Early Learning Coalition
of St. Lucie County
Your Champions of Early Education
May 2021 Parent News:
Resources for your Family!
National Mental Health Month
During the month of May, it is important to learn ways to support the mental health of young children. Families are the source of support for their children’s healthy development. The relationships between parents or caregivers and their children affect the mental health of children. The Harvard Center for the Developing Child examined research on the relationship of young children’s mental health and the environments of the homes and communities in which they live.

A child’s emotional health is directly tied to the relationships formed with their families and their caregivers. In young children, mental health problems can result from abuse, chronic neglect or other psychologically harmful behavior on the part of family members or caregivers. When relationships are kind and supportive, they help young children overcome the effects of other negative experiences in their lives. Loving, supportive families and caregivers help children overcome the effects of trauma that may happen in their development.

Early signs of mental health problems are seen as behavior problems or children having problems controlling their emotions. Toxic stress in a home creates an unstable environment that may cause mental health problems for children later in life. Neglect or little interaction over time with family members and caregivers can lead to mental health problems in young children.

Providing support for parents to reduce conflict or eliminating stressors in their lives may reduce the likelihood of future mental health problems in their children.


When a child is born, families support their child’s mental health development by responding to their infant’s cries and sounds, interacting frequently with their child throughout the day and providing a safe and stimulating environment. Children who are developing healthy relationships with family members and caregivers are
  • curious and interested in the people around them.
  • interested in learning about the world around them.
  • able to sit and reflect on what they see and hear.
  • able to experience and express love and affection and different emotions.
  • upset when things are upsetting but can calm themselves down in a reasonable amount of time.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, contact your child’s health care provider and describe the behaviors that concern you. Talk to your close friends, relatives or other caregivers to see if they've noticed changes in your child's behavior. Share this information with your child's doctor as well.

SUMMER 2021 VPK PROGRAM
Free Voluntary
Pre-K
As we finish the month of April, we are sad that our Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Awareness campaign is coming to an end...
 
But, we are always and forever encouraging families to take advantage of this FREE program that will help prepare your child for Kindergarten, with academic as well as social-emotional skills.
 
We are currently accepting enrollments for our Summer VPK program!

If your child missed the 2020-2021 School Year VPK program, you can still apply today and have your child participate in a Summer 2021 VPK program or use your existing voucher that wasn't redeemed this school year - please click here for more information.
5 Tips in Preparing for Post-Pandemic Life

My family's world is speeding up again as the world around us reopens. That makes me happy in many ways, but I've also enjoyed the slowed-down rhythm that our lives have taken on since the start of the pandemic. I'm afraid re-entry is going to be tough — and I'm certain I am not the only parent worried about this!
I don’t have the answers, but after thinking over what this last year has taught me, here is my plan as we move forward: 
1. Ask for help
I need to get better at asking for and accepting help. I read a great quote recently that said, “Depression is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign that you have been strong for too long.” If you feel yourself floundering, don’t wait until the water is above your head to call for help. Find families to carpool with. Use grocery store pickup or delivery. Ask friends or family to help when needed — we're all in this together after all!
2. Tell your partner what you need
In my house, I'm the keeper of the calendar, the planner of playtime, and outings. And in talking with friends, I know I'm not alone! It can be mentally exhausting to feel like you're the one making all the plans and decisions. Tell your partner if you feel overwhelmed or anxious about having to make family decisions most of the time. Ask your partner to take on more of this responsibility. If, like my husband, your partner doesn't even know where to begin, start by signing them up for your local Macaroni Kid edition!
3. Set new priorities
Take this opportunity to re-evaluate and reset priorities and boundaries. I used to insist upon activity-free Sundays, but then my son made it onto a travel team. We didn’t find the downtime we were giving up elsewhere. We just kept adding activities without replacing or removing any. Use the lull in activity we've all had as an “elimination diet.” Reintroduce activities slowly, test the waters, and see if there are any that you might be able to eliminate. I find it is easier to avoid adding things back in, than it is to subtract them once they are underway. 
4. Keep using those cool new tools!
Zoom, Facetime, Skype, Google Meet, etc. were new discoveries for me and many of my co-workers and friends. While we may have all suffered a little “Zoom fatigue," don’t let that take away from the utility of these tools. The ability to connect, visually, with multiple people at once was invaluable at a time when we could not gather in person, but it's also a huge time saver for those of us with family and friends all over the country. Keep using them to stay in touch!
5. Give yourself grace
Overwhelmed by the idea of the return of "normalcy," even as your friends and family cheer it on? You're not alone! Psychologists even have a name for it: Re-entry fear. If you're feeling anxious, take it slow, find something that brings you joy and find time to do it every day, make a list of things you're excited about doing again, and don't hesitate to reach out and talk to someone about your fears and anxiety, whether it's a friend, your partner, or — perhaps best yet — a professional.
Remember that we're all in this together as we enter this new phase of the pandemic. You are not alone.

