on Tuesdays from 10 - 11 am, parents with children ages 2 ½ to 4 are invited to share a morning of discovering the natural world.  Each class will focus on a different nature theme and may include stories, songs, mini-hikes, crafts, and puppets.  Cost: $10/child+adult pair, per date ($8 NCBG members). Dates are Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, and Nov. 22.

A Friday morning at Barnes & Noble - Streets at Southpoint is not your average day in retail.  The escalators that lead to the second-level children’s department are populated with animated 4-year-olds.  Elevator doors open to reveal a parade of strollers carrying younger siblings.  Parents are making last minute cell phone calls to friends – “You’ve got to get here now; it’s about to begin.”

What’s with all the excitement?  Children’s storytime begins at 10:30 sharp.  Getting a good seat is a must.  Certain Fridays you may even be so fortunate as to meet a children’s storybook character. 

The weekly reading event makes stories come alive for young children and families from across the Triangle by encouraging early literacy and allowing children to experiment with written language in playful ways.  Children sit cross-legged on the floor while listening as a popular children’s story is read aloud.  Following the read aloud session, children are offered crayons, character coloring pages, and activities that showcase their creative talents.  On a special occasion like today, a storybook character drops in for a visit. 

Olivia, the beloved piglet created by writer and illustrator Ian Falconer, stopped by Barnes & Noble for a personal meet and greet with her fans.  By giving young children live access to a character they have only known from the pages of a book, the imaginary becomes reality and children are able to connect words to their own personal experiences.  For many young children, play is how writing and reading development take shape.  Moments like these help children to make sense of the written word long before they are reading. 

We interviewed 5-year-old Kendall about today’s visit with Olivia.  Kendall, who starts kindergarten on Monday, thought the experience was great and was surprised by Olivia’s size. 

“[Olivia] is a lot bigger than in the books and in the movie,” Kendall explained.  “And I’ve met normal pigs before, too.”  Kendall’s favorite Olivia story is the original version.

“The best part of meeting Olivia was getting to hug her,” Kendall said. 

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How do you incorporate books, paper, and writing material as objects of play for your child?

Sandy Ridge Elementary kindergarten teacher Mallory Mbalia may have said it best when reflecting on the critical connection between early childhood education and the success of young learners: “Early childhood education lays the foundation for a strong, positive, motivated and successful educational career.  A solid foundation is imperative to continuing success in the academic world.”

Mbalia, who has been teaching kindergarten in the Durham Public Schools (DPS) for 5 years, is a certified K-6 educator, is AIG licensed and holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  She also works with UNC-TV Connecting Literacy, engaging professionals and community members on how to use educational programming effectively in the classroom and in the home. 

As part of the Partnership’s Transition to Kindergarten Initiative, we were eager to connect with Mbalia to showcase the important relationship between pre-k and the public schools, and to focus on the role of collaboration in increasing kindergarten readiness.  One of the goals of the TTK initiative is that transition to kindergarten experiences result in children that are ready to be successful in learning and schools that are ready to receive children.  We asked Mbalia to share with us exactly how she prepares for that first day of kindergarten.  Thank you Mallory!

What is the most awesome thing about kindergartners?
Their curiosity and unconditional love!!!

What is the messiest – but most worthwhile – activity for kindergartners?
Cooking with them!  I cook in my classroom and connect it to books we have read.  It is also an awesome science and math lesson.  It gives the children a great sense of accomplishment when they create something that they can actually benefit from: Eating!

What is the very first thing you do with the students on the first day of school?
Create a sense of community and excitement.  The first thing I do is make my students comfortable with me.  I greet every child with a hug and a smile!  Every child needs something different but the general thing I do for all is to make them laugh.  We sing silly songs, play games, and make projects. 
 
Top 10 things to prepare for the first day of school:
1. Think outside the box.  I try to come up with something new and unique for each class.
2. Set the tone.  I speak positivity, success, and excitement on the school year.
3. Connect with the families.  We are partners now and I always create a sense of community in my classroom (It takes a village).
4. Over plan.  I come up with a multitude of things for us to do so that I can choose the perfect activity the suits the class’ needs.
5. Create a soundtrack.  Since I use music a lot with my students, I prepare a playlist.  My students learn songs starting on Day #1.
6. Make a house a home.  I set up my classroom in a way that is most conducive to learning and comfortable for my students.
7. Heart to heart. I write something special to the parents and my new students.
8. Take notes.  I look for extra inspiration from colleagues and resources.
9.  Set the stage.  I lay out everything and have it ready to go.  SO much unexpected happens the first few days that organization is key.
10. SMILE and be grateful.  I have a passion for what I do!  I am always thrilled, excited and thankful to start a new year!  I get the chance to make a positive impact on young children’s lives.  How lucky am I? 

