Growing Together: Early Learning Collaboratives and the Gift of Thankfulness

More than pumpkin pies and cozy sweaters, this month is a time to instill values, foster thankfulness, and nurture early skills in our children.

Idaho AEYC extends its gratitude to our community members for their constant support. We are thankful for our sponsors, Kendall GM of Nampa, Micron, and CapEd Credit Union, for their generous contributions, helping us bring to life the vision of promoting high-quality early childhood education for all. We also acknowledge our dedicated early educators whose continuing efforts provide the children of Idaho with a solid foundation for learning. And finally, we thank families across Idaho for their love and compassion for their children.

We are eternally thankful for our communities that support and drive creative solutions to early childhood education. These communities are our partners in ensuring every child and family in Idaho has access to affordable, high-quality learning and care, with a vision of an Idaho where all children thrive. One of the many ways our communities do this work is through our Early Learning Collaboratives (ELCs):

What is an Early Learning Collaborative?

Every community is unique, facing different strengths and challenges. Therefore, a “one-size-fits-all” approach to early childhood education is not a realistic solution to this statewide issue. Understanding the complexities and unique challenges our communities face, Idaho AEYC created the Early Learning Collaboratives, a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground effort to support communities in ways that fit their needs. ELCs serve as a platform, uniting key stakeholders, including city and school leaders, parents, teachers, child care programs, libraries and local businesses who want to see high-quality early learning opportunities for families in their own backyard. These collaboratives work to build partnerships among existing local experts in early childhood education to provide high-quality learning opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to many families.

How Many ELCs Are in Idaho?

This year, Idaho AEYC exceeded its goal by expanding to 25 ELCs across the state, with remarkable progress. A great example is in American Falls, where kindergarten readiness scores increased from 19.7 percent proficiency in fall 2019 to 40 percent this last September. The hard work of this ELC represents the work happening across the state. Idaho AEYC funds all twenty-five local collaboratives and provides guidance and technical assistance to ensure these communities have the knowledge and resources they need for success. A unique component that Idaho AEYC brings to the ELCs is that we do not tell these communities “what” to do but help them figure out “how.” Idaho AEYC funds the American Falls ELC through their fiscal agent, United Way of Southeastern Idaho. Check out this article published last week written about American Falls!

Instilling Thankfulness at Home and in the Classroom

Children who practice gratitude are naturally more inclined to notice and care about the feelings of others. Gratitude nurtures empathy by fostering an appreciation for the kindness and efforts of those around them. Grateful children lead happier, more content lives and are more resilient when confronted with challenges. There are several ways to teach gratitude to your children, such as:

1. Being a Role Model: Children learn by observing adults in their lives, so modeling gratitude is a wonderful way to teach your child ways to be thankful. Consider some methods to model gratitude in your life, like saying “thank you” to your child and others, talking about what you are grateful for, and taking a moment each day to point out something positive about your child. Idaho AEYC offers resources that support the efforts of parents, educators, and caregivers to help our children thrive!

2. Incorporating Family Reading into Family Traditions: As the holidays approach, now is the best time to begin or continue family traditions. Early literacy is essential for child development, and it’s also a great way to teach your child about thankfulness. The Children’s Reading Foundation promotes books and activities about gratitude and giving. Teach your child about appreciation while advancing their essential literacy skills and growing closer through reading.

3. Getting Involved in the Community: There are many ways to get involved in your community. From local food drives to donating warm clothing or simply showing appreciation to the people around you, it doesn’t take much to model thankfulness.

This November, consider supporting Idaho AEYC on GivingTuesday (November 28, 2023), a worldwide day highlighting the importance of giving.

All of us at Idaho AEYC are thankful for our communities and the work families, teachers, caregivers, and other people do across the state to ensure that all of Idaho’s children THRIVE!