May 2022
Help Me Grow was designed to create an opportunity for parents to track their child's developmental growth. Whether your child needs assistance with an Autism diagnosis, or you just want to check in on your child's development, Help Me Grow is here to help.

CALL 2-1-1 and ask for Help Me Grow, or use the ASQ online tool to complete your child's developmental screening TODAY!
What Every Child Needs For Good Mental Health

It is easy for parents to identify their child’s physical needs: nutritious food, warm clothes when it’s cold, and bedtime at a reasonable hour. However, a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Additionally, good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self-confidence, high self-esteem, and a healthy emotional outlook on life. Read more...

Teacher Appreciation Week &
Provider Appreciation Day

Year after year, teachers and childcare providers continue to prove how amazing they are—but never more so than during the past two years. Throughout the pandemic, they've navigated virtual and in-person teaching, hybrid schedules, closures, and students readjusting to the classroom, all with a daily smile for our kids. Teacher Appreciation Week and Provider Appreciation Day is the time to show all teachers how much we care, what a massive impact they have on our kids' lives, and how truly deserving they are of our appreciation.

Here are some quick ideas on how you can show your children's teachers and providers some love.

  • A note or picture from the student
  • A hand-written note from the parent
  • A group gift from the class
  • School supplies
  • A thoughtful gift card
  • Coffee!
  • Send a sweet treat

Also, check out these 50 other ways to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week and Provider Appreciation Day. Read More...
While living in Florida offers many benefits and advantages, it is important to keep in mind severe weather hazards and potential threats. Every family should have predefined emergency plans and always keep an emergency supply kit ready and stocked.
Summer Break Activities for Kids

School is almost out, and that means it is time for summer break! While the kiddos will be counting down the days until they can sleep in and not have any more homework, it can also be a stressful time for parents who may find it challenging to keep their little ones entertained, and somewhat on a schedule.

Take a look at some of these articles with ideas and inspiration for how to keep your kids occupied during the summer break.
24 Cheap Summer Activities for Kids

75 Big, Awesome Things to Do with the Kids This Summer
Sizzlin’ Summer Activities for Preschoolers That Are So Much Fun!
We have a number of videos featuring some of our early learning experts who are here to offer us tips, tricks, and sometimes more complex explanations of early child development. Take a look and be sure to follow us on Facebook for more Parenting Pro Tips coming soon!
Check out this parenting resource from ZERO TO THREE, an organization that believes during the first three years of life, emotionally nourishing relationships lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
A Year of Play

Browse fun seasonal activities by month to find play activities that promote your child's development.
May’s theme is Animals. Try these fun activities to learn about animals and play pretend:

Talk Together
  • For your baby: What animals do you see outside? Name these different creatures for your baby: birds, squirrels, ducks, dogs, cats, rabbits. Which animal does your baby seem most interested in? Make each animal’s sounds. Which sound makes your baby giggle?
  • For your toddler: Baby animals are a special part of spring—can you spot any in your neighborhood? Go on a “safari walk” with your toddler and ask her to tell you when she sees an animal. Does she know the animal’s name? The sound it makes? Does she know where it lives (nest, pond, trees, etc.)? Watch these animals with your child and talk about what you see.
Read Together
  • Read books that feature different kinds of animals. For babies, try: Whose Nose and Toes? by John Butler, Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle, Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann, Baby Animals by DK Publishing, and Country Animals, Farm Animals, and Pet Animals by Lucy Cousins. For older toddlers, good choices include Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, Mrs. Brown Went to Town by Wong Herbert Yee, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo! Barnyard Hullabaloo by Giles Andreae, The Napping House by Audrey Wood, and I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh.
Play Together
  • For your baby: Babies are often captivated by watching animals outside or through the window. Stick with your baby and let him watch as long as he wants, though be very cautious about approaching animals you do not know. Teaching your child animal safety begins early. You can support your baby’s interest in animals by, for example, installing a bird feeder to encourage birds to visit. For an indoor activity, you can give your baby swatches of fake fur and feathers to touch (both available at craft stores).
  • For your toddler: Cut pictures of animals out of magazines and glue them to sturdy cardboard. Make sure there are matches—2 pictures of horses, 2 pictures of sheep, etc. Lay these pictures out (face up) on the floor and see if your child can match the animals that are the same. Matching games build thinking skills in your toddler. You can also play “barnyard.” With your child, walk and “talk” like an animal—perhaps meow like a cat or “trot” and neigh like horse. Which animals does your child like to be? Turn a big cardboard box into a barn and see if your child would like to pretend to trot in and out.
Water can provide fun activities for children and families, but it can also pose dangers for children of all ages. It’s important to understand the risks and establish safety practices to help keep your family safe in and around the water.
Florida leads the nation in drowning deaths for children under 5 years old. An average of 74 children have died each year over the past decade due to drowning – the equivalent of four preschool classrooms each year. According to state and national data, 76% of drownings of children under 5 happen in residential pools.
Ice Paints

Babies love nothing more than to explore the world around them with their five senses. Everything is new and fascinating to them. These frozen cubes of paint will be such a fun experience for your little one.
Smoosh Painting

No mess smoosh painting naturally encourages the exploration of developmentally appropriate skills and senses. Touch, Sight, Cause-And-Effect, and Fine Motor. This is one easy low-prep activity you can feel good about!
Cardboard Tent Craft

Large Cardboard Box
Painter’s Tape
Brown Packing Tape
Acrylic Paint
Brushes

With a few supplies, your toddler can make their own outdoor play tent. Click below for a tutorial.
Kid-Approved No-Churn Ice Cream

The summer heat is here and ice cream is a must! This no-churn unicorn ice cream is a fruity, colorful, magical frozen treat that does NOT require an ice cream maker. It will be a fun activity for the kids to join in.
Mother's Day Flower Pot Craft

This Mother’s Day Flower Pot Craft is a great preschool craft that is perfect for the littlest of crafters and is fun for the older kids too! Fill these flower pots with candy and a sweet picture for a memorable Mother’s Day gift.
Sidewalk Fizzy Foam Paint

Your kids are sure to have some fun with this fizzy foam sidewalk paint. It really is a lot of fun because after you make your creation - spray it with the vinegar and it fizzes up. Art and science mixed together!
Parents face a bewildering range of food advice. These tips can help.

Fold in new and diverse items and try to eat together. These suggestions could make introducing solid foods an exciting season of growth, experimentation and fun, experts say. Read more...
May Special Dates
 
ALS Awareness Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Dental Care Awareness Month
Military Appreciation Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Wildfire Awareness Month
Foster Care Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Water Safety Month
Small Business Week (May 1 - 7)
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 1 - 7)
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 - 6)

Florida KidCare offers quality, affordable health & dental insurance for ALL FL children from birth through the end of age 18! Children are eligible for head to toe coverage, even if one or both parents are working.

Click here and use code ELC5 to receive an expedited application process.
We exist to help grow healthy children, parents,
and the relationship between them.
If you have applied for child care assistance and are on the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida’s wait list, please call us at 850-747-5400 or toll free 866-277-9077 for other financial options.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning