Archive for Press Release

[RELEASE] Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Organizes Air and Wind Science Program

Posted by
May 19, 2022
Filed Under early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release providers Volunteer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE PHOTO LINKS BELOW RELEASE

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Organizes Air and Wind Science Program

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., May 20, 2022 – The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) has been focusing on science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs this past spring. The ELC outreach staff launched a new science themed program specifically about air and wind.

Preschoolers became scientists and studied the science behind what air is and what makes wind. The outreach team dressed in lab coats and goggles and put on an interactive program featuring many science experiments that help explain these concepts. 

Kids were enthralled with the “keeping the ping pong ball in the air with a blow dryer” and “putting the paper towel into the water without it getting wet” experiments according to the outreach team. Balloons were used to demonstrate air; the popping of a confetti balloon was a big hit. Children waved scarves like sailboats to music and blew their own pinwheels. The students also learned about tornados and then made their own tornado in a bottle to take home. 

Each child received a book called “Wind” by Erin Edison and the teachers received a large bag of science resources to further teach this theme in the classroom. In March, the ELC also held a science project contest in which preschool classrooms sent in photos of science projects they did in their classrooms. Prizes were given to the top three projects. The winner was Island Prep West of St. Augustine’s Pre-K classroom, featuring their “Bees” project. 

“Focusing on STEAM promotes problem solving and thinking skills,” says Joan Whitson, ELC Outreach Manager. “Getting kids excited about science at an early age leads to a greater interest in later years.” 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how to assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

Other Photos:

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Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

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[RELEASE] The Cat in the Hat is on the Loose in North Florida for Early Literacy

Posted by
March 23, 2022
Filed Under early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release providers Volunteer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

PHOTO LINKS BELOW RELEASE

 

The Cat in the Hat is on the Loose in North Florida for Early Literacy

ST.AUGUSTINE, Fla., March 23, 2022 – The Cat in the Hat was on the loose in North Florida during the month of March. In celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) selected several of its counties’ child-care centers and preschools to receive a Dr. Seuss program in their school.

The Dr. Seuss Program, led by ELC staff and volunteers, consists of a story time with special guest “The Cat in the Hat” followed by various activities relating to Dr. Seuss books. Each child receives a free copy of the book “Ten Apples Up on Top”. Teachers receive a resource bag filled with a set of eight Dr. Seuss books and other related teaching materials.

At the ELC’s Early Educators Conference January 29, 2022, ELC awarded the following schools with the program: O2bkids Palencia and O2bkids South location in St. Augustine; Kinder Care and Kids Campus in Orange Park, and Fleming Island High School Child Care in Fleming Island. (See photo links below.)

“Promoting early literacy is a priority mission for us at the Early Learning Coalition,” said ELC’s Literacy Outreach Manager Joan Whitson. “Getting children excited about books and making sure that all children have them can make all the difference in their success in school all during their lives. 

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida would like to thank its many volunteers who come out and help with these themed literacy programs as well as read to children weekly in local preschools.”

The ELC of North Florida provides child-care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. The ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds). 

For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. 

 

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

Photo Downloads:

St. Johns County:  

 

Photo #1 – Children from O2bkids South Preschool in St. Augustine with their teacher Diana Casillas and the Cat in the Hat were awarded a Dr. Seuss Program brought by the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022. 

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Clay County: 

Photo #2 – Kinder Care in Fleming Island with the Cat in the Hat were awarded a Dr. Seuss Program brought by the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022. 

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Photo #3: Fleming Island High School Eaglets with teachers Ms. Vinson and Ms. Fish were awarded a Dr. Seuss Program brought by the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022. 

