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Family Engagement Month 2024
November is Family Engagement Month which is a special time to recognize the vital role that parents and families play in their child’s education. After all, families are their child’s first teacher. This month is an opportunity for families to partner with the Early Learning Coalition and early learning programs to support their children’s learning and development.
What is Family Engagement?
Families are engaged when they partner with early learning programs to promote their children’s development, learning, and wellness. Positive relationships between families and staff in early learning programs are the foundation for family engagement.
Partnering with Families for Children’s Success
Family engagement supports school readiness for early grade success and prepares children for life. Family engagement is a shared responsibility of the Division of Early Learning, early learning coalitions, community partners, and childcare providers to engage families in meaningful ways to actively support their children’s learning, development, and wellness.
Family Engagement Checklist for Families
This checklist is a tool for your family to use to consider the level of partnership with your child’s early learning program. Ask yourself the following questions and check a box for your answer. For any items answered “no”, write a note on how you can begin doing that item.
Consider sharing your responses with your child’s teacher and discuss ways you can be even more engaged in your child’s learning.
Family Engagement Calendar
Download the Family Engagement Calendar below for ways you can increase engagement with your children daily:
Family Engagement Pledge
Take the following pledge and let your child know you are committed to their success.
As a parent, guardian, or caring adult, I pledge to support my child’s education and healthy development to the best of my ability because I am my child’s first teacher. I have high expectations for my child and want them to succeed in school and in life. I pledge to stay involved, serve as a positive role model, and maintain open communication with my child’s teachers to ensure education remains a top priority in my household. I understand that it is my responsibility to stay informed and involved in all parts of my child’s education and health. Education is the key to success, and I will do everything I can to promote my child’s ability to learn.
At the Early Learning Coalition, we also have a Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) program that can connect you with resources to help support your role as your child’s first teacher. You may contact them at 850-747-5400 ext. 108.
Families in Northwest Florida struggling to afford childcare
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Childcare is really expensive, and it is getting more expensive every year, and finding enough money in your pocketbook for childcare can be challenging. Some parents are choosing to leave work and stay home.
“From a business standpoint, it’s expensive to run a childcare center just like any other business,” said Tami Valdez, Community development and special programs director at Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida. “You’ve got rising minimum wages, you’ve got increasing insurance fees. So it’s just it’s inflation is hitting all businesses right now.”
However, there is a school readiness program that uses state and federal money.
“This funding provides childcare for families who qualify,” said Valdez.
School readiness funding allows families access to affordable childcare, easing financial burdens and making high-quality learning programs accessible.
“There is a need, and I think now the support families need it even more because living is very expensive right now,” said Valdez. “I feel like a lot of families are in the position where do I pay for childcare? Or do I work? So apply for our school readiness program and let us see if we can get you qualified and then we can help you pay for childcare.”
The Early Learning Coalition has seen more people using the funding.
“90% of a child’s brain is developed before they hit kindergarten. Giving the children an early learning opportunity is very important so that they’re when they when they are ready to enter formal schools, they’re ready to learn,” said Valdez. “Everything the cognitive, the social skills, everything that they will get within a childcare center is very important to get them going on that learning path.”
Helping families make the decision to work easier.
“They’re able to pay rent, pay mortgage, put food on the table,” said Valdez. “It’s just giving them some financial support on the children’s side. “We’re giving them a formal early education. so that’s very important.
The readiness learning program serves seven counties, Bay, Washington, Holmes, Jackson, Calhoun Gulf, and Franklin.
To apply and see if you are eligible for this funding, you can head here.
The Importance of Imaginative Play in Early Childhood
Picture this…
A toddler is standing in the kitchen, hard at work, emptying the cabinets. They are pulling pots, pans, spatulas, and wooden spoons from their respective places. All the while, they are smiling up at you with a strainer on their head ready to bang away at the bottom of the overturned cookware!
Or
Opening a cabinet in your newly stocked classroom to find a toddler-sized police officer uniform, a little doctor’s white coat, a miniature chef’s hat, or maybe even a tiny shopping cart filled to the brim with cardboard and plastic grocery goodies!
