From https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/toddler-tantrums-101-why-they-happen-and-what-you-can-do/. 

Keep yourself calm and present in the face of the tantrum. When a child is having a hard time, they need you to be their rock. If you are having big reactions, they are likely to have big reactions as well.

Validate your child's feelings and perspective. Say, for instance, “You really wanted another cookie. Cookies are so tasty, and you are upset that you have only one.” 

Honor your child's feelings while holding the limit. Your child’s feelings are not right or wrong. It is how feelings get expressed that can be problematic, such as hitting when angry. Give your child some space while continuing to supervise: “You are so upset your whole mind and body are out of control. I will be here by your side and wait for you to calm.”

Offer connection, physical comfort, or an alternate activity. You can ask if your child wants a hug or offer a soothing activity like sand or water play. You could share a favorite song or book or go for a walk together.

Model and share how to take a break. Take a parent “time-out” if you need it (ensuring your child is in a safe place). Create a safe “Cozy Corner” where children can feel relaxed and go to calm down. 

Offer an acceptable way to "get the mad out." Some toddlers love learning new words to describe their feelings such as furious, irate, and livid. You can also offer an activity like ripping paper, stomping feet, or punching a pillow/ball of clay-activities that you see as acceptable ways to express anger. 

Supplies: 

• Sidewalk chalk
• A baggie and a hammer
• A cup or bowl
• Water
• A paintbrush

Directions:

1.  Put your chalk pieces into the baggie and give them a gentle smash with the hammer until they’re a fine powder.
2.  Pour the colorful dust into your bowl or cup. 
3.  Add a splash of water and stir it up until you get a paint-like consistency. 
4.  Head outside, dip your brush, and let the painting begin on your sidewalk!

Enjoy this fresh taste of summer with this recipe from your local WIC staff!

Avocado Salad

• 2 ripe avocados, cubed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber diced ¼ red onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients into a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lime or lemon juice. Gently toss to coat.

Finish the meal with baked fish and roasted potatoes! Yum!

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children. San Juan County has locations in Friday Harbor, Lopez, and Orcas. We help pregnant people, new and breastfeeding parents, and children under the age of 5 by providing nutrition supports so they can eat well and stay healthy. If you're interested in applying for WIC fill out our WIC Interest Form | Washington State Department of Health or call 360-378-4474.

In a small and remote community, Lopez Children's Center serves a wide spectrum of island families - from summer homers to subsidy families. As the only licensed facility on the island, the program enrolls families (many of them transient, seasonal, and low-income) who often have a hard time affording the cost of preschool. In a county with one of the highest costs of living in the state, this preschool program faces a unique early childhood funding landscape that cannot rely on simply tuition dollars alone.

To make the cost of high-quality childcare accessible to island families, to pay staff a living wage, and retain qualified employees, Lopez Children's Center has had to be creative - and sometimes relentless - in pursuit of funding. In addition to ECEAP and Working Connections Child Care subsidy programs and private pay family tuition, Lopez Children's Center has diversified funding streams through multiple grassroots fundraising endeavors (including an annual holiday craft bazaar, managing a long list of individual donor relationships, and a State gambling license for an annual community raffle) on top of the implementation of an aggressive grant writing strategy to stay afloat. 

Last year, Lopez Children's Center received a preconstruction grant from the Department of Commerce for $169,000 to position itself to be ready to expand the program (with the addition of 30 more child subsidy care slots) as the island's population grows (rendering in the photo above). Other recent grant funding acquisitions include a $50,000 grant through Department of Children, Youth, and Families for supporting children with complex needs IEPs and challenging behaviors. (these students are 3 times as prevalent in our district than the state average), and a $10,000 program grant through Arts WA, as well as regular annual partnership grants from other local nonprofits like the United Way.

The added work associated with managing diverse funding sources is not easy and (often) takes away from our most important work of supporting tiny humans and their families; but it does help our program ensure long term viability and sustainability. We've been here since 1964 - making it work in the (creative, adaptive, and sometimes uniquely arduous) island way.