We Need You!!

Since 2006, the Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County has been working to ensure children within our community are born healthy, ready to succeed when entering kindergarten, and are reading proficiently by the end of third grade.
Do you want to help make a difference in our children's lives and future outlook?  Do you have ideas for improving early childhood outcomes?  Then the Great Start Collaborative needs you!  The more voices we have, the stronger our impact in Jackson County will be.  Please consider joining in on one of our monthly meetings - we welcome you!

Great Start Family Support 

Made up of parents, community service agency members, and educators, this group meets to develop a plan that ensures parents have access to resources, trainings and all other information needed to provide for the needs of their children.

Meets monthly on the 2nd Thursday 

Next Meeting: September 13th

1:00-2:00 PM

Jackson County Health Department

Room 205

Great Start School Readiness

It takes a community to ensure children are ready to enter school.  This group, made up of teachers, parents, community and social service agency members, meets to discuss social-emotional, physical, and academic topics of school readiness.  Input and guidance regarding community services designed to improve readiness in all areas is encouraged!

Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday

Next Meeting: September 19th

2:00-3:00 PM

Family Service & Children's Aid

330 W Michigan Avenue

Please visit our website for up-to-date information, including future meeting times and locations.  

Responsibility and Age-Appropriate Chores

 It is hard to believe that another summer has nearly passed and the kids are gearing up for a fresh year of school.  Although I enjoy the long days and late wake-up calls of summer, it's nice to get everyone back into a routine.  

The beginning of the school year usually means that I take a long, hard look at the chore list at our house.  I think about each of my children's growth over the past year and add some new responsibilities to their plate.  What once may have been taking dirty dishes from the table after dinner and placing them in the sink, can now evolve to rinsing them and loading them in the dishwasher.  Once they remembered to put their lunches into their backpacks in the morning, but now can pack their own lunches the night before.  

I do admit that it is hard to actually allow my children these responsibilities. I often want to run in and "do it better." But over the years I've learned to take a step back, allow them to make mistakes, give a bit of guidance on how to improve (while still praising the attempt), and watching as they improve independently.  Yes, there are days when their chores aren't done perfectly, that's for sure!  But, we all have our days, right?!

If you are looking for age-appropriate ways to increase responsibility and encourage self-sufficiency in your child, here are a few tips to follow:

• Make sure that tasks are age-appropriate.  A preschooler can't pick up the whole house, but can definitely pick up his/her toys in the bedroom and can make their bed in the morning (not perfectly, but remember, this will improve!). 
• Teach your child to dress themselves.  They may need help with tricky parts like buttons and shoelaces, but know that these skills do come with time.  
• Don't give in to whining.  As long as you know that the task is age-appropriate, don't jump in to help.  Try saying, "As soon as you put your toys in the bin, we will go to the library. Let me know when you're done."
• Teach your child to ask for help.  Mastering new skills does take time, and there is a difference between whining (saying I can't do it) and asking for an adult to help.  Guide them through the new skills and watch as they quickly learn to do work independently.  
• Thank them for their work and give big hugs!

For more, read 10 Great Ways to Teach Children Responsibility, courtesy of The Parent-Institute.com

Now Enrolling for GSRP Preschool!!!

We still have a few spots available for your child in our Great Start Readiness Preschool Program (GSRP).  If your child is four, and you have not decided on a preschool yet, contact us right away!  GSRP programs are free to families who qualify and are located throughout Jackson County.  Please visit our Preschool Partnership page to view the income eligibility chart and the 2018-2019 Jackson Quality Preschool Interest Form.  Fill out the form to apply or call (517) 768-5130 to apply over the phone.

Summer Pop-Up for Reading Events

The five Pop-Up for Reading events that took place this past June and July were a big hit!  Each location offered a different theme for families- with new storytime books, crafts, STEM activities, and more.  In addition to the fun activities, families were able to take home a copy of the read-aloud and each child was able to go home with an additional book for free.

Families were provided with feedback forms to fill out which included information on favorite activities and an area to add suggestions for improving events next year.  Favorites this year included the bubble art activity (Bennett Elementary), creating the balloon car (Townsend Elementary), building bridges at Francis Street Primary, making goo at East Jackson Memorial, and the Rainbow Fish craft at Springport Elementary. 

The majority of families stated that they heard about the events through social media - good to know!  Also, families attended the different Pop-Up for Reading events throughout the county, not just the closest location or where the children attend school.  This is fantastic information as we were not only trying to reach as many families as possible, but encouraging families to attend all events!

Unanimously, families responded that this event was fun, interactive, and that they would definitely attend again if offered next year.   Comments such as, "You're awesome!" and "Love it! Keep it coming!" are just a few of the positive messages that we will take with us as we begin thinking about next year's activities. 


 Thank you to all who attended! 

August Playgroup Fun!

For August, we are making dragonflies at playgroup, using recycled lids from gogo squeeze applesauce pouches.  

Thank you to all of the families that saved lids for me to create these adorable crafts!  

The beading is great for enhancing fine motor skills and they look super cute hanging up on plants, in windows, 

or wherever you needs some whimsy.

Join us at a Playgroup this month 

to create your own beaded dragonfly!

Visit us on our Facebook page: 

Jackson Playgroups 

for dates, times, and locations.

First, hot glue two caps together

Next, hot glue a pipe cleaner inside of one of the cap openings

Then, glue a large button to the front of the other cap

I had enough caps to prep over 100 dragonflies for families to bead!!

Lace a half of a pipe cleaner through the Botton holes and string them back up
through the back of the button to make the eyes and antennas.  

Our dragonflies are adorable!!!

I originally found this craft posted at: http://viewsfromastepstool.com/dragonfly-kids-craft/