The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and the Southington Police Department present a Child Car Seat Safety Check on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Super Suds Laundromat.
166 Main St, Southington
Thursday, September 7th. Drop-in from 10:30 to 12.
Bring your laundry and little ones, and Super Suds will provide snacks, drinks, and the fun!

Enjoy great food and a fun night out while supporting the ECCS – 20% of all sales at Puerto Vallarta on Queen Street will be donated to the ECCS.

The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and the Family Resource Center are marching in the 2023 Apple Harvest Festival Parade. Come join us! Everyone is welcome including young children – bring your stroller or wagon.

The AHF parade steps off on Sunday, 10/1 at 2 pm. The rain date is Sunday, 10/8.



*Events*
Car Seat Safety Check The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and the Southington Police Department present a Child Car Seat Safety Check on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Southington Farmer’s Market Southington Town Green Fridays, 3 - 6 pm on September 1st and 15th. Stop by our table and ask your questions about raising children here in town. Loads and Laughs Playdate Super Suds Laundromat. 166 Main St, Southington Thursday, September 7th. Drop-in from 10:30 to 12. Bring your laundry and little ones, and Super Suds will provide snacks, drinks, and the fun! ECCS Fundraiser at Puerto Vallarta Save the date: September 26, 2023 from 3 pm to close Enjoy great food and a fun night out while supporting the ECCS – 20% of all sales at Puerto Vallarta on Queen Street will be donated to the ECCS. Sunday, October 1, 2023 Apple Harvest Festival Parade 2023 The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and the Family Resource Center are marching in the 2023 Apple Harvest Festival Parade. Come join us! Everyone is welcome including young children – bring your stroller or wagon. The AHF parade steps off on Sunday, 10/1 at 2 pm. The rain date is Sunday, 10/8.

*Back to School*
The first day of public school in Southington is Thursday, August 31st. The Southington Public School calendar is at https://www.southingtonschools.org/parents-students/calendar. You can find school bus routes for the Southington Public, Parochial and Technical Schools, along with a school-street directory at https://www.southingtonschools.org/parents-students/bus-routes. Stay connected and up to date with your child’s school by following them on social media or joining their PTO groups. A list for the Southington Public Schools is at http://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/southington-schools/.
*Preschool Openings*
Thinking about sending your child to preschool this fall? It is not too late. A few of the programs in town have some last-minute spaces. The ECCS tries to track openings at http://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/childcare-openings/. Scroll down to the Nursery School section for part-time preschool programs.
*Kindergarten Life Skills*
We all know that academic skills are important, but we often forget the importance of non-academic life skills your child should have before entering kindergarten. These life skills include; Using the restroom Shut and lock a bathroom stall door, undo clothing, use the toilet, wipe themselves, redo clothing, flush the toilet, exit stall and wash hands. Eating lunch Open every item in their lunchbox independently, clean up at the end of lunch, determine what to throw away vs. what to keep (disposable vs. reusable), know if they brought a lunchbox that day, how to put their lunchbox in their backpack, and know what their lunchbox looks like. Properly adjusting clothing Zip, button, snap, tie, how to put on a jacket, fasten their belt, tie or velcro their shoes, and understand that they have to keep their clothes on at school. Knowing important family information Their first and last name, parents’ first and last name, and caretaker’s phone number. Using proper social skills Respectfully answer an adult, respond when their name is called, know to wait their turn, gracefully lose, be kind to one another, and know the difference between tattling and telling. Behaving in a classroom Sit in a chair, know how to follow a two-step direction, sit quietly and listen to a story, keep hands to themselves, know how to do NON-PREFERRED tasks (we have to let our kids be bored sometimes), pack their backpack independently, understand positional words, and blow their nose. Using motor skills Hold a pencil, use crayons, hold scissors, and roll play dough. These skills help children learn how to complete tasks independently, regulate their emotions, develop social skills, and adhere to rules and routines. Not only does your child benefit in the long run, but learning life skills gives your child’s teacher more time to teach and work on their academic skills. Learn more about Kindergarten Life Skills and Kindergarten Readiness at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/kindergarten-ready/.
*Join us Tuesday, September 26th!*
*Ways you can Support ECCS*
1) Follow us on your favorite social media platforms and then like, comment, or share so your friends see our posts too! 2) Forward this email to a friend or colleague. 3) Volunteer your time as a board member or advocate. 4) Help with one-time or periodic donations.
*About Us*
The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is a group of committed educators, parents, grandparents, healthcare and childcare providers, business owners, civic organizations, and members of the community who are deeply invested in the growth, development, and academic success of young children in Southington.

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