Can you imagine? Well, these scenarios are ideal for fostering imaginative play. Imaginative play – also called symbolic play – happens to have several benefits at each stage of early childhood. From what seems like random banging of rattles during the infant stage of development, through the parallel play in the classroom kitchen stage of preschool, early childhood is the perfect time for caregivers to facilitate the benefits that symbolic play offers. The truth is that children learn to solve problems, coordinate, cooperate, and think flexibly during imaginative play.
As childcare providers, you can help to grow these emergent skills by prioritizing pretend and imaginative play opportunities in your classrooms.
Here are a few activities that can help you get started:
- Storytime– Allowing children to participate in storytelling can help build their imaginations, too. Have students start, or finish, the stories you tell in class. Asking questions such as “What do you think will happen next?” can also boost engagement.
- Dolls & Puppets– Make sure you encourage your students – both girls and boys – to explore their imaginations using dolls, action figures, and puppets. These can be stuffed, or even made from paper.
- Themed Dramatic Play Boxes– Create a variety of themed dramatic play boxes (or bins or baskets) that feature materials that can let children be creative. The Childcare Lounge has some great idea on themed boxes here.
In the meantime, take some time to read the Healthline article about the importance of Symbolic Play in early childhood.
Arts and crafts at ArtKidDoo
ArtKidDoo came back to Shivers Park in Chipley this past Saturday giving the youth of our community an opportunity to express themselves in a child-friendly environment.
This free, community-wide festival featured a range of hands-on arts and crafts activities, games, and entertainment by local artists. It was an opportunity for children of all ages to engage in creative activities while parents explored resources offered by community partners. More than 25 local non-profit agencies, civic groups, and businesses have volunteered to host booths and help provide an enriching experience for everyone.
Children attending ArtKidDoo had the chance to express their creativity in a variety of ways, including painting a police car, coloring, and meeting animals at the petting zoo. Activities such as inflatable axe throwing, games, and a photo booth also added to the fun, along with various arts and crafts stations where children created “make and take” crafts.
According to the Early Learning Coalition art is not just fun—it is essential to child development. Research shows that art activities support early brain development, helping children build cognitive, social-emotional, and multisensory skills. Engaging in art fosters creativity, boosts self-esteem, and aids in mastery of skills that are important for lifelong learning and success.
Discover Essential Community Resources in Northwest Florida through ELCNWF
We are excited to announce that the Coalition has updated our County Community Resources Directories, making it easier than ever for residents of Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties to access vital services and support.
What’s New?
The updated directories include a comprehensive range of resources tailored to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Whether someone is seeking assistance with food, employment, housing, family wellness, healthcare, or education, the directories have something for everyone.
Why It Matters
Accessing the right resources can make a world of difference for individuals and families facing challenges. The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida is dedicated to empowering our communities by providing these essential resources in easy-to-navigate directories.
How to Use the Directory
The Community Resources are available on our website and are user-friendly. Simply select your county at the bottom of the page to find a tailored list of resources available in your area. You can also share your county’s directory with friends and family who might benefit
We encourage the community to explore these resources and share their experiences. If you know of additional resources that could be added to the directories, please reach out to our Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) team at [email protected]. Together, we can ensure that every family in our region has access to the support that they need.
5 Hurricane Preparation Tips for Families
As Hurricane Michael taught us, it is crucial for families to have an emergency plan in place to ensure the safety and well-being of every family member, including children. Being prepared for emergencies is not just about having supplies on hand – it is about having a plan and the knowledge to execute it when the need arises. By taking steps now to prepare your family for emergencies, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones.
Below are five tips caregivers can use while preparing for a storm. Let’s take action today to safeguard our families and communities for whatever the future may hold.
1. Educating Children
Start by educating children about hurricanes and the importance of being prepared. Use age-appropriate language and activities to teach them about the potential risks and what to do in case of an emergency. Encourage questions and open discussions to alleviate fears and empower children to take an active role in their safety.
