December 18th Friday Newsflash

Friday Newsflash
December 18, 2009

Happy Friday, CHA!

The Children’s Hour Academy information for the week:

1. Pageant, Potluck, and Silent Auction Baskets: What a wonderful display of CHA Fellowship!! The kids did such a GREAT job in the pageant, the food was tasty (conversation even better!) and what amazing generosity on the baskets! Thank you to everyone; I feel blessed to be a part of this fabulous extended family!

2. Where do YOU go to church? : I REALLY need some families willing to be contacts for the Children Pastors and possible new families. Please let me know what church you attend and I will do the rest! Don’t forget that you can earn $250 for each new family that joins from your recommendation. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

3. New and Improved Meridian After-School Program: Kids will now have a rotating daily activity schedule from 4:40-5:30pm. This new program provides age-appropriate enriching activities for our after-school hours. We offer four stations: experimentation with different art medium in the art room, supervised exploration of websites and keyboarding skills in the computer lab, organized group PE activities in the gym, and teacher lead games, yoga, or reading in the library. For the youngest kids, they will have “exploration of the five senses” in Sally Ann’s room in lieu of computer skills.

4. Jean Road News: Patty is happy to report that things are going well at Jean Road! We have a wonderful returning teacher, Michele Boyce who will be re-joining the Jean Road Team as a teacher. Welcome, welcome! We also have two qualified teacher candidates and are looking for interested parents for the parent interview panel on Monday 12/21 at 4:30pm in the Meridian Campus Library. Please contact Patty if you are able to participate! Thank you; we value your input!

5. Checking In and Out Procedures: Please log on and off the computer (or sign-in sheet) with your child’s times. We are required by law to have a record of when children are here. In addition, the Meridian Campus Academic Day is from 8:30-4:00. Please remain within 5 minutes of those times or we will have to charge your account a late fee. We need to keep our staffing appropriate for the number of children in regular attendance to maintain a safe and nurturing environment. Thank you for your understanding!

6. Portland Roasting Company’s Coffee Orders: Coffee orders will be due on Jan. 6th with delivery on Jan. 8th due to Christmas Break. Please open the attachment and turn your form in with your tuition check. A WONDERFUL and tasty fundraiser for the school; we make almost $5 on every pound of coffee!

7. CHA Merchant Program: We are starting a CHA Merchant Program and are looking for interested businesses to participate. The program would allow businesses to advertise to our CHA community through posters, community boards, our blog and website in exchange for a school donation/sponsorship and possible discount on services for our CHA families. Please contact Susan Stober for more information.

8. Laptop Computer Donation: Thank you to Carrie Koranda for our lap top computer for the lab! We will have the new projection station set up soon!! In addition, if all students please could have individual headphones labeled in Ziploc bags by January 4th, the lab would be better utilized. (The headphones can be the under $5 ones from Radio Shack.) Thanks for helping our kids become more technologically savvy!

9. KATU and The Children’s Hour Academy: We will be featured on KATU’s local businesses page for schools in Lake Oswego! Starting next week, check out our Bio Profile at http://lakeoswego.katu.com/business-directory. If anyone knows of other possible great partnerships, please let Susan know!

10. No Uniforms: From 12/21-12/30, students ARE NOT required to wear uniform as we have “non-curriculum days.”

11. Classroom Christmas Parties: Most parties will be on 12/23 from 3-5pm. Please ask your classroom teacher for specifics.

12. School Closures: Both Campuses will be closed on 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 1/1 due to the holidays.




Warm Regards,


Susan Stober

Staff/Marketing Director, Meridian Campus
The Children’s Hour Academy

December 11th Friday Newsflash

Friday Newsflash
December 11, 2009

Good Afternoon CHA Community!

The Children’s Hour Academy information for the week:

1. 12/12/09 Christmas Pageant: Looking forward to seeing you at our annual Christmas Pageant and Potluck Luncheon on December 12th at Athey Creek Middle School (2900 SW Borland Road, West Linn, OR 97068). Children need to arrive at 10:30 as we will start performing at 11 am sharp. Our potluck luncheon will follow at noon with comfortable CHA camaraderie! Please do not forget our NO NUTS policy for the potluck dishes and children should be dressed in their Christmas Finery. Please see attached flyer for additional information.

2. Christmas Baskets: Do a bit of pre-auction shopping and check out the attached listings of all the wonderful Silent Auction Baskets! Bidding will be in $5 increments and check or cash at the event is appreciated. Again, a heart -felt thank you to everyone for the fabulous items!!

3. Pageant Cancellation due to Inclement Weather Notification: If the Pageant needs to be cancelled, all local news stations will have a posting as a school cancellation notice. In addition, the answering machines at both campuses will have cancellation information. (503-534-1818 or 503-635-2139) Let’s pray for a slight warming trend!

4. CHAF News: Foundation President Amanda Wendt wants to let everyone know that the CHA Foundation will have a charitable contribution box at the Pageant. All tax-deductible donations are sincerely appreciated and she will have receipts on hand! The Foundation funds scholarships for families in need as well as provides equipment to enhance students’ learning environment.

5. New Staff Members: We would like to officially welcome Heidy Balazsy McInnis to our Jean Road Campus. Heidy comes highly recommended, is RIE trained and is partnering beautifully with Yelena in the Infant Room. In addition, Taylor Keller has successfully completed her probationary training period at the Jean Road Campus and is now a welcomed addition as a Teacher Aide Floater. Finally, Melissa Grothe has returned to CHA from college to help during the winter break as a Substitute Teacher at the Meridian Campus. Please say a warm hello to our newest members of the CHA Community!

6. Testimonials for Church Connections: Susan Stober met with local churches regarding the school and congregation member benefits this past week. Many Children Pastors requested testimonials from their congregation members to enhance the CHA promotion. We would appreciate if families would let Susan know what church you attend and if you would be willing to give a testimonial on CHA’s behalf. If a church member signs up based on your recommendation, you will receive the $250 referral fee. Many Blessings!