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[PRESS RELEASE] The Cat in the Hat Visits the Ravine Gardens for Early Literacy

Posted by
March 16, 2022
Filed Under activities early learning events Media Release preschool Press Release Volunteer

 

CONTACT:

Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Coordinator

904-342-2267

[email protected]

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

PHOTO LINKS BELOW RELEASE

 

The Cat in the Hat Visits the Ravine Gardens for Early Literacy

 

PALATKA, Fla., March 16, 2022 – He’s back! The Cat in the Hat made a special visit to Ravine Gardens for a literacy event put on by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) on Friday, March 11, 2022. Called “Dr. Suess at the Ravines,” thelocal Putnam County preschools event had a special story time program featuring the Cat in the Hat followed by an activity time centered around different Dr. Suess books. This event was in celebration of literacy week, held annually in the first part of March, in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Activities included making Fox in Sox puppets, playing in a Green Eggs and Ham Sensory Bin, stacking red and white cups for the Cat in the Hat, creating a personalized foot book and playing a fishing game to go along with the book One Fish Two Fish. Each child received a FREE Dr. Seuss book and each classroom received a teacher bag full of Dr. Seuss themed resources for their classroom.  The ELC of North Florida believes focusing on early literacy is the key to a child’s future success.

“Local ELC literacy volunteers running all the activities made the event happen,” said Joan Whitson ELC Outreach Manager.  Many of these volunteers also read regularly in local preschools.  For more information about volunteering with the ELC of North Florida, please contact Joan Whitson at [email protected].

 The ELC of North Florida provides child care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. The ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds).

For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how we assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org. Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and the state of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

Photo Downloads:

Putnam County:

 

Photo #1 – Angela Hough, director of God’s Little Creations Child Care Center in Palatka enjoys the Cat in the Hat Cup stacking game with her children as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022.

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Photo #2 – Children enjoying the Cat in the Hat Story time at Ravine Gardens in Palatka  as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022.

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Photo #3 – Beverly Robinson, director of A Child’s Safe Haven pictured with her children all decked out as The Cat in the Hat as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s Early Literacy Outreach Program in March 2022.

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NEWS RELEASE: Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Awards 2021 Teachers of the Year

Posted by
January 13, 2022
Filed Under early learning Media Release Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Learning Literacy Coordinator, 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, Inc. 

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 904-342-2267

 

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida surprises Amy Finkley, 2021 Infant/Toddler Teacher of the Year, and Marisol Buitrago, 2021 Preschool Teacher of the Year, with prizes on January 6, 2022. 

Link to photo: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Marisol-and-Pete-the-Cat.pnghttps://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Amy-Finkley-individual-photo-1.jpg

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Awards 2021 Teachers of the Year

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., January 6, 2022 – The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of North Florida is pleased to announce its 2021 Preschool and Infant/Toddler Teachers of the Year. On January 6th, 2022, the ELC of North Florida surprised its 2021 preschool and infant/toddler teachers of the year with a prize. The teachers were gifted with balloons, flowers, candy and a visit by special guest Pete the Cat.

ELC’s 2021 Infant/Toddler Teacher of the Year is Amy Finkley. Amy is an infant and toddler teacher at Deerwood Academy in St. Johns, Florida. She has been a teacher there for 10 years and has been an infant/toddler teacher for almost 30 years. Amy was nominated by Lucinda Chapin and Sheri Jenkins, the Chief Operating Officers for Deerwood Academy. Amy also recently received their in-house Teacher of the Year award in honor of her continued dedication to the children in her care. 

The Preschool Teacher of the Year winner is Marisol Buitrago. Marisol is a teacher at Green Cove Springs Head Start Center in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Marisol has been teaching preschool for 25 years. She is also the center manager for the Green Cove Springs Head Start. Since the beginning of the year, she has worked as the lead teacher for the VPK Head Start classroom due to the center being short staffed because of COVID-19. 

Both of these teachers exemplify the qualities and characteristics necessary to nurture the lives of young children and have gone above and beyond in their work according to their nominees.

They will be honored in person at the ELC of North Florida Early Educators Conference on Saturday, January 29th at the Thrasher Horne Conference Center in Orange Park, Florida. The teachers will  receive a $500 cash prize thanks to Kaplan Early Learning Co. and the Clay Electric Foundation. 

