Take 5 Newsletter

Message from the Chief Executive Officer, Jolene Smith

Have you heard the phrase “young children are like sponges?” This phrase holds true as young children are ready to absorb whatever we bring their way. As research has made very clear to all of us, the period from birth to age five is a critical time in a child’s brain development. This is because the first years of life lay the neurological foundation for healthy growth and development well into adolescence and adulthood.

Parents and caregivers have the most important role in determining how their child/children learn.

It’s a huge role, one that is filled with excitement and awe! It is also a role that can be assisted with some external support; this is where FIRST 5 and our partners step in to help!

FIRST 5’s Learning Together Initiative, in partnership with The Packard Foundation, is a place-based community-wide approach to support families and caregivers by providing education, awareness, and activities which engage and expand a child’s awareness - all aimed at helping to maximize his/her learning and growth capacity. Along with our community partners, this initiative is dedicated to supporting families and caregivers as they prepare their children to enter and succeed in school and beyond.

Our 17 Family Resource Center hubs, satellites, and community centers offer free, hands-on community learning for children and parents/caregivers. These delightful and environmentally engaging centers provide children with a place to enhance their developmental learning as well as connect families to vital resources that assist their needs.

I visit our Family Resource Centers frequently and I am consistently amazed and delighted to see wide-eyed happy children engaged with their families in various interactive activities that I know are preparing them for school. Activities that are research-based practices targeted towards health, early literacy, positive behavior support, nutrition, parental advocacy, and the arts.

I am grateful to our partners who operate the centers for their dedication and commitment to ensuring our families are supported and our children are confident and healthy as they journey into the future towards their academic success!

I would like to personally invite all of you to stop by one of our Family Resource Centers for a visit and see for yourself all the wonder and learning happening there!