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Author: Nicole Schiff

Smiles your support inspired
Children pouring milk, scooping fruit, holding a book

I love walking into our Centers and seeing the shuffle of families dropping off with a kiss or hair tussle, our teachers welcoming a child inside with a silly question or gentle shoulder squeeze. I love the way a child lights up when you hand them a book and answer, “yes! This is for you, take it home.”

I marvel at mealtimes, watching our littlest kids sit patiently around a table for their friend to pass them a bowl of biscuits. Using tiny tongs, they place a biscuit on their plate. Early Connections even has pitchers that are the perfect size for their little hands. They are so proud to pour their own cup of milk. Do spills happen? Absolutely! They help clean up, too.

Every donation supports these small moments in big ways. These are the moments when our children learn abundantly. Another perk of my job? I get to share a few of the smiles inspired by what is made possible with your generosity. Watch the short video above to see our preschool students enjoying a book about flowers and constructing their own flower garden on a rainy day. With a little intentional sprinklings of time and care, it’s incredible what may grow and bloom. 

Donations contribute richly to the mental, physical, and emotional development of our children. With support from donors like you, we have provided the following during the first quarter of 2023 (January to April):

● given out 929 books for children to build their home library and love of reading

● hosted 15+ events for families to play, learn, and foster a strong sense of community

● served 13,379 snacks that are delicious and nutritious 

Nicole Anthony Schiff

Nicole Anthony Schiff Development Director (719) 381-4803

Family time is essential to a child’s growth. At Early Connections, we embrace a holistic, “whole-child” approach to provide children the absolute best start in life. One aspect of our program focuses on family engagement. We know family members serve as a child’s first and most important teacher. We celebrate our families for this important role they play, and offer a range of services and tools to ensure they feel supported. Our expert staff work in tandem with families to create a warm and welcoming environment that fosters growth, learning, and a sense of community.

Our Centers host Family Nights, welcoming siblings, parents, grandparents, and other family members to gather, share a meal, and enjoy a fun activity. Individual classrooms also regularly invite families to visit, using snack time and creative play to engage with whatever topic their child is currently learning.

Another powerful resource we offer families are weekend workshops that provide hands-on learning and tools for promoting a child’s social and emotional skills and managing challenging behavior. Families express deep gratitude not only for what they learn at these workshops, but also that they are free, offered at convenient times, and include care and food for their child while participating in workshops.

Our goal is to provide at least one family engagement opportunity a month. We strive to set our families up for success because we know that when they are thriving, our children thrive, too. The video above shows some of the children in our care and their families. With your help, we are investing in two generations at once. 

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Reflecting upon Read Across America Day 2023

Watch a recap from our fun day below!

Local News Fox21 stopped by to cover Read Across America Day, too! Click HERE watch & read their coverage. 

make a donation today

Each month, every child at Early Connections receives a free book that’s appropriate for their age. Over time, children have a diverse range of books. Help build a child’s home library! Make a donation online.