7. Campus Security: To maintain a nurturing AND safe environment for our children, please DO NOT allow access to our facilities to anyone without a code. As many are ingrained with politeness to open a door for a newcomer, please then escort them to a staff member (Michelle, Patty, Pat, Briana or Susan) so they can be of service. If you see someone you don’t know in a lobby, ask if you can be of help. If it turns out to be another CHA member, you’ve made a new connection! We want to keep all our little ones safe!

8. CHA Merchant Program: We are starting a CHA Merchant Program and are looking for interested businesses to participate. The program would allow businesses to advertise to our CHA community through posters, community boards, our blog and website in exchange for a school donation/sponsorship or discount on services for our CHA families. Please contact Susan Stober for more information.

9. Used Laptop Needed: We would like to make the Meridian Campus Computer Lab more user friendly for kids and teachers. If anyone has an old laptop they would like to donate (for a tax deduction!), we would like to set up a station in the lab to project on the wall so typing and other computer skills can be taught to the entire class at one time. In addition, if all students could please have individual headphones labeled in Ziploc bags, the lab would be better utilized. (The headphones can be the under $5 ones from Radio Shack.) Thanks for helping our kids become more technologically savvy!

10. No Uniforms: From 12/11-12/30, students ARE NOT required to wear uniform as we have “non-curriculum days.”

11. Classroom Christmas Parties will be on 12/23 from 3-5pm. Please ask your classroom teacher for specifics.

12. School Closures: Both Campuses will be closed on 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 1/1 due to the holidays.

Can’t wait to see you at the pageant and luncheon tomorrow!

Warm Regards,


Susan Stober

Staff/Marketing Director, Meridian Campus
The Children’s Hour Academy

Daily Devotion - Anger

Anger Management – Daily Devotions
Saturday / November 21, 2009

You never mean to use anger to discipline your children, but sometimes it becomes part of your day. Perhaps you are too tired to get up again to reinforce your correction for the millionth time, or maybe you subconsciously model the parenting you received when you were a child. Whatever the reason, you find yourself caught in the deadly trap of yelling at your children to make them obey.

I'm sure my yelling must have made God cringe as He heard me destroying my children's tender hearts. Unfortunately, when they ignored the rough words, I felt like I was losing control, so I used even tougher words. I justified myself in the name of discipline, but I knew this was not the right way to correct a child. I knew I needed help. My anger was beginning to control more than my children did. It was beginning to control me!

Finally, conviction came to me one day when I "lost it" with my young son. I still remember the day on the stair steps up to his room. Time stopped as I saw my son's frightened eyes in response to my anger. How could someone so small and innocent be blamed for bringing out the huge ugliness inside of me? I never thought that pressure from situations beyond my control would push me to such actions, but God certainly revealed the worst inside my black heart. I quickly needed to learn some anger management!

James 1:19-20 brought me to my senses, "My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants."

On January 5, 1983, I realized my anger for what it was. I found the gentle forgiveness of God's correction and earnestly applied this same forgiveness to my children for the rest of their days. Disciplining my children remained, but my anger no longer had a place in it. Instead, house rules and accompanying consequences for violations were decided upon as a family and posted on the refrigerator.

Does anger play a role in disciplining at your house? If so, do not give the evil an opportunity to cause you to sin any longer (Ephesians 4:27-32). Let Christ's love fill your heart and your home. "Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.
Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ."

Father, forgive me today for using my anger when disciplining my children. Convict me of this sin and help me to always discipline in love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thought for the day from Ms. Susan

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake. Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!""Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, those things seem bad all by themselves. But, when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! "
"God works the same way. Many times, we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. However, God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He will listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance."

H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccination

October 21, 2009

Dear Parents:

There is some controversy regarding the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccination. Not only has it been approved to contain Thimerosal, but there are alleged possible side affects—sterilization. The injectable vaccine contains thimerosal, a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi in the event they make their way into a vaccine. Thimerosal contains a small amount of mercury. According to "The Epoch Times" (http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/20157/)

"A recent study reveals that the small amounts of thimerosal found in vaccines are connected to brain pathology found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The study "A Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Impaired Oxidative-Reduction Activity, Degeneration, and Death in Human Neuronal and Fetal Cells Induced by Low-Level Exposure to Thimerosal and Other Metal Compounds," by Paul King, David Geier, and Marc Geier is published in the June 2009 issue of Toxicology & Environmental Toxicology. [1]

By inoculating neural cells with infinitesimal amounts of thimerosal (ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid) and other metal compounds (aluminum sulfate, lead acetate, methyl mercury hydroxide, and mercury chloride) comparable to the amounts a baby or child would get in a vaccine, it was found that thimerosal was by far the most toxic.

Cell injury included mitochondrial damage, reduced oxidative-reduction activity, cellular degeneration, and death. Cell damage was similar to that found in cell studies of autistic children. [2]

A urine test is available for non-chelated children or adults with ASD. Mercury poisoning correlated closely with the severity of ASD. [3]

Many dedicated doctors and parents are searching for answers and for cures for autism. Until all the mechanisms of its cause and cure are laid bare by private doctors, entrepreneurs, and concerned citizens, it appears that the epidemic of autism will continue.

Reference:
1. sarnet.org/doc/Geier-mito.pdf

2. mercury-freedrugs.org/docs/090709_PR_ThimerosalCausesBrainPathologyb.pdf

3. mercury-freedrugs.org/

Last Updated
Jul 26, 2009"

H1N1 Communication--Steps The Children’s Hour Academy is taking now

At this time, program staff and children who are NOT sick can safely come to The Children’s Hour Academy. We are working closely with the Clackamas Health Department and will keep you updated with any important information regarding the current flu conditions. The following information is taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

The following steps are being taken at our program to help keep children and staff from getting sick with flu:

CDC encourages staff to get vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu (if recommended) when vaccines become available.

CDC encourages parents to have children (6 months of age and older) vaccinated for seasonal flu and H1N1, when the vaccines become available. Children under the age of 5 years are at higher risk for flu complications.

