Step into the Sandbox! Join us for the Sandbox Party Convention.

Many of us know that Michigan is

currently in deep financial crisis and

many programs and services are on the verge of being cut. The responsi-

bility of restoring Michigan will fall to

a new Governor and a new crop of

legislators. We need to educate

these new legislators about the posi-

tive economic impact of investing in

early childhood programs in an effort to rebuild our state. The Early Child-

hood Investment Corporation, its 55 Great Start Collaboratives, over 70 Par-

ent Coalitions, Regional Resource Centers and Michigan’s early childhood

advocate partners, proudly announce the formation of the ―Sandbox Party.‖

Learn why the November 2010 election is so important for the future of

Michigan’s economy. Enjoy exciting entertain-

ment for the whole family! Bring your children,

bring your friends! Come learn why investing in

early childhood is Michigan’s best hope for eco-

nomic recovery and stability. Come add your

voice and see why your vote is so important in

the 2010 election. For more information, updates about the Convention

and to register, please visit www.greatstartforkids.org.

Ask Amy-

summer learning

2

Guest Spotlight-

CSTC

3

Cyndi’s Crafting

Corner—Sand &

Chalk?

3

Community

Happenings

4

Imagination

Library

5

What is Great

Start?

5

Family Friendly

Zone Award

5

Contact Info 6

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

GREAT START PARENT COALITION

SUMMER MTG SCHEDULE:

Bring your family and join us for

ice cream, conversation, and fun!

Learn about early childhood in

Jackson. All are welcome.

Jul 20, 6:30—7:45

Aug 23, 6:30—7:45

Cascade Falls Park Playground,

Call 206.2531 for more details.

GREAT GREAT GREAT

NEWS!NEWS!NEWS!

Thursday, August 26

1 pm - 4 pm

Breslin Student

Event Center

One Birch Road

East Lansing, MI 48824

★ Gubernatorial candidates

★ Dance and music acts

★ A mock election for children

<18 to provide voting experience

★ Speeches from athletes, business

leaders, celebrities, and organizations

★ Dozens of exhibits geared toward

parents, educators, and professionals

★ Interactive crowd activities

A monthly publication of the

Great Start Parent Coalition

JULY 2010

Ask Amy @ amy.greatstartparents@live.com

Q: Dear Amy– What are some things I can do to prevent summer learning loss?

A: Many families are taking vacations, visiting relatives and just having a good time. Children are enjoy-

ing lawn sprinklers, fireworks and, everyone’s favorite, the ice cream truck! However, teachers and

parents alike worry that their children will suffer a loss of some of the material that they’ve learned from the previous

year. A common misconception can be that summer learning needs to occur in a more traditional fashion, where pur-

poseful lessons are planned and workbooks are used. Although some children may really enjoy this type of learning

over the summer, it is not the only way a child can continue to work on their skills. Remember, learning can be done

in a very fun way! Here are some fun and simple ways to encourage continued learning all summer long.

Read, Read, Read. Read to your child and let them read to you, read books, magazines, menus, road signs, cereal

boxes, anything with words. Kindergarteners are just learning to read, practice reading sight words and let them

practice and look for these words in other places. Allow children of all ages to write, illustrate and tell their own

stories. If you have access to a computer and printer, let them type and print their stories. A cheap activity is to

buy different colored felt pieces and cut out characters and props for retelling their stories.

Math skills. Simple addition can be practiced by rolling dice and adding the two numbers together. For older chil-

dren use three or more dice. Children learning their multiplication can multiply the numbers. Children can also

sort and categorize objects, such as their candies (M&M’s, Skittles, Goldfish and fruit snacks). Sort by color, size,

flavor, etc. Ask the child what ways to sort them. Have them keep track of their answers by writing them down.

