Blair County Head Start provides a high quality preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 with the goal of preparing children for success in school and as future contributing citizens. Support services are offered to families and enrollment is based on income eligibility requirements. Head Start is located in 13 sites throughout Blair County and is actively recruiting for 2007-2008.
The Head Start Center in Tyrone is located in the Industrial Park and provides a full day option. Additionally, Head Start is a partner in the PreK Counts grant with the Tyrone Area School District and has a 3-hour morning class and a 3-hour afternoon class in the Tyrone Elementary School. Parents with questions about the program may call 946-5247 Ext. 225.
In celebration of “The Week of the Young Child”, children attending the Blair County Head Start program created special drawings for flyers to be distributed in shopping bags at local stores.
Scissors Skills: Cutting with scissors is an important fine motor (small muscle) activity for preschool children. As cutting skills are practiced, small muscles of the hand are strengthened and this will support the early writing process. Cutting also requires the use of the hand and eye together and this coordination is vital in learning to read.
At this point you may be shaking at the very thought of scissors in the hands of your child and this is where you fit in…children must be supervised when using scissors! Remind your child of safety rules when cutting such as:
• Scissors stay at the table (children should not be walking or running with scissors in their hands)
• Scissors are for cutting paper (not hair or furniture or little brother)
• When finished, scissors are placed out of reach of your child.
Now that you have the rules for cutting and you know you will be supervising the cutting process, here are some activities you can do with your child to make him or her an “expert cutter”.
1. Using the classified section of the newspaper, draw straight lines between the rows of print with a black marker and have your child cut on the line. As your child is successful with the straight lines, make the lines wavy, curved and zigzag,
2. Allow your child to cut coupons out of the newspaper or magazines.
3. Go on a scavenger hunt in a magazine or catalog. Look for items that have something in common (all red items, all items shaped like a square, all animals with fur, etc.) and have your child cut the item out.
4. Save your junk mail and allow your child to cut out letters, words, numbers, etc. This is a great activity to help your child learn the names of the letters in his or her name.
5. Provide paper and materials of different texture for cutting.
6. Enjoy the time you spend with your child while doing these activities!
