November 25, 2002

Nicholas couldn’t have been more than 2-1/2 feet tall. But he could walk and he could talk and he knew what he wanted. He was pushing one of those little shopping carts with the flag, "Shopper in Training", following closely behind his Dad, Joe. Before adding anything to his cart, he asked for parental approval. On my last lap around the supermarket, on my "store walk", I came upon them. I complimented them on 1) Nicholas’ behavior; and 2) Joe’s proud and affectionate interaction with his son.

Nicholas was careful to get his Dad’s approval before talking to me. I was glad to see that too. Joe looked at him and, I suppose, found me strange (as in stranger) but relatively harmless. I say "relatively" because Joe looked to be about 6-4" and well, brawny, and while he was kind, courteous and friendly, I had no doubt that he could and would effectively protect his son against all comers.

They shared with me that they had gotten haircuts before coming to the supermarket. Nicholas then showed and named for me each item in his little basket. I was glad to see nutritious items along with the snack cakes. Most of all, I was sincerely impressed with the warm bond between father and son. Joe said that Nicholas has taught him a lot. I told them not to be surprised if I wrote about them. Joe said it was okay and he would look for it. (Hi, Joe!)

Having seen the effect on children of "runaway" Dads, I am very conscious that we seem to be enjoying a new phase. Fathers, even those who are separated from the Moms, seem to be taking a much greater interest in their children. I am not certain why this is happening but it certainly benefits everyone. Like Joe, many more Dads are taking an interest: they seem to light up from inside when it comes to their children. You can see it in their eyes. They want to know how to help them learn; they are interested in effective discipline, how to make sure they stay away from drugs and other destructive activities, how to protect them from abductors, and much more; they want to enjoy them now, and for them to grow up to be all they can be.
=========================================================

-Another Dad-
One Dad asked me how to help his child learn to recognize and name colors. My method is pretty simple, although it is not in any of the books I’ve read or research I’ve done. First of all, use color words in your conversation. "I like your red dress." Second, play match games. "Your dress is red. Can you see anything else that is red?" Of course, in the classroom, we like to emphasize colors by having a color of the week when activities across the curriculum are involved with one special color. Parents can easily do this at home, too, by having, say, a "blue day" when all family members wear blue, when you make blueberry pie, when you lie on your backs and look at the blue sky." Of course, I like for us to talk about blends and shades throughout. "You are wearing your light blue dress. I am wearing my dark blue suit." Accepting shades and blends of colors makes it so much easier for the child to understand that people come in all shades and blends too, and that we are all beautiful, in our own way.

-Dads and More-
Dads take an interest in the school too. Many Dads have responded to the need to improve and enhance the playground at Better Beginnings. Gerver Grajeda has been there every inch of the way, joined by Franklin Toledo, Segundo Plaza, and Marcelo Suquilanda. After all, they say, it is for their children. They have done monumental digging, and moving, and hauling, and spreading. Under the guidance of Cecilia CampoVerde, Co-Director of Education, and her staff, who also pitched in, the playground is nearly finished that phase of its completion. What is needed now is the new equipment … the kind that can be anchored in the ground, the kind that has no splinters or sharp edges: the kind, in fact, that is safe and which will encourage the children’s physical growth and exercise. Warren Wilson, Chairman of the Property Commission at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, has contributed mightily to this project too; first in leadership and advocacy, and then with some downright hard labor.
=========================================================

- Playground Project - More -

Pennies are coming in for this purpose. Dollars have been contributed. Parents, managed by Althea Lewis, Director of Support Services, have held a fundraiser.. Still we are only 1/10 of the way to our goal, the cost being $10,000 plus.
=========================================================

- Penny Pincher -

While I was cutting out some pictures from the Sunday supplement for a literacy project, Penny Pincher insisted that since I had the coupon book and scissors in my hand, I might just as well cut out some coupons. Since she must be obeyed when it comes to saving, I complied. Even more, I actually took them with me to the supermarket. Wow! I saved over $24. Penny Pincher is SO centsible.
=========================================================

- Good Friends and Good Deeds -

Minute Maid has made an extremely generous contribution to help us meet end of year expenses. This is in addition to their providing juice for the children's snack every week of the year. They are indeed good neighbors.
=========================================================

On behalf of Knights of Pythias, Tri-County Lodge #182, Harold Weiinstein delivered five turkeys with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal for the neediest of the working poor families.
=========================================================

Other gifts and useful items for our literacy and digital inclusion programs came from Viktoria Vercellette and from "Mr. Jonathan" Craig,
=========================================================

Carol Jones made a contribution to our endowment fund in memory of Mitchel Nowak. A certificate was forwarded to the donor and to Mr. Nowak's family.  These generous gifts will help to assure that Better Beginnings can continue to provide a needed service to children and families, now and in the future.
=========================================================

Many thanks to all our friends, contributors, volunteers, and donors. Without you, Better Beginnings could not achieve its objectives of encouraging families and children to reach their full potential. Have a happy!