Build towers with blocks, if available. You can also use household items, such as empty boxes (shoe, cereal, oat-

meal) empty containers (peanut butter, lemonade, water bottles, milk jugs). As long as it is non-breakable, let the

children create towers, houses and even entire communities

Encourage your mini scientists by exploring outside. Magnifying glasses and binoculars can be found at many dis-

count stores. Make a list of what kinds of things they think they will find and then write down their actual discov-

eries. Sort them by category (adding in math). Did you find bugs? What kind and how many? What about plants?

What color, shape and size? Go bird watching and keep track of how many birds you see and what color they

were. You can also keep a weather log all summer long. Create a chart or simple graph.

Provide lots of sensory experiences. Give them a container with water and add buckets, spoons, funnels and differ-

ent size containers. Make sure you are supervising at all times and let them explore the water. Add food coloring

for added stimulation. Mix colors together. Add dirt to make mud pies and let them see what happens when left

out in the sun. Provide creative materials to paint, draw and craft. Play music and make music with instruments

or homemade. Give different taste tests and let them predict what will taste salty, sweet, sour?

Children must also be working their growing muscles, both large and small. Ride bikes, go for walks, play soccer,

kick ball and base ball. Have potato sack races with pillow cases. Climb trees, run, jump. Work their fingers and

hand muscles by squeezing wet sponges, making balls out of scrap paper, rolling play dough.

Take field trips when possible. Go to the zoo, museum, parks, movies, or child friendly concerts. The local libraries

have fabulous events going all summer. Visit a fire or police station (with prior arrangements made first). Have

them write, draw or tell a story about their experience. Ask them what part they liked best.

Children usually learn a lot about animal habitats during elementary school. Talk about the different animals, where

they live, what they eat, what behaviors are common. Create a habitat in your yard that you can see from a win-

dow for birds, squirrels, rabbits, or deer. Provide things like nuts and berries and observe. If you do not have the

space for this, take a walk and see what you find in your neighborhood or go to a park with bird food or bread for

the ducks.

Finally, keep talking and interacting with your child. Ask them lots of open ended ques-

tions that have more than just a yes or no answer. Provide questions that will get them

thinking. Don’t always provide all of the answers. Encourage them to think of different

ways to solve problems and come up with solutions on their own. One of the most im-

portant things children need to learn is how to solve problems and think for themselves.

These skills will take them not only through elementary school, but also through high

school and beyond. Just remember, have fun!

Do you have a parenting question? Send it to Ask Amy at

amy.greatstartparents@ live.com and we may feature it in our newsletter.

Page 2

GUEST

SPOTLIGHT

Page 3

For the last five years, the Comprehensive Speech and Language Center (CSLC) has pro-

vided Jackson county families with a variety of speech and language therapy services.

Last summer, they announced the addition of Occupational Therapy services, and this

year, CSLC is expanding to include Physical Therapy Services. Given this growth, it was

time for a name change; CSLC is now the Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center

(CSTC). The center continues to have the same great mission they started with, to pro-

vide comprehensive therapy services, at an affordable rate, for individuals with and with-

out insurance. It is their vision that all members of the community will receive the high-

est quality of services to achieve their highest level of functioning during all stages of life.

Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center is committed to service excellence and always provides a client centered

approach to meet a family’s needs.

Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center, Inc., provides specialties to evaluate and

treat children who have a variety of diagnosis including: Autism Spectrum Disorders,

Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental Delays, Cleft Palate, Hearing Impairments,

Apraxia, Speech and Language Delays, Eating/Swallowing and Feeding Disorders, Down

Syndrome, Hypotonia, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Dis-

orders, Delayed Gross and Fine Motor Skills and Social

Skills. Their services are provided in one on one individual

sessions as well as group format depending on a child’s

needs. All therapy is incorporated with structured play as this is how children learn best!

The staff of Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center collaborates with a child’s school

therapists and specialists and include family education and training to ensure children re-

ceive the optimum treatment plan and best potential for growth.

To find out more about these services, contact CSTC at (517) 750-4777 or visit www.therapyjackson.com

Cyndi’s Crafting Corner: Sidewalk Chalk & Sand What do you do with the bits of sidewalk chalk that the kids never seem to use up?