Teachers and staff are educated and encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and are teaching children how to do the same. We have posted numerous “Cover the Cough” signs with pictures to remind children to cough in the elbow.

Teachers and staff are practicing good hand hygiene and we are providing the time and supplies for staff and children to wash their hands as often as necessary. Our staff is actively helping children wash their hands frequently. We have posted numerous “Germ Buster” Hand washing signs.

We are performing a daily health check of children and staff when they arrive on school. Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date so we can contact you to pick up your child if he or she becomes sick.

If children or staff have flu-like symptoms, they are kept in a separate, but supervised, space until they can go home. We are also limiting the number of staff who takes care of sick children.

We are asking parents and staff to keep themselves and children home if they have flu-like illness. They should stay home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured by mouth), or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, a flushed appearance, or sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

We are frequently cleaning surfaces and items that children touch with their hands, mouths, and body fluids such as toys, diaper stations, chairs, tables, or playground equipment.

If the flu conditions become MORE severe, we will consider adding the following steps:

We may decide to temporarily close the program if there is a lot of flu in the community. This measure will only be taken in a severe situation. Please consider alternate child care arrangements in case we need to close temporarily. Check with your employer to find out if they will allow you to stay at home to care for your children. Ask if you can work from home. If this is not possible, start planning for other ways to care for your children at home.

Extending the time sick children or child care providers stay home to at least 7 days, even if they feel better. Those who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away.

Allowing children and staff at higher risk for flu complications to stay home. Parents and staff should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider.

Finding ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in our program by dividing lunches into smaller groups, and holding classes outdoors, weather permitting.

Considering temporarily closing the program if we are unable to continue to operate because many staff and children are at home or if the CDC or our health department asks us to close to help decrease the spread of flu in our community.

For more information about flu, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.flu.gov.

A Message from our friends at Victory Academy

Dear Families and Staff of The Children’s Hour Academy,

Victory Academy expresses its deepest thanks and appreciation to all of you at the Meridian Campus for sharing your school with us and for warmly welcoming our students, staff, and families.

Victory Academy is the first school of its kind in the greater Portland-metro area that offers a comprehensive education to children with unique learning differences, including Autism Spectrum and related disorders. We provide challenging academics to elementary-aged children (Kindergarten through Third Grade), integrating proven, research-based therapeutic strategies into every learning task. We are unique from the public school settings, as we offer year-round school at 7.5 hours per day, low student to teacher ratio (8:3), customized education plans carefully crafted by a highly qualified team of teachers and therapists. We also offer additional therapies to our students, including occupational and music therapy, targeted literacy instruction, social skills, daily living practice, and language and communication. Currently, there is no model like this in Oregon for these ages of students. Victory Academy is founded by educators and parents of children with ASD; they believe that we can and must do better for the children of our community.

Victory Academy currently enrolls eight students and has one lead teacher, Miss Ashley, and three teacher’s assistants, Miss Tiffanie, Ms. Janet, and Ms. Jen. Victory Academy’s Directors are Ms. Tricia and Ms. Thea. Our students receive most of their instruction in Room 112 and will share lunch, recess, and chapel times with The Children’s Hour Academy. We hope to join and support many of The Children’s Hour Academy’s special events, starting with October’s Pumpkin Patch Trip.

We welcome any of your questions or thoughts as we begin the 2009-2010 school year. We are quite excited and a bit anxious too!

Again, we thank all of you for offering us this tremendous opportunity to join a thriving school. While we operate separately from The Children’s Hour Academy, our visions are very much the same.

With Gratitude,


Tricia Hasbrook and Thea Schreiber
Directors, Victory Academy

A few thoughts about the first week of school

The new school year is off and running! We have had a very busy week. Last Wednesday, the teachers spent the first portion of their day in inservice training. We had a music therapy workshop, a course on objective observation techniques, and we learned about new ways to use the accu-cut (die cut) machine in our classrooms for 'more than just bulletin boards.' Teachers earned between two and four credit hours, depending on the courses in which they took part. The next two days (and nights, and weekend for many of them!) were spent getting classrooms in perfect shape for the first day of school on Tuesday. We hope you enjoy the new looks all around the building.

We have many new friends joining us this year and we are all learning our new routines and such. Things are going well. We also have friends back from vacation...it is great to see our friends we have missed all summer. Everyone looks so proper in their uniforms, and we are all excited for next week, when we have our first full week of school, and we will begin German and Spanish as well.

Grandparent's Day will be celebrated Thursday at 3:15 at the Jean Road campus, and Friday at 3:00 at the Meridian campus. Please RSVP to your child's teacher as soon as possible so we know how many Grandparents we'll have the pleasure of meeting.

That's all for now....enjoy the sunshine!

Future "Ace of Cakes" Baker and Culinary Artist...

So, Ethan, how about a field trip to 2936 Remington Avenue, Baltimore, MD‎ to meet Duff Goldman owner of "Charm City Cakes." Let's see if he can create a Ms. Patty cake!

Our Organic Vegetable Garden...

...is looking GREAT! See for yourself.

Pajama Day 2009

The fun never ends.....

Carnival Fun

Thanks to EVERYONE who attended our first annual carnival on Wednesday. We are already making plans for the next one!

Bicycle Day at CHA

Can you tell what a big hit our bicycle day was on Thursday???

Introducing Ms. Erin

You may have noticed a new face at the Meridian Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Erin MccAuley, or Ms. Erin, is a student at University of Oregon, studying Education. She has quickly become, as described by one of the children, a "bestest and favoritist" teacher's helper!

Erin is a graduate of West Linn High School, and many years before that, she was a student of Ms. Patty and Mrs. B, when the schools were located in their homes. (Mrs. B is Carole Barnhart, Patty's former partner who is now retired and living in Astoria.) Erin has returned to her "alma mater" as part of her studies and will return to Eugene in mid-September to get back to class and for more coursework in Education. She will graduate in 2012, but plans to continue her studies and earn her Master's degree as well. We hope to see her over winter break, and next summer again, too!

C A R N I V A L

Don't forget....the CHA Carnival is

Wednesday, August 26th, 5:00 to 8:00 pm

at the Meridian Campus.

