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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 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.
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.
HOPE, JOY, AND A FUTURE THAT IS BRIGHT
give your voice
Talk to people about Early Connections and how we have worked tirelessly (125 years and counting!) to provide high quality care and education to the children of El Paso County, regardless of their family’s economic status.
In fact, 98% of the children who walk through our doors are offered tuition assistance. Additionally, nearly 78% quality for free and reduced lunch.
Educate yourself and educate others – share these important stats!
Watch and share the video below on social media and let people know how they can continue and contribute to our 125 year legacy.
The village that gathers around a child
With the color-changing of leaves, we are reflecting upon the upcoming ‘Season of Giving’ and the ‘village’ that gathers around in support of a child. In this video, our President and CEO Liz Denson highlights and expresses her gratitude for the many people who make up the Early Connections village – our knowledgeable teachers, our dedicated staff and Board, our generous donors – every single person plays an important role. For 125 years, our village has come together to support children and families in Colorado Springs, so they are both successful not only in school, but also in life. Watch this video, and we hope you’ll take the opportunity to introduce more people to Early Connections to grow our village.
Thank you!
Our 125th Anniversary Celebration was so special – thank you for being there! The outpouring of love and support for the children of Early Connections was powerful: it changes lives and our community.
Here’s a short message from our President & CEO Liz Denson. You might also recognize her special guest.
Your support makes a difference everyday. Thank you and have a great week!
Literacy Kits
Liz Denson, President and CEO of Early Connections Learning Centers, sits down with 2021 Terri lynne Lokoff Teacher of the Year Recipient, Ms. Mariah to unpack our literacy kits. These special kits provide a unique resource to help our teachers with the curriculum goals they set for students. Watch this video to learn what each kit includes and hear a few examples of they are used in the classroom to engage and delight our students.
Curriculum in Action
At Early Connections, our curriculum thoughtfully and intentionally guides everything from the activities we do to the language we use to support the healthy development of our children. Even art projects! In this video, our curriculum & instructor coordinator Brandi Bergh walks us through an open-ended art project with two of our children. These sorts of activities focus more on the process versus the final product. Through the process of open-ended art, our children learn how to enhance their creativity, problem solve, and develop a strong sense of self. Not only will you see how much fun they have in this video, but you’ll also discover how much they are learning.