Spring is Coming

Greetings!

March is here, bringing with it the promise of light and new growth.

Ahead, you’ll find ideas and resources to help you make the most of this season:

🌱 Try Something New

Whether it’s meeting other families at a local storytime, joining an Easter egg hunt from our Spring Family Fun section, or taking a peaceful Nature Walk at Mt. Pisgah, this month offers plenty of opportunities to explore and connect.

🚗 Stay Safe on the Go

Learn more about important car seat safety regulations to help keep little ones protected.

🧡Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Find local support and statewide advocacy opportunities.

⏰ Daylight Saving Reminder

Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead this Sunday, March 8!

Even though spring has only just begun, it’s also time to start planning for the next school year.

• Discover more about Preschool Promise & fill out a 2026-2027 Interest Form.

• Explore 4J School District’s Kindergarten Guide, a helpful resource for families preparing for this exciting milestone.

We’re so glad you are here.

2026-2027 Preschool Promise Interest Form

The Preschool Promise application for the 2026-27 school year will be available on April 1. If you would like to be contacted when the new application comes out, please visit our website and fill out the interest form before Tuesday, March 31. (It is located on the right side of the page.)

Books You May Like

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

Anika Aldamuy Denise (Author) and Paola Escobar (Illustrator)

This vibrant picture book biography is a touching tribute to the legacy of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.

Looking for more books to celebrate Women's History Month? Here's 15 Children's Books from PBS.

Did you know? Many Lane County libraries and organizations host weekly storytimes. You can find one near you on our Activity Calendar.

Parenting Blog

Instilling a Love of Nature 

"We know our children will inherit environmental challenges, but raising them with cynicism and a dark mindset will not help them (or us) work toward meaningful solutions. For them to understand the urgency and the purpose behind the work, they must have a deep love and connection to nature.

We are not separate from nature – we are a part of it. As Robin Wall Kimmerer says, “You can’t have healthy human communities without having healthy land …and the land needs people to love it.” "

Read more from Oregon Parenting Education Collaborative here.

4J Kindergarten Enrollment - A Parent's Guide

Important Car Seat Safety Warning

Does your car seat meet U.S. safety standards? Car seats manufactured for other countries do not meet all required U.S. safety standards and fake car seats are not safe to use. Learn how to spot a fake car seat model here and what steps to take if your car seat is not approved.

Local Resources

The Arc Lane County Expands JumpStart with New, Bilingual Toddler Classroom

Exciting news! The Arc Lane County is expanding its JumpStart children's program with the launch of a brand-new toddler classroom opening February 23.

The first four spots have already been filled, and four additional openings will be available in early April.

This bilingual (English/Spanish) classroom serves children ages 12 months through three years old, and Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) is accepted.

To take a tour of the toddler classroom and learn more about the JumpStart inclusive program, email Annie.

Learn to carry your baby and join us for a walk in nature guided by the Mt. Pisgah naturalists. We will meet at the education buiding for a quick carrying demo and for participants to pick up their free parking pass, and then we will go for a walk in nature!

2026 Dates:

March 14th at 10am: Spectacular Seeds

Spectacular Seeds.

As things begin to bud out or bloom, together we will search for the season's first flowers and discover how their seeds disperse. We will have some sensory-based time to explore what makes a seed so spectacular!

June 13th at 10am: Pond Pondering

September 12 at 10am: All about Acorns

December 12 at 10am: Admirable Adaptations

Who should attend

Parents, Babies, families, friends, caregivers, everyone is welcome!

What to expect

Connect with other parents while carrying your babies in an amazing guided Nature walk, we will learn, while we connect and share with families and friends.

Although DD Awareness is observed in March, the IDD community promotes awareness throughout the year. This year, we are continuing last year’s message, “Developmental Disability Awareness Always,” and highlighting the 2026 theme: 

“Nothing About Us Without Us.”  

This guiding principle of the IDD community reminds us that every decision, service, and support must begin with self-advocates—their voices, lived experiences, and meaningful participation in all spaces.Join the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities in celebrating and sharing this message in March and throughout the year.

Additonal Developmental Disabilities Awareness Events:

Families Connected and Familias en Conexión will host a joint Strength in Neurodiversity Family Fun Day. Families and children are invited to decoupage their initial with their strengths, gifts, interests and big dreams on Saturday, March 28 from 1-3 p.m. at The Arc Lane County. Make sure to RSVP by March 10, so we can purchase your initial.

One place to celebrate is at the Lane County Developmental Disabilities Services 2nd Annual DD Awareness Month Party on March 31. Join the party for music, popcorn, friends and fun!

Sensory Sensitive Evenings are special events for neuro-diverse adults and children who prefer a quiet, less sensory-stimulating environment.

Eugene Science Center is proud to offer Sensory Sensitive Evenings. We believe everyone, no matter their age or ability, should enjoy the exciting world of science and technology. 

2026 Dates:

Wednesday, May 13th

Wednesday, September 23rd

Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm 

Free to attend; pre-registration requested by filling out this Google Form below.

Arrive at your convenience; the science center will close at 7:00 pm.

Pre-register Here

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.