DPS kindergarten teacher Mallory Mbalia shown at the 2011 Countdown to Kindergarten event.

After reading the New York Times story “Are kids coddled by safer playgrounds?” (New York Times, Tuesday, Jul. 19, 2011) we just had to ask the question - Is the experience of “risky play” on playgrounds ultimately what is best for children?  In the article, reporter John Tierney writes that some researchers are unsure of the value of safety-first playgrounds that are defined by shorter slides, enclosed platforms, and rubber pavement.

Tierney argues that oversafe play introduces new risks such as stunted emotional development and heightened anxieties and fears. According to Ellen Sandseter, professor of psychology at Queen Maud University in Norway, there are six categories of risky play: exploring heights, experiencing high speed, handling dangerous tools, being near dangerous elements (like water or fire), rough-and-tumble play (like wrestling), and wandering alone away from adult supervision.

"Children approach thrills and risks in a progressive manner…the best thing is to let children encounter these challenges from an early age, and they will then progressively learn to master them through their play over the years," says Sandseter.
The full article can be found here.
 
When it comes to young children enrolled in high-quality child care centers, professionals don’t question the fact that safety always comes first.  Yet professionals recognize that safe and age appropriate play is a critical factor in a child’s health, physical development and overall readiness for learning.  Young children approach playground activities with curiosity, focus, and creativity – all crucial to developing their unique approach to learning and problem solving skills.  Supervised play that includes physical and mental challenges can help with social and emotional development by building self confidence. 

So, is it risky to play it safe?  How do you find balance when it comes to structured and unstructured child play?

As early childhood professionals, we know that young children who attend high-quality child care receive long-lasting benefits beyond learning their letters and shapes.  Research shows the many positive and long-term outcomes for these children, including better school performance, higher graduation rates, increased earnings in adulthood and higher rates of home ownership. 

To showcase these long-term outcomes, we tracked down a former student (enrolled from ages 2 to 5) of Brown’s Day Care, a Durham based, 5-star child care center.  Today this student – Delecia Utley – has the highest GPA of her freshman class at Hillside High School in Durham.  Delecia was happy to share a few minutes of her busy day with us for the following Q & A.  Many thanks to Delecia and Cheryl Brown, site director and owner at Brown’s Day Care!

What exciting plans do you have this summer?
I just returned from a 10-day National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine where I got to watch a live knee replacement surgery.  [NOTE: Delecia was nominated for participation in the forum based on a high PSAT score].  I also have flute practice and band camp for the Hillside Marching Band, as well as softball practice, and dance during the evenings.

Viewing a live surgery is a rare experience and not for the faint of heart.  How did you handle it?
It’s no big deal.  At Hillside we dissected a frog, a sheep’s heart, and a cow’s eye.  I also participate in the summer SMASS program through North Carolina Central.  There we dissected a shark and a pig during our morning science sessions. 

Any great summer reading?
I have required summer reading – The Metamorphosis – through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Hillside.  Besides that I am taking Spanish II over the summer.  The IB program requires students to take five Spanish courses by graduation.  Summer courses are part of the program and the workload is hefty.  It’s easy to fall behind.

What was your favorite childhood book?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Mrs. Cheryl [of Brown’s Day Care] has a picture of that tree from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on the preschool wall.

Do you feel like you were prepared for high school?
Yes.  I had great teachers in middle school and always made straight A’s.  Learning how to read music in middle school helped me prepare for life in the marching band at Hillside.  The best way to stay focused is to keep on top of my schoolwork.  The strict assignment deadlines at Hillside are a plus.

What do you like most about high school?  Least?
Band is definitely my favorite part of high school.  I have so much respect for my band teacher. 
My least favorite part of high school is lunch.  They serve the same thing every day.  The worst part is the free and reduced lunch line.  Everyone knows what that line means.  The line is so long it winds outside the cafeteria door.  And that doesn’t include the people who are too ashamed to stand in that line.

The IB program at Hillside prepares students for college.  Are you already thinking about which college you’d like to attend?
If offered a scholarship, I would attend NCCU.  But I truly want to go to college further from home.  Howard and Spellman are my top picks.  And I really want to focus on getting an academic scholarship, not an athletic or music scholarship.

You now volunteer at Brown’s Day Care.  What made you come back to help?
I came back to spend time at Brown’s because I like it here.  I was volunteering here during middle school, before it was required of me through the IB program.

You’ve been involved with Brown’s since you were 2 years old.  What is your earliest memory of those experiences?
A birthday party with a moonbounce, our nature walks, weekly visits from Mr. Marsh that included singing and dancing, and the Book-Mobile.

Do you remember your teachers and any of what they taught you?
Mrs. Cheryl and Mrs. Francis.  They taught me the joy of music, and how to snap.  [NOTE: According to Cheryl Brown, Delecia was always dancing.  She has loved music since very early on].