November 19, 2002

We have so much to be thankful for. We have the good fortune to live in this country where we have precious freedoms. All of our children, boys and girls, are entitled to a good education. We have medical advances that keep us (and our loved one) around longer and more comfortably, in much better health than our predecessors. We are free to worship, or not, the religion of our choice. We are entitled to vote and choose our leaders. The list is long, much longer.   Personally, I am grateful to be a part of a community that cares deeply for all its members. Sure, we have our differences, but let someone suffer, be hungry, have a sudden loss, have a need, and friends and neighbors are right there to help.

Members of this community have helped to assure that Better Beginnings has been able, for 35 years, to provide a helping hand to those who are struggling to provide for themselves and their families.   This community has made sure that our children have what is needed to provide nutritious meals, a fine early childhood education, and the equipment and materials that are needed. And, then, this year you turned around and voted Better Beginnings one of the three best in the Central Jersey area. Thanks, everyone, we are thoroughly enjoying the compliment. But you know what? Pat yourselves on the back. Better Beginnings wouldn't be here and wouldn't be the kind of child care center you want it to be.
=========================================================

The very first grant Better Beginnings received way back in 1967 was from United Way. At that time, day care was a new concept. The United Way saw merit in the idea of providing a nursery school experience for all children, so that they started off in public school with the same advantage as their more affluent neighbors. They were able to see the advantage, too, of offering quality child care so that parents could afford to work and provide for their families.

We like to say, "Look what we started!" Soon after that, affordable child care became a national concern, and state and federal subsidies began. Again, Better Beginnings has been fortunate, because in order to draw down these funds, we needed a "local match". For some centers, this was a problem but not for Better Beginnings. Both of the municipalities we serve, East Windsor and Hightstown, have been supportive and, in fact, have been advocates. Mercer County Department of Human Services have lso been a great and generous friend. For this, we are very grateful.
=========================================================

"Please." and "Thank you" are among the first words parents teach children. Thanksgiving is a good time to assure that these words don't become rote. You know, what I mean, automatic, like saying, "Just fine, thank you," when someone asks 'How are you?" They probably are not looking for (and would less than grateful for) a long list of our ailments. Back to encouraging the giving of thanks: Lists of things for which we are grateful can be meaningful, counting our blessings is customary, and looking at the beautiful world around us is inspiring.

  We can extend this state of giving thanks throughout the year by being good role models. A genuine smile along with a sincere thank you, a small gift, homemade cards or drawings, a thoughtful act: all of these can be effective ways of instilling an attitude of gratitude. In fact, I am describing a courtesy, letting the giver know he or she is appreciated.   Like all acts of courtesy and kindness, the joy bounces back: it keeps us aware that we are blessed and leads us towards a happy life.

"A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even if he lives in paradise." (Baha'u 'llah) I suppose we all know the complainers. If a good thing happens, they still whine. They complain when it rains, they complain when it doesn't rain: you know the type. Complainers, I think, have chosen to be unhappy. I think that they get on their own nerves. They sure get on mine. Think about it.   I choose to be happy.
=========================================================

 Penny Pincher is happy. She is always counting her blessings. Among these are children's toys that cost nothing. When the weather is very cold, the children spend less time outside. They need an indoor outlet for their physical growth and energy. Here is the pincher's idea: Paper Balls. This is paper scrunched up into balls. They are great for inside throwing, or for hitting a target, such as a basket. If white scrap paper is used, they can even have a "snowball" fight.
=========================================================

 Community friends this week have included the Reformed Church Women of Freehold who brought warm coats, vests, and raincoats for adults and children; Maureen Clark who brought paper goods; Clara Martino who brought an abundance of disposable plates, forks and spoons; "Mr. Jonathan" Craig who brought beautiful hats for dress-up plus an inspiring book for me; and Delores Murphy who brought a turkey and all the trimmings to assure that one of our neediest families have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.  We are grateful for such friends who think of so many ways to share and care.
=========================================================

