Help Me Grow Allegan

The holidays are here and as you prepare to buy gifts for the little ones in your life, make sure to follow some important safety tips below to ensure they stay safe and healthy during playtime!

For more information on toy and gift safety, view the Safe Toy Checklist created by Prevent Blindness America. https://preventblindness.org/safe-toy-checklist/

Our last "ART" project from WGVU's website this month includes a "Winter Wonderland Terrarium". This simple 6 step activity will lift your child's spirit and bring the wonder of nature inside your home.
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/winter-wonderland-terrarium

"ART" comes in all different shapes and sizes. Try making an "Igloo", "Polar Bear" or even "Snowman" out of clay this weekend. Don't have clay? Try using marshmallows instead, while sipping on a warm cup of cocoa.

All of the materials for a clay igloo are listed on our partner's website-
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/igloo

Are you a new or expecting parent? Do you work with parents? This event is for you!

There will be presentations on important health and safety information parents need to know, resources available, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions to program representatives. Register TODAY for the next Virtual Baby Fair on December 12th (9-11am) or December 14th (6:30-8:30pm)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-baby-fair-tickets-446197848777?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

FYI- There is a recall warning for 6 and 8 oz Green Sprouts Toddler Stainless Steel Bottles and Cups for lead poisoning.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Green-Sprouts-Recalls-Toddlers-Stainless-Steel-Bottles-and-Cups-Due-to-Lead-Poisoning-Hazard-Recall-Alert?fbclid=IwAR2QlwrIy7WD3hwdOFUQnEZF8V8tzmzByXRtBJ0EST8HlQQGmyK9BFtbKXc

Let's keep up the "ART" activities this month using a new material- YARN! WGVU has a fun "Yarn Snowball" craft idea for you to try this month. These "snowballs" make great winter decorations for your home or ornaments for your tree. You can make them for yourself or wrap them up for loved ones this gifting season!
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/diy-yarn-snowball

Puffy winter coats can cause harness issues. Take those winter coats off before you put your child in that harnessed car seat. You can put the coats back on them backwards once they are in the car.

The fluffy padding in those coats will compress in a crash, leaving extra space under the harness.

You can dress your child in thin layers or use a blanket over the harness straps to keep your child warm AND maintain proper car seat use in the winter.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3a3kK4n

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

Timeline photos

Schools and districts: Find out how you can help families sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from the Federal Communications Commission, which allows qualifying households to reduce their internet service costs by up to $30/month (or $75/month on Tribal lands): tech.ed.gov/acp

It was so great meeting families today at Allegan Area ESA's hot cocoa event. Thanks for visiting with us today.

We hope you enjoyed our "Let's Talk About Art: Stuff Your Stockings" event last night. Today, we are making Thumbprint Holiday Light cards to spread some more holiday cheer inside our homes and preschool classrooms. Learn how with our WGVU partners at
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/thumbprint-holiday-lights

Are you a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 6? Please take our family engagement survey for a chance you win a $25 gift card.
Click on the following link to complete the survey: https://tinyurl.com/y33bke97

Thank you families for dressing up and participating in our "Let's Talk About Art: Stuff Your Stocking" events throughout Allegan County tonight. Our district Family Coaches and local librarians had so much fun celebrating the holidays with you. We are so grateful for our Great Start Collaborative partners for hosting tonight's festivities at Allegan District Library, Dorr Township Library, Ransom District Library , and Fennville District Library.

We'll see you in the New Year!

TODAY is our "Let's Talk About Art: Stuff Your Stockings" event!!! Children ages 0-5 years old, dress up in your holiday PJs or ugly sweaters and come stuff your mini-personalized stocking with new holiday board books, a clay snowman and mini- tinseled tree. You will jingle all the way home in the holiday spirit giving lots of cheer to all who are near.

We can't wait to see you at one of our 4 locations between 5-7pm. *First 40 families will receive a scratch off reindeer card for a chance to take home a new board game or puzzle to play the rest of this month.

It’s that time, folks! Join us for our super sweet reading journey through Candy Land. You have until Friday, January 27 to complete the program and be entered into our grand prize drawing. Along the way to Candy Castle and the grand prize, you’ll encounter other favorite Candy Land characters who’ll have goodies for you as well! Make sure you grab up a reading log; you’re in for a treat!

Timeline photos

FREE DIAPERS AND WIPES! Stop in for diapers and wipes throughout the week between 10am-2pm (or by appointment). 323 Water Street, Allegan. 269-673-5472 ext. 223 or 307.

TOMORROW (December 7th) is our "Let's Talk About Art: Stuff Your Stockings" event!!! Children ages 0-5 years old, dress up in your holiday PJs or sweaters and come stuff your mini-personalized stocking with new holiday board books, a clay snowman and mini- tinseled tree. You will jingle all the way home in the holiday spirit giving lots of cheer to all who are near.

