February 2022

Monthly newsletter

"We had the best time learning from The Down To Earth Dad at our Family Storytelling Night.” 

On February 10^th, several American Falls’ families came together to enjoy time with guest speaker Patrick Mitchell – also known as “The Down to Earth Dad.” Patrick led families through a shared storytelling experience that promotes opportunities to strengthen family history and personal heritage through telling stories. Working together, families created story boards that depicted a special memory. After the event, Tennille Call, Program Manager for United Way of Southeastern Idaho, indicated, “Our families had an AWESOME time connecting with each other. One family already has a plan to make a family story board once a month and create a book that will be a collection of their family stories.”

American Falls is one of Idaho AEYC's Early Learning Collaboratives making an impact for their children and families in their local community.

Partnerships putting locals in the driver’s seat to create solutions that work for them.

Idaho AEYC has been working with communities across Idaho to build a connective system of high-quality, early learning opportunities for Idaho’s youngest learners. Using a local collaborative model, leaders and stakeholders are coming together to improve access and affordability to quality care and early education to ensure our children are school ready.

Early Learning Collaboratives have been established in 7 regions across the state. The 15 existing communities include Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, Kendrick/Juliaetta, Valley County, Freemont County, Pocatello, American Falls, Murtaugh, Magic Valley, Marsing, Kuna, Garden City, Idaho City, and Notus/Parma. The 4 newest communities include: Emmett, Homedale, Idaho Falls, and Richfield.

Idaho AEYC will be hosting its Early Learning Day at the Idaho State Capitol in the 4th Floor Capitol Rotunda on February 23, 2022, from 10am-2pm.

Legislators will be encouraged to stop by to learn about the impact of high-quality early learning happening throughout the state and in their communities! The public is welcome to attend.

Idaho AEYC and it's Early Learning Collaboratives from across Idaho will share with lawmakers information about their programs and the importance of how developing math, literacy and social skills for young children can lay the foundation for success in elementary school and beyond. 

Idaho's Children and their Families deserve real leadership from our legislators.

On February 6, Beth Oppenheimer wrote a guest opinion story to dispel misinformation about the organization and early childhood education in Idaho. The article implores lawmakers to visit their local community's efforts, meetings and programs to see for themselves. "What they won't find is children five and younger learning complex theory and philosophy concepts like critical race theory or social justice," writes Oppenheimer. Read the full article.

"We are facing a child care system on the very brink of collapse. Children, families and care providers across the stare are in deep crisis."

"From parents of young children to early childhood educators — there is power in numbers and the truth is, more people in Idaho have taken time to learn about what we do than certain state leaders who were elected to represent them. As more reach out and seek to understand what it is we actually do, we can drown out the misinformation and help more of Idaho’s children prepare for the future.

Other Media Sources on the Topic:

Treasure Valley parents struggling to secure child care amid daycare staffing shortages. Karen Lehr. January 17, 2022. KIVI Channel 6.

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