UCCC Events

Is it time for a two-wheeler, here is a training suggestion

Web Admin — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:03:19 +0000

Photograph by StockbyteSummer is almost here and the bikes are coming out. If you are thinking it is time to move your child from a tricycle to a two-wheeler, read on...

Having gone through the fun but often difficult process of teaching my girls how to ride a two-wheel bike, getting them to let go of training wheels is almost as hard as "losing the binky." What if they never had training wheels? The article, "Down With Training Wheels" may be onto something.

For generations, training wheels have been the standard way of not teaching children how to ride a bike. It’s a time-honored childhood ritual: fumble with wrench, remove tiny wheels, watch child fall on face, repeat.

I am not sure you need to buy a specific balance bike, because you can get a similar effect by removing pedals. The idea of first learning balance before taking on the task of pedaling does sound like a good plan. However, one tool I highly recommend for teaching a child to ride a bike is a bike trainer handle of some kind. It is worth it's weight in gold.

Do you have any suggestions for families working to teach the art of riding a two-wheeler? Add you tips, suggestions or questions in the comment section below.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

Too much or Too little is true for babies too

Web Admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:18:50 +0000

I found an interesting study out of the University of Rochester that suggests infants like things that are neither too novel or too complicated, the "Goldilocks Effect."

For years, researchers have explored what types of events most effectively capture babies’ attention. In some situations, infants reliably prefer familiar items, such as a favorite toy; in others, they favor novel objects.

The new study resolves such seeming contradictions. Instead of novelty or familiarity per se, the research shows that babies seek out situations with just the right amount of surprise or complexity.

Read the full article, "Babies zero in on ‘just right’ to learn" and/or the original research study, "The Goldilocks Effect: Human Infants Allocate Attention to Visual Sequences That Are Neither Too Simple Nor Too Complex."

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

A little something for moms

Web Admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:40:20 +0000

... and everyone else who has raised a child.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

UCCC LOVES our teachers!

Web Admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:42:42 +0000

With today being National Teacher Day, part of Teacher Appreciation Week, at UCCC we want to make sure our teachers know just how much we appreciate all they do. They are the reason this is such a great center. They develop wonderful relationships with your children, helping them develop, learn and grow.

Children’s experiences of early relationships shape how they learn to regulate their emotions and their openness to learning. (PDF)

So while it is only a small gesture, we celebrated our teachers at the end of the day with a little gift to take home and remember that they are loved and appreciated.

Don't forget to add your thank you note to the box at the front desk and let your teachers know how much you appreciate them.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

Dance Party Photos

Web Admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:07:23 +0000

The Family Org Dance Party was a ton of fun! View all the photos here.

Learning Through Play with Loose Parts

Web Admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:14:12 +0000

Do kids need fancy, adult designed structures for fun play times? According to a video sent in today's ExchangeEveryDay, a storage container with loose parts can be plenty. While this may bee too much to fit in your backyard, I can imagine an open floor with a tub or closet full of loose parts being a great way for a child to spend a day exploring, creating and learning.

At the 5:17 mark, notice the kids balancing on chair tops. I love how this is a game and not something they are told to stop because it is not safe. The narrator goes on to mention how there has been a change in perception of risk and how to manage risk.

Keep watching and you will see mixed age groups playing together with the older children helping younger ones.

If you think about it, a playpod can reach all the areas of our approach:

Early Literacy
Values & Character Development
Psychodynamic Development.

Post by
Jeffrey Pomranka

Fun Times at the Eggstravaganza

Web Admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:30:21 +0000

Photos by Jeffrey Pomranka

The Eggstravaganza was a HUGE success...a beautiful day, lots of activities, and games equaled GREAT FAMILY FUN! I want to acknowledge the Youth Board from MICDS and our Saturday Readers from Whitfield School for all their hard work and collaboration for such an event!

The Egg Hunt went so smooth and not a crying child, saying I didn't get an egg. On the contrary, we had children sharing their eggs with others...It was amazing!

I want to thank all the participating members of the UCCC community, their families and friends. In addition, we had many families from the U-City Community who just came to play!

Post by Stephen Zwolak

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Web Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:34:49 +0000

In 1996, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee, USA. Dolly's vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month.

On April 28th, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will be stopping at University City Children's Center to enroll our families! This is a great opportunity for your child to receive one free book every month until he or she turns five. It is also a great opportunity to showcase University City Children's Center to people who also know the importance of quality, early child development. Please make room on your calendar so you can stop by and enjoy the fun.

The Family Organization is working to make the annual Disco Dance Party at the same time, so along with Dolly providing books, we can dance to some of her best tunes.

WHEN: Saturday, April 28 10am to Noon exact time is yet to be set

WHERE: University City Children's Center

Coordinated & Sponsored by:

Literacy Night 2012

Web Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:25:07 +0000

Please join us at our annual University City Children's Center Literacy Night.

Join us at 5:30pm for dinner with your children and friends and then head off to the classrooms to engage with your child's teacher in a conversation about how the garden is part of our literacy program and the daily literacy-rich environment at University City Children's Center.

WHEN: APRIL 25

WHERE: UCCC

TIME: 5:30pm - 7:00pm

EGGSTRAVAGANZA!!!! - April 7

Web Admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:14:46 +0000

The Youth Board - host's of our popular Movie Night in the fall - are bringing a fun 2nd event to UCCC.

AN EGGSTRAVAGANZA

We will have spring-themed games for children of all ages, petting zoo and an egg hunt.

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors - this event is open to all.

9.30AM-11AM
Saturday, April 7