It's Sock Hop Time!

Save the date for the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) PTA's second annual Sock Hop! Grab your favorite little kid and dance 'til bedtime to the music of the '50s and '60s! Here are the details:

• Saturday, February 23, from 6 - 8 pm at Goodview School (5100 W. 9th St., Goodview)
  
• $3 per person, or $12 per family
• Dancing
• Free refreshments
• Silent auction
• Cupcake walk
  

We're introducing one new change this year by turning the Cake Walk into a Cupcake Walk. Numbers on the walk will be replaced with colored shapes, with four winners every time! These changes are designed to make this game more family-friendly -- and more fun for little kids. Cupcake walk tickets are 25 cents each or 5 for $1.

Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, check out this video from last year's Sock Hop to see how much fun everyone had!

FDA bans cold meds for kids under 2, considers ban for under age 12

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued a Public Health Advisory recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use, according to an FDA press release. These include death, convulsions, rapid heart rates, and decreased levels of consciousness.

"These medicines, which treat symptoms and not the underlying condition, have not been shown to be safe or effective in children under 2," said Charles Ganley, M.D., director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Products. According to an Associated Press story on the move, "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year reported that more than 1,500 babies and toddlers wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period because of the drugs."

In October, the FDA's advisory board voted that the drugs were not effective and shouldn't be used in kids under age 6, according to the AP story. According to the FDA press release, the agency is continuing to review data regarding the use of OTC cold medicines in all children under age 12 prior to issuing a formal recommendation.

More from the press release:

Pending completion of the FDA's ongoing review, parents and caregivers that choose to use OTC cough and cold medicines to children ages 2 to 11 years should:

• Follow the dosing directions on the label of any OTC medication,
• Understand that these drugs will NOT cure or shorten the duration of the common cold,
• Check the "Drug Facts" label to learn what active ingredients are in the products because many OTC cough and cold products contain multiple active ingredients, and
• Only use measuring spoons or cups that come with the medicine or those made specially for measuring drugs.

Baby Sling Info & Demonstrations

Interested in wearing your baby in a sling, but not sure how? Check out some of these instructional videos from UpMama.com. Note that the UpMama sling demonstrated in these videos is a hybrid pouch/ring sling; your sling may differ slightly, although the basic techniques demonstrated here apply to most slings. You can find more baby sling demonstration videos at MayaWrap.com. (WinonaKids is not affiliated with either of these companies.)

Winona-area residents can also sign up for a sling-wearing class through Baby Connections. Call 494-0812 for more information.

Baby sling basics


Newborn cradle hold


Taking infant out of sling


Newborn cradle hold 2


Forward facing (kangaroo) hold


Tummy-to-tummy position


Toddler hip carry position


Toddler back carry position


Troubleshooting your baby sling


Sling safety tips

January 2008 Winona ECFE PTA Newsletter

Minnesota Marine Art Museum Events
· Hours: Mon - CLOSED Tues - 10am-8pm Wed-Sat - 10am-5pm Sun 11am-5pm
· Take advantage of FREE admission for ages 17 and under on every Tuesday!!
· Free Saturday Storytelling – Jan 24 10-11am – Enjoy a story in front of original artworks. Afterwards, create original artwork of your own!
· More info visit www.minnesotamarineart.org or call 507-474-6626

Moms Supporting Moms Group • Tues, Jan 15th • Room 106, Goodview School
• Children up to age 8 can attend with their moms. Activities for different ages of children will be planned.

4H Show • Sat, Jan 20 – Sun, Jan 21
Minnesota Quarter Horse Show • Thurs, Jan 31—Sun, Feb 3
• Minnesota Equestrian Center (off Hwy 43, take county Hwy 21 west for about 1 mile) More info visit www.minnesotaequestrian.com.

ECFE Drop-In Playgroup
• Thursdays 12:30-2:30pm • Room 106, Goodview School
• Topics for Jan: Jan 24: Indoor Snow Fun; Jan 31: Snow Cone Shack
• Come play with your pre-K children at ECFE. Donations appreciated.

Frozen River Film Festival
· Thurs, Jan 24—Sun, Jan 27 • Winona State University
· Theatre du Mississippi and Winona State University sponsor the Frozen River Film Festival. Most of the festival is for adults (numerous independent films from the Telluride Film Festival will be shown, along with speakers, musicians, exhibits and cooking demonstrations). However, there is a section just for kids featuring various short films Sat and Sun afternoon. More info: www.frff.org, check out the “Just for Kids” link.

Family Gym Nights • Fridays 6-7:30 pm, Jan 25 • Goodview School
· Come play with your preschool children! Sponsored by ECFE Parent Advisory Council.

Minnesota Marine Art Museum Family Programs

Toddler Tuesday is January 8th!!!
10:30- Noon: Come and Go as You Please

Attention all Toddlers (not yet in kindergarten)! Grab your favorite grownup(s) and head over to the Museum for a kid-friendly discovery day in the galleries! Expect to do some activities, projects, exploring and more! This busy morning will engage you in a variety of ways, and even give you and your grown up something fun to think about the next time you visit! Sponsored by Target.

Home Day Care Providers Training in Winona

Record Keeping and Taxes
featuring Tom Copeland from the Redleaf National Institute

TUESDAY, JAN 8TH 6:30-9:30PM
Central Lutheran Church: 259 West Wabasha St
Winona, MN 55987 in the great room.
You can park in the side lot, off of Huff, and come in the doors there.

$15 FOR NON-MEMBERS
FREE TO MEMBERS of WCDCPA AS ALWAYS
Join the association for a $20 yearly fee, to attend ALL TRAININGS free of charge, plus the benefits of networking with other providers, a free lending toy/equipment library, and become a member of The Winona Chamber of Commerce!

RSVP TO CAROLYN GOREE 458-0015 OR CKIDS12@HBCI.COM
NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JAN 7TH NOON

Dr. David Walsh in Winona January 14

Dr. David Walsh will be in Winona to present:

No: Why Kids of All Ages Need to Hear It

&

Ways Parents Can Say It

Monday, January 14 at 6:30 p.m.

WMS Auditorium --1570 Homer Road, Winona

A free copy of Dr. Walsh's book will be availabe, while supplies last, to each household. A book-signing and reception will follow. The presentation is free. Free childcare will be provided for children ages 2-10.

To learn more about this presentation, visit:

www.sayyestono.org

Sponsored by: WMS & Area PTA's, MN Masonic Charities, St. Mary's Catholic Schools, the Winona Early Childhood Initiative & The Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools