Journal 14 - Discuss Chapter 10

It's very important to know the difference between the two terms; Marketing and Advertisement
Marketing is an organized plan to bring together a group or individuals of potential buyers to existing sellers for a mutual transfer of goods and services. Advertisement is a paid public announcement to attract potential and existing customers to its product.
There are five components that make up a marketing strategy. 1) Public relations - the daily positive interactions between administrators, staff and families. 2) Promotion - keeps product in the minds of the customer and helps stimulate demand for services. 3&4) Market analysis and research - reaching the community in order to assess need for your services. 4)Sales - The activities that lead to enrollment of new children.  Marketing takes on the bigger picture of acquainting the public to your business.
Print Advertising - The written word is the most commonly used form of advertisement for the child care industry.This can be done by advertisements placed in newspapers, on bulletin boards, magazines, flyers, bulk mailings, telephone books and calendars. All form of media need to be considered when you market your business.Also, try to come up with an idea that is unique and appeals to your target audience.
One very effective means of advertising is to use a picture of the children in your Center. This method never grows old. 
Advertising On-line - the internet is becoming one of the best ways to advertise. Many Centers and in-home child care now have web-sites that make it very convenient for new families to obtain information about your child care center. So don't just look at only one way to advertise, there are many very useful tools to utilize.

Journal 13 Entry - Special Event

Journal - 12

Journal 11

1) Visual Communication - learn by observation, recall what they have seen, can follow written or drawn instruction, likes to read, uses written notes, benefits by visualizing, watching TV/video/films

2) Auditory Communication - prefers listening and taking notes, listens for patterns, can recall what they have heard, can follow oral directions, repeats words aloud for memorization, uses oral language effectively

3) Kinesthetic Communication - learn through experience and physical activity, benefits from demostration, learn from teaching others what they know

I can reach parents by using all 3 of these communication types. Parents that are visual will benefit from newsletters, bulletin boards, handouts, t-shirts and hats, student mailboxes and scrapbooks. Parents that are auditory will benefit from face to face communication, oral directions, hearing stories outloud, listening to tapes or CDs or by group discussion.  Parents that are kinesthetic will benefit from playing games, reading body language/gestures, discussion while moving or yelling at you while your driving away. (I had to throw that one in).

Chapter 7 - Discussion

Visual Communication Techniques

 We communicate a positive and professional image through the use of logos, name tags, letterhead, t-shirts and hats, student mailboxes, motivational charts, awards and diplomas, bulletin boards, staff biographies, scrapbooks, a family resource library and a suggestion box.

 A logo is usually synbolic or pictorial in nature and may have components of the center name incorporated within it. Name tags convey professionalism and facilitate communication. They are also an important feature to maintain safety and security within the center. Letterheads give important documents a professional appearance. Letterhead is also an extra touch of professionalism that makes a positive impression. T-Shirts and hats are a good way to advertise your center. Parents love receiving these tokens as your appreciation. Student mailboxes are an effective communication system for ensuring families receive handouts and newsletters. They are also a great place to put childrens finished projects. A motivational chart is helps to break down the day into specific time frames. At the completion of each time frame, the child recieves a sticker for each successfully completed portion of the day. Children are often proud of their accomplishments throughout the day and eager to show off the stickers they received to their families. Working together, the family and teacher can support the child in their acquisition of new skills. Awards and diplomas are a great way of having accomplishments recognized. Acceptance and recognition of special quailities and talents can make a profound difference in the self-esteem of a developing child. Bulletin boards are low-tech but effective ways to communicate with each person that enter the door of the center. There are typically three types of bulletin boards - program specific, center wide, and staff specific. The purpose of each bulletin board is to provide an easy way for the audience to access important information. A scrapbook is a great way to share a child's everyday happenings by pictures. Children love to look through and share these pictures with family members and families are able to get a better sense of your program. A family resource library is a great way to pool relevant materials and to share with families all the resourses that you have. This source lets your families know that you are concerned about all aspects of your families well being - not just their academic growth. For informal and anonymous feedback a suggestion box is a great communication tool. Families can choose to sign their comments or to leave comments annonymous. These are all great visual communication techniques.

Journal 10 - Health Alert!

Journal 9 - New Policy