It's Christmas Eve 🎄 Make sure the stockings are hung and you leave cookies out for Santa! Track Saint Nick, play games, listen to Christmas music, and more at https://www.noradsanta.org/en/

ECCS Board Chair Rachel Wardwell visited the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain offices to share our mission and speak about how valuable the CFGNB's nonprofit capacity building workshops have been. Watch the video here https://vimeo.com/1138268296

If you are in need of heating or energy assistance, there are many programs available - 🔌CT Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): Apply online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or through your local CAA at 211ct.org or call 211. ❄️Utility Shutoff Protection: eversource.com/billhelp.

Merry Winter Solstice and a Blessed Yule to those that celebrate 🕯️ Today is the shortest day of the year which means there are brighter days ahead! Here are a couple kids crafts to celebrate Yule, https://loom.ly/HrVt3fY

Today is Games Day 🎲 Board games, card games, and even video games can promote family bonding, improve math, literacy, communication skills and more! What are your favorite games to play as a family?

It is Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 🎄 Show us your funny, festive, and/or ugly Christmas sweaters!

Will your child receive a new E-bike, bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or roller skates as a holiday gift? 🎁 Don't forget to get them a helmet that fits and matches their activity. Learn about bicycle and E-bike safety at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/health-development/bicycle-safety/

Today is the start of Las Posadas 🎊 This Christmas festival is celebrated in Mexico and Hispanic communities in the US. It begins on 12/16 and the final celebration takes place on Christmas Eve. You can find fun learning activities at https://loom.ly/0RkMiLs.

Thank you to Read to Grow for their contribution of 10 boxes of books for our annual donation to the Southington Community Services holiday gift program. 📚 The packages will also include information about the ECCS, a brochure from the Southington Public Library.

This evening marks the first night of Hanukkah 🕎 If you are in need of some ideas for Hanukkah activities for kids, check out https://www.care.com/c/101-hanukkah-activities-for-kids

In remembrance of the Sandy Hook tragedy and in honor of the lives taken on 12/14/12, we are making the promise to do all we can to end school shootings and protect children from gun violence. Join the #SandyHookPromise by texting PROMISE to 79775. #HonorWithAction #EndGunViolence #ProtectOurKids

SPS will host screening sessions for families seeking a waiver for any child who wishes to enter Kindergarten next fall and will NOT be five years of age by September 1, 2026. 🗓️ Screening Sessions will take place on 1/17 and 1/31. For more info go to https://loom.ly/g2EeU5I

Join us tomorrow, December 14th, from 4:30 -7:30 pm for Christmas in the Village of Plantsville 🎅 Come say 'Hi' to us inside the firehouse! Learn more about this and other events at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events/

Today is St. Lucia Day🕯️The feast day of St Lucia marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia. St Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights and is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. Learn more about St. Lucia's Day at https://loom.ly/dL5Zabc

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at the Bright Lights Christmas Festival last week! 🎄

Today is Gingerbread House Day 🎄 Decorating gingerbread houses is a great way to boost creativity, build fine motorskills, and is fun for the whole family. Tag us in pictures of your gingerbread houses, we would love to see them!

Santa's mail box has reappeared in front of the Southington Post Office! 🎅 You can drop off a letter to Santa and the elves at the P.O. will make sure you get a reply. Be sure to include your full return address. No postage is necessary, just address the envelope to Santa.

Whole Grains Make a Difference 🍞 Whole grains have B vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep your child strong and healthy. It’s easier to get your child in the habit of eating and enjoying whole grains if you start when they are young. Read more Nibbles for Health at https://loom.ly/vkxkUkk

Loss of a parent to incarceration can impact the young child who is just developing their sense of trust & security. The child’s ability to cope depends largely upon the reactions of the caregivers around them, consistency in routines & environments. Read more at https://www.eccpct.com/Resources

Today is Bodhi Day ☸️ Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that celebrates the day that Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment. Celebrations around the world differ but typically include meditative practices and decorating a Bodhi tree.

If you received our November newsletter or a flyer at one of our recent events about the seventh RAPID-CT survey for Connecticut families with children under the age of 6, be sure to respond before it closes tomorrow, December 8th.

Check out the HRSA Seasonal Tips on Holiday Decor and call the #PoisonHelpline at 1-800-222-1222 to talk to an expert🎄 •Old ornaments may contain lead •Small ornaments can be a choking hazard •Bulbs may be poisonous if swallowed •Mistletoe can be poisonous •Use fake snow only in a well-vented space

Today is St. Nicholas Day! Generally observed on December 6th or December 19th, it is the Feast of St. Nicholas or the Feast of Sinterklaas in the US and across Europe. Learn more about St. Nicholas Day and the different traditions at https://www.almanac.com/st-nicholas-day#

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month 🎁 It’s important to keep safety in mind as we shop for all the little ones in our lives. Keep up with current product recalls at https://www.safekids.org/product-recalls

Join us tomorrow from 5:30 pm - 8 pm for the Bright Lights Christmas Festival in Downtown Southington! 🎄 🎅 Stop by the American Legion to say "Hi" to Santa and the ECCS. Learn more about this and other events the ECCS will be attending at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events

This week is National Hand Washing Awareness Week 🧼 No matter where you are, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from germs that can make you sick. Learn about the importance of hand hygiene at https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/hand-hygiene.html

