Great Start Livingston Weekly Communications – March 8, 2021

Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition Members,
This Week: Subcommittee meetings will meet virtually this week.  Agendas and links are being sent this week.  If you are not a regular member of the committees and are interested in participating, please contact me.  For more information about our committees, check out our Great Start Livingston website, Subcommittees

• Pediatric and Family Health Committee Wednesday, March 10, 10 a.m.  Agenda
• Parents and Family Support Committee, Thursday, March 11, 9:30 a.m.  Agenda
• Early Childhood and Community Partners Committee, March 11 , 1 p.m.  Agenda

Online Parenting Workshops:  The MSU Extension is offering online parenting workshops for parents and caregivers.  This week’s session on Tuesday, March 9, 8 – 9:30 p.m. is Setting the Stage: Promoting Social-Emotional Health in Young Children.  Learn about social emotional health, activities and resources that promote social emotional health, and explore ways to provide an environment that is responsive to social emotional health.  Learn More and Register.  Find this event and more online resources here:  MSU Extension Parenting Education.  Next one on March 16 is Screen Time for Young Children.
Kindergarten Registration

Pinckney – 

• Pinckney Kindergarten Roundup flyer
• Pinckney Kdg paperwork and requirements
• Virtual Kindergarten Parent Meetings along with enrollment support on the following dates:
  • Country Elementary Meeting – Tuesday, March 9, 6:30-8pm
  • Farley Elementary Meeting – Wednesday, March 10, 6:30-8pm

Howell – 

• All Begindergarten and Kindergarten registrations will be done online at HowellSchools.com/kdg.
• Wednesday, March 10, 6 pm – Each elementary school will host a virtual meet and greet for parents.
  • Links to the meet and greets will be emailed to families who have already registered and be posted at HowellSchools.com/kdg closer to the meeting date.
• For more information visit HowellSchools.com/kdg.
• To register your child now: Howell Kindergarten Registration
• If you have any questions, contact Karen in the registration office at 517.548.6232 or email Karen@HowellSchools.com.

Fowlerville – 

• Virtual Kindergarten Round Up
• Click the link above to find out what is needed, meet the Kindergarten Teachers & Specials Teachers, how to transition, watch a Welcome to Kindergarten at HT Smith Elementary video and begin enrollment.
• Click here to learn more about HT Smith Elementary

Picky Eaters & Problem Feeders, Wednesday, March 10, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Zoom.  Learn about all the different factors involved with feeding and possible reasons behind picky eating.  Free workshop offered by Kids in Motion.  Flyer, Register here: Workshops

Returning to Childcare during the Pandemic: Strategies for Fighting COVID-19, Thursday, March 11, 6 – 7 p.m. Webinar.  The Zero to Thrive Translational Network has partnered with the Governor’s office to present this webinar.  Their expert pediatricians will share multiple mitigation strategies including vaccination of all childcare providers.  See more information and to register here: Returning to Childcare Flyer.
Upcoming Events:

• Family Fun Day: Celebrate Early Childhood – Saturday, March 20
  • Kit Pickup at LESA, 9 – 11 a.m.
  • Virtual Concert, 1 p.m.
  • For more information and to register – https://howelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7471541
  • Family Fun Day http://bit.ly/FamilyFun21
• Stories with Ms. Kelly.  Join the Brighton District Library each Friday at 10 a.m. as Youth Librarian Miss Kelly brings books to life.  Stories are geared towards ages 3 – 6.  You may view this recording at your convenience on their private YouTube channel.

March is National Reading Month – “Today a reader. Tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller
Benefits of Reading to Children – Research has shown that reading aloud to children for just 20 minutes per day helps develop skills important to success later in life. Whether it is a fairy tale, true story, silly picture book, or something else, Children’s Bureau lists seven benefits of reading to children.

• Supported cognitive development
• Improved language skills
• Preparation for academic success
• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Vocabulary
• Reading comprehension
• Fluency (oral reading)
• Developing a special bond with your child
• Increased concentration and discipline
• Improved imagination and creativity
• Cultivating a lifelong love of reading

Additionally, interpreting pictures and exposing infants and toddlers to print is just as effective and important as reading. For more information on the benefits of reading to children, check out the Children’s Bureau website.
Check out the Literacy/Learning Tab under Resources in the Great Start Livingston website.
Additional Tools:

• Talking Is Teaching – Livingston County 
• Finding Books to read with your child
• Reading Rockets
• Reach Out and Read – EarlyLiteracy Resources
• ReachOut and Read – Milestones of Early Literacy Development
• Little Lending Libraries
• Michigan Department of Education – Early Literacy
• Diversity in Children’s Literature

Community Connect on the go, Saturday, April 17, 1 – 4 p.m. at 2|42 Community Church.  This will be a drive through format.  This event will focus on providing basic needs such as personal care items, pantry staples, household paper items and a sack lunch.  Community resources will also be provided electronically to guests.  No reservations required, they can serve up to 700 guests. Community Connect Flyer and Facebook page, Facebook.com/LivCountyCommunityConnect12.

Look here for additional information:
Great Start Livingston Website

Great Start Livingston Facebook

Livingston Educational Service Agency Website
Livingston Educational Service Agency Facebook
Michigan.gov/StayWell
Thank you and take care,  

Robin Schutz, Coordinator

Great Start Livingston & Livingston Promise

Phone:  517-540-6829

Cell:  810-588-2218