It's sure to be fun...don't miss it!

Uniforms

In the last post, we mentioned the new uniform policy that will be effective in September, 2010. If you'd like to get a jump start on meeting the requirements, here they are.

The biggest change you'll see is that the uniform shirts - the polo shirts - will be white and navy blue only. The wearing of red, burgundy, and hunter green will be phased out over the 2009-2010 school year.

Adherence to the school uniform policy will be more strictly enforced by teachers and staff beginning this school year. That means that boys will be required to wear navy blue trousers/pants or shorts. Sweatpants and cargo pants are not acceptable. However, cargo shorts are acceptable. Polo shirts (with a collar and buttons) must be in white, navy blue, red, burgundy, or hunter green, or a white button-down oxford. Girls must wear a navy blue jumper, skirt, pants, shorts or "skort" /scooter skirt and the same polo shirts or a white button-down shirt with a Peter Pan-style collar.

If students need to wear a sweater or sweatshirt, the sweater must be navy blue in pull-over or cardigan style. The sweatshirt must be a navy blue CHA sweatshirt in crew neck or hooded style. The sweatshirts were available for purchase from the office in past years and will be made available for purchase this year as well. Right now we are working with the vendors to secure the best possible price and will have the order forms ready soon. In the meantime, please try to adhere to the colors and styles as closely as possible; there will be a grace period for those students without the CHA sweatshirts until our order is delivered.

The smaller details of the uniform policy include the shoes and socks. Students must have rubber-soled sneakers for PE class and cannot wear sandals during the school year. Crocs are not acceptable for PE class. While there are no "uniform" shoes required, we trust that taste and practicality will be priority in your choice of shoes for your student. Girls may wear either knee socks or bobby socks. Girls may also wear tights. Beginning in fall of 2010, the only acceptable colors for socks and tights will be navy or white.

Fridays have traditionally been dress-down days. No uniforms are required on Fridays. Students must still have appropriate PE shoes.

In researching inexpensive places to find well-made uniforms that comply with the dress code, one site keeps coming up, again and again. Check out Sears.com, which is linked with Kmart.com. If you go to the site and type in "uniforms" in the search box, you'll get right to the place you need. The 'French Toast' brand has affordable pieces for all ages. Here are some examples:

Again, the new uniform requirements are not in effect until September 2010. Students can continue to wear the color variety in polo shirts until that time. The crew neck sweatshirts and hooded sweatshirts will be available in the coming weeks for purchase...keep checking the blog for updates.

P.S. Enjoy this 'last' week of summer!

Pre-September Thoughts....

We will be utilizing this blog for communications much more frequently than in the past. It's just easier, plus it saves time, it save our trees, and it's nearly impossible to lose in that space between the seats in the car. Make sure you keep checking it, especially after school starts in September.

It's just about time for the 2009-2010 school year to begin. This summer we've enjoyed a wonderful journey across the United States of America. See for yourself - check out the bulletin board across from room 112. High-fives to our friend Cameron, the super artist, for his awesome rendition of the map of the United States. We have all learned a lot on our Roadtrip USA!

Speaking of room 112, beginning in September, you will notice a few new faces in there. Six students and their teachers from Victory Academy will be occupying the space we utilized for miscellaneous "stuff". Victory Academy is a school for children with learning differences and will operate separately from our students and their classrooms. The co-director of Victory Academy is Tricia Hasbrook, mother to AJ, Nathan and Henry. AJ was a student in Ms. Sally Jo's class this past year and will now be attending Victory Academy. To learn more about the school, take a look at their website, http://www.thevictoryacademy.com/.

While we're talking about new faces...we have some good news about a new face (but that isn't really new) you'll be seeing here in just a couple of weeks....Ms. Haley. She will returning on Monday, September 1 to re-acquaint herself with her students and begin readying her former classroom for school the following week. We've missed her over the last eight months, but are thrilled she has returned to us after an extended maternity leave. She will teach the oldest of our students here at the Meridian Campus. A HUGE thank you to Ms. Dee and Ms. Kim, both of whom stepped in during Ms. Haley's absence and did an OUTSTANDING job.

School starts on Tuesday, September 8th, at 8:30 am. Parents of children at the Meridian Campus: If you haven't already purchased them, now is the time to get your child's uniforms so they are set for the first day. Just a reminder...although uniform requirements will be changing for the 2010-2011 school year, this year students can wear the same as past years. Boys wear navy shorts or navy pants with polo shirts in red, white, navy, hunter green or burgundy. They can also wear white button-down oxford shirts. Girls wear navy jumpers, skirts, skorts and shorts with either a white button-down, 'Peter Pan-style' collar or polo shirts in the same colors as the boys.

When purchasing your child's uniform, keep in mind that this is the last year students will be allowed to wear polo shirts in multiple colors. We will phase out the colors this school year. Beginning in September 2010 student uniform shirt colors will be white or navy blue ONLY. The navy pants/skirts/jumpers remain the same. A blog post will follow this one with details on the dress code, and will also contain links to the websites we've found with great examples and great deals on uniforms. Stay tuned!

Another segue into the next item....perhaps you've noticed some of the new bulletin boards around the Meridian Campus. One that's of particular interest is next to the sign-in table in the front lobby. It says "Community Board" across the top, and it's there for you to post things that are of interest to your fellow CHA parents. For example, if you have uniforms from last year that you'd like to trade or sell, the Community Board is where you'd post that information. If you have found a great place to buy the uniforms, let us know on the Community Board. Looking for a babysitter? Having a garage sale? Need a stroller? Want to sell a stroller? Think of it as our own little Craigslist. Let us know what you think, or if you have any suggestions.

The CHAF Carnival is Wednesday, August 26th, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the gym at the Meridian Campus. It is sure to be a GREAT event! Sneak a peek at some of the cool prizes, located in the glass case in the lobby at the Merdian Campus. Special thanks to Ms. Sally Jo, Ms. Mariola, and Ms. Sally Ann for all the hard work they have put into the planning of an awesome evening. Please remember: Both campuses will close at 4:00 p.m. that day. Come enjoy food, fun, prizes and an all-around good time with your children, CHA staff, and other CHA families. Proceeds benefit the CHA Foundation.

