Each Child. Every Neighborhood.

Welcoming Non-traditional Families in Your Classroom One way to support our children's development is by learning about and respecting the  families  our little learners come from, the place where they spend the majority of their time outside our classrooms. More and more, this is not the traditional family of a married man and woman and their biological child. However, these non-traditional families aren't always reflected in our culture. What is a non-traditional family? Foster/adoptive family LGBTQ family Single parent household Divorced or separated family Blended family or step-family Multi-racial or multi-lingual family Extended kinship arrangement (co-parenting with grandparents or other relatives) Chosen family Do you recognize any of these family structures from your classroom? Do your children see their own family types in the lesson plans and activities you share with them?  Creating a culture of acceptance and inclusivity  starts at the top.  How can your center support non-traditional families? Set a welcoming tone and invite guest speakers to help teachers focus on supporting quality family interactions rather than the family structure Hold discussion groups to assist teachers who may have feelings of bias Offer trainings about legal issues related to family structure, such as confidentiality, custody, consent, and rights of non-custodial and/or non-related caregivers

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Meck Basics Tip of the Month

Maximize Love, Manage Stress With your infant (0-12 months): Respond to them - Your infant depends on you to meet their needs. Watch and listen for clues about how they feel and what they need. For example, a cry or whimper may mean that they are hungry or hot. Over time, you will learn to read your infant’s signals. Respond to what you notice. This helps them learn that you care. It also teaches them about cause and effect.

With your toddler (12-36 months): Encourage them - Toddlers get a lot of satisfaction and confidence as they master new tasks. Help your child try new things. Follow their lead when they seem interested in something. Be supportive and encouraging as they take chances. Reassure them as they try to figure things out. Learn More

Teeing up for a Good Cause

This year's Chip in for Children Golf Tournament raised over $54,000 for Mecklenburg County's youngest children and their families! The sun was shining, the coffee was flowing and the golfers were ready for an early tee off at our Chip In For Children golf tournament on September 16th. Twenty three teams arrived bright and early to The Golf Club at Ballantyne for a day of golfing, great food, friendly competition and prizes. All the money raised during this event will go towards directly supporting our mission: improving early childhood health, education and development so that all young children in our community are prepared for kindergarten. We cannot thank our sponsors, golfers and volunteers enough for helping us further our mission here in Mecklenburg County.

Just For Reference

Keep your little guys and ghouls save this Halloween Halloween is an exciting evening! It's a chance to dress up, go door to door and collect fun treats from friends and neighbors. Follow these tips to make sure your Halloween is as safe as it is fun for you and your children. Walk Safely Use this as an opportunity to remind your child to look both ways before crossing the street. Always stay on sidewalks. Costume Safety Opt for face paint instead of masks so nothing obstructs your child's vision. Have your child carry a flashlight or glow stick. Driving Safely Slow down! Children dart and move unpredictably. Check, double check and then check again before backing out of your driveway. General Safety Children under 12 should ALWAYS be accompanied by a responsible adult. Learn more tips at SafeKids.org. Incorporating the season into your reading time Autumn has finally arrived! And with it comes an opportunity to read books to your little learners all about this beautiful season. Here are a few suggestions from Pre-kpages.com, but be sure to ask your local librarian if s/he has any other recommendations. Leaf Man  by Lois Ehlert Leaf Man not only has beautiful illustrations made from real leaves, but it is also the perfect spring board for a fun call craft: making leaf people! We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt   by Steve Metzger If you like the classic book Going on a Bear Hunt, you'll enjoy this one, too. Kids will want to chant and act out the story and will be thrilled when you suggest a nature walk after you've finished reading the book. Tap the Magic Tree   by Christie Matheson Similar to Herve Tullet's  Press Here , this book is a fun, interactive, read-aloud gem. Invite your students to tap the pages to make the tree change with the seasons! Click here for more fun book suggestions.

Upcoming Events You Won't Want to Miss!

Ongoing - MECK Pre-K Registration 8:30am-4:30pm, M-F | MECK Pre-K Offices Don’t miss out on this FREE opportunity for your 4-year-old. Begin your enrollment process today. Learn More and Apply

October 1 - Business Smart. Family Friendly. Future Ready. 8:30am-10:00am | The Duke Endowment Family-friendly benefits make businesses competitive in hiring and retaining qualified workers. Join us to learn more about business-led change towards adopting family-friendly policies which help children build a strong foundation for future success.  Register Today

October 16 - Autism Support Workshop 10:30am-12:00pm | ImaginOn Join families with children who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis for monthly workshops that include a guest speaker and a support group. Register

Funded Program Spotlight

The Learning Collaborative The Learning Collaborative serves preschool children from at-risk families through a 5 star, tuition-free program with literacy-rich activities that address their educational and social needs. A Family Support Specialist builds and nurtures relationships with parents to lay the foundation for on-going involvement in their child’s education. Location: 3241 Sam Drenan Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 Phone: 704-377-8076 Website: www.tlccharlotte.org

FREE Books for children under 5! ALL children in Mecklenburg County are eligible to receive a FREE book in the mail each month until their fifth birthday. Start building up your child's at-home library when you sign up today!

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