Winter 2010-11
		HAPPY HOLIDAYS from GROWING UP STRONG! Give your class the gift of Mental Wellness with Growing Up Strong. According to studies completed in the 90's, "by the first grade, or earlier, children show temperament and behavior traits that are powerful indicators of their inclination to use and abuse drugs in their teenage and adult years". Growing Up Strong, or GUS, helps teachers by offering guidance in classroom management and provides teachers with self-awareness regarding their interaction with preschoolers in emotionally charged situations. GUS provides a skill set for teachers to use that effectively helps the child in distress move him or herself through emotional events and into a problem-solving mode. GUS helps to create a positive classroom environment to foster strong mental wellness. The Growing Up Strong program was designed to help every child develop strong mental health which includes a strong, positive self-concept; the ability to cope with and express emotions appropriately; and healthy adult and peer relationships. GUS curriculum works to help develop the social and emotional competence of children and prepare them for success in school to reduce the risk factor of early academic failure and increase the protective factor of bonding to school. GUS is research-based, adaptable, affordable, and FUN! GROWING UP STRONG is on FACEBOOK! Check us out on Facebook and join our new community of sharing. We will be providing updates and information and giving you the chance to share information with others working to promote resiliency in children. Share your favorite GUS activities, ask questions, give tips, or even upload pictures of how you use GUS in your community. See us at http://www.growingupstrong.org for more details and a link or search for us on Facebook as Growing Up Strong. We can't wait to see you there!
	Happy Holidays From GUS GUS is on Facebook Resources
			Celebrating Holidays in Early Childhood Programs Article reprinted from the NAEYC http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/ read_celebrating.html Manners: Teach your children well before the holidays Article with tips on getting through the holidays with etiquette basics http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/parenting-family/2010-11-23-manners23_ST_N.htm HOLIDAYS: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND MEETING CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS Article from the National Network for Child Care. http://www.nncc.org/curriculum/dc32_holidays.divers.html
	growingupstrong.org