The Early Years Count!
An education initiative
of the Community Foundation
of St. Joseph County
Early Years Count!, coordinated by The Family Connection since 2001, focuses like a laser on raising quality in Head Start, early childhood centers, preschools, registered ministries, and family home providers.
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been selected as a proud recipient of an Early Years Initiative grant from Early Learning Indiana! We’re stepping up our efforts to provide crucial support for infants and toddlers in HighScope classrooms in St. Joseph County. This grant empowers us to offer Infant Toddler HighScope training and curriculum support to Spanish speaking childcare providers, ensuring a brighter future for our little ones. Stay tuned for updates!
Upcoming Training
DESIGNED TO HELP POSITION NEW HIRES FOR SUCCESS IN NAVIGATING THE HIGHSCOPE CURRICULUM.
One day overview of strategies to put into place tomorrow for effective classroom organization, daily routine, and adult/child interactions with follow up coaching.
2023
Tues August 8 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Tues September 12 Cost: Free!
Tues October 10
Tues December 12
2024 ONLINE REGISTRATION
Tues February 13. REQUIRED
Tues April 16
September 26
5:30p-7:30p
For Spanish-speaking providers
Aprenderemos a Navegar las diferentes areas la plataforma de COR
advantage/ Kaymbu
November 8
5:45p-7:45p
For Preschool teachers
Got a Classroom Problem? Use the Message Board!
September 27
5:30p-7:00p
For Directors
Informational and planning night for all directors who have participated in Quality Leadership Institute (QLI) or would would like to participate.
November 14
5:45p-7:45p
For Infant Toddler teachers
Find and share the calm, all through the day: Supporting emotional regulation
October 18
5:45p-7:45p
For Preschool teachers
Creating moments of math throughout the daily routine
November 29
5:45p-7:45p
For Spanish speaking providers
Matematicas con materiales de uso indefinido
2023-24 Training Series Offerings
Preschool
We are excited for the opportunity to take a deep dive into the following topics. In the month listed we will meet at the library for training and lunch - the next month is intended for hands-on practice/observation of the skill taught. This cycle will be repeated 3 times. Each is designed for 12 participants. We ask that you commit to attending all 3 sessions for the topic you choose.
September - November - February
The antidote to loneliness is belonging. This series of workshops will be designed to support the social and emotional needs for connection of both children and teachers. Learning how to help children return to calm enables adults to meet the child’s need for belonging and friendships, even in the midst of emotional turmoil.
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Understanding and supporting children’s play and interaction skills
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Strengthening self-regulation and impulse control skills
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Predictable routines, yes environments and conflict resolution
Click here for more information
December - February - April
Empowering preschool teachers through mathematical professional development.
The Math Lab was created for newer teachers who have had 1-2 years in the classroom and is currently implementing the HighScope curriculum. The emphasis will be based on intentional planning with playful hands-on experiences.
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The 5 components of math and how they relate to the KDIs
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Scaffolding throughout the daily routine
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Books and materials that support mathematical learning
Click here for more information
January - March- May
T.E.L.L. is a three part training opportunity with a literacy focus on different aspects of literacy skills taken from the ELLCO (Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation) assessment tool.
The areas of focus are:
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Efforts To Build Vocabulary
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Phonological Awareness
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Discourse Climate/Opportunities for Extended Conversations
Click here for more information
Educadores o futuros educadores de la primera infancia.
Les hacemos una cordial invitación para que se registren a nuestra 4to generación de HighScope en Español, que comenzará en Enero de 2024. ¡Nuestros espacios se están llenando rápidamente!
Para registrarse favor de comunicarse con Liliana Islas-Banuelos por email:
liliana@famconn.org, o por teléfono al:
(574)303-4396.
We stand in solidarity against injustice, racism, and hate. Our team shares in the collective outrage and heartbreak of our nation. We realize we have much to learn and unlearn. We are reading, watching, and listening. We are looking at ourselves as individuals and as an organization. We are learning to sit with discomfort. We are grateful for the grace offered by Maya Angelou who says, ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’ We are committed to doing better by ‘using our mouths to speak out against injustice, our noses to sniff out implicit bias, our eyes to identify privilege, our ears to listen to the people of color experience, our hearts to cultivate empathy for the oppressed, and our hands to take actions and make change.’ (@ohhappydani)
- The Family Connection Team
Free Little Library
Have you visited Ann and Sue's Little library yet? It is tucked away just outside of the Notre Dame campus, at Kelly Park. Help us keep it stocked with books! We are collecting book donations, especially looking for children's books. Thank you.
FREE BOOKS
in the mail every month for children
birth to five in St. Joseph County!!!
Thanks to the Community Foundation and a host of dedicated funders.
Information and registration here.
A growing collection of useful links to state and local resources and like-minded national organizations.
We are always on the lookout for qualified candidates with early childhood and/or elementary school expertise.
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Find us:
132 N. Lafayette Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
Call us:
(574) 237–9740