Lastly, mark you calendars for school closure at both campuses on September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. On those days we will have our inservice program for earning our continuing education hours, then we begin the massive project of preparing the schools and classrooms for the new school year. The following Monday we will be closed for Labor Day, and we will all be ready to hit the ground running on Tuesday, September 8th!

A Few Things…

August 5, 2009

Dear Parents:

It seems hard to believe that we are on the last month of summer. Summer has gone by so quickly. One thing I do not miss, those 100-degree days!

C.H.A.F. Carnival

We hope you have set August 26, aside, on your calendar for a great family fun night. The carnival is a C.H.A.F. (fundraiser) sponsored event. We welcome friends, family, and acquaintances. This is a community event; there will be food, special events for all ages, inflatable activity houses, and treats. We hope to see you there. FYI: To prepare for the carnival, we will close at 4:00 on August 26.

New News

Miss Jenny, our ASL teacher, has accepted a new position in California and will leave us the end of August. We will miss her. She has been a wonderful addition to the staff and the children have enjoyed her, immensely. With every cloud, there is a positive aspect. Mrs. Gabrielle (Gabi) Mann has agreed to teach Spanish to the students at our Meridian Campus on Fridays. Not only will they learn German by Ms. Susan, they will also learn Spanish. Ms. Gabi, as she will be called, is Isabella and Nicholas' mommy. Spanish is her native language. The opportunity to learn three languages, simultaneously, will only benefit our children as current research demonstrates. Ms. Gabi is a graduate of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional in International Trade and Portland State University in Business Administration.

Reminders

Please note that we will be closed September 2, 3 and 4 for teacher in-service days. Embarrassingly, one of the parents from the Jean Road campus informed me that our summer calendars are not current on the CHA website! You know the calendars that list all the summer activities and school closures. That one is not on the website. So, when they received their daily go-home email mentioning this upcoming closure, imagine their surprise, especially since they are relatively new to CHA. My excuse for this glitch is clichés: aging brain cells, busy as a bee, tired as a dog, and working my fingers to the bone. And, if that doesn't touch your heart with a teensy bit of compassion, how about, "on the horns of a dilemma." The dilemma being… I blew it!

Parenting.Com - Product Recalls

Recent Product Safety Recalls

The latest toy, clothing, baby gear, and appliance recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Recent Toy Recalls

25,000 Evenflo Telephone Toys Recalled July 17, 2009
90,000 Sport Balls Recalled July 10, 2009
Skywalker Holdings recalls 60,000 13-foot Square Trampolines May 26, 2009
Build-A-Bear recalls 260,000 Folding Toy Beach Chairs May 14, 2009
State Farm Recalls 827,000 Good Neigh Bears March 18, 2009
See all Toy Recalls

Recent Clothing Recalls

1.4 million Buster Brown & Co.'s Clogs Recalled Due to Choking Hazard July 22, 2009
80,000 Children's Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled June 11, 2009
80,000 Children's Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled June 11, 2009
Nordstrom Recalls 31,000 Girl's Shoes March 18, 2009
Alpargatas Recalls 210,000 Children's Flip Flops March 3, 2009
See all Clothing Recalls

Recent Baby Gear Recalls

All Nuby Gel FilledTeethers-Recalled July 202009
Kolcraft Recalls 1 Million Play Yards July 9, 2009
Bugaboo Recalls 22,500 Strollers June 3, 2009
Retailers Recall 25,000 Simplicity Play Yards April 8, 2009
Healthtex Recalls 40,000 Zoo Pacifiers April 8, 2009
See all Baby Gear Recalls

Recent Appliance Recalls

142,000 Tea Kettles Recalled Due to Burn Hazard July 10, 2009
Kidde Recalls 94,000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms July 10, 2009
Black & Decker Recalls 584,000 Coffee Grinders June 23, 2009
Starbucks Recalls 530,000 Coffee Grinders June 16, 2009
See all Appliance Recalls

CHA FESTIVITIES, FUN AND RECAP ~ SUMMER 2009

"Road trip, USA" our summer theme program is off to a great start. The children begin their day in their 'homeroom' during which curriculum for the day is taught. Miss Jennie continues teaching ASL this summer and beginning this fall, the children will learn German along with ASL and English. There are many advantages to learning multiple languages. Aside, from a development achievement, 100 million of the world populace from 38 countries speaks German. There are several reasons that learning German is advantageous:

1. Germany is a major world exporter and is the 3rd largest industrial country in the world.
2. The German language is the second language of most countries in Eastern Europe.
3. German is the first language of the European Union.

The benefits of learning German are that it helps you become more educated in grammar and can help you learn more languages such as Dutch, Danish and other Germanic languages. German can even help you understand the grammar of Latin because German carries over some of the grammar rules of Latin that were lost when Latin turned into the romance languages Spanish, Portuguese, French, etc.

Ms. Susan Stober is a certified German teacher that currently teaches German at PCC. Susan will remain on staff with PCC while teaching German to all our students. Currently, Spanish is included in our third through sixth grade curriculum. Please look for a letter from Ms. Susan introducing herself.

Our rotation schedule for the summer is 'rolling' along, splendidly! The children enjoy moving from classroom to classroom participating in different activities that support their curriculum. Listed below is their rotation schedule. Please keep a copy for easy reference:

Summer Center Rotation Schedule

Sensory, P.E., Games, Yoga, and Science
Monday and Wednesday 2:20-2:50 and 3:00-3:30
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 11:00-11:35

Monday

Sally and Alex
2:20-2:50 Sensory
3:00-3:30 P.E.

