Charleston County First Steps

May is #mentalhealthawarenessmonth! Here are some great tips for helping kids with self-care🌼

With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any?

With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any? ​Shortages of infant formulas have occurred in some stores, mostly due to pandemic-related supply chain issues and a recent large-scale recall of contaminated products. Read on for tips for families struggling to find infant formula.

Those open-ended questions are important!

Spark a sense of wonder through open ended questions!

What other questions can you add?

#senseofwonder #playbased #playbasedlearning #iteachprek #iteachpreschool #iteachprimary #preschoolteacher #prekteacher #childledlearning #emergentcurriculum

Today is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day! This annual celebration, held on the Friday before Mother’s Day, recognizes the work of family child-care providers, who provide care and learning opportunities for young children in their home. Join us in celebrating these educators who prepare children for success in school and life!
Our Parents As Teachers Supporting Care through Personal Visits (SCPV) Program supports Family Child Care providers with research- and evidence-informed information to encourage developmentally appropriate practices. If you care for children in their home or know someone who does, please visit our website for more information or contact us to learn how we can offer support.

CALLING ALL CAREGIVERS‼‼‼

Have you been looking for a space to share and engage with other caregivers around you?

The Tri-County Play Collaborative is starting up their Caring for the Caregiver series again and we want you all to join us!

This space is going to be what you make of it. We will be offering Professional Development, engagement activities in nature, online spaces to vent, and so much more.

Fill out this link to sign up for our first meeting May 10th 6:30-7:30. If you cant make it this time, please fill out the link still so we can hear from you: https://momence.com/s/864851

This space will be bilingual, in English and Spanish.

We are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week! EHS-CCP teachers and directors are AWESOME, and this is a perfect time to show our center educators how much we have appreciated their work over the past school year! Please join us in celebrating this special week with your child’s teacher.
To show our appreciation, EHS-CCP staff delivered baskets of goodies for each day including
Monday – Lotion Treat bags
Tuesday - Scented Dessert Candle
Wednesday – Teacher Carry-All Kaplan Bag with Treats
Thursday - Personal First Steps Lunch bag with Treats
On Friday our staff plans deliver lunch to the centers – A Fish and Shrimp Dinner from “My Three Sons!”
We celebrate the 23 EHS-CCP educator-members at Academy Kingdom Child Development Center, Johns Island Early Childhood Christian Academy (JIECCA), Nia Infant and Toddler Child Development Center, and
We Care for Children Child Development Center.
Below JIECCA Director Wilnetta Spivey-Grant (R) and EHS-CCP Toddler Teacher Patricia Mack (L) receive their teacher appreciation basket.

Did you know that FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, CARTA SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED FOR FREE! That's right - buses are free until May 31st. https://www.ridecarta.com/nopaymay/
https://apnews.com/article/business-charleston-449eaa1a2fe88c80f08d33929d2610fb

Let your voice be heard. As a parent, you have important stories and experiences that could help public program leaders improve services in SC. Learn how you can make a difference at https://bit.ly/3nrAYub.

When we invest in children, we are investing in their future. This April, learn how communities can come together to ensure children have what they need to be the best they can be! #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/

Another reason to be proud: Alston-Bailey Elementary School Principal Vernisa Y. Bodison is one of our board members! We are so thankful for her service to the profession of education and to helping us make sure all children are ready for kindergarten.

Greetings Alston-Bailey Tiger Cub Families and Community Members!

We are thrilled to announce that our Principal, Ms. Bodison, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Magers, are published authors! Their article, Consistent and Strong Communication, can be found in the Spring 2022 copy of Palmetto Administrator Magazine. We are so excited and proud of their amazing achievement!

Carolina Classrooms | South Carolina ETV

Thank you to our very own Lead Parents As Teachers Parent Educator Melody DeLisa for representing CCFS so well! Melody was featured along with one of her families on SCETV last week. They were on the monthly show called Carolina Classrooms. Check it out: https://www.scetv.org/watch/carolina-classrooms .

Carolina Classrooms | South Carolina ETV Carolina Classrooms A series for teachers, parents and citizens invested in the education of our children. ShareThis Share via Twitter Share via Facebook Share via Email Specials About Latest Stories Related Links Recommended Shows Specials Image Embedded Video Link First Five SC April 21, 2022 Fami...

Come see us at this event, THIS SATURDAY!

On Saturday, April 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., we are also so pleased to bring back the Partners for a Better Community Health Day Fair.  Mental Health has truly been brought to the forefront especially during the pandemic so this year we are bringing in licensed psychologists and therapists to educate and offer their services to our community.  As always, we will have blood pressure, glucose, vision, bone density and HIV screenings as well as breast exams.

CCFS Early Start

Check out the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/e0f1b32c3cd5/charleston-county-first-steps-2022-1

CCFS Early Start CCFS Newsletter

FREE ADMISSION May 14th, but you must register!

On May 14th we are having the BIGGEST Second Saturday ever! Admission will be free for all guests but we are also hosting free guided walks, activities, face painting, a food truck, and more! Due to group size limits, preregistration is strongly recommended. Visit our event page to register: https://beidler.audubon.org/events/biggest-second-saturday

Photo(shop) by Richard Covey (Note: Original birb photos were by Joan Eckhardt and others, respectively)

All families need help sometimes. Make the commitment this month to learn new ways to strengthen child and family well-being. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/

Photos from Pink House Neighborhood Resource Center's post

Carolina Classrooms: First Five SC | South Carolina ETV

TONIGHT!

Carolina Classrooms: First Five SC | South Carolina ETV Being a parent is hard, but in South Carolina, finding support is easy. Join Carolina Classrooms on April 21, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., for our show where we’ll discuss resources available to help young children and families thrive, from birth through age five. In the episode, hosted by Georgia Mjartan,...

