Archive for the "Heath" Category

Reducing Stress in Early Childhood Providers

Posted on February 14th, 2019

Updated March 13, 2019 The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington (ECCS) has launched an initiative to reduce stress in early childcare providers. Self-care is necessary to prevent burnout and to remain in an optimal state of well-being. Childcare providers face the combined pressures of caring for children, dealing with co-workers and parents, and meeting regulatory […]

Developing Fine Motor Skills for Kindergarten 2018

Posted on May 5th, 2018

On April 26, 2018, the ECCS hosted their second Developing Fine  Motor Skills for Kindergarten workshop. The speaker was Sue Spatafore, an Occupational Therapist for the Southington Public Schools. Fine motor skills for kindergarten are required to accomplish a variety of activities including writing, artwork and cutting with scissors. When children don’t have the muscle […]

Brain Growth, Pretend Play and the Outdoors

Posted on March 21st, 2018

On March 15, 2018, we hosted a workshop called Pretend Play, Brain Growth and the Outdoors. View the introduction slides from Joanne Kelleher, Director of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington. UPDATED: View the workshop slides from Erin Akers, M.Ed., Director of Education and Development, at the Gesell Institute of Child Development, Yale University. Note […]

New CT Car Seat Regulations

Posted on September 15th, 2017

Effective October 1, 2017, new car seat regulations and child passenger safety laws will be implemented in Connecticut. The new regulations list an age and weight, the child must meet both requirements. • Infants must remain rear-facing until they are a minimum of 2 years old AND 30 pounds. This is an increase of 1 […]

Domestic Violence 101 and its Impact on Young Children

Posted on July 6th, 2017

I recently attended a workshop on Childhood Trauma which discussed the Adverse Childhood Experiences study called How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime. This ACES study was also discussed at a workshop called “Domestic Violence 101 and its Impact on Young Children“, which was presented by the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and Tyshaunda Wiley, MPH, […]

Developing Fine Motor Skills for Kindergarten

Posted on April 26th, 2017

In meeting with the Southington elementary school principals, they said one of the largest issues they are seeing with incoming kindergarten students is a decline, over the last several years, in fine motor skills. This could be due to the increased use of electronic devices and a decline in traditional childhood play activities. As a […]

Brain Development in Early Childhood

Posted on March 31st, 2017

On March 22, 2017, the ECCS hosted a workshop called “Early Childhood Brain Development – What Does the Research Tell Us?” It was presented by Allison Logan, the Early Childhood Project Manager of United Way of Coastal Fairfield County (and a Southington resident). You can view the presentation slides here. Allison discussed that we know […]

Volunteer for Child Development Research

Posted on February 28th, 2017

Are you looking for a new activity to do with your child? Interested in helping advance scientific research? Consider volunteering for child development research with UConn KIDS. Started in 2014, UConn KIDS (or Kids in Developmental Science) is a group of researchers from across many departments at the University of Connecticut that specializing in child […]

Connecticut 2-1-1 Childcare

Posted on November 23rd, 2016

Connecticut 2-1-1 Child Care is a free, confidential, and statewide service which helps match the requests of parents and child care providers with programs. Available Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Dial 211 or 1-800-505-100 or go to www.211childcare.org. Parent resources on their website include: Children’s Growth and Development IDEA Individuals with Disabilities […]

Connecticut Child Development Infoline

Posted on November 4th, 2016

The Connecticut Child Development Infoline supports children’s healthy growth and development, starting from pregnancy. They provide services related to: Child development screening and questions In-home support Developmental delays and disabilities Special Education Special health needs Dial 211 or 800-505-7000 cdi.211ct.org