Early Language & Literacy Coalition Update |
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Preparing for the Holidays |
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We would like to express our gratitude to our community leaders and partners for finding new and creative ways to collaborate and serve throughout this year. Since March, we’ve seen agencies work together to find shared solutions to meet the changing needs of our community. This is the time of the year that many families and friends look forward to socializing and being together. Due to existing health concerns and the rise in Coronavirus cases, many families across the country are being creative with planning holiday gatherings.
We understand this is also a time of the year can bring an onset of increased anxiety, stress, or other forms of mental health. Family Counseling of Columbus, a program of The Family Center, has shared some tips for managing stress in this holiday season. Visit the website for more information on the services they offer and the tips for managing holiday stress or call 211 for additional mental health services.
Take some time to reflect and communicate with your loved ones, whether they live near or far. As the pandemic persists, we recommend you to continue following CDC guidelines while taking care of yourself and each other. Thank you for your partnership and your work in the community. We are United in this Together!
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Explore through Movement and Play
Children are born natural scientists--they sense, perceive, and explore the world around them! When infants and toddlers move and play, they are developing their coordination skills, as well exercising and having fun. But with the COVID-19 pandemic encouraging families to stay indoors, finding time for movement and play can be difficult.
Here are some tips to keep your little ones moving and active:
- Carve out time specifically for play and minimize screen time. Make physical play time a part of your daily routine, even if it's for a few minutes at a time.
- Follow your toddler's lead while they play. Not only does this foster brain development, it can encourage good behavior and increase the bond between you and your child.
- Let your infant crawl and explore supervised and practice "tummy time" to encourage muscle development and coordination.
- Give your child things to hold while you do chores or cook and let them "help" you cook, vacuum, or dust.
- Take a socially-distanced walk while letting your child stop to explore rocks, bugs, street signs, and anything else you may spot along the way.
- On days when you have to stay indoors, create art! Make a finger painting masterpiece, color with crayons, or make portraits with dried pasta and non-toxic glue.
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Deadlines for Runoff Elections
Did you know you can still register to vote in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff elections? Bring a friend or family member to register on Thursday, December 3rd. This event will take place at the Boys & Girls Club south location from 4pm to 6pm.
Questions related to the registration drive can be directed to Lindsey Braxton at [email protected].
Here are some key dates to keep in mind.
-December 3, 2020: Voter Registration Drive at Boys & Girls Club- location TBD. Check our social media for updates.
-December 7, 2020: Last Day to Register to Vote in the January Runoff
-December 14, 2020: Early Voting Begins
-January 5, 2021: General Election Runoff –VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!
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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is responsible for millions of dollars being poured back into the Chattahoochee Valley community by preparing free tax returns for households that earn less than $56,000 annually. For the 2019 Tax year, more than $5.9M was returned to our community in Federal tax refunds. Are you or someone you know interested in helping local families prepare their taxes? Visit goodwillsr.org/volunteer to register or call (706)256-1837 for more information on upcoming training dates. |
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2-1-1 is there to provide help when you need it the most. Are you looking for holiday meals and/or food pantries?
Simply dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 to be linked to community services and resources near you.
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Alabama Family Central is a collaboration of state agencies and partners supporting Alabama's families with resources, services and more to help raise healthy, happy kids. This online platform connects you with hundreds of programs, tools, services and support. No matter if you’re a parent, family member, caregiver, or teacher, Alabama Family Central makes finding education, healthcare, child services and family resources fast and easy.
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West Central Health District is offering free training to the public that can save a life! Get free Narcan and learn how to use it.
For more information, please contact Cheryl Kolb, Public Health Educator, at (706) 392-8090 or by email at [email protected] .
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PPE Resources
As reports of supply delays are increasing, we want to share this resource for PPE purchases.
PPE Exchange is a marketplace of verified suppliers where healthcare organizations can search for items, schedule orders, compare prices and complete transactions. Learn more about PPE Exchange.
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Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) provides leadership for a statewide movement on quality early learning for all children birth to five. On December 1st, GEEARS offer a screening of “Starting at Zero”, followed by a live Q &A. This film provides an inside look at the latest developmental brain science to demonstrate how essential the earliest years of learning are to maximize human potential.
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We Want to Hear From You
Share your joys and challenges with us as you care for yourself, the people around you, and the families you serve. Let us know what resources you find helpful. We’re here to listen, support, and strengthen our community. Email our team today.
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Common Agenda
The Early Language and Literacy Coalition works to create a community where all children thrive. Our collective impact approach supports, promotes, and complements community wide initiatives of Get Georgia Reading, The Basics Chattahoochee Valley, and Columbus 2025. We engage with a cross-sector of community partners to ensure all children become proficient readers by the end of third grade, paving the way to improved outcomes throughout school and life.
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Early Language and Literacy Coalition Background
Early Language and Literacy partners in the Chattahoochee Valley recognize that literacy is much more than an education issue. Our efforts to change long-term outcomes must begin early—long before children enter kindergarten. We are focused on the root causes of why a child might not be reading. Root causes include early brain development and language-rich interactions with infants and toddlers, school attendance, summer learning loss, and the influence of physical and mental health on all aspects of learning and development. Far too many children in our community lack access to quality health care, housing, nutrition, and
supportive learning environments. And far too many children experience the trauma of stress and violence in their homes and neighborhoods, inhibiting their ability to learn and grow. Children cannot learn when they are hungry, sick, or scared.
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