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EARLY LEARNING UPDATE Information and news about early learning in Florida
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Child Abuse Prevention Month
Supporting happy childhoods and healthy families
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and in observance of this national campaign, the Office of Early Learning joined child care organizations, providers and advocates in planting a Pinwheels for Prevention garden on Apr. 2, 2018. Participants also wore blue to support awareness of the campaign.
Office of Early Learning staff pictured in front of the office's Pinwheels for Prevention Garden on Apr. 2.
Pinwheels for Prevention is a coordinated effort to bring awareness to child abuse prevention and engage communities in promoting healthy child development and positive parenting practices. The blue and silver pinwheels symbolize the hope and promise of a happy childhood.
To learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month and Pinwheels for Prevention,
click here.
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N-E-W-S Early learning highlights from North, East, West and South Florida
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ArtKidDoo event combines art and fun for children
Event will feature multiple hands-on art activities
Children will have the opportunity to paint, color, dance, mold clay, create jewelry and musical instruments, and more. There also will be exotic animals, performances by local artists and musicians, food and even the opportunity to help paint a police car. The event is free and open to the public.
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Coalition tackles waiting room boredom with "Buckets of Books"
ELC of Sarasota distributes books to businesses to promote early literacy
The ELC of Sarasota is distributing "Buckets of Books" throughout the county to businesses where children have to wait with their parents.
The coalition is providing mechanics, diners, nail salons, laundromats, barber shops and other businesses throughout Sarasota with a "Bucket of Books" so kids can read while they wait. The idea is to strategically place fun reading materials in places where kids are looking for something to do, offering children a respite from boredom and encouraging reading.
There are roughly 60 buckets scattered in businesses countywide, and the coalition hopes to hit 80 by the year's end. The buckets cost the coalition $25 each and come filled with reading materials appropriate for kids of all ages.
"Children would be just waiting there, so this is an opportunity for them to have a book to read while they are there," said Janet Kahn, the coalition's executive director. "Exposure to books and exposure to reading is a lot of what we do."
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Event will link providers to providers to share resources, best practices
Conference will focus on "A Day in the Life" of local professionals
As part of the fourth annual Family First Week, sponsored by the Tallahassee Office of the Mayor, the ELC of the Big Bend Region will host a Provider to Provider conference on Monday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Turnbull Conference Center in Tallahassee, Fla.
The conference will be a look into "A Day in the Life" of the local professionals who handle traumatic family situations each day. Topics will include issues such as
grief and bereavement services, pediatric hospital care, the child welfare system, homelessness,
mental health and more.
Nonprofit organizations, social service workers, child care providers and teachers, child advocates, counselors and more are welcome to attend the event.
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"Ignite Discovery" at a STEAM-themed family event
Event will feature hands-on science activities for early learners
The
ELC of Osceola County is hosting an event titled "Ignite Discovery: STEAM Foundations Family Night Event" on Tuesday, May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Osceola Heritage Park in
Kissimmee, Fla.
Children will be able to enjoy hands-on science activities at this free event. The coalition will be holding a raffle for two Amazon Kindle devices, and will also provide f
ree vision screenings on site in partnership with Nemours Health System. Each family will also be given a free gift to take home.
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Coalition changes name and location
ELC of Okaloosa and Walton Counties has new name, new mission statement and new location
The coalition's new vision statement is "
to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care" and their mission is "to be a community in which every child enters school prepared to succeed."
In addition to these changes, the coalition has moved its office location to 1130 Eglin Pkwy, Shalimar, Fla.
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ELC of Duval will hold open house at their new office
Open house will provide tours, special dedication ceremony to founding CEO
The
ELC of Duval will host an open house on Thursday, Apr. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m at their new Southside Office, located at 6500 Bowden Road, Ste. 290 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Along with tours and refreshments, there will be a special ceremony honoring Susan Main, the first leader of the coalition which officially organized in 2000.
"For 17 years, Susan served Duval County's youngest citizens and thousands of families, providers and community partners who continue to help our children receive the quality child care they both need and deserve," said Denise Marzullo, the coalition's current president and CEO.
For more information, contact Darlene Mahla, communications director for the coalition, at (904) 208-2040, ext. 225, or at dmahla@elcduval.org.
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