Smash into pieces and let kids create colorful mosaic pictures.

Combine with playing in sandbox and let the colorful pieces be 'sprinkles' on sand cakes. You can

even use shavings to create colorful 'icing' between or on top of 'layer' cakes.

Using dry chalk and dry sand, pour a small pile of sand onto a sidewalk. Rub the chalk into the sand

to make colored sand--mixing and rubbing the chalk dust with the sand to tint it. Then, gather up the

piles of colored chalk. Dampen sand slightly with water. Use the colors then inside sand molds--such

as we have little plastic sand molds in shape of turtle, fish, scallop shell--to create colorful sand crea-

tions. We use bits of the many different colors in bottom of mold, then top off with plain wet sand,

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS GSPC’s Top Picks

Page 4

FAZOLI’S 15TH. ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Thur, Jul 15, 4:00—8:00 PM. Music, giveaways and more. K105.3 on site with Cedar

Point Tickets, $1.05 specials, Dunk Tank and Bounce House. Fun for the whole family.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/fazolismichigan?v=app_7146470109.

THE 17TH. ANNUAL LEARNING FAIR Thur, Jul 15, 12:00—7:00 PM; Fri, Jul 16, 10:00 AM—5:00 PM; Jackson Area Career

Center. The Learning Fair provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore technology

and the arts--demonstrated by gifted craftsmen and dynamic companies from across Jackson

County and Michigan! The Learning Fair is a great learning experience for children and adults

alike. Learn more at LearningFair.org!

MICHIGAN SHAKESPEAR FESTIVAL

Jul 15—Aug 8, Potter Center at Jackson Community College. The Festival enters

its 16th season in mid-July with an abundance of frivolity, fun and fancy that promises to

keep audiences glued to their seats from the opening line to the final curtain. The 2010 sea-

son runs for four weeks beginning July 15 through August 8. For more information visit

http://www.michiganshakespearefestival.com/

JACKSON HOT AIR JUBILEE Jul 16—Jul 18, Jackson County Airport; Cost: $10 at gate/$8 presale - (NEW) chil-

dren under 12 free. Tons of fun for all ages. See over 40 balloons plus arts and crafts

show, car show, aerial formation flying, static aircraft displays, antique tractors, antique mili-

tary displays, fire truck display, Kids' Kingdom, Laura the Elephant, live entertainment, kids’

casting contest, R/C airplanes and more. For a complete schedule of events visit

www.hotairjubilee.com.

MICHIGAN PRIMARY ELECTION Tuesday, Aug 3. Be a voice for your children—for Jackson’s children—and VOTE. It

has been said that a primary election is more important than a general election because

the best candidate in the world can do no good if they are not on the November ballot.

Shine as a parent advocate on Aug 3! Consider making it a family field trip; take the chil-

dren and teach them about the privilege and responsibility of voting.

SUMMER MATINEE SERIES—Michigan & Jackson 10 Theatres Jun 15—Aug 5, Michigan Theatre, 124 N. Mechanic Street, 1:30 PM. Cost $1

JULY 13, 14 & 15: Furry Vengeance JULY 20, 21 & 22: Alice in Wonderland

JULY 27, 28 & 29: How to Train Your Dragon AUGUST 3, 4 & 5: Kid's Choice Movie

Jun 14—Aug 13, Jackson 10 Theatre, Jackson Crossing, 10:00 AM. Cost $1

JULY 12-16: Barnyard JULY 19-23: Alvin/Chipmunks The Squeakquel

JULY 26-30: The Tooth Fairy AUGUST 2-6: Despereaux AUGUST 9-13: Happy Feet

WANT FREE

BOOKS? Families can visit the Great

S t a r t W e b s i t e ,

www.greatstartjackson.org OR

call 211 to register their chil-

dren.

What is

Imagination Library? Imagination Library is a FREE

program that mails an age

appropriate book each

month to Jackson County children until their fifth birth-

day (0-5)!

