Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Empowering Families through Help Me Grow!


It is important for an organization to be able to articulate its goals (vision), what its members do to achieve those goals (mission), and why they have those goals in the first place (values). Our Help Me Grow team has been working on our own values, vision, and mission statement for several months now. We really wanted it to convey the essence of Help Me Grow.
The process of deciding how best to articulate what we are all about was actually quite enlightening. There is something powerful about sitting down and deciding exactly what you're all about. Here is what our Help Me Grow team came up with!





VALUES

Family: We believe that healthy families are the best way to ensure a child’s optimal development. We are invested in the well-being of families.
Community: We believe that deliberate collaboration among community members is key to positive change.
Compassion: We believe in carefully listening to families’ needs and responding with respect and empathy.
Persistence: We believe in facing challenges from a point of resourcefulness, devising a  strategic plan, and working until the issue gets resolved.
Excellence: We believe in providing our services in a reliable, timely, and professional manner. We seek ongoing quality improvement.


VISION

Help Me Grow Utah’s vision is a vibrant community environment in which families have the desire, resources, and confidence to make the best decisions for their child’s development and future.


MISSION

Help Me Grow Utah’s mission is to promote the optimal development of young children by

  • linking families to information and community resources related to child development and parenting
  • providing personalized care coordination
  • creating and facilitating partnerships within the community to improve the  availability and quality of services for families

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

August 3rd Family Event and DIY Blocks at Home!

Hey everyone! We're excited to invite you to our next Family Event, held August 3rd, 2013 in Provo, Utah. Any shout outs from those who have been to our events before? They are a blast. Basically we have several play stations set up for parents and their young kids to come and play in. All the activities are easily replicated in the home and are great for boosting a child's development.

We'll have activities for kids 0-8 and a special area for children under 1 year. Who doesn't love to see their baby in these non-toxic biodegradable packing peanuts?
To get you excited for this upcoming event we're going to be doing posts on a few of the activity stations we have regularly at our events and show you how (and why) you should have these kinds of toys in your home. But FIRST! Go and confirm your attendance at the family event by clicking here.  

Do-It-Yourself Blocks or Piggy's Brick Blocks

Supplies:
  • Tissue boxes, capri-sun boxes, milk carton boxes, shoe boxes and any other container you think would make a nice big block for your kids. 
  • Contact paper or wrapping paper in bright colors. (Contact paper is nice because it has a sticky background. The red/white checker blocks in the picture to the right were covered with contact paper.)
  • Tape (of any kind, but for long lasting blocks, get a role of packaging tape)

1. Get a smallish cardboard box.
2. Wrap it in paper. 
3. Tape the paper to the box. 
4. Have your kids decorate them. 
5. Repeat steps 1-4. 
(yes. its that easy)

The picture above was from a family event that we did in April. These kids were having SO MUCH FUN playing with our piggy brick blocks. They built all these crazy formations and then had a blast knocking them down. We had a volunteer read the story of the three little pigs and then they would pretend to be the wolf and BLOW the houses down. (yes, we didn't have straw or wood, but the kids didn't care, they just wanted to build and destroy their buildings).

Lest you be concerned that destroying a block tower is a sign of anger management, DON"T BE! The repetition of building and knocking things over and then doing it again is a part of PLAY and part of LEARNING. (Obviously, you know your child, so you do know when its anger or misbehavior. But also, know that kids are kids and its okay.) 

Children build spatial understanding and math skills while engaged in block play. They can learn about counting, equality, addition, subtraction, planning, patterns, volume, classification, area and measurement. When a parent engages with their child in block play it provides teaching moments for social skills, language and exploration. 

At the the event, we'll be handing out our activity sheets with ideas of things to do in the home with BOOKS, BALLS and BLOCKS. Click here to download and print our Block Activity Sheet. But don't forget to come to our event and stay tuned for upcoming blog posts on other activity ideas!


Friday, July 12, 2013

Key characteristics that lead to healthier families!

It wasn't till I had my own family that I realized how hard parenting was and that to do a good job I was going to need some help.  It was through friends, community and professionals that I was able to feel supported in making some very difficult decisions that eventually led to a much stronger and I meant add happier family.

Help Me Grow Utah believes that healthy families are the best way to ensure a child’s optimal development and we are invested in the well-being of families.

Every family has strengths and as family members we can identify our strengths and use them to increase the capacity of every individual in our family.  

The Center for Study of Social policy has been researching over many years what are the key characteristics that lead to healthier families.  These strengths or characteristics have been named “ five protective factors” and are the following:

1.      Social Connections-Friends
2.      Parental Resilience- Courage
3.      Concrete support in time of need- Resources
4.       Knowledge of parenting and child development- Knowledge and understanding
5.      Social and emotional competence of children-children has the ability to identify emotions, empathize with others and use this information to think about how to act.

Each of these factors can be reinforced by communities.  For example a community helps parents to connect with other parents.  Providing opportunities for parents of young children to connect can be so helpful because you begin to feel less isolated and
can discuss challenges with parents that are experiencing similar challenges.  A community that provides opportunities for this to happen is a place where families can flourish.  Another example of a community support is that of a central access point for parents to learn about what is available and what is good information.

We at Help Me Grow are committed to helping families connect to resources and receive information on parenting and child development.  As a parent strengthening these characteristics can give you knowledge to make the decisions for you and your children. 

When you are looking for resources and don’t know where to go you can dial 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow. 
A skilled care coordinator will help you identify resources and then check up to make sure that you received the services you need. 


 Barbara Leavitt, Director Help Me Grow Utah 

Friday, July 5, 2013

WIC Breastfeeding Classes

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) of Utah County is offering FREE Breastfeeding classes!