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Little children do not handle changes like this at all well. Neither do pets. They still get hungry and sleepy at the "old time". They had, it seemed, just adapted after that other change in the springtime. In fact, transitions are hard for all of us. For adults, changing jobs, moving to a new location, and other such major shifting around are considered stressful and sometimes even worthy of counseling. Speaking of shifts, what happens to people on "third" or "graveyard" shift on the big day? Do they have to work an extra hour gratis? Or do they get additional pay?

My Grandfather, who was sometimes quite a humorist himself, solved the problem "his way." He always kept two clocks on the kitchen windowsill. One was "real time" and the other was "government time".

From day one, as a child, I could not figure out why people would change the clocks. If they wanted to do something an hour earlier or an hour later, I figured, why not just do it an hour earlier or later? Isn’t that reasonable?

Reasonableness, however, seems to have little to do with it. I think we keep doing it now because "we always have". Who said, "Just because we’ve been doing it this way for a hundred years, is a good reason it’s time for a change"? Now that’s a change I would like for us to contemplate.

Oh, by the way, the "n/a" was from someone in an area that doesn't do daylight savings time.

Because of copyright restrictions, I cannot make my customary offer to provide a copy if you have no computer.

However, generally speaking, children love nursery songs, rhymes, riddles, and fingerplays. They will joyfully join in when teacher starts one, making the move from, say, learning centers, to handwashing before lunch, much smoother and more enjoyable. We suggest that families have a few favorites tucked away in their memory banks for the same purpose. Since some of the best songs are in public domain, I would happily send you words to those. (Example: B-I-N-G-O, the Eeensy Weensy Spider, and Where is Thumbkin?)

==================================================================

==================================================================

Penny Pincher opens her mail carefully, especially window envelopes. She recycles them. She cuts an interesting picture out of a magazine and inserts it in the envelope so that only part of the picture can be seen through the window. She then asks a child, "What is it?" Let's say that it is a picture of a cat. She makes sure the child can "guess correctly". On the back of the envelope, she writes the words, "It is a (cat)." While this has educational value on its own, it is especially helpful with a child learning a second language. This method can also be used to help the child learn color words, shapes, even numerals or alphabet. It just seems more fun to the child than the traditional flash cards.

==================================================================

Many thanks to Mr. Jonathan Craig and to Sarah Unger of Trinity Church for making photocopies and collating our quarterly newsletter. What a great kindness and big help that was.

Our penny collection is growing, too, thanks to Sunny Young Deli and to our faithful friend Amy Pennenga and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. It is now at 1,460,557, with a total of 183.21 collected towards our expanded and improved playground.

Our children's home libraries are growing, thanks to 7 Blue Students and Mrs. Scinto at Melvin H. Kreps School. They collected and donated a total of 115 books for our children. Thank you big guys!!

Other goodies donated this week include juice boxes, children's video tapes, stuffed animals, calendars, and toy airplanes, from Melissa Nicola (Jr. Friday Club), "Mr. Jonathan" Craig (Trinity Church) and Amy Pennenga (St. Paul's Lutheran Church). Thank you for being our friends.

Friends, too are Clara Martino with yet another ten blankets, as well as Minnie Bell and Frances Rios, with their monthly pledge in memory of Jimmy Jackson, our friend, their brother and uncle.

Many friends send in contributions as a tribute to our 35^th Anniversary celebration at the Shining Star Gala. They included John Cifelli, Electrical; Humphreys Financial & Tax Services, Dom's Getty Inc., Conair, John Mavorek at Conair, Diane & Barry Eder, Mary Grooms, Faith Sarafin, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Conklin, Central Jersey Network of Black Women, Judy & Torry Watkins, David Witmer, Kelson & Merves, Susan Lloyd, Mary Brennan, Walt Daniels, and Heilbrunn, Pape & Goldstein L.L.C. Thank you for your generosity; with your help, our children will have a better beginning.

To wrap it up, Mummy, In truth, of course, we cannot save time: it is here for a moment and then gone. So, please be sure to enjoy this moment. And thank you for taking the time and having the kindness to help assure that these precious moments are constructive and meaningful for our children.