Don’t let snow and cold keep your children from outdoor play this winter. When dressed appropriately, the benefits children receive from playing outdoors far outweigh the fears of frost bite! Active outdoor play combats childhood obesity, promotes gross motor development and helps reduce stress—for parents and for children! It is common to hear adults say that “my child will not like being in the cold weather,” or “the cold is too dangerous to play in,” or “there’s nothing to play with.” It is up to adults to focus on the importance of children’s play, regardless of the season. After all, play should not be restricted to warm weather. Let’s approach the winter season with a playful attitude.
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Local children get higher quality care when their teachers are better supported in their own professional growth.
What does child care have to do with employers? A lot more than many realize.
It is not too early to start thinking about kindergarten! The transition to kindergarten is a milestone that families anticipate—sometimes with excitement and sometimes with apprehension. It’s a transition that means adjusting to new schedules, riding on school buses, experiencing academic expectations and working with teachers, adjusting to classroom environments and making new friends. Here’s a few things to help make the transition as successful as possible. 
4C for Children is happy to welcome Emily Fay as the agency’s new Vice President for Agency Advancement. In her new role, Fay will lead the agency’s fundraising and development efforts and will oversee its communication functions.
Annetta Rutland is 4C for Children’s walking historian. Not because she is an avid reader of history but because she has lived and contributed to that history over the past 40 years as an employee—a rare accomplishment in today’s world where the average employee changes jobs every five years. 
Every child should have access to books.
Did you know that the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) are all around us? You don’t need to have an in-depth knowledge of these subjects to introduce them to children. Families can naturally embed these concepts in everyday life. A foundation for STEAM is laid by helping children increase their awareness of the world and by encouraging them to think creatively.