Events & Workshops
November 21, 2024ECCS Community Cafe: Encouraging a Play-based Childhood
November 22, 2024Children’s Mental Health in Southington – a lunchtime webinar
December 1, 2024Santa’s Jolly Holiday
December 6, 2024Bright Lights Christmas Festival
January 21, 2025ECCS Board Meeting – January 2025
February 18, 2025ECCS Board Meeting – February 2025
March 18, 2025ECCS Board Meeting – March 2025
ECCS Community Cafe: Encouraging a Play-based Childhood
Join the ECCS to discuss the importance of a play-based childhood and how to support childhood independence in the Southington community.
The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is hosting their third Community Cafe for parents, grandparents, foster parents, childcare providers and other caregivers.
Dinner will be provided. Childcare is available if requested during registration.
The goals are to:
• Learn about the impact of play on a child’s development.
• Hear about what happened in society over the last 50 years that discouraged parents from allowing their children to play independently and why attitudes are now changing towards more play.
• Learn about CT legislation which gives parents more freedom to allow their children independence, and the requirement that schools provide younger students with time for play during the school day.
• Discussion of challenges or limitations your family has faced around this issue.
• Brainstorm how the Southington community can encourage all children to play safely and independently.
• Hear about what happened in society over the last 50 years that discouraged parents from allowing their children to play independently and why attitudes are now changing towards more play.
• Learn about CT legislation which gives parents more freedom to allow their children independence, and the requirement that schools provide younger students with time for play during the school day.
• Discussion of challenges or limitations your family has faced around this issue.
• Brainstorm how the Southington community can encourage all children to play safely and independently.
We want to hear from you!
This free event is funded by a grant from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood as administered by the Connecticut Children’s Collective (CTCC).
Children’s Mental Health in Southington – a lunchtime webinar
Welcome to the Children’s Mental Health in Southington webinar! Join us at lunchtime where we will discuss important topics related to mental health in children and families in our community. This online event is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights and find resources.
Have questions? You can submit them in advance.
Speakers include:
- Holly Hanson, LMSW – Southington’s Senior Community Health Outreach Coordinator
- Emmanuel Silva De Sousa – Practice Manager and Lead Early Childhood Specialist at Integrated Wellness Group (and an ECCS Board Member)
- Joanne Kelleher – Executive Director of Early Childhood Collaborative of Southingon
The webinar will cover:
- What is mental health in children and why is it important?
- Trends and statistics
- Local Treatment Options and Assistance
- Finding help
- Future classes and events
- Your questions
Can’t make it? We will record this and send you the link for viewing later.
This webinar is part of our Southington Community Well-Being Grant Initiative through the Bradley Henry Barnes & Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust at the Main Street Community Foundation.
Santa’s Jolly Holiday
Join us as we welcome Santa to Southington! Meet Santa, write a wish list, face painting, do balloon art, and more! This is a FREE event for Southington residents.
The ECCS will be attending this event.
Bright Lights Christmas Festival
Join us Downtown for FREE Family Activities on and around the Town Green, you can enjoy; Polar Express Children’s Train Ride, Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt, Letters to Santa, Visits with Santa, and More!
Stop by the American Legion to say Hi to Santa and the ECCS.
ECCS Board Meeting – January 2025
Are you interested in supporting the ECCS? Join us for our next Board meeting.
Note this is not an educational workshop and the focus will be on planning and current issues in the area of early childhood.
Please let Joanne know if you plan to attend at southingtonearlychildhood@gmail.com so you can get the location, agenda and materials in advance.
ECCS Board Meeting – February 2025
Are you interested in supporting the ECCS? Join us for our next Board meeting.
Note this is not an educational workshop and the focus will be on planning and current issues in the area of early childhood.
Please let Joanne know if you plan to attend at southingtonearlychildhood@gmail.com so you can get the location, agenda and materials in advance.
ECCS Board Meeting – March 2025
Are you interested in supporting the ECCS? Join us for our next Board meeting.
Note this is not an educational workshop and the focus will be on planning and current issues in the area of early childhood.
Please let Joanne know if you plan to attend at southingtonearlychildhood@gmail.com so you can get the location, agenda and materials in advance.
ECCS Board Meeting – May 2025
Are you interested in supporting the ECCS? Join us for our next Board meeting.
Note this is not an educational workshop and the focus will be on planning and current issues in the area of early childhood.
Please let Joanne know if you plan to attend at southingtonearlychildhood@gmail.com so you can get the location, agenda and materials in advance.
Southington Summer 2025 Bookmobile Tour
Join us Friday, August 22rd, at any of our three stops so your child can pick out a FREE book from the Read to Grow Bookmobile!
Stop #1
Margaret Griffin Center
Lower parking lot off of Eden Ave behind Derynoski Elementary
Time: 10 to 11 am
Stop #2
Bread for Life’s Summer Lunch Program
Summer Brook Apartments
Building 32A-35 Parking Lot
Time: 12 to 1 pm
Stop #3
Southington Farmers Market
Southington Town Green
Time: 3 to 5 pm