Rodica
2:20-2:50 Yoga
3:00-3:30 Sensory

Mariola
2:20-2:50 Games
3:00-3:30 Yoga

Gina
2:20-2:50 Science
3:00-3:30 Games

Sally Jo and Kim
2:20-2:50 P.E.
3:00-3:30 Science

Tuesday 11:00-11:35
Sally and Alex: Science
Rodica: P.E.
Mariola: Sensory
Gina: Yoga
Sally Jo and Kim: Games

Wednesday

Sally and Alex
2:20-2:50 Games
3:00-3:30 Yoga

Rodica
2:20-2:50 Science
3:00-3:30 Games

Mariola
2:20-2:50 P.E.
3:00-3:30 Science

Gina
2:20-2:50 Sensory
3:00-3:30 P.E.

Sally Jo and Kim
2:20-2:50 Yoga
3:00-3:30 Sensory

Thursday 11:00-11:35
Sally and Alex: Sensory
Rodica: Yoga
Mariola: Games
Gina: Science
Sally Jo and Kim: P.E.

Friday 11:00-11:35
Sally and Alex: P.E.
Rodica: Sensory
Mariola: Yoga
Gina: Games
Sally Jo and Kim: Science

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Afternoon Rotation
Art, Cooking, and Computer/Library
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday 2:30-3:30
Sally, Alex, and Rodica: Computer/Library
Mariola and Gina: Art
Sally Jo and Kim: Cooking

Thursday 2:30-3:30
Sally, Alex, and Rodica: Cooking
Mariola and Gina: Computer/Library
Sally Jo and Kim: Art

Friday 2:30-3:30
Sally, Alex, and Rodica: Art
Mariola and Gina: Cooking
Sally Jo and Kim: Computer/Library

Our first annual July 4th Barbeque was a huge success. We had charcoal-grilled hamburgers and Hebrew National beef hot dogs along with a surplus of delicious salads, dips and desserts. We had over 80 families that dined and chatted from 5:00 until 7:30 pm. We were cleaned up and on our way home by 8:00. There was an overwhelming positive response to this event. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of eating and catching up. You can be sure that this will become an annual event.

Our next event is scheduled for July 24, "Family Movie Night." We will show two movies simultaneously for families to choose from. This is a fundraiser event. Please look for a flyer that will be emailed within the next week. It will be another fun evening.

Please respond back with any suggestions or comments. We love to hear feedback or ideas for more CHA community events. Thank you for your support.

Patty

Alex Patrick McMahon - Transitional K Teacher

June 16, 2009

Hello parents! My name is Alex Patrick McMahon; I am 23 years old and a current resident of southeast Portland. On Saturday, June 13^th, 2009 I graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Early Childhood Development and Education, and a minor in Business. My future aspiration is to someday own a private school resembling The Children's Hour Academy.

My parents divorced when I was ten years old; after that, my mother raised my two older brothers, and myself, alone. It is because this feat of raising three boys, that I have always looked up to my mother as a role model for her strength, ability to handle pressure in times of need, and for inspiration. She is the driving force behind me entering into early childhood education. I still, to this day maintain, a very close relationship with my father regardless of the divorce, and see him often.

I first became involved in caring for children, at age twelve, babysitting kids around the neighborhood. When I reached high school there was a preschool that cared for staff and student's children. I helped in the preschool from 2001-2004. I liked working with children, but saw many flaws in the way the school was operated and wanted to make a difference. Upon getting into OSU I decided the Early Childhood degree was right for me. Since then I have worked, volunteered, and been a student teacher in a vast array of teaching experiences and have learned so much.

When I'm not teaching I enjoy I enjoy competitive basketball, lifting weights and running, baseball, Judo and Jujitsu, drawing, collecting sneakers, music, sushi and Thai food, reading and time with family and friends. I look forward to teaching your children and working with you all towards a common goal.

Five Dollar Dinners

http://www.5dollardinners.com/

I came across this link on my social networking site, Facebook. Yup! I am officially a social networker. I can see "Twitter" in the future. I wonder, with all the social network intersectors, do you think they will have to 'detox' us from blogging, twitting, and Facebooking? I am embarrassed to admit that I love it; I love the quick social connections to former students now grown, married and having babies. I love getting quick glimpses into friends and families' days. I especially love "Farm Town," "Twirl," and "Farkle." In six weeks time, I've gone from completely oblivious to completely immersed. Sigh...even us seniors find networking fun and a creative outlet.

John has his own "FB" (Facebook) page. Of course, being a former cop and soldier, he not only finds farming fun, he's a fanatic at Mafia Wars. I'm the early bird that has to have eight hours sleep. Often, during the week when nature calls around 11ish at night, I see him on the phone with Mish, our daughter, plotting their next attack or designing their fields with unique and labyrinthian flair. When you actually appraise this newest level of connecting, it has a rather pedagogical side to it. You use your cognitive, motor, social, emotional, creative and linguistic skills.

I recently received my new pair of custom-painted shoes from "The Swanx." How does Swanx relate to Facebook you may ask? Another marvel and discovery from "FB" is an advertisement that kept displaying on my homepage, http://theswanx.com/. At first, I was relunctant to click on the link fearful that I might open 'Pandora's Box.' Being the adventurous pioneer, I pulled up their site and fell in love! Both Michelle (Mish) and I spent an hour scouring the site and trying to make a decision on which design. She settled on Dragonflies and I had mine custom made. If you get a chance, come by and check out my cool shoes.


Before ordering my shoes, I called their office in Washington state and spoke to the owner, Gene Sorensen. He explained the process and I was sold. When I ordered my shoes, I asked Gene if they would donate a gift certificate to our auction. Without hesitation, he said, "yes!" My shoes are featured on his website, just below the newest 'Signature Series', "Autism Speaks." I love my custom painted shoes along with its certificate of authenticity.

Sorry about digressing. Now I will get back to the first subject and title of this post, the site I found on"FB" called "Five Dollar Dinners." I am always looking for coupons and ways to save money and time, especially since we have a teenager living with us that eats us out of house and home, not to mention that she doesn't gain a pound! Great website, blog, and links to money saving tips and coupons.

