Celebrating Family Engagement Month with ELCNWF
November is Family Engagement Month, a time to celebrate the vital role families play in the growth and development of young children. At the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF), we believe that strong family partnerships are the foundation of successful early learning experiences.
Why Family Engagement Matters
Family engagement means more than attending events or volunteering—it’s about building meaningful relationships between families and educators that support children’s learning and development. Research shows that when families are actively involved, children are more confident, perform better in school, and develop stronger social-emotional skills.
Daily Activities for Early Childhood Families
To help families connect and engage throughout the month, ELCNWF will be posting simple, fun, and developmentally appropriate activities for infants through preschoolers. From nature walks and storytime to gratitude jars and kitchen science, each day offers a new opportunity to bond, learn, and grow together. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ELCNWF!
Join the Celebration
Throughout November, we encourage families, educators, and community partners to share their stories, photos, and favorite activities using the hashtag #ELCNWFEngagesFamilies. Let’s celebrate the joy of learning together and the power of family in early childhood education.
Spooky Sensory Play & At-Home Halloween Fun!
Fall is in full swing, and Halloween is just around the corner! We’re celebrating with some spooky (but not too scary!) sensory play ideas and fun at-home activities the whole family can enjoy.
Sensory play helps children explore and learn through touch, sight, smell, sound, and movement. It encourages creativity, builds language, and supports emotional development—all while having fun!
Spooky Sensory Play Ideas
1. Witch’s Brew Potion Mixing
Turn your kitchen into a potion lab! Fill a bowl or plastic cauldron with water, baking soda, vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. Add glitter, toy spiders, or “eye of newt” (marbles or plastic eyeballs) and watch the bubbles fizz!
Learning focus: Cause and effect, imagination, and fine motor skills.
2. Pumpkin Guts Exploration
Carve a pumpkin together and let your child scoop and explore the sticky, squishy insides. Count seeds, talk about textures, and save them for art or snack projects.
Learning focus: Sensory exploration, counting, and descriptive language.
3. Haunted Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with black beans, plastic bats, small pumpkins, and glow sticks. Hide small toys inside for your child to dig and discover!
Learning focus: Sensory discovery, sorting, and imaginative play.
4. Monster Slime or “Ooze”
Mix cornstarch and water (2:1 ratio) with green or purple food coloring for spooky slime. Add googly eyes for silly monster fun!
Learning focus: Science exploration, sensory regulation, and creativity.
Halloween Fun at Home
- Shadow Play: Use a flashlight and paper cutouts (bats, ghosts, pumpkins) for a shadow show on the wall.
- Family Costume Parade: Dress up, play music, and let your child describe how their costume feels—“soft,” “shiny,” “sparkly.”
- Spooky Story Time: Dim the lights, grab a flashlight, and tell silly (not scary!) Halloween stories together.
- Trick-or-Treat Practice: Set up doors around your home so children can practice saying “Trick or Treat!” before the big night.
Sensory-Friendly Celebration Tips
- Bring familiar items or noise-cancelling headphones if events are loud or busy.
- Choose costumes that are soft, breathable, and easy to move in.
- Let children participate in their own way—decorating pumpkins, handing out candy, or enjoying a cozy movie night are great alternatives!
From all of us at the Early Learning Coalition of the Northwest Florida,
we wish your family a safe, happy, and delightfully spooky Halloween filled with laughter, creativity, and connection!
Play. Learn. Grow. Together.
A Heart for Helping: Angela Glass Reflects on Two Decades with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
For more than twenty years, Angela Glass has been a familiar and friendly face at the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) — a place she proudly calls her second home.
Angela’s journey in early childhood education began in April 2004, when she started working in Early Education and Care. Just a year later, in 2005, she interviewed with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and has been part of the organization ever since. Today, she serves as a Family Support Specialist, helping families determine their eligibility for child care assistance.
“It’s what we’re here to do,” Angela explained. “We take the burden of child care off of families so they can feel safe, their kids can feel safe, and they know their children are in a secure place.”
Angela’s connection to early education runs deep. In fact, she first enrolled her own children in child care back in 2002, long before joining the Coalition. That personal experience inspired her to dedicate her career to helping other parents access the same kind of support that made such a difference in her own life.
Building a Family at Work
Over the years, Angela has formed lifelong friendships with her coworkers — including Ngoc Hardy, Jennifer Kent, and Donna Wood, who have been with her since the very beginning. Her first supervisor was Sam Sweezy, whom she remembers fondly.
“It’s nice working with people for that long because you really become a family,” said Angela. “We’ve been there through thick and thin, and that bond is one of the reasons I like it here so much.”
That sense of family extends beyond the walls of the office. For Angela, it’s a feeling that defines the heart of the Coalition — one built on compassion, teamwork, and genuine care for one another.
The Power of Encouragement
When asked what drew her to the field of early childhood education, Angela didn’t hesitate: “Helping people.”
