Volume 8, Issue 1
107 West Main Street
Whiteville, NC 28472

August 2020
The mission of the Early Learning Facility (ELF) is to assist in the development of pre-literacy skills by promoting reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing for children ages birth to five. 
ELF membership is required to check out resources from the lending library. Annual dues are just $5 for individuals; $10 for family childcare homes; $25 for child care facilities with less than 50 students and $30 for large centers and community organizations ( membership fee may be waived for families experiencing hardships).
Summer Read to Me Reading Challenge
July 6 – August 7

It’s not too late, call the Early Learning Facility (ELF) @ 910-212-6352 for details & to get started!

If you complete the challenge and turn your log in by August 14th, you will be entered into a drawing for great prizes.

Special thanks to Columbus Regional Healthcare System for donating toddler bicycle helmets! 

Pictured to the right: Stephanie Miller with Columbus Regional Healthcare System presents a donation of bike helmets for the Summer Read to Me Reading Challenge.
NEED BOOKS OR RESOURCES?
The Early Learning Facility is a lending library with thousands of items in inventory. The ELF has something for everyone; resource materials including books for parents, curriculum books for teachers, children books, theme boxes, puzzles, games, musical instruments, videos, CD’s, & more! 
Books in English and Spanish
Enhance story time with Puppets!
Big books allow children to see the images better during story time!
Teachers!
The ELF is offering contactless curbside pickup and drop off services. Call the ELF@ 910-212-6352 for details and to schedule a time to pick up or drop books & resources.

Our laminating machine allows teachers to protect the surface of paper resources that are used repeatedly in order that they may be easily wiped down after each use.

We can deliver books and other teaching resources to you! Contact the ELF @ 910-212-6352 to set up a contactless delivery to your child care facility!
Parents!
Reading to or with your child helps them get to know sounds, words and language. It develops early literacy skills. It is enjoyable spending time with your child while igniting their imagination and curiosity. Reading teaches them the value of books and helps your child’s brain, social skills and communication skills develop.
National Relaxation Day is August 15
Relaxation is all about slowing down and taking it easy!

A relaxed child is able to think more constructively and positively. They have the space to step back to reflect on issues and their behavior is vastly improved. “Tension is so bad for concentration,” says Marneta Viegas of Relax Kids
Ways to teach your child to relax and calm down
Take a walk together
Take a deep breath
Count to 5
Blow in their hands
Take a bath or shower

4 ways to help kids relax as the coronavirus upends everyday life. By The Conversation
We are excited for you to visit our completely full redesign website https://columbussmartstart.com
It is very user friendly and informative! Please go browse around and let us know what you think.
The 2020 Census is happening now. Shape our children of Columbus County by participating in the census! If you have a baby and he/she was born on April 1, 2020 or before please include them on the count for the census form. To learn more, visit www.census.gov
Amazon makes it SO EASY to donate to Columbus County Partnership for Children with each purchase you make.

Here is how it works: Click the link ( smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1966108 ) and choose Columbus County Partnership for Children as your charitable organization on the AmazonSmile "supporting" banner along the top left of the page. On your laptop or computer, visit  smile.amazon.com and bookmark it to your favorites or sidebar. Use the AmazonSmile bookmark whenever you shop on Amazon.

On your mobile device, visit  smile.amazon.com and add it as a shortcut to your home screen. Amazon’s mobile apps don’t work with AmazonSmile so be sure to use the shortcut on your home screen to launch AmazonSmile in your mobile browser before purchasing the items in your cart.
Click on the text box for the most up to date list of CCPC Staff Contact Information
Your donation is a great way to get involved with the community and the best way to make a difference in the future of a child. Columbus County Partnership for Children accepts donations of services, products, and monetary contributions.

All donations are tax deductible.