"Nurturing Nature" with the Minnesota Children's Museum

Yesterday, several Early Childhood Coalition coordinators and some special guests got to join us here for "Nurturing Nature" with Nichole Polifka from the Minnesota Children's Museum. "Nurturing Nature" is just one of the six Professional Development Workshops offered by the museum that, "will travel" and promises to ignite ideas, spark creativity and delivers practical skills and activities that can be readily implemented in the classroom.

During our short two hours, we were able to play games, create simple art projects, browse resources and enjoyed an interesting conversation about the contrast of what " experiencing nature & the environment" meant to us as children and what it means for future generations.

The conversation got me thinking and I began to wonder if the children I work with will ever canoe with their family along the river and find the perfect sand bar to stop and have a picnic? Will they make up games while chasing their friends or siblings in and around the barn at Grandma & Grandpa's house? Will they learn to make "stew" out of dirt, water, sticks, leaves, berries & rocks and try to feed it to their younger brothers? What do you think?

With the competition of x-box, i-pods, soccer practice, dance class, mom's schedule, dad's schedule and our society's push on "faster, better, stronger" I don't feel very confident about our young people "experiencing nature & the environment" in the easy ways that I did when I was a child. 

Feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts. I've added a few pictures of the resources, materials and projects that Nichole brought with and shared with us. ENJOY it and then GET OUTSIDE!

Grant Writing Essentials: May 25th

An upcoming workshop covering Grant Writing Essentials is taking place in Elk River on Wednesday May 25th. Presented by the Initiative Foundation and Three Rivers Community Foundation. The workshop is free, but space is limited to 45, so register here soon!

It's Our Business: Why New York State Business Leaders Support Early Childhood Education

A great new video about the importance of early childhood - Check it out!

Mind in the Making

Please join leading child development expert and author Ellen Galinsky in an online conversation titled "Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs".

Thursday April 28th

12 - 1:00 p.m.

Galinksy identifies seven life skills that will help children reach their full potential in school, the workforce, and in life. Please join Ellen in this FREE, inlcusive, game-changing and collaborative discussion!

Pre-registration is required. This webinar will not be available in a recorded session - Register today at www.workingfamilyresourcecenter.org. Questions are encouraged ahead of time at parentchat@wfrc.us and will also be welcomed during the discussion forum.

For more information, download the flyer!

Secretary of State’s Office Seeks Applicants to Serve on Governor’s Early Learning Council

The Early Learning Council makes recommendations to the Governor and the Minnesota Legislature to ensure every child is ready for kindergarten and affordable quality early childhood education and care is available to all children. The Governor’s Early Learning Council is poised to play a pivotal role in early childhood policy and systems-building efforts over the next few years.

That's why it's critical that we provide a good pool of applicants from which Governor Dayton can choose his appointments!

The Council will meet quarterly for probably 2 or 4 year terms, and mileage is reimbursed. Meetings are held at MN Department of Education, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville.

Applications submitted by April 26, 2011 are assured of full consideration by the appointing authority. A letter of interest and resume (or biography) must be submitted via fax/email/mail with the completed & signed application.

The Secretary of State's office announced openings on the Governor's Early Learning Council. Governor Dayton's Executive Order 11-05, which he announced at the Voices for Children Day Rally, creates the Early Learning Council, which replaces and builds on the work of the Early Childhood Advisory Council formed by Governor Pawlenty in 2009.

Under Governor Dayton's order, the Council will consist of up to 30 members, 26 of whom are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Governor Dayton is interested in including individuals with the following expertise, affiliations, or backgrounds on the Council:
a) Representatives of local government groups
b) Representatives of local school districts
c) Individuals with Head Start expertise
d) Providers of early childhood supports and services
e) Representatives of higher education
f) Individuals whose families received early childhood supports or services (minimum 2 parents)
g) Individuals from non-profits involved in early childhood issues
h) Members of the business community
i) Representative of the philanthropic community

"Help Young Children In Your Life Succeed: Learn What You Can Do" - May 9th

Please join Ada Alden, Chair of the Child and Family Studies Department at SCSU, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (St. Cloud) at 9:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. on May 9th. The repeated sessions will provide participants with information, communication skills and strategies to promote and establish an environment in which children may flourish and thrive. To register or for more information, download this flyer.

Parenting Your Child with Special Needs Webinar

A great monthly webinar opportunity "Parenting Your Child with Special Needs" will be available next on April 13th from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Cost: FREE. Check out the flyer for more info.