Where: Utah County Health Department, 151 S. University Ave Rm. 2601, Provo, UT
When: Wednesdays at 5:30pm
Mother breast feeding her child
Photo Credit
July 3, 10, 17
August 7, 14, 21
September 4, 11, 18

En EspaƱol: 
31 de Julio
28 de Agosto
25 de Septiembre

Everyone is welcome!*

Come and learn:
  • How do lay a good foundation for breastfeeding in the hospital and early weeks, in order to avoid common problems
  • The benefits of breastfeeding vs. formula
  • What to expect as you learn how to breastfeed
  • ...and much more!
*Pregnant/breastfeeding moms are encouraged to please bring you support with you. 
(Husband, Mother,Friend etc.) 

Some Benefits of Breastfeeding (from healthychildren.org)
-Cheaper
-Faster
-Simpler
-Feeling of maternal fulfillment

However, breastfeeding can be a challenge! Click here to read more about the challenges of breastfeeding.  Also, under some circumstances, breastfeeding is not an option. You do whatever is best for you. Loving and caring for your child is the best possible thing that you can do for your baby.  

To Find A WIC location or for more breastfeeding resources, check out the Utah WIC website.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Fourth of July in Utah!!






It's that time of the year again to celebrate Independence Day! Not sure what is going on in Utah? Here are some fun events happening around Utah!


Layton


Celebrate with the City of Layton with a 5k, parade, vendors, New American Philharmonic Symphony with Cannoneers, and fireworks! Location: Ed Kenley Amphitheater

Sugar House

Take a minute to walk through the Sugar House Arts Festival anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. before heading to the park for an inflatable playground, live music, food, and fireworks(10 pm)! Arts Fest Location: Highland Dr. between 2100 S. and Wilmington Ave. Fireworks Location: Sugar House Park 

Holladay

Celebrate in Holladay by eating good food, enjoying the bike race, children's parade, and watching fireworks. Location: New Commons Area behind City Hall.

Murray

Celebrate by joining in with a patriotic sunrise service, free activities for kids, a Parade, live entertainment, and fireworks at Murray Soft Ball Field at 10 pm. 

Sandy

Come Celebrate a flag raising, 5k, and Parade! This is happening at South Towne Promenade- 10000 South 172 West between South Towne Center and Sandy City Hall 

Park City

Enjoy the 4th on Main Street for a Parade, 5k run, pancake breakfast, live music and vendors followed by fireworks up at Park City Mountain Resort.

West Jordan

Family friendly events that include a rodeo, Parade, free movie in the park, and firworks! Location: 8035 S 2200 W- Park: 1985 W 7800 S 


Lehi City and Thanksgiving Point

Enjoy vendors and fun activities followed by fireworks! Location: North side of Thanksgiving point, gates open at 5:30 pm and fireworks at 10:00 pm. 

Provo

The huge four day Freedom Festival takes place here! Check out all the fun activities going on!
  • Living museum, Village at Aubin's Grove, at SCERA Park 
  • Colonial relics museum in room 201 at the SCERA Center for the Arts
  • Balloon Fest- 25 giant balloons close up- Bulldog Field, 1100 North Freedom Boulevard in Provo 6:30-8:00 am
  • Freedom Days- fun hands on activities, local entertainment, various foods, kids art, books, and more- 100 West Center Street in Provo
  • Freedom Run- Running for America! Kiwanis Park (820 North 1100 East, Provo)
  • Grand Parade- Music, performers, floats, bands, and more- University Ave and Center Street, Provo
  • Stadium of Fire- Special appearances by Kelly Clarkson, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Cirque du Soleil - LaVell Edwards Stadium (1650 North Canyon Road)



Have a Great Fourth of July and be safe! 




Monday, July 1, 2013

Book Review: The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins

This book used to be one of my favorites when I was growing up! It's a fun book about sharing and teaches the math concept of division. It's true what Ma says, "Nobody makes cookies like Grandma!" 


The Mother in the story, Ma, makes cookies and gives them to her two children. She emphasizes to them that they need to share them with each other. Her children comment on how they look and smell just like their grandma's cookies. However, "No one makes cookies like Grandma," as the doorbell rings. 
Their friends from next door decided to come over and Ma invited them in and told them that they all can share the cookies. The doorbell kept ringing throughout the book and more and more friends and family came over. While everyone was learning how to share, they were also learning how to divide up the cookies so that everyone had the same amount. As they each divided up the cookies, finally everyone had one cookie and there were no more. Again, the doorbell rang! Find out what happened at the end by reading this fun, cute book!

After reading this book to your children, talk to them about the importance of sharing. How does sharing make you feel? 

As an activity, have children help you make chocolate chip cookies! After the cookies are done, invite neighborhood friends over to share them and divide them up among each other! 


Best {Chewy} Chocolate Chip Cookies from Little Miss Momma


                                        Photo Credit                                                      Photo Credit


Ingredients


  • 2 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spoon & leveled 
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk*
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

1. Toss together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. In a medium size bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Whisk in the egg, then the egg yolk. Finally, whisk in the vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a large spoon or rubber spatula. The dough will be very soft. Fold in the chocolate chips. They may not stick to the dough because of the melted butter, but do your best to have them evenly dispersed among the dough. Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory.
3. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 325F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
5. Roll the dough into balls, about 3 Tablespoons of dough each. The dough will be crumbly, but the warmth of your hands will allow the balls to stay intact. Roll the cookie dough balls to be taller rather than wide, to ensure the cookies will bake up to be thick.  Put 8 balls of dough onto each cookie sheet. Press a few more chocolate chips/chunks on top of the dough balls for looks, if desired. Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and under-baked  Do not bake longer than 12 minutes. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.





Don't forget to check out Provo City Library's Book-list  for your children!