For those of you that haven't ventured into social networking, I will say with resounding confirmation, "DO IT!" You will join our rapidly 'becoming' fanatical fanclub of "Facebookers." For those who are visually prone, I've included a picture of its web-like reach:

AMAZING isn't it!!!

Vitamin Supplements

May 14, 2009

Dear CHA families,

WOW! What a fun and exciting fundraiser last Saturday at CHA! Great job done for all involved. I also had a wonderful time connecting with many of you at the auction.

For those of you I didn't get a chance to talk with I would like to take this time to tell you about what part I am taking in the Fundraiser with my new business. You will see below how I will donate to the CHA fundraiser either $100 or $20 with your involvement. My goal is to create a healthy community at CHA while supporting the teachers and students through the CHAF; think about the potential of healthy students, parents, and staff members. I believe in the vision of the school and I would cherish the opportunity to support the new Children's Hour Academy Foundation by donating my bonus money for referrals. It is a win-win opportunity.

I want to introduce myself to those who may not know me. My name is Kim Matthias and I am a former teacher of the Children's Hour Academy. I started teaching with Patty when she moved the school from her house to the Boones Ferry Location 13 years ago. I taught preschool through second grade as well as Chapel and P.E. Two years ago, I left to pursue education to work with special needs children but have now found myself homeschooling my own children.

I have partnered with a good friend of mine, Lynn Woodley, as an Independent Associate of Mannatech. Mannatech is a health and wellness company that specializes in state of the art patented nutritional supplements for children and adults, skin care products, and weight management with a new technology product that targets fat loss and retains lean mass.

I'm very excited to share with you the products our company has to offer.

Here are 3 of the many features that make this venture easy for you:

• The products are delivered to your door.
  
• There is 180 day 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the products.
  
• I will become your personal health coach and help encourage and manage your journey of optimal health.
  

Here is the benefit for CHAF

• For every $499 All star pack purchased $100 will be donated to the CHAF.
  

  There are several packages available to fit your family's needs and there is approx. $650 worth of product in each package. With the set up of your first monthly auto order Mannatech gives you a choice of products you can order for FREE as a one time bonus.
  

• For every $100 basic pack purchased $20 will be donated to the CHAF.
  

Lynn and I would like to take some time to give a workshop giving an overview of the products and to answer questions you may have about the products and the fundraising program. There will be a sign-up sheet located by the sign-in table. Bring friends to the workshop as well, for each person that chooses to purchase these healthy products, $100 or $20 will be donated to the CHAF!

Mannatech has given me the opportunity to stay home with my children and bless people I know with optimal health products and financial opportunities. If you know of someone who would like to gain Optimal Health, and or has a financial need, please share with them my contact information.

The workshop will be Tuesday, May 19 from 4:00-6:00 a.m. in the Library at the Meridian Campus. It will be 45 minutes long, with 45 minutes after for questions and answers and to set up your account. Please RSVP (we will add information packets up to 9p.m. the night before)

I look forward to working with you,

In Christ,

Kim Matthias

503-651-2275

503-310-0370

Matthias@canby.com

Mannapages.com/kimmatthias

Learning Through Play

Learning Through Play

David Elkind, PhD

In our hurried and hurrying society, we have come to think of play as a luxury at best and a waste of precious time at worst. From our adult perspective, we often associate play with fun and relaxation in contrast to the attention and effort required of us by work. All too often, however, we mistakenly project our grown-up conception of play onto the play of children. Yet for children in general, and for young children in particular, self-initiated play is a basic mode of learning. Through such play, children create new learning experiences that they might not otherwise encounter. A few examples may help to illustrate this mode of learning.

Perhaps the clearest evidence for the role of play in the learning of young children comes from their babbling. No one teaches an infant to babble and all infants all over the world babble. In the course of babbling, children create all of the language sounds they need to speak any of the thousands of extant languages. As infants mature, they progressively select, from the sounds they themselves have created, those that best map onto the sounds of the language of their caregivers. If they never babbled, infants would never learn to speak.

A few other examples may help to give a broader picture of this kind of learning. An infant who drops a rattle over the side of his or her crib discovers gravity. Likewise, an infant who puts everything he or she can grasp, into the mouth discovers that some things are hard, some soft, and some taste just awful. Once children are sitting up in a highchair, they make everything they grasp into an object to be banged. In so doing they discover that wooden spoons make one kind of sound, metal spoons another, and plastic spoons still another. In all of these examples it is the infant's own self-initiated activities that create new learning experiences.

We see the same type of self-created learning at older age levels as well. Two and three-year-olds may often repeat the same activity over and over again. It may be pouring water over a water wheel to watch it turn, or building a tower with blocks, knocking it over and rebuilding it. This repetition is boring for us adults, as is reading children the same story over and over again. But for the young child, who is less world-savvy, or less world-weary, than we are, each repetition produces something new that the child did not see as a result of the previous action. We adults may not be able to figure out what the child is discovering through repetition, but the child knows very well what he or she has learned.

Four and five year old children who initiate their own dramatic play are also creating new learning experiences. In playing doctor, or teacher, or fireman, etc., the child is really not preparing to engage in these occupations as an adult. Rather, in taking on these roles, the child creates the feeling of omnipotence and power that he or she attributes to adults. Children are little people who are at the mercy of huge grown-ups. By creating the experience of being big like us, of having adult-like powers, children deal with the feeling of powerlessness at being at the mercy of us giants. As this illustration makes clear, play can also be a means of stress reduction for children.

School-age children learn through self-created learning experiences as well. When children make and break their own rules when playing a game like hide and seek they learn mutual respect. That is, they learn to obey the rules that other children make, and expect other children to follow the rules that they have set down. In addition, while playing a board game such as checkers, or Monopoly, children not only learn strategies, but also how to read the body language of the other players. That is to say, each time one player makes a move this brings a reaction (a new learning experience) from the other players in the game.

Accordingly, we have to rethink our ideas of play and learning. Psychologists define learning as "the modification of behavior as the result of experience." But play can be defined as "the modification of experience as the result of behavior." Put differently, experience is not always independent of our behavior, but rather can be created by it. As illustrated above, children learn from their self-created experiences as well as those that are independent of their activity.

