Great Start News
April 2021
Our Children, Our Community, Our Future
Calling All Preschoolers!
To begin the process of applying, please complete the interest form or call (517) 768-5130 to apply over the phone. After completing the interest form, you will begin receiving robocalls and text messages on how to complete your application.
Pregnancy & Baby Webpage
Let's Go Fishing Snack
You will need:
goldfish crackers
pretzel sticks
peanut butter or cream cheese
Directions:
- Dip the pretzel stick into the peanut butter to make it sticky!
- Catch a fish!
- Eat it up!
Help your child read the recipe and make it together. Enjoy!
Let's Come Together
In her children's book, Hey Wall, Susan Verde writes about a community coming together and making wall art just like what happens during our Bright Walls events. She shares, "A blank wall can become a canvas that unites and transforms neighborhoods and communities. It can become a place for messages of hope and pride, filled with emotion and personality." Books like this offer a great opportunity to teach children about the importance of embracing diversity. Children of color, with disabilities, or any other kind of diversity, can sometimes feel different and it is important to represent them in books. Below you will find Susan Verde's book as well as a few others that hold the same underlying message.
Drink Like a Bee
Did you know that honey bees are the only insect that produces food eaten by humans? During a single collection trip, a honey bee will visit anywhere from 50 to 100 flowers. Honey bees beat their wings 200 times per second, creating their trademark "buzz." Here is a fun craft that you can do with your child, then pretend to drink like bees!
You will need:
colored construction paper
straws
glue
scissors
Directions:
- Use the scissors, glue, and construction paper to create big flowers.
- Once the glue is dry, use the scissors to cut a small hole in the middle of the flower.
- Place the straw through the hole.
- Put the straw in a glass of juice and drink it like a bee!
For more information on bees, please visit National Geographic Kids.
YMCA Financial Assistance
Did you know that the Jackson YMCA collects fees based on a sliding fee scale? Please visit here for more information and to apply.
Black and White Sorting Activitiy
Here is a fun and easy game to play with children that will help them learn about opposites.
You will need:
black construction paper
white construction paper
black items - ie. buttons, paper, feathers, charging cord, etc.
white items - cotton balls, q-tips, water bottle cap, etc.
Directions:
- Gather items around your home that are solid black and solid white.
- Mix the items together into a bag.
- Place the black and white pieces of paper onto a table.
- One by one, have your child pick an item from the bag and place it on the correct piece of paper.
Tip - if you have black and white markers or chalk, write the color at the top of each piece of paper before starting the game.
Diversity is a Strength
There are several ways to do this, but the best way is to set a good example. Seeing you respond to diversity in a supportive, empathetic way will help children develop in the same way.
For more on this topic, please read this Health Partners article.
We are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Bright by Text, a national parent texting program, to put expert tips, games, and child development information directly into the hands of parents and caregivers. Bright by Text provides research-based content on child development and learning from trusted experts like PBS, Vroom, Sesame Street, and the CDC, beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy up to age 8. 2-4 simple texts are sent out per week that include links leading to additional information, such as a video or website. In addition, texts will include resources and family-friendly activities being offered right here in Jackson County. Bright by Text messages are offered in both English and Spanish and are specific to the age of your child.
It is easy to sign up for Bright by Text - simply text GREATSTART to 274448 or follow this link to get started!!
Supporting My Brain Development: 6-8 Years Old
- Speaking in full sentences, telling longer stories
- Reading short words and sentences
- Drawing people and animals
- May tire easily
Some Ideas for Spending Time with Me
- Tell me what I am good at doing
- Help me take on new responsibilities
- Talk with me about ways to show my feelings, especially about safe ways of showing anger
- Share your feelings and stories about how to deal with problems and face fears
- Set up practical routines, which gives me reassurance
For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact Us
Chrissy Blackwell: Great Start Co-Coordinator christina.blackwell@jcisd.org
Jennifer Ganzel: Great Start Families Parent Liasion greatstart.parents@jcisd.org
Kelly Friedland: Early Childhood Grant Support and Data Specialist kelly.friedland@jcisd.org
Resha Willis: Great Start Playgroups Coordinator jacksonplaygroups@gmail.com