What qualities do you think make a great teacher?
Patience.  Learning happens at different rates for different students.  A good teacher knows how to manage a classroom and earn the students’ respect.  A good teacher is in control of her classroom.

Tell us, is it hard to stay out of trouble as a teenager these days?
Not for me. I hang around with the right people.  But I see students breaking the rules, sneaking around all the time.  They are so good at hiding it.

What is the best advice you were ever given?  Who gave you that advice?
My band teacher has been a big inspiration.  He always encourages – and demands – us to get our school work done before anything else.  He is like the father I never had.

What advice would you offer to other students?
Don’t fall into peer pressure.  Don’t get behind in your schoolwork.  It’s really hard to catch up once you’re behind.

June marked the end of our fiscal year here at the Partnership.  More importantly, June marks a time of reflection and appreciation for the work being done in the world of early childhood.  Our gratitude extends through every season, but we like to take a special moment at this time of year to recognize the invaluable contributions of all of our partners.   I want to express my personal thanks to the staff and interns here at the Partnership, to the funded partners and volunteers working directly with young children in the community, and most importantly to parents and families  that make a lasting impact on young, developing lives as their child’s first teachers.

To each person who has dedicated themselves – either professionally or personally – to improving outcomes for the children of Durham County, we send out a tremendous thank you.
 
This year we celebrated those accomplishments and commitments at the Sunday, August 7th Durham Bulls baseball game, with tickets generously donated by the Durham Bulls organization.  We are truly grateful for them making our outing possible.  The game was a victory for the Bulls against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  The bigger victory is that we are working together to build a strong community that supports early childhood education and wisely invests to help every child succeed in school and in life.
 
With deepest gratitude,
 
Laura Benson, Executive Director
Durham’s Partnership for Children

Friday night’s Countdown to Kindergarten event at the Museum of Life and Science was a huge success.  Nearly 300 families attended the event to help prepare their children for entrance into kindergarten.  Parents were so positive about the event and the information they received.  About 930 people attended in all, and Durham’s Partnership for Children was able to distribute Transition to Kindergarten materials and nearly 300 children’s books to the families.
Thank you to all the families and rising kindergartners who attended the event.  We wish each and every one of you a smooth transition into kindergarten.

Links to our kindergarten-related family resources:
Healthy & Ready:  Developing Healthy Habits for Young Children [English] [Spanish]
2011 Community Report [English] [Spanish]
Healthy and Ready:  A Guide to Preventive Care [English] [Spanish]
Healthy and Ready: Assessing Children's Health Status upon Public School Entry  [English]
Steps to School V - Spring/Summer 2011 [English] [Spanish]

Hosted each year at The Museum of Life and Science before the start of the traditional school year, the Countdown to Kindergarten event celebrates the start of kindergarten.  This year’s event will be Friday, August 5 from 5:30 to 8 pm! 

Durham County's Countdown to Kindergarten Event is a chance for families, Durham Public Schools, and key community partners to come together to welcome children into kindergarten.  At the Countdown to Kindergarten, families have the opportunity to move through a pretend lunch line and get a nutritious snack, practice riding the bus together and hear about important bus safety rules, and learn about the kindergarten curriculum, in addition to visiting the stations for important DPS departments such as Before and After school Care and the PTA.  Many community partners, such as Durham's Partnership for Children, the Durham County Library, UNC-TV, Durham's Parks and Recreation, the Health Department, and Child Care Services, attend the event as well to share important early childhood and educational information with parents.  Families also receive free resources and materials and learn important information that can help families transition into school.  DPS and UNC-TV mascots will also be there to take pictures with families.  We hope to see you there!  Please contact Kate MacDonell at 560-9403 with any questions. 

With the start of a new fiscal year comes the launch of the Partnership’s new and improved website.  Live as of this morning, our updated website features a cleaner homepage with a more streamlined design.  The website has long been a resource for early childhood partners and professionals.  With the new site comes a design that allows greater access for parents, families, and Durham County’s Spanish-speaking residents.  It features an updated parent resource section as well as pages devoted to answering questions about the early years (birth to age 5), child health and development, high-quality early care and education, and the important transition into kindergarten.  The Partnership blog is a new addition to the site, with live feed showcased on the homepage. 

Feel free to explore, learn, and suggest ways that our work can be improved.  We hope that this website becomes a valuable resource for those who wish to learn more about the Partnership, the early childhood system, and the issues that affect young children and families in Durham County.

Congratulations Carmen Reeves, the July winner of the Partnership's "WIN A LIBRARY" contest!! Carmen will receive a brand new library of books for birth to age 5 readers. We will draw another winner at the end of August and September, so keep entering the contest! For contest rules, click here.