August 2020 Newsletter
August 20, 2020
EI Spotlight
Meet one of our EIs, Monica Arroyo! Monica serves families in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. Monica has been with About Play for almost a year and a half and we are so lucky to have her on our team. She loves her job and the families she serves, and it shows. We appreciate her hard work and dedication!
Congratulations, Monica!!
Child Spotlight
“I’ve worked with James a little over a year and have greatly enjoyed seeing the progress he has made. He is independently using full sentences and is able to label many shapes, animals, and numbers. James’s pretend play paired with his growing communication skills always make for fun visits. James loves his toy trucks and makes sure to show them off during our visits. James is such a joy and makes everyone around him smile.”
–EI Monica
Community Resources
WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY:
HUG Your Baby is providing a free interactive ZOOM Breastfeeding 101 class for the next three months!
Never heard of HUG Your Baby?
HUG Your Baby provides evidence-based online training, effective “live” workshops, family-friendly educational materials, and competent HUG Teachers and Trainers around the world. Based on child development, lactation and pediatric literature, HUG Your Baby’s trainings and resources help parents (and the professionals who care for them) understand a baby’s body language in order to promote breastfeeding duration and to prevent and solve problems around eating, sleeping, crying, and parent-child interaction and bonding.
For more information and to attend this free class, see the link below:
https://hugyourbaby.org/free-prenatal-classes-during-covid-times/
Animal Washing Station Activity
Ready to get down and dirty? Don’t you worry. We’ll be sure to get squeaky clean, too!
Materials:
- Animal Figurines
- Dirt
- Bowl with Soapy Water
- Old ToothBrush/Scrub Brush
- Towels
Instructions:
Allow your child to get a little messy. Playing in the dirt with their animals can help to overcome any sensory boundaries they may have put up. Place objects into the dirt one at a time while giving simple directions such as “put in.” Once all objects are in, practice identifying the objects such as “get the cow” or “put the pig in the water”. Using the scrub brush or toothbrush, practice the direction “scrub scrub” and allow your child to also practice the motion of scrubbing with the brush, too. Once all objects are scrubbed and clean again, use the washcloth to then dry off each animal one by one. Repeat simple identifying directions such as “get the cow” and help them, when necessary. Then, say “dry, dry” to get your animals squeaky clean.
30-Month Milestones
We are Hiring!
Social and Emotional
- Starts to play with, not just alongside, other kids
- Refers to himself or herself by name
Language Communication
- Says short phrases of 3-4 words
- Speaks using pronouns (I, me, you)
- Asks many "What?" and "Where?" questions
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Begins to develop a sense of humor
- Understands the concept of one item or thing (e.g., "Give me one block.")
Gross/Fine Motor
- Throws a ball overhand
- Imitates a vertical or horizontal writing stroke
- Jumps with both feet together
Self-Help/Adaptive
- Washes and dries hands
- Brushes teeth with help
- Pulls pants up with assistance
We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field
- At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years old
Positions are available in the following counties:
- Sumter
- Columbia
- Florence
- Greenville
- Charleston
- Rock Hill
- Lancaster
If you or someone you know is interested, visit our job application page at https://aboutplaysc.com/careers.