#ThankYouWednesday 💗 Thank you to everyone who shared our posts and was able to donate for #GivingTuesday! Our work is only made possible because of your support. If you want to support the ECCS go to https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/donate-to-eccs/

There are plenty of ways to give! Here are just 5 examples of how you can support us ❤ #GivingTuesday 1. Volunteer 2. Check out our wishlist https://bit.ly/ECCSWaysToDonate 3. Advocate https://bit.ly/ECCSAdvocate 4. Donate https://bit.ly/ECCSDonate#GivingTuesday5. Follow, Like, and Share our social media

Today is #GivingTuesday ❤ How are you giving back to the community today? We hope that you consider helping the ECCS on our mission to ensure that Southington's children are healthy and ready to learn by sharing our posts and making a donation at https://loom.ly/iCuYS9c

Join us tomorrow for Office Hours 🗓️ Stop by our office space, from 10 am - 12 pm. The ECCS Executive Director, Joanne Kelleher, can answer your questions about raising children here in town. See more dates for office hours and other upcoming events at https://loom.ly/2XIZN08

Relationships shape the lives of young children & serve as a template for their own growth & development. Managing the needs of the children in your care provides great opportunities to help develop respectful, responsive relationships with others. Read more at https://www.eccpct.com/Resources

Join us tomorrow, November 30th, from 2:00-4:00 pm for Santa's Jolly Holiday at the Southington Calendar House 🎅 Learn more about this and other events at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events/

Today is the start of La Purísima! La Purísima is a primarily Nicaraguan celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The final night of the Novena (a nine day devotion) is called La Gritería which is celebrated with feasts, small toys, and fireworks 🎆

This Thanksgiving, the ECCS is thankful for the continued support from our donors and the community. Together we are improving the lives of young children, ensuring that they are healthy and ready to learn. After giving thanks please consider giving back to the community #GivingTuesday ❤

"When you help your child recognize the physical features that accompany feeling sad and understand the reasons why someone might feel sad, you are helping your child create the necessary building blocks for him to manage his own emotions and relationships." Read more at https://loom.ly/8-8nW2s

#GivingTuesday is next week, but it is never too early to give ❤ If you want to support the ECCS in our mission to ensure that children are healthy and ready to learn, go to https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/donate-to-eccs/

How is your Thanksgiving prep going? 🦃 Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to get the kids involved in cooking and baking! Not only can it be a fun bonding experience but it can help young kids learn basic math concepts and build language skills. Learn more at https://loom.ly/y2igopk

Did you miss the Preschool Showcase earlier this month? You can learn about all of your Preschool Options at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/kindergarten-ready/preschool-options/ 🧩 Many preschools have already begun their enrollment for Fall 2026.

This week was Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week 🏡 The ECCS has been tracking is the Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Meals K-12 in SPS which has been steadily increasing since 2010. For food or other assistance check out southingtonearlychildhood.org/food-and-financial-assistance

Healthy Celebrations, Lasting Memories 🎉 Celebrations & seasonal events are a great time to include nutritious foods & active play. Fun Ideas To Try at Home: 1)Create fun food 2)Get moving 3)Get colorful 4)Go simple with drinks 5)Decorate together Read more at https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/nibbles

Family Literacy Month is a great opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the importance of reading and learning together 📚 Reading with your family is a great way to improve communication skills, strengthen family bonds, and foster a love of learning.

Save the date! 12/2/2025 is #GivingTuesday ❤ Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others. You can help out the ECCS on our mission to makes sure that children are healthy and ready to learn by sharing this post and donating at https://loom.ly/j_T3EBk

Your child’s behavior is a powerful communication tool that she uses to tell you what she needs or wants. Children will use challenging behavior to communicate until they learn new, more appropriate ways to express their wants and needs. Read this and more at https://loom.ly/8-8nW2s

High-quality ‘mixed-age group’ care can enhance children’s social and emotional development. In ‘mixed-age group’ settings, children have opportunities to lead, instruct, assume responsibilities, and nurture others. Read more Tips for Tots at https://www.eccpct.com/Resources

#GivingTuesday is just a few weeks away but it is never too early to give ❤ If you want to support the ECCS in our mission to ensure that children are healthy and ready to learn go to https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/donate-to-eccs/

Individuals with Disabilities Act is a nationwide Act that provides free & appropriate education to children identified with 1 of 13 federally recognized categories of disability, 14 in CT. Links to special education resources & full glossary at https://loom.ly/I5as6Ro.

Get ready for a safe Thanksgiving by checking out the HRSA Seasonal Tips and call the #PoisonHelpline at 1-800-222-1222 🦃 • Thaw turkey in the refrigerator. • Wash hands AFTER handling any meat. • Use a meat thermometer. • Refrigerate turkey, gravy, and stuffing after your meal.

Wheeler’s Southington Behavioral Health Outreach Project is hosting a presentation titled “Caring for the Caregiver: Preventing Burnout and Finding Balance.” 11/18/2025 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Southington Public Library Register for this FREE event at https://loom.ly/o74L4jA

Join us tomorrow 11/12, 9am-12pm for Library Office Hours 🍎 Stop by the Children's Department in the Southington Library & see the ECCS Executive Director. She can answer your questions about raising children here in town. Upcoming ECCS events can be found at https://loom.ly/uhIlYg8

Thank you to all those who have served! 🇺🇸 Looking for ideas on how to celebrate with young kids? Check out https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/teaching-kids-about-veterans-day-resources-and-ideas.html