"Will you Speak Up To Support Successful Children and Families?"

Do you want Colorado families to be strong, to be healthy? Do you want children to have the best education? We thought so, well, that means you are an advocate for children and families. You can make a difference for all our children; there are policy decisions being made as you read this, that have an impact on your family. Good policy doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen automatically. It happens when adults raise their voices, raise their hands, and use their influence to promote what is best for children and families.

The best place to start is close by, local efforts often have the most immediate and responsive results. We have elected people to the school board, to the hospital board, to city council, and our county commissioners. These people are our neighbors, maybe our friends, and they need to hear from all of us.

The truth is that people who have young children don’t always have the time to talk with elected folks or attend meetings. It’s also true that they may need to hear from you the most. They need to hear your story, your first-hand experience, because their experience may be quite different. Whomever you want to contact, our local elected people have their phone numbers and emails on the website for the organization they serve. If you can google Pitkin County or City of Aspen for example, you can easily find that contact information. You may get to talk directly, but even if you leave a message, we’re willing to bet they will hear you, and they will respond. We think that is great, just another reason to start at the local level.

Right now, the Colorado legislature is also in session, so it’s a great time to contact your state senator or representative. Again, if you google Colorado legislature, you’ll see the 2021 session. You can find your elected people and their contact information. You can also find what bills are being introduced or where in the process a certain bill might be. You can even ask to testify remotely – again really just telling your experience or your expertise. Of course, you can contact your senator and representative anytime throughout the year, and they often hold town hall meetings in our community. Interestingly enough, not many people go to those, so you have a good chance to ask questions and share your thoughts. You could even bring your child with you; that often creates a great dynamic! If your child is older, it could also be a mini civics lesson, but don’t tell them that!

You know why this is important. Children can’t tell law makers what concerns them, they need each of us to speak for them. There is something for everyone to do here. Maybe you’re really not comfortable talking to your legislators, you can email, or write a letter, even a letter to the editor about a local issue. You can also learn more about proposed laws and talk with your friends and neighbors about the issues you care about.

Most of us aren’t just concerned about one issue, clearly, we care a lot about kids and families, but we also care about our environment, our public lands, good health care, and a lot more. We’ve put links to local, state, and federal organizations that advocate for children and families on the Kids First website. It’s easy too –

www.cityofaspen.com/KidsFirst.

Check it out and proudly put on your child advocate hat. We’d love to hear from you with other ideas about getting involved and advocating for kids and families; we post this column on Facebook for both Kids First and Aspen Family Connections, so check that out too, and let us hear from you!
                                                                                               

                                                                                                                         Shirley

THE POWER OF AFFIRMATIONS
Coaching Corner with Megan Monaghan and Adley Kent

An affirmation is something declared to be true; it is a positive statement or judgement. When we give affirmations to young children, we are saying that we notice what they did, and we see value in it.

It is important when giving an affirmation to recognize and encourage the good feelings that come from within the child about what they accomplished or created. By encouraging intrinsic motivation, you will help a child develop healthy self-esteem.   

Instead of saying “good job” when you respond to a child try one of the following ideas:

1. You did it! (Or repeat back to them what they did, “You DID put your dish in the sink!”)
2. How did that make you feel?
3. You took a risk!
4. You should feel proud of yourself, I do.
5. I love that idea!
6. You made a plan.
7. That is interesting, tell me more.
8. I love your creativity!
9. You are learning to do XYZ on your own.
10. You used so much {green} in your picture.
11. I like the way you are thinking.
12. You showed kindness.
13. That was brave.
14. You are an….artist, painter, builder, climber, etc.
15. You worked really hard on that.
16. I can’t wait to see what you do next.
17. You made a good choice.
18. You can do hard things.
19. Show me what you learned (or what you did).
20. You solved your problem.

 
By giving more specific attention to a child in this way they will know you see, hear and acknowledge them in a meaningful way.

If you would like to read more about the positive effects of meaningful affirmations check out this entry in the Early Childhood Education Blog 20 affirmations Besides "Good Job!" to Promote Positive Self-Esteem for Preschoolers

Summer ECE Classes -- Semester starts May 17th

Webex classes for summer 2021

ECE 256: Working with Parents and Children 
ECE 240: Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs

The complete summer class listings will be available March 15, 2021.

https://coloradomtn.edu/