May is almost over and what a month it has been for the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington! We hosted a community cafe and held office hours at the library and exhibited at multiple family-friendly community events and are preparing for our annual "State of Early Childhood" presentation.
We have made updates to our Bicycle Safety and Helmet Laws page to include information about e-bikes and motor driven cycles.
According to Connecticut state law:
• Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter or skateboard, or wearing roller skates or in-line skates.
• Children riding in bike seats or trailers should also wear helmets as long as their necks are strong enough to support the helmet.
• All e-bike riders must wear a bike helmet regardless of the bike’s class.
The law states that helmets must meet the specifications of the American National Standards Institute (ASTM F1447) or the Snell Memorial Foundation. Federally, bike helmets must comply with the US CPSC standard. Standards for skateboard/trick skate helmets have a different certification (ASTM F1492), which will provide better protection than a helmet with the previously mentioned certifications.
• Connecticut does not have a universal helmet requirement for motor-driven cycle riders. However, motor-driven cycle riders and passengers under age 18 must wear a helmet that meets federal standards (DOT FMVSS No. 218).
Learn more about the safety standards, age restrictions and, rules of the road at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/health-development/bicycle-safety/
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Anyone, even infants, can experience trauma or mental health issues, and it is better to identify and address any issues early. Thankfully, you do not have to go through it alone. There are many resources, including mental health professionals, support groups, and related services can be found in our Resource Directory.
The ECCS has held multiple workshops focused on mental health in the past that you can review materials from, even if you were unable to attend:
• One Book – One Community: The Anxious Generation
• Children’s Mental Health in Southington
• Impact of Childhood Trauma
• Early Childhood Brain Development – What Does the Research Tell Us?
If you or your child are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support 24/7.
The annual "State of Early Childhood in Southington" breakfast presentation has been scheduled for Thursday, May 29th.
Both of these free events are funded by a grant from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood as administered by the Connecticut Children’s Collective (CTCC).
We hope to see you at these community events. The ECCS will be exhibiting at all of them.
- Southington Pride Family Festival - May 31, 2 to 4 pm, at Camp Sloper
- Library Office Hours - June 16, 9 am to 12 pm, at the Southington Public Library
- Southington Farmers Market kick-off and Community Day - June 20, 3 to 6 pm, at the Town Green
More details are at www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events/ and on our social media channels.
Did you know that you can set up a small, recurring donation to the ECCS?
"Consistent monthly contributions, especially when automated, turn generosity into a habit and create lasting impact without the need for constant reminders." - Brian Williams, ECCS Board Member
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Our mailing address:
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
PO Box 210
Southington, CT 06489-0210