Newsletter - June 2021
SPARK is the hub of a valuable wheel. An education initiative of Fox Valley United Way, SPARK (Strong, Prepared and Ready for Kindergarten) connects underserved Aurora, Illinois, families with early education and childcare opportunities that prepare their young children for success in school and life.
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SPARK Family Activity Calendar
SPARK monthly calendar has been created to share ideas for activities for young children, including easy things you can do at home as well as new places to explore in the community. July is National Picnic Month and our calendar has ideas for games to do on your family picnic. July is a great time to be outside and there are links to easy and fun activities on the calendar too!

Nuestro calendario de SPARK ha sido creado para compartir ideas de actividades para niños pequeños, incluyendo cosas faciles que pueden hacer en la casa y tambien lugares diferentes que pueden explorar en su comunidad. Julio es mes nacional del picnic y el calendario tiene ideas para juegos que pueden hacer un su picnic familiar. Tambien el mes de julio es buen tiempo de estar afuera y hay enlaces para actividades divertidos y faciles en el calendario!
Partner Spotlight: TriCity Family Services
Preschoolers (ages 3-5) will learn and practice social/emotional skills from the comfort of home alongside a parent or caregiver, while seeing each other express emotions without masks on...

Children will see and talk to each other in highly interactive Zoom Meetings, with a focus on playful learning and conversation in an encouraging, positive, and supportive environment.

Children are NOT expected to sit still the whole time and movement WILL be intentionally included.

Attend via Zoom. Registration: Required. Cost: Free.

Questions? Email:
emotional-wellness-no-reply@tricityfamilyservices.org
Countdown to Kindergarten
Visit our kindergarten registration landing page to find the information for your child's school district.
Virtual Play. Learn. Connect.
For this month's Play. Learn. Connect. activity we've partnered with Girl Scouts of America to offer a virtual Kindergarten Summer Camp. This camp is open to all children birth to five years old. Materials are provided. We hope to see you all there.

Note: This a repeat of the PLC camp from May and all activities will be the same.
Did you miss our previous Play. Learn. Connect. activities? Don't worry you can check them all out on our website just click the green button below. And be sure to like our Facebook page to see all of our future virtual Play. Learn. Connect. activities. 
Father's Group
Calling all dads! Come and connect with other dads in your area. A new group is starting July 15th that will meet on Thursdays. Healthy Dad = Healthy Family. We hope to see you there.
¡Llamando a todos los papás! Ven y conéctate con otros papás en tu área. Un nuevo grupo está comenzando el 15 de julio que se reunirá todos los jueves de 4 a 5 p.m., Healthy Dad = Healthy Family. Esperamos verte ahí. 
Gateway to Early Childhood: Virtual support now available for our families
The goal of SPARK is to connect families with children birth to 5 to quality early childhood supports and services. If you are looking for a program for you child, please watch this short video for more information on how to connect with our staff.

You can contact us at (630)896-4636 or spark@foxvalleyunitedway.org with any questions.
How ASQ Educates Families About Child Development
Due to the pandemic, parents and caregivers have been spending more time with their child and may not have as close a connection to their child’s teacher and/or care providers. Many parents may be wondering if their child’s development is progressing in a healthy, age-appropriate way. They may have questions: is my child on track for key milestones? Do they need extra help in any developmental areas? What can I do to help my child keep making developmental and social-emotional progress? ASQ® can help.

See below how you can schedule a free ASQ with our family engagement team.
Show Us What Your Child Can Do! Schedule a Developmental Screening Today.
Our family engagement team is available to schedule a FREE developmental screening. Every family that participates in a developmental screening will receive a preschool activity backpack.

What is a developmental screening?
A parent led screening tool that will provide a quick check of your child’s development. Together we can see all the amazing things your child is able to do in five developmental areas: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social. The information you supply will help reveal your child’s strengths, uncover any areas of concern, and determine if there are community resources or services that may be useful for your child or your family.

How does the screening work?
The screening is a survey style tool where you will tell us and/or show us what your child can do or what they are still learning. They typically take around twenty minutes.

Why is a developmental screening important?
The first five years of a child's life are so important for future success and checking in on their milestones will set them up for success in school and life.

If you would like to schedule a FREE developmental screening with someone from our family engagement team or if you have any questions you can contact us at (630)896-4636 or email us at spark@foxvalleyunitedway.org. We are excited to hear from you and help your child be Strong, Prepared And Ready for Kindergarten.
Family Activity: Celebrate Diversity
English:
As your little one grows, you may notice that she has many questions about the differences and similarities between people. By encouraging these questions, you will show your child that it’s good to talk and think about diversity and acceptance. For more tips on diversity from our partners Too Small To Fail, click here: https://bit.ly/2AP67nq
Español
A medida que su pequeño crece, puede notar que tiene muchas preguntas sobre las diferencias y similitudes entre las personas. Al fomentar estas preguntas, le demostrará a su hijo que es bueno hablar y pensar sobre la diversidad y la aceptación. Para obtener más consejos sobre diversidad de nuestros socios Too Small To Fail, haga clic aquí: https://bit.ly/3z09Lnx
Spotlight on Children's Books that Promote Diversity
We All Belong: A Children's Book About Diversity, Race and Empathy

We all live in the one world together. Let's see how we're different in some ways and the same in other ways.

We all Belong' is a beautifully written and illustrated children's picture book that recognises and celebrates the diversity in a caring group of children.

A wonderfully flowing, rhyming poem about respect... whatever our culture, whatever the colour of our skin.
If you like 'All the ways to be smart', you will treasure this.
A stunning poem about inclusion, with excellent representation of different cultures. Much-needed in today's society.

Recommended: infant-12 years
Resources
Bright By Text: Parenting Resource Texting Service
We are proud to announce that we have partnered with Bright by Text to bring this free program to you! Bright By Text is a free parenting resource that sends tips, local events and activities right to your phone. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, neighbor, or babysitter, Bright by Text can make caring for a little one easier! To receive free tips and learning games directly to your phone text SPARKKIDS to 274 448 or visit https://bbtxt.org/3xNXS3q.

*Standard message and data rates apply. Text STOP to 274448 to stop. Text HELP to 274448 for help.
2-1-1: The Number to Call (or text!) When You Don't Know Who To Call