The Great Start Parent

Coalition is one piece of

the Great Start System

in Jackson Co. This sys-

tem also includes the

Great Start Collabora-

tive—made of business leaders; non-

profits; legislators; human service, child

and health care professionals; and more.

These members work to coordinate a

system of community resources and sup-

ports to help all Jackson Co. families pro-

vide a Great Start for their children (0-5).

The Great Start Collaborative was estab-

lished by the Early Childhood Investment

Corp and is part of a statewide network

working to ensure a bright future for all

MI children.

WHAT IS

GREAT START? www.greatstartjackson.org

IMAGINATION

LIBRARY

Page 5

DID YOU KNOW???

The most literate nation in North America and

Western Europe is Italy, with an estimated 98.9%

MICHIGAN THEATRE Family Friendly Zone Award

Winner

The Great Start Parent Coalition (GSPC) presented the Michigan

Theatre, located at 124 N. Mechanic Street in Jackson, with a

well-deserved Family Friendly Zone award for the month of

July 2010. The Michigan Theatre was nominated by numerous

Jackson County parents for their commitment to affordable

family entertainment through offerings such as the ―Just for Kids‖ movie series and Storyfest, to name a few.

The Great Start Parent Coalition congratulates the Michigan Theatre for receiving this honor and making Jack-

son a better place for our families!

We want to celebrate and share your family-friendly experiences in

Jackson County, whether they be with your employer, an event, or

local business. Briefly tell us about your experience and we may

feature it in an upcoming Family Friendly Zone. Submit your

entries to greatstartparents@live.com or FB at Greatstart

Parentcoalition

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Great Start Parent Coalition is filled w/active Parent Leaders representing numerous groups throughout

our community. Please contact the following parents regarding the activities of the GSPC within the organi-

zation(s) they represent:

Cyndi Balderman (768.9986) - MOPS, Bean Elem., Mothers Club @ Spring Arbor FMC

Valerie Brown - Springport Elementary & GSRP Parents

Amy Culverhouse (416.5820) - Townsend Elementary, SMAEYC, Rives Baptist Church

Stephanie Denney (jsdenney@comcast.net) Brooklyn Area Early Childhood Advocates

Dalonda Duffin (787.1348) - Faith Temple Church

Dan Gretzner & Angie Perrine—Ezra Eby Elementary

Lora Kilmer—Trinity Luthern School

Carrie Lacorn—Brooklyn Elementary

Kelly Lammon– Arnold Elementary

Jeanette Lamphere (206.2531) - Paragon School

Jeanna Tenbrink—MI Alliance for Families

Jenny Scott—Head Start Parents, Townsend El.

Jessieraye Ansley—Head Start Parents

Kim Trudell (ktrudell@mcps.k12.mi.us ) - Michi-

gan Center Public Schools

Alice Walker (962.2006) - House to House Pro-

gram, Jackson Christian Elementary, First Church of

Christ

If you need additional information or would like to speak with someone from Great Start, please contact

Sheri Butters, Director Jeanette Lamphere, Parent Liaison

Jackson Co Great Start Collaborative Jackson Co Great Start Parent Coalition

1214 Greenwood Avenue 1214 Greenwood Avenue

Jackson, MI 49203 Jackson, MI 49203

517.784.4800 517.206.2531

sbutters@caajlh.org greatstartparents@live.com

Page 6

For general information visit us at www.greatstartjackson.org

OR

Follow us on Facebook at Greatstart Parentcoalition & Gsc Jackson

WHO CAN I CONTACT?

VISION: Jackson County parents will stand as leaders and, together, advocate for early childhood so all children receive what they need to become world-class, con-tributing members of our community. MISSION: The Great Start Parent Coalition of Jackson County will use support services, education and a strong parent-to-parent network to transform early childhood issues into a community priority; stand beside parents as they navigate personal early childhood struggles; and grow parents into well-informed early childhood advocates.