Early childhood education makes an impact, and one thing is clear: children who participate in early childhood education programs have improved social skills and do better in school. They also learn essential life skills that stay with them forever. Has early childhood education benefited your child? If so, we want to share your story each Sunday on our social media pages during Family Engagement Month this month.

November is Family Engagement Month, a time to celebrate the crucial role parents and families play in their children's education. This month of celebration is meant to highlight the contributions of families and encourage increased participation at home and in the local community. Throughout the month, a variety of activities and resources will be shared with families. Make sure to sign up for our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Click the button below for ways to join in on the fun!

Florida Birth to 5 Survey

The College of Public Health at the University of South Florida is conducting this survey for Florida’s Division of Early Learning through the Preschool Development Grant to better understand and give voice to Florida’s families of young children. The survey aims to improve early childhood resources by learning about your child and family needs, preferences, and suggestions for making every Florida community a great place to raise a child. Please don't fill out the online survey unless you are a parent/primary caregiver of a child age 0-5.

• The survey is voluntary, anonymous, and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete
• We ask that one parent/primary caregiver per family of a child age 0-5 in Florida completes the survey. 
• The survey is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Haitian-Creole

Touch Frames For Babies

If you’ve yet to try making this for your little ones (babies & toddlers alike) don’t miss out on the fun. There’s plenty of inspiration out there. You can put just about anything on them. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Turkey Craft



This craft is adorable to hang up in your house or for the kids to give them to people in their life they are thankful for. With this craft you need several handprints, a footprint, and paint.

Blowing Bubbles Sensory Play 

Sensory activities are a fun way to encourage your toddler to explore and learn about their senses. Bubbles are great for sensory play because it’s likely something your toddler has not explored before, it’s cheap, and you may even already have some on hand

Thanksgiving Sensory Bin Play

To make this Thanksgiving sensory bin, you can use materials that you find around your home or outdoors. Other items can be found at the dollar store. Start with your Thanksgiving sensory play base material. Some ideas include dry field corn or regular popcorn, rice, dry beans, split peas.

Erupting Soap STEAM Activity for Kids

Erupting soap is a fun and simple STEAM science activity that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages.



Balloon Blow-Up Science Activity

This balloon demonstration looks like magic but is really just science. It is a great opportunity to talk to kids about chemical reactions if you choose. Inflating a balloon with baking soda and vinegar is a classic kids’ science activity. And after the oohs and aahs have died down, feel free to repeat the experiment!

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

Getting Mobile

Here’s what to expect as your child becomes mobile. Remember that milestones predict the order of developing skills rather than an exact timetable. Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s progress. Read More... 

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!

5 Tips For A Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Whether you’re traveling by car, or train or plane, coming home for the holidays is exciting. Before you pack up the car and bundle up the kids, put the turkey and pies in the oven – or whatever else is on your list before you go – here are five quick tips to help you and your family stay safe for the holiday. Read more...

National Veterans and Military Families Month

Children may find it very difficult to adjust to the absence of a parent who is called to duty. Some children may not understand why a parent has to leave, while others may be afraid for their parent's safety. Some children may even be angry with a parent for leaving. It's important to keep talking to your child and watching how they are handling the separation.

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is November 18th. In early childhood, parents can encourage kids to celebrate kind behaviors such as sharing, helping, comforting, and giving to show that they are valued, acknowledged, and celebrated. 



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!

Did you know the ELCNWF serves over 3,000 children a day in Northwest Florida? Additionally, the Coalition provides funding assistance to nearly 2,100 parents and caregivers so they can continue to work and/or attend school. We invite you to join our efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution. Make a one-time donation or multiply your impact by making a monthly gift!

Winn-Dixie Community Bag Fundraiser THIS MONTH

The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida has been selected again this year as the beneficiary of the Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program!

Each time the $2.99 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Winn-Dixie at 4478 Market Street, Marianna, FL during the month of November, we will receive a $1 donation.

Please share this news with your friends and family!

ABLE United, Florida’s Disability Savings Program

Did you know that in December 2014, The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act allowed states to offer a tax-free savings and investment ABLE account for individuals with a disability and their families to save funds to support health, independence, and quality of life? Florida launched their program in 2016 called ABLE United.

• Save in a tax-advantaged ABLE account, without impacting eligibility for public benefit programs like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid.  
• Managed by the Florida Prepaid College Board, providing you with more than 30 years of financial expertise.
• ABLE accounts are very flexible, and funds may be used for everyday living expenses, such as school related expenses, assistive technology, and medical appointments, or for future expenses like purchasing a car or house. 

Join the thousands of Floridians who have opened an account online at www.ableunited.com. Now through November 11, 2022, new enrollments will receive a FREE $50 contribution into their ABLE United account.

Have questions about eligibility, how ABLE accounts work with benefits, and enrollment? Book a 1:1 conversation with John Finch, the Director of ABLE United.

For more information, visit www.ableunited.com and for resources in Spanish, visit www.ableunited.com/espanol.

November Special Dates

Family Engagement Month

Child Safety Protection Month

National Adoption Awareness Month

Military Family Appreciation Month

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Get Outdoors Week (November 12-20)

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (November 11-19)

Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida

Phone: 850.747.5400 | Fax: 850.747.5450

WWW.ELCNWF.ORG