She recalled one encounter early in her career that still stands out. A customer she was assisting had recently earned her CNA certification but wasn’t sure whether to continue her studies to become a registered nurse. Angela asked her a simple but powerful question: “Do you love what you do?”
When the woman said yes, Angela encouraged her, replying, “Then why not further it and make money doing what you love?”
Moments later, Angela returned with the woman’s paperwork to find her in tears — happy tears. Angela had helped her make up her mind about her future. “I explained that she was doing the right thing,” Angela said. “That’s what my job is — to help them along the way.”
A Culture of Care and Support
Throughout her years at the Coalition, Angela has faced personal challenges — and through them all, her workplace family has been by her side.
“I had all the support in the world when I found out my youngest daughter had autism,” she shared. “The Coalition helped me get information and anything else I needed.”
Her colleagues continued to show care and understanding through other difficult times as well. “When my dad got cancer, I stayed at the hospital for almost two weeks, and the job was so accommodating,” she said. “Then my husband had a brain bleed and a stroke, and I was told to stay and take care of him. They were always checking on me. That makes you feel good about your employer — that you’re at the right place and doing the right things. You feel valued here.”
More Than a Job — A Calling
Angela’s story is more than a timeline of years and titles. It’s a reflection of her unwavering compassion, her deep sense of purpose, and the genuine relationships that make the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida such a special place to work.
Through every challenge and every success, Angela has remained committed to one simple mission: helping families thrive. “That’s what we’re here for,” she said. “To make life just a little easier for the families we serve — and to know that what we do makes a difference.”
Thank you for 20 years of service to ELCNWF!
Don’t Turn Over Their Duck
How One Moment Shaped a Lifetime of Compassionate Teaching
As a young military child attending school in the Philippines, Jeanne Hitchcock had an experience that would shape her entire philosophy on early childhood education. Faced with a duck coloring sheet and unsure of the teacher’s instructions due to a language barrier, Jeanne quietly asked a classmate for help. The teacher, misunderstanding the situation, snapped, “No talking!” and turned over Jeanne’s duck coloring sheet, denying her the chance to participate.
Jeanne was devastated.
Decades later, that moment still guides her approach. Now the owner and director of Along the Way and Along the Way Learning Childcare Centers in Jackson County, Florida, Jeanne often reminds her teachers:
“Don’t turn over their duck.”
It’s a call to be patient, empathetic, and responsive—to see each child as an individual, especially when they’re struggling to find their place.
A Legacy of Learning Through Play
With 38 years of experience in early childhood education, Jeanne has operated four centers over her career, including two current ones in Jackson County, one in Cottondale, and one in Marianna. Both of her current centers have scored above expectations with the Division of Early Learning (DEL), a reflection of her and her teachers’ commitment to excellence.
At Along the Way, Jeanne’s philosophy centers on play-based learning. Children are encouraged to explore, imagine, and grow in an environment that fosters kindergarten readiness skills such as:
- Self-independence
- Respect for others
- Knowing their full names
- Sharing and cooperation
- Positive peer interaction
- And most importantly, “finding their place”
Her grandson is currently enrolled at the center, continuing a tradition that now spans four generations of families served.
Parent Perspectives
For over three decades, Along the Way Childcare Center has been more than just a place for children—it’s been a foundation for lifelong learning and a second home for families.
“Along the Way wasn’t just a place for my girls,” shared Tina Bigale, whose daughters Carlee and Megan attended from 1994 to 1998. “It was a place that set the foundation for a lifetime of learning.”
That legacy continues today. ELCNWF CCR&R Specialist Daryan Tennant reflects on her own family’s experience:
“My daughter had never been in formal childcare before VPK, and I am forever grateful I chose Along the Way. The play-based curriculum has been wonderful—she’s learning so fast and has grown into a confident little girl in just under six weeks! Mrs. Cara and Mrs. Sandra welcomed her with open arms, and Mrs. Jeanne has created something truly magical here. This center is part of early learning history, and my family is proud to be part of it.”
From past to present, Along the Way continues to shape young lives with care, connection, and a deep commitment to early learning.
Years of Experience
One of the many heartwarming stories from Along the Way is that of Cara Kostovic, a VPK teacher who was part of the very first VPK class 20 years ago. Today, she teaches the next generation of learners, embodying the values Jeanne has instilled in her centers from the beginning.
Early Learning Educators Linda Street and Sandra Shack add to the roster with decades of experience and impact on their communities. Rachel Slack manages Along the Way Learning and has over 15 years experience. The love this staff has for the children they guide and nurture is evident.
Leadership Beyond the Classroom
Jeanne’s impact extends beyond her centers. She serves as a board member for the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF), where she advocates for policies and practices that support children, families, and educators across the region.
Her work is more than a profession—it’s a mission. And for the families of Jackson County, Jeanne Hitchcock is more than a director—she’s a guiding light.
Updated KPL Info!