This quote from John Quincy Adams could define these two winners, according to Joan Whitson, ELC of North Florida’s Outreach Manager.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you’re a leader.”

“These two teachers are clearly leaders and are so deserving of this award and recognition,” said Whitson. 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how to assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

 

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Additional Photos of the 2021 Teacher of the Year Award Winners:

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Launches Five Senses Program for Children in St. Johns County

Posted by
December 21, 2021
Filed Under early learning Media Release Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Learning Literacy Coordinator, 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, Inc. 

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 904-342-2267

 

Students from Turning Point Christian Academy in St. Augustine show off their copies of the book “My Five Senses” by Aliki Brandenberg during a program put on by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida in December 2021.

Link to Photo: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4195.jpg

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Launches Five Senses Program for Children in St. Johns County

JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., December 8, 2021 – During the month of December, the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of North Florida’s team launched a new Five Senses Program throughout the St. Johns County area which introduces children to touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. This themed early literacy program is put on by the ELC of North Florida’s outreach team staff and volunteers in local preschools.

The Five Senses Program consists of a highly interactive story time filled with music, followed by a period of hands-on learning activities. The children get to learn about animals that have super senses, such as bats. They also learn about sounds and vibrations by making sounds with their bodies and musical instruments. The kids test their seeing skills by looking at pictures of items up close and trying to guess what they are. They challenge their sense of smell by trying to guess smells put in mystery jars. At the end of the program, the children make their own touch book filled with differently textured items. 

All participating children receive a free copy of the book “My Five Senses” by Aliki Brandenberg and each classroom teacher receives a large bag of teaching materials relating to the five senses theme. The ELC of North Florida regularly puts on themed literacy programs like this throughout the year with the goal of sharing quality programming and materials with local preschools. 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how to assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

 

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Sponsored by

 

 

Other Photos:

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Organizes Series of Mother Goose Programs in Putnam County

Posted by
November 26, 2021
Filed Under early learning Media Release Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Learning Literacy Coordinator, 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, Inc. 

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 904-342-2267

 

Students from Melon Elementary School in Palatka enjoy the Mother Goose program put on by the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida in November 2021. 

Link to photo: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_5825-scaled.jpg

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Organizes Series of Mother Goose Programs in Putnam County

During the month of November, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida put on seven Mother Goose programs at Melon Elementary school in Palatka and three at Crescent City Elementary in their VPK classrooms. The Mother Goose program focuses on teaching children  nursery rhymes and the importance of rhyming.  

Each child received a free Mother Goose nursery rhyme book and each teacher received a bag of resources relating to rhyming for their classrooms. The kids also participated in acting out nursery rhymes and had fun tapping out the rhythms of the story Miss Mary Mack using rhythm sticks. 

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how to assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

 

Other Photos:

 

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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Participates in Read for Record Event to Provide Kids with Books

Posted by
November 16, 2021
Filed Under early learning Media Release Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

 

Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Learning Literacy Coordinator, 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida, Inc. 

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 904-342-2267

 

A student shows off a picture of the dragon from the book “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon” by Kat Zhang during the 2021 Read for the Record event.

Link to Photo: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/O2B-Kids-North-in-St.-augustine-scaled.jpg

 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida Participates in Read for Record Event to Provide Kids with Books

Read for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is the annual event when millions of individuals come together to celebrate literacy by breaking the world record of reading the same book on the same day. On October 28th, 6,235 adults and children across the United States read the official campaign book, “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon” by Kat Zhang. In this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book, Amy Wu must craft a dragon unlike any other to share with her class at school in this unforgettable follow-up to “Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao”.

Ninety-two childcare providers and schools participated, including the three school districts Putnam, Clay, and St. Johns County in Florida. The ELC of North Florida provided every child care provider in Clay, Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Putnam and St. Johns with a FREE copy of “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon”, along with a packet of activities to do along with the book. The packet included a template that could be used to copy Read for the Record participation certificates to give each child.

