Blog / News & Information

10Jul

The Picky Problem: Helping Children Overcome Picky Eating with Evidence-Based Approaches

Jul10, 2025 Food/ Guest Post/ Health/ MSU Extension

Let’s talk about something that turns many mealtimes into stressful standoffs — picky eating in children. Whether children are (quote and quote) “just” picky eaters, have more deep-seated food aversions, or are leery of tasting something they haven’t tried before, it can be a...

9Jul

Community Partner/ Events/ Literacy

🌞 Summer Safari Storytime at The AMP – July 23

Jul9, 2025 Community Partner/ Events/ Literacy

Looking for a fun, free, and family-friendly event this summer? Join us on Wednesday, July 23 at 10:00 AM at The AMP in Downtown Brighton for an unforgettable morning of storytelling, laughter, and imagination! As part of the Children’s Summer Series, the Brighton Arts...

30Jun

MSU Extension/ Parent Education

Michigan State University Extension Child and Family Development July 2025 Offerings

Jun30, 2025 MSU Extension/ Parent Education

MSU Extension has a wide range of free online classes for parents and caregivers of children of all ages and early childhood professionals. See below for July offerings! Please reach out to your local Extension office or find a Child and Family Development team...

24Jun

Community Partner/ StoryWalk

🧵 Partner Spotlight: Stop #12 – Alyssum Patch Contemporary Quilt Shop

Jun24, 2025 Community Partner/ StoryWalk

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Alyssum Patch Contemporary Quilt Shop, Stop #12 on this summer’s Stories in Storefronts StoryWalk® in Downtown Howell! 🌊📚 Owner Angela Beskow shared,💬 “I love that our shop is part of StoryWalk, because I’m also a mom who...

23Jun

Community Partner/ Literacy/ StoryWalk

🌳 A New StoryWalk is Coming to Unadilla Township!

Jun23, 2025 Community Partner/ Literacy/ StoryWalk

📣 Exciting news for our Livingston County littles and their families! We’re thrilled to announce that a brand-new StoryWalk® is coming soon to Unadilla Township Community Park, located between Hadley and Joslin Lake Roads in the southwestern corner of Livingston County. At Great Start...

21Jun

Collaborative Updates

Celebrating 15 Years of Leadership: Robin Schutz’s Impact on Early Childhood in Livingston County

Jun21, 2025 Collaborative Updates

This summer, Great Start Livingston is proud to celebrate a meaningful milestone: 15 years of service by our Great Start Coordinator, Robin Schutz. Robin joined this work nearly at its beginning, and her steady leadership has helped build Great Start Livingston into the collaborative,...

20Jun

Family Coalition

A Summer Evening of Connection at Our Family Coalition Picnic

Jun20, 2025 Family Coalition

We couldn’t have asked for a better evening to wrap up the season with our Great Start Livingston Family Coalition! On Thursday, June 19, families from all across Livingston County came together at Genoa Township Park for a night of connection, laughter, and play....

18Jun

Community Partner/ Literacy/ StoryWalk

🐠 New StoryWalk Story in Fowlerville!

Jun18, 2025 Community Partner/ Literacy/ StoryWalk

We’re making waves in Fowlerville — with a brand-new Book in the StoryWalk featuring the lively, rhyming book “Commotion in the Ocean” by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz! 🌊🐙 Now installed at Centennial Park, this StoryWalk is a wonderful way for families with young...

17Jun

Community events/ Literacy/ Livingston County Early Literacy Collaborative

🎶 Books & Beats: A Day of Music, Literacy, and Community Connection 🎉

Jun17, 2025 Community events/ Literacy/ Livingston County Early Literacy Collaborative

We’re still smiling from the joy that filled the air during our recent Books & Beats concert at 2|42 Community Center in Brighton! With more than 300 families joining us to sing, dance, and celebrate early literacy, it was a true reflection of Livingston...

15Jun

Community events

Great Start Livingston Joins the Fun in the ‘Ville!

Jun15, 2025 Community events

☀️ Sunshine, Smiles, and StoryWalks! ☀️ We had an amazing time at Fun in the ‘Ville on June 14! Hosted in Fowlerville, this annual family-friendly event brought the whole community together for a lively day of local vendors, food trucks, music, and activities —...

11Jun

Community Partner/ Literacy/ Playdates

🌞 Our First Summer Playdate Kicked Off in Oceola Township!

Jun11, 2025 Community Partner/ Literacy/ Playdates

What a beautiful morning for some fun at Oceola Township Park in Howell! Our first Great Start Livingston Summer Playdate of the season was a hit, and we’re so grateful to all the families who joined us. Together, we: Event Highlights Included: Scaredy Squirrel...

10Jun

Events/ Family Coalition/ Parent Cafe

Let’s TACO-Bout Parenting: Free Summer Parent Café in Brighton

Jun10, 2025 Events/ Family Coalition/ Parent Cafe

🌮 Let’s TACO-Bout Parenting Parent Café – July 9, 2025 🌮 📍 Hosted at SELCRA in Brighton, MI Parents and caregivers of young children (ages 0–8)—you’re invited to a deliciously fun and supportive evening focused on parenting, connection, and community. Join us for Let’s...

9Jun

Child Care

Big News for Michigan Families: More Help to Pay for Child Care

Jun9, 2025 Child Care

We know that finding high-quality, affordable child care is one of the biggest challenges for working families—and that it often feels out of reach. But there’s good news: more Michigan families may now qualify for help thanks to a recent expansion of the MI Tri-Share Child...

4Jun

Stories in Storefronts/ StoryWalk

Partner Spotlight: Stop #8 – Carriage House Howell

Jun4, 2025 Stories in Storefronts/ StoryWalk

This summer, we’re celebrating the magical partners bringing stories to life in Downtown Howell through our Stories in Storefronts StoryWalk®—and today’s spotlight is on Carriage House, Stop #8 on the route! Located at 119 N. Michigan Ave, Carriage House is a locally loved gift...

2Jun

Literacy/ Local Business/ Low Cost / Free Family Fun/ Outdoor Activities/ Reading/ StoryWalk

Dive Into a Reading Adventure with Tallulah The Mermaid: The Downtown Howell StoryWalk® is Now Open

Jun2, 2025 Literacy/ Local Business/ Low Cost / Free Family Fun/ Outdoor Activities/ Reading/ StoryWalk

Howell, MI – The Downtown Howell “Stories In Storefronts” StoryWalk® is officially open and ready for readers of all ages! Families and community members are invited to stroll through downtown Howell to explore 16 engaging StoryWalk stops featuring pages from “Tallulah The Mermaid and the Great...

29May

MSU Extension/ Parent Education

Michigan State University Extension Child and Family Development June 2025 Offerings

May29, 2025 MSU Extension/ Parent Education

MSU Extension has a wide range of free online classes for parents and caregivers of children of all ages and early childhood professionals. See below for June offerings! Please reach out to your local Extension office or find a Child and Family Development team...