Debra Flanagan is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Chicago Northside.


Developmental Screening Available Online
Parents enrolling their children in the School Readiness (SR) program are offered the opportunity to screen their children for developmental and social-emotional screenings and review the results through our statewide information system, Family Portal. The Family Portal offers the opportunity for parents to complete the developmental and social-emotional screenings of their children.

This will increase the accuracy of the results and improve the chances of addressing concerns and delays early, when it can make the greatest difference in a child’s life. For example, it is estimated that 1 in 7 children is affected by developmental delays, learning disorders, and behavioral and social-emotional problems. Only 20% to 30% of these children are identified as needing help before school begins. By participating in a developmental screening program, parents can check their child’s development and address any potential concerns.

Intervention before kindergarten has huge benefits because it sets children up for future success. Studies have shown that children who receive early treatment for developmental delays are more likely to graduate from high school, maintain jobs, live independently, and avoid teen pregnancy, delinquency, and violent crime. and Referral program. Please contact your early learning coalition for more information.

If concerns are identified by the developmental screenings for children enrolled in the SR program, free inclusion services are offered to the family and the early learning provider through the early learning coalition. These services include technical assistance to early learning providers, and classroom observations to assess the learning environment, targeted support services and referrals to other community services through the Child Care Resource and Referral program. Please contact your early learning coalition for more information.
Too often, due to no fault of their own, children are removed from their homes because they are unsafe. Safe, loving and committed foster parents make the transition easier by providing a safe space in a caring environment.

There are many ways to help children in need in your community.
On May 4, National Foster Care Day, and throughout the entire month, celebrate National Foster Care Month by giving thanks and showing support for foster care parents and the children in foster care.

Spread the word and encourage others to get involved
Don't Miss These Deals on Great Camps For Your Kids This Summer
New camps added May 17!

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Prepare for Hurricane Season Now!
As June 1 approaches, so does the start of hurricane season. Florida residents know that not every storm is the same, but it is best to always be prepared. It is important for you to have a supply kit ready before you are in the path of a hurricane or forced to evacuate because of one. It is typical to see a rush for supplies when a storm approaches, so it is best for your family to prepare now!

The Division of Emergency Management has a list of important items to include: 

1. Two weeks supply of all medications and any medical devices
2. First Aid kit
3. Important documents (i.e. bank, medical, birth certificates, insurance cards) 4. Non-perishable food and water for at least 7 days
5. Flashlights, radio, cash and additional clothing
6. Medication(s) and food for your pet(s)

During the month of May make a plan with your family and be prepared when a disaster threatens your area. Florida’s counties’ emergency management programs have contact information, evacuation routes, social media sites, listings for shelters and websites for the most current and up to date details for families to access.

The ELC of SLC provides a variety of resources for families with young children who are affected by hurricanes. You can find information on how to talk with your child about preparing for emergencies and how to help your child cope with emotional stress or trauma that occurs during or after a disaster.
May Parent Pages from the Office of Early Learning
Overwhelmed by Change? Turn to 3Ts
3Ts Development helps children succeed at early age
Feeling overwhelmed by changes to your routines? Remember: even when things are uncertain, YOU are helping to build the brains of your children and are preparing them for success just by talking and interacting with them. Your day is full of opportunities to use the 3Ts and help your children understand changes going on in the world. Learn more at the3Ts.org. Also available in Spanish at las3Cs.org.  AnyTimeIs3TsTime #3TsFlorida #PNCGrowUpGreat
Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County www.elcslc.org 772-595-6424