The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how to assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

 

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Volunteer Training Sessions Offered in August

Posted by
August 9, 2021
Filed Under books early learning preschool Press Release reading Reading Pal Volunteer

Early Learning Coalition volunteers Jane Hafner and Carol White read the book “Mr. Seahorse” by Eric Carle to children at Children’s World in Palatka, Fla., Wednesday November 18, 2020.

VOLUNTEER FLYER: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ELC-Volunteer-Recruitment-Flyer_July-2021_FINAL-PDF.pdf

Early Learning Coalition Needs Volunteer Readers in Six North Florida Counties

Training Sessions Offered in August

ORANGE PARK, Fla., August 9, 2021-  The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) is seeking new volunteers to read to children in local preschools and help them put on themed literacy programs. 

Reading volunteers read once a week or bi-weekly. Literacy program volunteers volunteer as needed, putting on themed programs in schools such as space, ocean, dinosaurs and more. Volunteers are part of a team that puts on the programs. 

Upcoming Training & Information Sessions: 

Thursday, August 19, 2021, 1 p.m.

ELC of North Florida Clay County Office

3620 Peoria Road, Orange Park, FL

Contact: Lacy Doss at [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 1 p.m. 

ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office

2450 Old Moultrie Road, Suite 103, St. Augustine, FL 

Contact: Joan Whitson [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

Thursday, September 2, 2021, 10:30 a.m. 

ELC of North Florida St. Johns County Office

3841 Reid St., Palatka, FL

Contact: Joan Whitson [email protected] or call 904-342-2267 ext 202

 

“Reading to young children sets the groundwork for a child’s future ability to read and learn,” said ELC Early Literacy Coordinator Joan Whitson. 

Volunteer Reading Pals are matched up with local preschool centers where they read once a week or bi-weekly to groups of children. The ELC has a specific need currently for more volunteers in Clay County.

Reading Pals volunteers will learn the following skills: how to choose age-appropriate books; child development, including the attention span of preschoolers; presenting books to preschoolers and promoting early literacy through phonetically reading.  

“It makes my day when I walk into the classroom and the children cheer ‘It’s the book lady,’” volunteer Reading Pal, Ellen Prest said.

Studies show that the best opportunity to influence our children’s lifetime learning is before kindergarten when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs. Instilling an early love for reading is crucial to children’s future success in school. 

The ELC has a well-stocked lending library with books and literacy materials for the volunteers to check out and use.  Readers are also able to create relationships with the children through their consistent appearances. Volunteers can read solo or they can share their assignment with a partner. The ELC has several husband and wife teams as well. Civic organizations have also adopted a classroom and members take turns reading. 

 For more information about becoming a reading volunteer contact Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager at 904-342-2267 x 202 or email [email protected]

 The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.

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Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning. 

Parents Looking for Childcare Find Help with the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida [NEWS RELEASE]

Posted by
Filed Under COVID-19 early learning preschool Press Release providers

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Image/Caption: 

Children from God’s Little Creations in Palatka on April 22, 2021 creating fans before they learn the “fan dance”.

Children from God’s Little Creations in Palatka, Fla. is one of many child care centers that offer services for children in North Florida. The Early Learning Coalition can offer assistance in finding and paying for child care. Please visit www.ecs4kids.org/programs/school-readiness/ to apply. 

Full Resolution Photo Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_9390.jpg

Parents Looking for Childcare Find Help with the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., August 10, 2021 – At the beginning of another school year, Florida is being impacted again by the new variant of the Covid pandemic, leaving some parents of young children facing similar child care situations as in 2020. With workplaces adjusting to new protocols, some parents of young children are caught in a cycle of not being able to work because childcare is not available or is too expensive. There is help available for families.

The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) helps parents find and afford childcare to help them return to work. Families who are in need of childcare are encouraged to contact the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida for both financial help and assistance in locating childcare. The ELC partners with Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS) to coordinate childcare services. For more information, contact ECS at 904-726-1500, toll free 1-800-238-3463 or visit 

www.ecs4kids.org/programs/school-readiness/.

