The CT Office of Early Childhood’s Blue Ribbon Panel Report
"On December 8, 2023, the final report was submitted to the Governor’s office. Read the report now. The culmination of over a year of work, the Report incorporates extensive feedback from Blue Ribbon workgroups, national and local experts, Panel members, and
Our Collective Wisdom Series: Language Equity
On November 15, 2023 the Collective welcomed Maria Vasquez, Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative's Parent Ambassador, originally from Peru, as well as WECC Coordinator and Family Liaison for Wethersfield Public School Kimberly Bobin, as our special guests for our Collective Wisdom
November is National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also
November is National Native American Heritage Month
Welcome to Native American Heritage Month at the Department of the Interior! National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native
October’s Collective Spotlight ~ Naugatuck!
This month, we revisit one of our advocacy videos. Our local early childhood collaborative partners are always focused on providing their families with food, clothing, formula, diapers, and housing resources to ensure that they have necessary items so they can
The CT Association for Infant Mental Health Workshop Recording
On October 18, 2023 the Collective was pleased to welcome Heidi Maderia, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association on Infant and Mental Health. Participants learned of all the resources that CT-AIMH can offer to professionals working in the field who
Talking to Children During Troubling Times
In today's world, parents and caregivers are faced with the challenge of explaining violence, terrorism, and war to children. Although difficult, these conversations are extremely important. They give parents and caregivers an opportunity to help children feel more secure and
The Office of Early Childhood’s October Pyramid Page!
We all know that it can be difficult to get young children to respond to adult requests. The younger a child is, the less likely it is that they understand what is expected. This uncertainty can lead to tantrums, crying,
World Mental Health Day
This year's theme is "Mental health is a universal human right." World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th each year, serves as a global platform to raise awareness and promote mental health education, advocacy, and support. In 2023, the
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), observed in October, is a time to recognize victims and raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship used by one partner to
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Facts & Stats 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Chances are, you know at least
Our Collective Wisdom Series!
On September 20, 2023 we began the first in our new series, Our Collective Wisdom. We have chosen this year to highlight the good-works of our local early childhood collaboratives (LECCs), through our Collective Spotlight series. With Our Collective Wisdom
Hispanic Heritage Month Begins Its Celebration on September 15th!
"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in
Check Out the CT Office of Early Childhood’s September Pyramid Page!
Young children deal with many of the same emotions adults do. Children get angry, sad, frustrated, nervous, happy, or embarrassed, but they often do not have the words to talk about how they are feeling. Instead, they sometimes act out
September is Suicide Prevention Month
"Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often
A Collective Spotlight on the Northeast Regional Early Childhood Council
The Connecticut Children's Collective partners with local early childhood collaboratives from across the state that are doing amazing, innovative, system-changing work. In 2023 we started a new series: the Collective Spotlight. We will talk with directors, staff, parents, and community
Combat Burnout With Emotional Intelligence
As we begin to prepare for the upcoming school year, and all the pressures and stress it holds in store for us, we need to take care that we are mindful of our body, mind, and spirit-- that we take
The Office of Early Childhood’s August Pyramid Page!
Social skills are behaviors that promote positive interactions among people. Some examples of important social skills for young children are sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others. After age one, children increase their peer interactions. Toddlers begin to make attempts
A Collective Spotlight on Wethersfield
The Connecticut Children’s Collective, partners with local early childhood collaboratives from across the state that are doing amazing, innovative, system-changing work. In 2023 we started a new series, the Collective Spotlight. We will talk with directors, staff, parents, and community
Get Ready for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading Week!
We invite you to join the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for a week-long (July 17–21) series of virtual events that will spotlight how dozens of states are working to advance early school success and accelerate equitable learning recovery. Organized and
Check Out the Office of Early Childhood’s July Pyramid Page!
"We all experience fear from time to time. However, children and adults experience the world differently, so it is not uncommon for children to be afraid of things that don’t make sense to the adults in their lives. You can
A Collective Spotlight on West Haven
The Connecticut Children’s Collective, partners with local early childhood collaboratives from across the state that are doing amazing, innovative, system-changing work. In 2023 we started a new series, the Collective Spotlight. We will talk with directors, staff, parents, and community
The Office of Early Childhood’s June Pyramid Page
An important skill for successful social interaction is being able to resolve conflicts. When teachers and parents nurture the development of conflict resolution skills, they are providing young children with the ability to resolve situations before they spin out of
Celebrate Juneteenth!
SEL4CT celebrates Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans and deriving its name from combining “June” and “nineteenth.” This is a day everyone can celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black Americans. Integrating the significance of Juneteenth into SEL
June is Pride Month!
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in
Father Engagement Workshop Recording
On May 17, 2023 the Collective welcome Patterson "Don" Crocker from the Village for Families and Children. Don is the Supervisor of Father Engagement Services (FES) for The Village for Families & Children. He has served previously in the Human
The Office of Early Childhood’s May Pyramid Newsletter!
Frustration is a common emotion in young children and typically occurs as children begin to discover the many things they would like to do, but simply cannot do yet. This month's Pyramid Pages newsletter gives ideas for helping children learn skills in
A Collective Spotlight on AHM Youth & Family Services
The Connecticut Children’s Collective, partners with local early childhood collaboratives from across the state that are doing amazing, innovative, system-changing work. In 2023 we started a new series, the Collective Spotlight. We will talk with directors, staff, parents, and community
Governor’s Prevention Partnership Workshop Recording
On April 19, 2023 the Connecticut Children's Collective welcomed Susan Sarmiento, Program Coordinator for Parent and Mentor, and Jessica White, Program Manager for Communities and Schools, to share all the ways in which their programs can help our local early
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. In May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health Awareness