Spring Starts Here

Greetings!

Spring is a season of growth and fresh beginnings. Ahead you'll find:

🌷The 2026–2027 Preschool Promise application is OPEN

📚 Start reading with your baby

Discover simple, joyful ways to build early literacy from the very beginning

💛 Happy Parenting, Happy Kids

Check out our latest parenting post from Dr. Aoife Magee

☕ Parent Cafés & Local Resources

Connect with other families, share experiences, and explore helpful tools designed to support you every step of the way.

🌍 New Section: Cultural Spotlight

This month we’re celebrating:

• Scottish & Arab American Heritage
• Autism Acceptance Month
• Earth Day

We’re so glad you are here.

Apply Now: 2026-2027 Preschool Promise

The Preschool Promise application for the 2026-27 school year is now open.

🏫Be on the lookout for our Get Ready for Kindergarten special edition newsletter later this month!

Let's Read!

When you think about reading, what comes to mind?

Learn how talking about pictures, pointing to things, and asking questions helps babies connect words to the world around them. Let your baby play with books in their own way, and make reading together part of your everyday routine.

Find more Early Literacy Videos here.

Did you know? Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends FREE books each month directly to your home until your child’s 5th birthday. Register today!

Parenting Blog

Happy Parents, Happy Kids!

"They say that happiness is an inside job. Not only does self-love contribute to personal well-being, but it also makes us better equipped to be in healthy and happy relationships with others."

Local parenting experts write parenting articles for our Hub's website. Check out more posts here.

Local Resources

Direction Service Releases New Client Resource Guide

The 2026 Direction Service Client Resource Guide is now available for families, providers, and community partners.

Published annually, this comprehensive guide is designed to support families of youth with disabilities or behavioral health needs by connecting them with local resources, such as recreational activities, camps, educational programs, employment services, and community-based supports.

To access community supports and resources, download the Direction Service Client Resource Guide here.

Save the date!

Dia de los Niños Celebration + Community Resource Fair

Saturday, May 2, 1-3:30pm

North Eugene High School, 250 Silver Ln, Eugene

Join 4j families for a celebration of Día de los Niños. Raffle, community partners, fun and so much more!

Pilas en Persona

Eugene: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm, March 31-June 4

Springfield: Mondays and Wednesdays 6-8pm, March 30-June 3

Join us for the spring session of Pilas!

Pilas is a family literacy program for Latino families with children aged 0-13, designed to involve the entire family in their children’s education. English classes for the parents and/or adult caregivers, academic support for the kids, and activities to encourage the entire family to work and learn together.

For more information or to register, please call Lydia at (541) 650-1957

Cultural Spotlight

Eugene Scottish Festival

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Scotland with live music, the stirring sounds of bagpipes, and a stunning display of kilts and traditional dress.

Perfect for families, the festival features horse-drawn wagon rides and a variety of engaging activities designed for children. Witness thrilling demonstrations of Highland Games throwing events and be amazed by the incredible herding skills of a sheepdog.



Explore Arab American heritage with this selection of books for children that highlight Arab American experiences and perspectives as well as history, culture, and stories.

Check out the beautiful art in one of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library March picks, Rose Weaves a Garden by Rashin Kheiriyeh. This heartfelt picture book about the love shared between generations–and the traditions that bind them–shows how a grandfather teaches his grandchild to weave a beautiful rug.

Living with Autism

"April is Autism Acceptance Month; let’s learn more about autism and how we can best support those we care about who are autistic. As autism presents in various ways, know that not all of this information may apply to everyone, but it can be a starting place for you to fine-tune your understanding". Read more of Megan McQueen's Living with Autism article here.

Find more parenting blog posts at the Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative.

Earth Day Fun from our friends at the ARC:

Families Connected is celebrating with an Earth Day-themed Family Fun Day at the Arc Park. Children and families will plant mini gardens using recyclable egg cartons—a simple, hands-on way to learn about sustainability and the joy of watching something grow.

To keep the celebration going at home,

explore our featured articles: 50 Fascinating Earth Day Facts for Kids to spark curiosity, and Earth Day Activities for Kids for fun, creative ideas all month long.

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at education@unitedwaylane.org.

Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. (Some translation provided by DeepL.) Deep appreciation to the team at ODHS for keeping our community connected. Newsletter edited by Lisa Milton.

The Early Childhood Hub of Lane County is your local parenting education hub.

Our mission is to ensure all parents in Lane County have the knowledge, tools, and support to nurture their child’s optimal development for success in school and life.