Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition

If you are heading back to school at WWCC, check out the resources and support they have for student parents!

It takes a village to raise a child. We understand the challenges and are creating resources to better serve our parenting students. From childcare funding, to food and supplies, to finding a trusted childcare provider, we have staff and resources to help.

https://bit.ly/wwccparenting

An infant spot is available at the Akin Early Head Start Child Care center

Put calling WIC on your fall checklist!

Growing bodies and brains need lots of energy! If your household has an expecting mother, newborn, or child ages 0-5, you may benefit from your local WIC program!

The WIC program helps young families access healthy nutritious food. In our area, you can sign up for WIC at Family Medical Center (509-525-0422), or Walla Walla Community Health Department (509-524-2680).

Call to see if you are eligible today! Services are available in English and Spanish.
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¡Los cuerpos y cerebros en crecimiento necesitan mucha energía! Si en su hogar hay una madre embarazada, un recién nacido o un niño de 0 a 5 años, ¡puede beneficiarse de su programa WIC local!

El programa WIC ayuda a las familias jóvenes a tener acceso a alimentos saludables y nutritivos. En nuestra área, puede inscribirse en WIC llamando a Family Medical Center (509-525-0422) o el Departamento de Salud Comunitaria de Walla Walla (509-524-2680).

¡Llame para ver si es elegible hoy! Servicios están disponibles en inglés y español.

Affordable housing and access to mental health services are two of the main concerns we hear from families with young children. We are hopeful the Walla Walla community can come together to support these important concerns.

Walla Walla County punts on sales tax to fund affordable housing - Northwest Public Broadcasting The exterior of the Walla Walla County Public Health and Legislative Building, where the county commissioners work. (Credit: Susan Shain / NWPB) Listen (Runtime 1:02) Read On Monday, Walla Walla’s […]

Great opportunity for tweens to learn some babysitting skills this Fall!

Do you know a student (in grades 6-8) who is interested in babysitting?

Providence St. Mary offers a class to prepare them to become a safe sitter. This 5.5 hour class will cover safety skills, skills needed to care for children, basic first aid and CPR.

Our upcoming Safe Sitter classes will be held on:
• Sept. 21
• Oct. 19

The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Orchard Room at Southgate Medical Park. The cost of the class is $55. To register, please visit: http://ms.spr.ly/6181llZZP or our Education Department at 509-897-2820.

Do your young kids like cars and trucks of all kinds? Your family might want to check out National Night Out tomorrow (Tuesday )at Pioneer Park from 5-7:30 pm. Local police and fire vehicles will be there, along with other community organizations. Free pizza and a school supply and back pack raffle will be available!

This a great summary about how play supports brain development, language development and social skills. Never underestimate the power of play!

Lil' Tykes Music Time is on the move next week! Be sure to catch them at one of these community events.

Even Olympic athletes are parents of young children! We're excited to see special space for competitors to reunite with their young kids in the Olympic Village. It's a great reminder that parents with all kinds of jobs need support!
https://www.self.com/story/nursery-paris-summer-olympics-2024?

The Olympic Village Will Have a Nursery for the First Time Ever This Year It’ll be one less thing athlete parents need to think about as they compete in Paris.

Check out the free rooted in reading events at Frog Hollow Farm this summer!

Safe Sitter Baby Sitter classes are being offered at St. Mary's monthly during the summer!

Do you know a student (in grades 6-8) who is interested in babysitting?

Providence St. Mary offers a class to prepare them to become a safe sitter. This 5.5 hour class will cover safety skills, skills needed to care for children, basic first aid and CPR.

Our upcoming Safe Sitter classes will be held on:
• June 29
• July 20
• August 17
• Sept. 21
• Oct. 19

The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Orchard Room at Southgate Medical Park. The cost of the class is $55. To register, please visit: http://ms.spr.ly/6181Ywvux or our Education Department at 509-897-2820.

Summer Camp Options at The Kids Place! Be sure to check them out!

School age summer camp is always fun at TKP! Join us for hands-on STEM activities, engaging art projects, teamwork challenges, and everyone’s favorite: field trips! Visit kidsplacewallawalla.org for more information!

