Make Your Own Pinwheels for Prevention!

Did you know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month? Lane County is excited to do its part to help prevent child abuse and you can too!

How Lane County is making a difference:

Lane County is taking part in Pinwheels for Prevention, a nationwide public awareness campaign created by Prevent Child Abuse America. Pinwheels for Prevention uses the pinwheel as a symbol of change. We can change the way we connect with children and families, and change the way we discuss child abuse – by shifting the focus from the problem to the solution. All across the county, businesses and individuals will be proudly displaying pinwheels as a symbol of their commitment to this cause.

How you can make a difference:

• Talk to your neighbors – Be willing to look out for one another’s children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your community

• Be a friend to the parents that you know – Offer to babysit, run errands or lend a friendly ear.

• Mentor a new parent in your neighborhood – Check in often with a new parent and assist them with tasks like changing diapers or preparing meals.

• Be active in your community- Develop playgroups for new families at community centers, libraries, or schools.

• Learn about solutions and volunteer your time- Learn about Safe Families for Children at www.safe-families.org, spend time mentoring a child, or volunteer your time to local child and family serving organizations like Parenting Now!, CASA, Relief Nursery, and Food for Lane County.

• Make your own pinwheel and get the discussion started!

What you will need:

• A push pin
• A square piece of construction paper
• A sharpened pencil with an eraser
• Scissors

Directions:
1. Lay the square paper flat on a table and draw a line diagonally from each corner to the opposite corner.
2. Mark the center of the square where the two lines cross and punch a small hole through it with the pencil tip.
3. Next, cut along each line stopping about an inch from the hole in the center of the square.
4. Take the pin and punch a hole in the top left corner of each of the four flaps. (no two holes should be next to each other.)
5. Pick up a flap at a pinched corner and carefully curve it over toward the enter hole, securing it with the pin.
6. Repeat this for the other flaps.
7. When all four flaps are held by the pin, carefully lift the paper without letting the flaps unfurl.
8. Lay the pencil flat on a table and carefully push the point of the push pin into the side of the eraser.
9. Now your pinwheel is complete and ready to go. Pick up the pinwheel near the pencil point and let it catch the wind!