The average cost for childcare in Florida is $8,400 a year. For parents hovering around the poverty level, this means that childcare is one of the factors preventing families from rising above the poverty level. Additionally, finding childcare can be very difficult. Episcopal Children’s Services Chief of Programs Teresa Matheny explained how the ELC funding program works. 

“The ELC offers financial assistance to families making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level,” said Matheny. “Once enrolled, the family can continue to receive services until they earn up to 85 percent of the Florida Median Income. In practical numbers, this means a family of three earning up to $32,580 a year is eligible for funding and can remain in the program until their income exceeds $53,601.” 

In addition to helping parents pay for childcare, ECS will help parents locate child care in their area. Currently, ECS is able to get most waitlisted children into childcare within two weeks. 

ELC provides child care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds). For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its other programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

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Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

 

[RELEASE] Flora and the Flamingo Return to North Florida to Teach Kids the Importance of Music and Movement

Posted by
April 27, 2021
Filed Under preschool Press Release providers Volunteer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Image/Caption: Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) volunteer Melanie Kent (AKA “The Flamingo”) with VPK student Jashanti Lyons and the children at God’s Little Creations in Palatka on April 22, 2021. They are dancing and acting out the story “Flora and the Flamingo” by Molly Idle.

Photo Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_9370.jpg 

Image/Caption: Children from God’s Little Creations in Palatka on April 22, 2021 creating fans before they learn the “fan dance”.

Photo Link: https://elcnorthflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_9390.jpg 

 Flora and the Flamingo Return to North Florida to Teach Kids the Importance of Music and Movement

PALATKA, Fla., April 28, 2021 – The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida’s (ELC) outreach team returned to North Florida for their celebrated music and movement literacy program by visiting God’s Little Creations in Palatka on Thursday, April 22. The event debuted in Clay and Baker Counties back in 2019 and took a hiatus last year due to COVID-19. Geared to 3-5 year olds, the program is meant to highlight the importance of music and movement as it pertains to a child’s learning and development.  

Books like “Rupert Can Dance” by Jules Feiffer, “Down by the Cool of the Pool” by Tony Mitten and “Flora and the Flamingo” by Molly Idle are highlighted during this program. During the reading of Flora and the Flamingo, one of the ELC volunteers dresses up as the flamingo then picks a child from the class they are visiting to join them in acting out the story. Whatever dance movement the flamingo does, Flora copies it. The children get to dance to different kinds of music and make music with bells.

Volunteers are the key to success for this program and the other themed programs that the ELC puts on, including: Space, Meet the Masters, Dinosaurs, Ocean Themed, Mother Goose “Rhymers are Readers” and Eric Carle’s World of Colors. Volunteers help the ELC in two main ways. The first is by being an outreach volunteer that assists in putting on programs. These volunteers read stories, sing songs, lead craft activities and maybe wear themed costumes – such as a shark for the ocean themed program. The second way volunteers help is by being a weekly reading volunteer to a group of local preschool children. Reading volunteers get the privilege of exposing the same group of children each week to great books and get to plant the seed of early reading.

Exposing children to the arts at a young age is very important to building their creativity.  Learning to dance or play an instrument builds confidence which is so important to early child development.  The ELC outreach team regularly puts on themed literacy programs in local childcare centers and preschool classrooms.  The goal of these programs is to expose children to quality literature and to reach important topics that children need to learn.  The children receive a FREE book relating to the theme of the program and the classroom receives a bag of teaching resources and books to further teach the topic at a later time. 

For more information about volunteering contact Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager at [email protected] or 904-342-2267. 

The ELC provides child care assistance to families who meet certain income requirements and who are working or going back to school. This school readiness program is designed to increase a child’s chance of achieving future educational success. The ELC also administers and manages Florida’s FREE VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds). 

For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and its other programs and services, please visit, www.elcnorthflorida.org or call 904-342-2267.

 

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Sponsored by the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida

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