Our Family Coaches can't wait to see you at one of our 4 locations between 5-7pm.
1. Dolores Benincasa- Allegan District Library
2. Laurie Zywiczynski- Dorr Township Library
3. Stormie Drake- Fennville District Library
4. Kelli Stuifbergen & Jena Sposato- Ransom District Library

*First 40 families will receive a scratch off reindeer card for a chance to take home a new board game or puzzle to play the rest of this month.

Job Opportunity

Position: Early Childhood Behavior Specialist
(Early On/0-3)
Location: Education Service Center
Date posted : 10/27/2022
Date available: When Filled

For more information or to apply follow this link.
https://www.applitrack.com/aasac/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=5352

We're not done making arts and crafts this month. Try WGVU's homemade snowflake STEAM project at https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/diy-snowflake-decorations. You only need 5 materials to make this homemade ornament for a loved one this holiday season.

If you liked creating your own Snowman yesterday, you'll really like WGVU's Recycled Gingerbread Village today! Save all those unwanted cereal, chicken broth, pasta and tissues boxes and make a gingerbread village right inside your house this holiday season ;) https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/recycled-gingerbread-village

If you can't get outside to make a snowman this weekend, try making one on paper with our WGVU partner's easy "How to Make Snow Paint" recipe and tutorial at https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/how-to-make-snow-paint

This month we are talking about "ART". Our WGVU partners would like to share the three stages of drawing with you. Did you know that children learn to "scribble" before they ever create lines, patterns, objects, and letter formations? Learn about "Raising the Next Frida Kahlo or Pablo Picasso: Milestones Toward Drawing" here at
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/raising-the-next-frida-kahlo-or-pablo-picasso-milestones-toward-drawing

It's December 1st and we are talking about "ART" this holiday season ;) Instead of hosting playgroups this month, Family Coaches are hosting (4) "Let's Talk About Art: Stuff Your Stocking" events with our library partners next Wednesday, December 7th from 5-7pm. Families with children ages 0-5 years old, we can't wait to see you at this FREE event.

This weekend several cities throughout Allegan County are kicking off holiday festivities in their downtown locations. Join the fun and get into the holiday spirit!

Allegan families join the Tree Lighting Ceremony today at 5:30pm

GSFC - December 2022 Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/87b02568fb3f/gsfc2022dec

Sometimes the holiday season gets overwhelming for children. Adults too. There is always excitement in the air, but sometimes children feel disappointed or even angry when they don't get what they want. Our WGVU partners have a simple, creative activity called "Learning About Emotions with Snowmen" to help children explore their emotions so they can better express how they feel with loved ones. When children learn to communicate better, they feel more in control of their emotions, which reduces temper tantrums. This makes everyone happier at the holidays. Check out this fun activity at
https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/learning-about-emotions-with-snowmen

Timeline photos

Wondering what happens to your Star rating February 1? Don't worry, providers do not need to "start over". Great Start to Quality star ratings will transition to a Quality Level. Check out the GSQ website to see how your rating will transition and as well as your subsidy reimbursement rate. https://greatstarttoquality.org/quality-improvement-process/

Photos from Allegan County Health Department's post

Let's get into the Christmas spirit with a visit from Santa Claus! There will be plenty of holiday stories and crafts to go around!

With special events, closures for staff training day, and holidays coming up, our Storytime schedule is a little out-of-the-ordinary through December and into January. Here is a reminder of events happening for our young friends and their families:

Help Me Grow Allegan THANKS YOU for all the support you've given us this past year with attending events, following and liking our educational posts. We wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Baby Shark is getting ready for Thanksgiving! Join in the MUSICAL fun at https://youtu.be/-fguQwjsI2s

Don't forget to take some time this week to TALK about what you're thankful for as a family. Here's a fun PBS Parent/Child Thanksgiving Tree activity you can ty at home. It will help decorate your Thanksgiving Table too- https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/thankful-tree

Feel free to post your family's Thanksgiving Day Tree in the comment section below!

Allegan Area ESA will be closed on November 24 & 25 for Thanksgiving.

We are thankful we got to host 2 of our 4 Let's Talk About Music playgroups this month at Allegan District Library and Wayland Union Schools. Thanks for coming and supporting our early childhood programs.

It's Thanksgiving Week! Let's move to some fun Thanksgiving MUSIC today. Try the Turkey Hokey Pokey Dance at https://youtu.be/VxfajHBG9Rg

Timeline photos

Tomorrow, November 22nd from 10am-1pm we will be having another Commodity Food Distribution day.

If you would like to receive a provision of non-perishable foods and meet our income eligibility, please visit us tomorrow at our main office!

Questions? Call us 269.673.5472 ext. 241

Santa is coming to the library for a special Storytime! Join us in the downstairs programming room to meet him.

PaleoJoe will be here in just two weeks! Come learn about dinosaurs and see some real fossils.

Reserve your seat by calling us at 269-673-4625