Local Needs AssessmentIn the ECCS’s role as a Local Governance Partner (LGP) for the town of Southington, the CT Office of Early Childhood required the completion of a Local Needs Assessment (LNA). After months of work, several meetings, and surveys completed by parents/guardians and early childhood educators, the LNA was submitted on June 30, 2026. You can read the LNA here. Following the overall data analysis, the ECCS identified the top three focus areas for increasing the well-being of young children and their families in our community. Focus Area 1: Support Children’s needsOffer and/or promote education opportunities specifically addressing
Focus Area 2: Support Mental Health needs of children, families and childcare providers
Focus Area 3: Improve quality and affordable childcare
These three focus areas will form the foundation of the Community Plan which is due by November 20, 2026. Read the full article about the Local Needs Assessment at www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/local-needs-assessment/ Do you want to get involved in this work? Contact us about joining the LGP Community Table. Reminder - Savings Tools for Your ChildrenIn last month's newsletter, we shared a few different savings tools available for some newborns and young children. A reminder that Section 530A "Trump Accounts" are now open as of July 4, 2026. Eligible Connecticut children born in 2025 through 2028 can receive a one-time $1,000 federal deposit, and families can add up to $5,000 a year. Children under 10 who were born before 2025 may be eligible to receive a $250 contribution through Dalio Philanthropies. To learn more about all the savings tools we covered last month, go to www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/savings-tools-for-your-children/. This is not investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult your investment, tax, or legal advisor for the latest detailed information. Importance and Access to Early LiteracyA child's journey toward reading success begins long before they can recognize letters or sound out words. From birth to about age 3 children's brains are developing rapidly, making this the perfect time to build language and literacy skills. The simple act of reading together helps children develop the foundation they need for literary success throughout their life. Reading with your child has many benefits. It introduces them to new vocabulary, strengthens listening and communication skills, as well as their imagination and creative thinking skills. Reading together also creates meaningful one-on-one time that helps strengthen the bond between you and your child. Integrating reading into your daily routine is easier than you think. One of the easiest ways to build a daily reading habit is by participating in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The goal is simple: read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten. It may sound like a lot, but when you break it down, it is not as daunting as it sounds. If you read just 1 book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. Repeats are okay too! The program isn't about rushing to the finish line but making reading a fun and consistent part of your routine. The CT State Library Division of Library Development put out an Early Literacy Calendar that includes activities requiring no supplies or those that are commonly found at home, lists of books to read with your child, tips for grownups, and information on statewide services and organizations. Books can be expensive, but there are many resources available. The Southington Public Library is a great way to access books (and so much more) for free. Their children’s department also runs a Summer Reading program for all ages annually, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, storytimes, and so much more. Southington also has quite a few Little Free Libraries across town that give even greater access to free reading throughout the community. The Read to Grow Bookmobile will be in town Friday, August 14th for our annual Bookmobile Tour in Southington, and every child who visits will get a free book. YouTube is also a great source for Read-Aloud style videos for a wide variety of books; Read Along with PBS Kids has nearly 40 videos to get you started! Summer ReadingThere is still time to join the Southington Public Library's DINO-mite summer reading program packed with t-riffic adventures! Record your reading, participate in enriching programs, and earn chances to win prizes! You can register in person at the Children's Services Desk or online through Beanstack. For every 5 days that are marked toward your child having read at least 20 minutes, they will receive one ticket that can be put toward the Grand Prize drawings. Find DINO-mite Programs happening at libraries across the state, including Southington's Dino-Mite End of Summer Celebration here. Check out all the great programs and activities they have scheduled over the summer here!
Camp SparklerThere is still time to join Camp Sparkler! This FREE, virtual camp explores topics related to social and emotional learning: from being flexible to calming down! Each week, families will get introduced to a new “big idea” and then they’ll find related songs, play activities, picture books, and more in the Sparkler app to explore the theme. The Sparkler app is available for iOS and Android in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, and Arabic. To learn more and find your access code, go to www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/sparkler/. Upcoming EventsSouthington Farmers Market - The Southington Farmers Market is held on the Town Green every Friday from 3 to 6 pm, starting June 26th until September 25th. The ECCS will be exhibiting on these dates:
August 14th - Southington Summer 2026 Bookmobile Tour - Join us at either stop so your child can pick out a FREE book from the Read to Grow Bookmobile! August 17th - Dino-Mite End of Summer Celebration - The Southington Public Library's End of Summer Celebrations will be taking place at the Southington Drive-In from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. This is a FREE event open to children of all ages. The ECCS will be attending this event. August 25th - ECCS Parent Book Club - Join us for the first ECCS Book Club to learn parenting skills while connecting with other Southington parents and caregivers. The first book we will be discussing is Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children by Alyssa Blask Campbell and Lauren Elizabeth Stauble. Learn more and register for this event at https://eccsparentbookclub-1.eventbrite.com. For more details, visit www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events/ or follow us on our social media. Ways to Support the ECCSDid you know that the ECCS does not receive funding from the Town of Southington or the Board of Education? Our work to support the parents and caregivers of Southington’s youngest citizens is funded primarily through grants we have applied for. Receiving contributions from individuals like you helps support our operations and allows us to show our larger funders that there is strong community backing for this work. There are many ways that you can support our work -
Facebook @ECCSouthington Instagram @ECCSouthington Threads @ECCSouthington X/Twitter @ecc_southington Bluesky @eccsouthington.bsky.social About UsThe Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is a group of committed educators, parents, grandparents, healthcare and childcare providers, business owners, civic organizations, and members of the community who are deeply invested in the growth, development, and academic success of young children in Southington.
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