For parents, this means we have to rethink our attitudes towards self-initiated play. All too many of us believe even young children should be working, learning to read, and doing arithmetic, and perhaps a few beginning computer skills. While it is important for children to learn these tool skills, it is equally important that they learn all of the things they can only learn from their self-created experiences. In many cases such learning provides the foundation for academic learning. A child building with blocks, for example, is learning both classifying (all blocks are made of wood) and seriating (blocks can be ordered by size). This play prepares children for learning cardinal (one, two, three) and ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) numbers.

The importance of self-initiated play, particularly for young children means that we need to give them the time and the open ended toys, like blocks, clay, and form boards that will give children the opportunity to create their own learning experiences. We can encourage this kind of play even when children have play dates. For such interactions we need to provide children with a number of play options, but let them decide which play, and for how long they will engage in it.

There are also ways we parents can initiate activities that encourage our children to "think outside the box." These are word games we can play in the course of our everyday activities that are not only fun for us and our children, but also encourage curiosity, creativity, and imagination:

1. Ask a child to think of as many things as he or she can think of that you can do with a paper clip, pencil, or napkin.
   
2. When riding in the car, play games like finding how many houses have For Sale signs, front porches, or identify particular car models that you see passing by.
   
3. After watching a TV program together, talk about the story and characters, what did you like and not like about them.
   
4. Watch some ads on TV and criticize them.
   
5. Make up new endings to stories you have just read.
   

Self-created play for children is neither a luxury nor a waste of time, it is a basic mode of learning, and children have a need to play. Accordingly, we cannot really prevent children from engaging in such play. But we can limit the time and opportunities available for such activity. As I have argued here, that would be a mistake particularly for young children. Although it is counterintuitive, the more children learn from their own play when they are young, the better prepared they are to learn from academic instruction when they are older.

 

About the author:

David Elkind is currently Professor emeritus of Child Development at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. His research and theorizing have been in the areas of perceptual, social and cognitive development where he has attempted to build on the work of Jean Piaget. Perhaps Elkind is best known for his books, The Hurried Child, All Grown Up and No Place to Go, Miseducation, and most recently, The Power of Play. Dr Elkind also writes a weekly blog on child development issues at www.Justaskbaby

Play Articles

The Power of Play: Articles

• Learning Through Play
  
• Problem Solving Deficit Disorder
  
• Play: Priceless
  
• Play: Children's Context for Development
  
• Facilitating and Supporting Children's Play: Suggestion for Teachers
  

The Power of Play: Resources

Books

The Power of Play
David Elkind, Ph.D

We often worry that our children will be disadvantaged if they are not up to speed with the latest academic agendas. Dr Elkind reassures us that creative play far outweighs academic achievement in fostering mental and social development. A compelling and well-researched account of how spontaneous, creative play leads to a happier healthier childhood and life beyond.

Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
Dr. Stuart Brown

"This important book explores how play can improve - and joyously change - your life." – Jane Goodall.

A Child's Work - The Importance of Fantasy Play
Vivian Gussin Paley

A wise and insightful account of why fantasy play is the essential and irreplaceable curriculum for the early years of childhood.

Celebrating Young Children and Their Teachers
Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld

Drawing on her 50 years of teaching young children, Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld urges teachers to keep their lights alive by reflecting on the magic of their students and on the importance of their calling. A wonderful and joyous celebration of childhood!

Not a Stick
Antoinette Portis

To an adult, it's just a burdensome and dangerous stick. But look what piglet sees: a baton in a marching band, a paintbrush against a canvas, and a barbell for a muscleman. Delightfully entertaining!

A Place for Play
Elizabeth Goodenough

Companion volume to the documentary film Where Do the Children Play?, with a foreword by Richard Louv, A Place for Play explores the numerous and troubling ways in which free play outdoors is slipping from children's lives.

Play, Development and Early Education
James E. Johnson, James F. Christi, and Francis Wardle

"The authors have written an extensive account showing the scope and depth of children's play including the current trends, research, and informed opinions on the importance of childhood play." –Regina C.M. Williams, Central Ohio Technical College.

Play: The Pathway from Theory to Practice
Sandra Heidemann and Deborah Hewitt

Play, a revision of the best-selling Pathways to Play, provides the guidance and support you need to understand the vast significance and impact play has on young children. A practical guide for educators on how to foster creativity and imagination in young children.

Online Articles

The Serious Need for Play
Melinda Wenner

Article from "The Scientific American" website: Free, imaginative play is crucial for normal social, emotional and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed.

Play Time: The Game of Learning
Trish Konzak

"…I am a parent, and I have been a preschool teacher for more than twenty years, and my experience and training tell me one thing loud and clear. Children need to play." –exerpt from the article

The Value of Play: Why Kids Just Need to Be Kids
Rae Pica

"Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for the pursuit of happiness now feels a collective guilt about the very idea of anything fun? How did this happen? When did we begin placing so much priority on productivity and so little on leisure or on having a good time? " - Excerpt

Websites

Alliance for Childhood

The Alliance for Childhood promotes policies and practices that support children's healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living. Our public education campaigns bring to light both the promise and the vulnerability of childhood. We act for the sake of the children themselves and for a more just, democratic, and ecologically responsible future.

National Institute for Play

The National Institute for Play is a non-profit public benefit corporation committed to bringing the unrealized knowledge, practices and benefits of play into public life. It is gathering research from diverse play scientists and practitioners, initiating projects to expand the clinical scientific knowledge of human play and translating this emerging body of knowledge into programs and resources, which deliver the transformative power of play to all segments of society.

Playing for Keeps

Playing for Keeps is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving outcomes and the quality of life for all children by promoting healthy, constructive play. A great way to get connected with other people and organizations who want to make "play" a mainstay of early childhood education.

International Play Association

IPA is an international non-governmental organization founded in Denmark in 1961. It is interdisciplinary and embraces in membership persons of all professions working for or with children. Its purpose is to protect, preserve and promote the child's right to play as a fundamental human right.