Work experience helps granddaughter with autism
When Yolanda Castillo started working at Rainbows in 2000, she didn’t consider the possibility that her experience with children with special needs would someday help her in her family life. “When my granddaughter, Micah Luna, was diagnosed with autism, my experience working with children similar to her allowed me to help her and my son […]
The Power of Potential
“Oh the Places You’ll Go”, the theme for Pre-Kindergarten Graduation 2022, always makes me think of one word – “potential”. Potential, from the Latin potentia “power,” describes something or someone that has the power to become something. As Program Coordinator for Rainbows’ Early Care and Education Program, I’m blessed to have a position that lets […]
Celebration of Learning
The Dolan boys are all members of the Rainbows’ family. Ethan, 7, Austin, 5, Logan, 3 and Braden, 3 months, have spent time in every classroom at Kids’ Point Early Care and Education Program. This year, Austin will graduate from Pre-K and join his brother Ethan at school. The family got connected with Rainbows nearly […]
Pre-K Teacher Shares Love of Music With Children
When Mackenzie Tilma, Assistant Teacher, is in the classroom, you are likely to hear the happy notes of…A UKELELE? “I always like when the children get excited when I bring my ukulele to play songs for them,” said Mackenzie. “They are always suggesting songs I need to learn to play. We keep multiple toy ukuleles […]
Is my child too sick to go to child care?
Rainbows is thrilled to have the expertise in-house that a Registered Nurse offers, as the children, families, and staff of Rainbows benefit. Kathleen “Kat” Sauber, RN, received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University. Before joining Rainbows, she was an RN at Wesley Medical Center on the Labor and Delivery Unit. In […]
Person-first Language = Dignity and Respect
Person-first Language is a form of speaking and writing that puts the person before their disability or diagnosis. It provides the understanding that they are multifaceted and that their diagnosis or disability is just one aspect of them that contributes to their identity. Person-first language, also referred to as people-first language, is about dignity and […]
How to Build a Snowman
Learning with Candy Canes
Candy canes are a fun and educational way to engage young children in the classroom or at home. Best of all, you can eat them when you’re done! If your child doesn’t like to hold a pencil, hand them a candy cane. Pour some dry hot chocolate mix onto a tray. Ask your child to […]
Modeling respect and empathy
We often spend time making sure that we work with children on being socially appropriate, but we do not always spend time making sure that they are culturally competent. It is important that teachers assess, re-evaluate, and implement cultural competent practices into their personal lives and in the classrooms where they teach. Without introspection and […]
An education-based garden serves as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom in the Kids’ Point backyard
Purple okra. It’s a real vegetable and we’re growing it in the Rainbows’ Garden for Children. While it’s not a preferred taste for the children, they do like its color. Cucumbers are a favorite snack and a healthy crop of basil has added flavor to several lunches created by Chef Ryan, Rainbows’ cook. “We plant, […]