Congratulations local child care providers!

At this week's meeting, the Walla Walla City Council and Mayor Tom Scribner proclaimed May 10, 2024, to be Provider Appreciation Day in Walla Walla.

Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day every year to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere. Learn more here: https://providerapprec.wpenginepowered.com/about/

More information about City Council proclamations is available here: https://www.wallawallawa.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2696/15?backlist=%2F

Happy Child Care Appreciation Day!

Good reminder from our friends at the Blue Mountain Health Cooperative!

May is Mental Health month! Did you know BMHC offers free same day mental health counseling? No waiting list! No need to worry about what insurance you have! We are here for you TODAY.
Where - 222 W Birch St, Walla Walla, WA
When - Tuesday-Thursday 10-6
What - Free counseling, navigation, advocacy services
Why - Because you matter!
Please take a moment to share with your network. 🙏🏽

Great to remember!

A child develops through curiosity, exploration, willingness, and a safe space to grow.

Free maternity clothes and baby clothes from newborn to 2T

Join us this SATURDAY, April 27th for Birthright's OPEN HOUSE and Giveaway Day, from 10 AM-2PM!
We are opening our doors and giving away FREE baby (up to 2T) and maternity clothes, along with other baby items!

ALL services and items that Birthright offers are FREE!

We hope to see you there!

Birthright of Walla Walla
609 W. Birch St.
Walla Walla, Washington, 99362
Phone: 509-529-8678
Regular Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 12 to 4 PM

Great questions to ask!

Don't forget these conversation starters when your little ones get home from school or child care.

Summer Camp Registration is open at The Kids Place!

Registration is open!
Limited spaces available!
Visit www.kidsplacewallawalla.org to reserve your spot today!

If you have a child under 5, check out these great free classes!

This is our last round of Ready for Kindergarten parent workshops for this school year. New classes start in April!!
Don't forget to register at https://bit.ly/wwpsready4k

If you are a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a child age birth-5, Walla Walla Public Schools invites you to join us to learn how to "play with a purpose" to help prepare your child for kindergarten. Learn about the importance of play in the early years and how it can help set your child up for success in school and beyond. We offer in-person and online sessions in English and Spanish. Free childcare and a light meal are also provided. Each workshop is free and provides parents with materials they get to keep and use with their child at home to play and learn.

Many people don't realize 3, 4 & 5 year olds can receive WIC food benefits! If you are a household with children under 5 years old, see if you are eligible !

WIC represents diversity, inclusion, equity and access. Mothers, babies, and families from every background can receive the nutrition education and health support they deserve. Visit https://dch.co.walla-walla.wa.us/WIC to get the support you need.

April is World Autism Month. Know the signs, Act Early!

According to recent data, the average age for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is about 5 or 6, even though it can be diagnosed in children as young as 12 months.

Dr. Cynthia Martin, a psychologist and the senior director of the Autism Center at the Child Mind Institute says that there can be signs of autism in babies as young as six months old. “That’s not going to be the case for all kids,” she says. “But in general, for the majority of kids, symptoms associated with ASD are going to be present somewhere between six months and three years.”

That might sound quite young, but autism is an early-onset disorder that is lifelong. An early diagnosis allows kids to get the support they need during the critical period of development that occurs before a child turns 5.

Signs of autism are grouped into two main categories: social communication challenges and restrictive, repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Children have to show traits from both categories to receive a diagnosis.

Before a child turns 3, there are certain social communication challenges to look out for:
— Not using hand gestures, like pointing
— Not showing or giving objects to others
— Not using gestures and words together — like saying “more” and pointing to a cup of juice

Before a child turns 3, there are certain behaviors to look out for:
— Holding and carrying toys instead of playing with them
— An intense interest in one specific thing, like water
— Strong responses to loud noises, bright lights, or itchy clothing

Read more: https://childmind.org/article/what-are-the-earliest-signs-of-autism/ -autism-symptoms-in-babies-and-toddlers

Diaper Drive at Akin!

There is still time to donate diapers and have the opportunity to win 1 of 4 $25 gift cards from the Coffee Haus.