2. Creating a Family Emergency Plan
Involve children in the creation of a family emergency plan. Discuss evacuation routes, designated meeting points, and communication strategies. Assign age-appropriate tasks to children, such as packing their own emergency kits or memorizing important phone numbers. By involving children in the planning process, they will feel more prepared and empowered to act in an emergency.
3. Assembling Emergency Kits
Gather supplies for emergency kits together as a family. Include essential items such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and comfort items such as stuffed animals or favorite toys for children.
4. Addressing Children’s Concerns
Be attentive to children’s concerns and emotions regarding hurricanes and emergency preparedness. Reassure them that their safety is a top priority and encourage open communication about any fears or anxieties they may have. Provide age-appropriate explanations and comfort, and remind children that they are not alone in facing challenges during a storm.
5. Incorporating Learning Opportunities
Use hurricane preparedness as an opportunity for children to learn valuable life skills. Teach them about teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience as you navigate the planning process together. Encourage creativity by allowing children to create their own emergency plans or design emergency kits, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Notice of Public Meeting: ELCNWF Board of Directors, September 11, 2024
The Board of Directors of ELCNWF will meet on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Conference Call
Link to Join Meeting: JOIN MEETING NOW
Meeting ID: 281 596 132 75
Passcode: 2QXxwC
Purpose: TO REVIEW AND MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING COALITION BUSINESS
For meeting information, please contact Suzan Gage (850) 693-0808
Bay County Chamber of Commerce launches Childcare Task Force Survey
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – In an effort to assess the current childcare needs in our community, The Bay County Chamber of Commerce launched a new Childcare Task Force Business Survey.
Open now till July 15, the survey questions will address the concerns of both employees struggling with childcare options and local businesses finding absenteeism issues and low productivity levels.
In coordination with the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Chamber Officials said the data from the survey will lead to identifying potential solutions and strategies to improve access to affordable, high-quality childcare for working families.
Chamber President and CEO, Patrick Chapin, said, “We’ve heard stories after stories after stories about single parents not being able to find quality care which is limiting their work viability. The Florida Chamber actually did a survey and its 5.4 billion dollars of lost economic impact to the state of Florida. So, we really want to drill down to Bay County and find out what is happening here specifically and then start working on solutions.”
The Early Learning Coalition also encourages anyone that is interested in getting assistance in childcare or developmental screenings to go to Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida.
Tami Valdez, Early Learning Coalition Community Development and Special Projects Director, said, “Ninety percent of the brain is development between birth to five, so our future is our children right now. If they are not getting a strong early learning foundation, they are not going to be the best employees once they get there. Our workforce in the future is our children today.”
The online survey link can be found here or on the Bay County Chamber’s Facebook page.
Early Learning Coalition of NWFL offers developmental screenings for children
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Friday morning Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida held a Books, Balls & Blocks event at The Drip Coffee Co in Panama City.
This comes as the nonprofit continues its mission to set children and families up for success through learning.
Books, Balls, & Blocks was for children two months to eight years old and offered parents the opportunity to get free developmental and behavioral screenings for their children.
Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida Special Projects Manager Alyssa Gray said assessing needs and improving development as early as possible is very important.
“90 percent of your brain is actually developed by age five,” Gray said. “So those early interventions to make sure you have the foundation for learning later in life directly correlate with the outcomes later in life as an adult.”
The screening assessed five different areas of development including communication, problem-solving, fine motor, gross motor and personal social.
Questions asked include whether a young child can sit up on their own or whether toddlers can use a pair of scissors.
Results were provided to parents during the event as well as resources.
Children also got to indulge in several play stations aimed at improving development.
Megan Sweeten brought her four children to the event and said she has been to plenty Early Learning Coalition of NWFL events and finds them to be useful.
“You learn their [children’s] strengths and their weaknesses and where you can help them out,” Sweeten said. “Even help educate your friends and other people around you.
The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida team said their goal is not to diagnose a child but to help support development.
The next Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida event is set to take place on July 13 at Goshen Evangelist Ministries located at 2904 E Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.
For the latest information on the nonprofit’s events or resources visit their website.
Early Learning Coalition of NW Florida offering free development screenings
