Early Head Start/Head Start/Pre-K
March is National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Week is March 16th – 20th!
From the Desk of the Director
Fathers play a significant role in fostering social-emotional, cognitive, language, and
motor development in the lives of their young children. Fathers strengthen development when
they take an active role early and often in the lives of their children, even before they are born.
Child development is part of a complex social system that varies widely from family to family.
There is no single “right” way for fathers to be involved. Instead, there are many types of father
involvement in all aspects of raising a child. These include playing together, being nearby while
a child explores, reading together, and taking a child for health checkups. Research has found
that the value of father involvement is determined by the quality of the interaction between fathers and their children – for example, a father’s responsiveness to the needs of his child – rather
than the amount of time fathers spend with their children. To better understand the unique and
specific ways that fathers impact the lives of their children, the following findings provide insights into how children benefit developmentally from their fathers’ involvement.
Socio-Emotional Development
 Early involvement by fathers in the primary care



of their child is a source of emotional security for
the child (U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2011).
Fathers’ affectionate treatment of their infants
contributes to high levels of secure attachment
(Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006).
Quality father-and-child time increases selfesteem, confidence, social competence, and life
skills (Amato, 1994).
Mothers may use more parenting techniques of
gentleness and security, while fathers may favor
independence and confidence-building. These
approaches help children understand the world in
different ways; they balance each other (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services,
2004)
Language Development
 Two-year-olds whose fathers use a more varied

Intellectual Development
vocabulary have greater language skills a year
later (Pancsofar & Vernon-Feagans, 2006).
Girls whose fathers read to them are likely to
have better verbal skills (Bing, 1963).


A number of studies suggest that fathers
who are involved, nurturing, and playful
with their infants have children with
higher IQs, as well as better linguistic
and cognitive capacities” (Pruett, 2000,
as cited in Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006,
Section I.2.2, para. 1).
Fathers tend to do more than mothers to
promote their child’s independence and
exploration of the outside world
(Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006).
EHS/HS/Pre-K
Volume 1, Issue 7
March 2015
Page 1
Cover
From the Desk of the Director
Employee of the Month
Reminders
Page 2
From the Desk of the Director cont’d
Join Head Start’s Book Club
Upcoming Events
Fun Fact
March: National Nutrition Month
REMINDERS
Motor Development
 Six-month-olds whose fathers are in
volved in their care score higher on tests
of motor development (Gestwicki, 2010).
Fathers tend to play more one-on-one,
rough and tumble games with their children, which encourages large motor
development, lets children explore what
their bodies can do, and helps them learn
to regulate their emotions when engaging
in impulsive physical contact (Rosenberg
& Wilcox, 2006)
Continues on Page 2
Student Holiday
HS/Pre-K ONLY
MARCH 27TH
Spring Breaks
HS/Pre-K
MARCH 30TH– APRIL 3RD
EHS
APRIL 1ST-3RD
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (MARCH)
Mrs. Bonita Barnes is a 3rd year Pre-K Teacher, who brings to her workforce many years of experience as a Teacher Assistant, totaling eight years with Hancock County Head Start/Pre-K Program and
six years within the Hancock County School District. Mrs. Barnes has served in other capacities such
as a Resource Coordinator for Pre-K, and a Clerical Assistant. Mrs. Barnes is a native of Sparta,
Georgia, a high school graduate of Georgia Military College, and a graduate of Kendall College,
whereas she attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Barnes is
currently pursuing her Master Degree in Psychology. Mrs. Barnes accredited her success to hard
work and dedication. She is married to Mr. Ricky Barnes, Sr., and they have two children, Destinee
and Ricky Jr. Please join us as we congratulate Mrs. Bonita Barnes on her achievement as Employee
of the Month.
From the Desk of the Director cont’d PARENTS, JOIN HEAD START’S BOOK CLUB!
Fathering is more than a biological necessity.
Our children’s growth and development is enhanced through active, involved fathering. A
committed and nurturing mother and a positive,
actively involved father together form the backbone of a healthy family and the basis of a
strong community.
See your Family Service Advocate to Sign-Up TODAY!
First Book: 50 Shades of Grey
First Meeting/Trip: Wednesday, March 18th
BOOKS WILL BE PROVIDED!
— Dr. Angela Primus
NOW ENROLLING
“Planting A Seed”
March 18, 19, 20, 2015
CHILDREN
6 WEEKS TO 4 YEARS OLD
Story Time
Hancock County
Public Library
March 18, 2015
10:30 A.M.
Head Start/Pre-K
Early Head Start
AND PREGNANT MOMS
Kite Day
March 24, 2015
Parents are welcome!
CALL (706)444-6920
EXT. 275
EXT. 239
1. Butterflies taste
with their feet.
2. Elephants are
the only mammals
that can't jump.
EHS/HS/Pre-K
Ongoing Registration
March 16-20, 2015
In House
Field Trip Day
March 25, 2015
Kindergarten Transition
March 23, 2015
Parent Activity
Committee Meeting &
Monthly Parent Meeting
March: National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month; this is a nutrition education and
information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic
Association (ADA). The campaign is designed to focus attention on the
importance of making informed food choices and developing sound
eating and physical activity habits. NNM also promotes ADA and its
members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible
source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information.
Read more: http://dsccmwr.com/wellness-corner-march/
TBA
Muffins for Moms
April 16, 2015
Page 2
Early Head Start/Head Start/Pre-K