2017

  
Smart Start would like to thank all anonymous,
individual & auction donors, community volunteers,  Board of Directors & staff who made this event possible.
The Week of the Young Child™ 
The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.      

It is so exciting to have a week long celebration for our youngest learners! Below are the themed days of the week and you can visit The NAEYC website ( http://www.naeyc.org/woyc) to star planning your celebration today with event ideas and activities! 

Music Monday
April 24, 2017 - Sing, dance, celebrate, and learn

Tasty Tuesday
April 25, 2017 - Healthy eating and fitness at home and school

Work Together Wednesday 
April 26, 2017- Work together, build together, learn together

A rtsy Thursday   
April 27,2017 - Think, problem solve, create

Family Friday   
April 28, 2017 - Sharing family stories
The Smart Start Board of Directors is hosting their Inaugural Opportunity for Influence Breakfast during the Week of the Young Child.   

For More Information Please Contact Libby Currier - lcurrier@smartstartofmeck.org


April is World Autism Awareness Month!

One of the primary goals during this month is to help increase the understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder.   Autism is a developmental disability that affects how an autistic person thinks, learns, uses their senses, moves their body, communicates, and relates to other people. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1:68 children have autism.  

Below are a few ideas of how you can get involved during Autism Awareness Month:

1. Put up a Yard Sign - Make a sign for your front door or lawn: "I Love Someone With Autism" or "Autism Awareness: Be Understanding. Be Aware."

2. Join the Crowd - Show up for an autism awareness walk or go to a rally supporting autism insurance reform in your state.  Everyone will be happy to see you there.  

3. Be an Amazing Neighbor -  Many families in the autism community fall behind on lawn and home maintenance because of other needs at home, and they don't hire a lawn service because of the high cost of therapy.  So go over and offer to mow their lawn just this once, or to fix the broken garage door.  
   
4. Stand Up, Speak Out If you overhear someone at work or in the grocery store saying something inconsiderate about autism or any disability, speak up.  Don't let it pass.

5. Words From The Heart -  Pay a compliment to a family that is obviously struggling.  Kind words such as, "You have a beautiful family. You are doing something wonderful for your children," can change the direction of someone's day.

National Smart Start Conference
May 1-4, 2017 - Greensboro, NC
The National Smart Start Conference is the nation's largest conference devoted to early education systems and strategies. The conference provides advanced professional development for early education leaders committed to improving the quality of and access to early childhood services for all children ages birth to five. It is intended for professionals who support families, for professionals who support those who work with children, and professionals engaging in early care and education systems change. Although we greatly value our early childhood workforce, content is not designed for those working directly with children.

The 2017 Conference will feature a full day of preconference sessions followed by three days of workshops and networking opportunities. Workshop focus areas include:
  • Early Care and Education
  • Early Childhood Health and Development
  • Family Support and Engagement
  • Public Engagement, Fundraising, and Nonprofit Management
  • Early Childhood Systems and Leadership

Central Piedmont Community College Recruiter & Academic Coach for Smart Start funded Early Childhood Teacher Education program Toria Grant, will be one of the session presenters at this years conference.  

For a full list of speakers and to register to attend the conference, visit (http://www.smartstart.org/conference)



Early Childhood Teacher Education
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)
Harris Campus, Building I
Charlotte, NC 28235
Phone: 704-330-4762 ~ www.cpcc.edu/ec

Early Childhood Teacher Education at Central Piedmont Community College  o ffers developmental courses in math using a "contextualized" approach that integrates Early Childhood curriculum concepts with primary subject areas. Activity also supports a coach and recruiter and a variety of classes for early childhood professionals.   

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County administers approximately $13 million a year in state and private funds to programs serving children birth to age five, their families, and their caregivers in Mecklenburg County. 
Thank You!

Thank you for all you do to Ensure that All Children in Mecklenburg County Enter School Healthy and Ready to Succeed!