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn tips and strategies to help keep children safe and promote family well-being. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resources/resource-guide/

ATTENTION Early Childhood Educators!

TUESDAY AT 6 PM ☼ Early child care teachers, you’re invited! Attend a free, one-hour virtual session on trauma-informed care for early education professionals with mental health expert Dr. Cerrissa Hugie, CEO of Myndspace. Get your Zoom link & login at bit.ly/trauma-informed-april #TraumaInformedCare #ChildCare #EarlyEducation #BrighterFutures

Carolina Classrooms: First Five SC | South Carolina ETV

*Featuring one of our very own PAT Parent Educators, Melody DeLisa!* Mark your calendars for SCETV's Carolina Classrooms airing Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 PM. SC First Steps Executive Director Georgia Mjartan will host as five families share their experiences with the programs and services of First Five SC. Learn how South Carolina's early childhood system is making a real difference in the lives of our state's young children, and how a quick visit to first5sc.org can help families find the resources they need.

Carolina Classrooms: First Five SC | South Carolina ETV Being a parent is hard, but in South Carolina, finding support is easy. Join Carolina Classrooms on April 21, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., for our show where we’ll discuss resources available to help young children and families thrive, from birth through age five. In the episode, hosted by Georgia Mjartan,...

Seeking input!

Este proyecto explora la falta de recursos que existen actualmente para las familias de habla hispana con bebés que alguna vez fueron o están actualmente en la unidad de cuidos intensivos neonatal. Queremos que explore esta aplicación y escuchar sus comentarios.

Nos gustaría escuchar sus experiencias, sus pensamientos, y sus opiniones sobre este tema. Esta encuesta se está realizando para recopilar información sobre las necesidades de nuestras familias de habla hispana. Tus comentarios son importantes para nuestra terapia ocupacional y nuestra comunidad de MUSC.
Gracias por su tiempo y participación.
https://loom.ly/MdhU7JY

This project explores the lack of resources that currently exist for Spanish-speaking families with newborns and infants that once were or currently are in the NICU. We would like to hear your experiences, thoughts, and opinions about this topic. In addition, we would like you to explore this application and hear your feedback.
This survey is being conducted to gather information about the needs of families. Your feedback is important to our occupational therapy and MUSC community. Thank you for your time and participation.
https://loom.ly/MdhU7JY

Babyproofing Your House: A Checklist for Every Room

Babyproofing Your House: A Checklist for Every Room You'd be surprised at how easy it is for a baby to get into trouble. From kitchen cabinets to outlet covers, here's how to babyproof the main rooms in your home to make them safe for babies and toddlers.

At South Carolina First Steps we know that raising children isn’t easy. These past two years have been particularly tough for parents and their little ones. That’s why community is so important. Because for parents to be the best moms and dads they can be, sometimes they need extra support. At First Steps, we mobilize a community of caring individuals like you to come alongside families. To make sure they have what they need to raise healthy, thriving children who start school ready for success.

This year we are launching our inaugural fundraising event, A Night to Celebrate Community. Join us, and become a part of South Carolina’s first and only statewide nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child is healthy, nurtured, and ready to learn. All proceeds will go to the local First Steps affiliates directly serving children and families in South Carolina.

Get your tickets now! https://bit.ly/3JFjdRx

If you have a child with autism or any special need, your family can play at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry during on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month for free!

Hero Doughnuts dough-nated blue doughnuts to CML’s SuperStars! program this week in honor of Autism Awareness Month! 💙🍩

If you have a child with autism or any special need, come play with us during SuperStars! on the 2nd or 4thSunday of the month for free!

Learn more: explorecml.org/happening-at-cml/programs/cml-superstars

Shifting parental beliefs about child development to foster parental investments and improve school readiness outcomes - Nature Communications

This is interesting research into how parents’ knowledge and views about their role in their child’s development is linked to child developmental gains. Though the authors are explicit in recognizing “that changing parental beliefs will not address or overcome many of the other deep, structural drivers of inequality,” their results have several potential policy implications. Providing parent education can improve school readiness outcomes among low-SES families. They suggest that home visiting programs, like the Parents As Teachers program we offer has a significant impact on reducing socioeconomic gaps in child development. View comments for a link to information about our Parents as Teachers Program. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-25964-y

Shifting parental beliefs about child development to foster parental investments and improve school readiness outcomes - Nature Communications Parents’ investments in their children are a critical input in the production of early skills, yet those investments differ across socioeconomic backgrounds. Here the authors show that variations in parental beliefs about the impact of such investments can be one of the sources of investment dispa...

Count the Kicks

SCDHEC has partnered with Count the Kicks, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention campaign, to educate expectant parents about the importance of tracking baby movements during the third trimester of pregnancy. Research shows that a change in baby’s movement is the earliest and sometimes the only indication that there might be a problematic issue. Through the use of the FREE kick-counting app, expectant parents track their baby’s movements daily in the third trimester of pregnancy to find out how long it takes their baby to get to 10 movements. When the amount of time it takes to get to 10 movements changes, parents should contact their provider right away. The free Count the Kicks app is available in 14 languages in the iOS and Google Play app stores. For more info: www.CountTheKicks.org

Count the Kicks Counting kicks is a simple way to monitor your baby’s well-being. Expectant parents should begin counting at the start of the third trimester.

Happy Week of the Young Child Family Friday! Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. NAEYC, creators of Week of
the Young Child, applauds family members’ roles as young children’s first and most important teachers. Our community has many FREE or low cost opportunities to enjoy our beautiful surroundings and play together, as a family. Read the comments for a some great suggestions.