St. Joseph County ISD - Early Head Start

04/27/2026

Sometimes the truest expression doesn’t need words, just movement and feeling. Honoring early learning and the shared commitment of children, teachers, families, and communities while recognizing 100 years of NAEYC and 55 years of Week of the Young Child. 🎶💃As part of Michigan AEYC’s WOYC26: Celebrating All Month Long, here’s your activity for April 27: ✨ Turn on some music without words and dance however you feel.

This freeing activity supports:
💃 Self-expression and creativity
🧠 Emotional awareness and regulation
💪 Coordination and body movement

With no lyrics to follow, children are free to interpret the music in their own way, moving, imagining, and expressing what they feel. 📥 Get the WOYC April Calendar to discover all the ways to try these activities at home, in the classroom, or anywhere young learners can explore and create: 🔗 https://miaeyc.org/membership/week-of-the-young-child/ 📸 Share your dance moments and tag us, we’d love to see the joy in motion!

04/14/2026

12/30/2025

Get out of the house and have some local, free fun!

Playgroup is on for Wednesday, December 31st. There will be bubbles!

12/23/2025

❤️🎄❤️🎅🏼

12/19/2025

Today, as we close this chapter of Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition events, our hearts are full of gratitude.

❤️To the families who showed up—sometimes tired, sometimes juggling a lot, always doing your best—thank you for trusting these spaces, for learning, playing, reading, and growing alongside us. You are the reason this work matters.

💙To our community partners, agencies, libraries, playgroup hosts, schools, and local champions—thank you for saying yes, opening doors, sharing resources, and believing in what’s possible when we work together for children and families.

💚To the community members who volunteered, supported, advocated, and cheered this work on—your presence made a difference more than you may ever know.

Due to the loss of state funding from Michigan, Stephanie and Amanda will be moving on to other endeavors. While this chapter is ending sooner than we hoped, the impact of this work does not end here. The relationships built, the knowledge shared, and the commitment to young children and families will continue to ripple outward.

We remain hopeful that the spirit of Great Start and Family Coalition—connection, collaboration, and community—will carry on in new ways, through new leaders, partners, and opportunities.

Thank you for being part of this journey. It has been an honor to walk alongside you.

With gratitude,
Stephanie & Amanda ❤️

12/12/2025

Thank you to St. Joseph County ISD-Early Head Start Great Start Collaborative for having us at the Timberly Tree Farm Field Trip! It is always a pleasure giving back to the community that has given to me! 💚

If you were a family at the event today, you can find your photo at the following link for free! Merry Christmas & Feliz Navidad St. Joseph County from Peanut Butter Photography and Wee Kids Daycare! 🎄

https://adobe.ly/4q4vVyL

If you have any problems downloading them, please send me a message ✨

12/12/2025

Now that I can feel my fingers again, I want to share the few photos I took of our last community event as the Great Start Collaborative. ❤️ Stephanie and I are so grateful for the opportunity to open up this event to all early childhood programs in our county. While I don’t have exact numbers, I can tell you the parking lot was full and the buildings were buzzing with people. Thank you to Timberly Tree Farm for hosting us and being so supportive of our needs. 🎄❤️🎄💚

12/09/2025

We invite parents or guardians of children ages 3–5 with disabilities in Michigan to share their experiences with early childhood special education (ECSE) services by completing a brief, confidential survey. Your voice matters! Please see the attached flyer for details and a link to participate.

12/08/2025

Winter's coming... embrace it! ☃

It is crucial for children to engage in outdoor play ESPECIALLY in cold and snowy conditions.

Contrary to a common misconception, it's not the cold weather that makes us sick but rather viruses that make us sick. In fact, exposure to fresh air and outdoor environments during winter HELPS boost children's immune systems.

Playing outside stimulates physical activity, aiding in overall health and development. Additionally, sunlight exposure, even in colder temperatures, contributes to the production of vitamin D, essential for immune function.

Outdoor play provides a diverse sensory experience and fosters resilience, creativity, and emotional well-being, making it an integral part of children's overall health and development.

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So make sure you get outside and play!

12/08/2025

🩷

Regulating Your Emotions as a Parent

Parenting is full of moments that test our patience, and learning to regulate your own emotions is key to responding rather than reacting. Children mirror the adults around them, so when we manage our emotions, we teach them how to do the same. Start by noticing your triggers and taking a pause before responding — even a few deep breaths can shift your nervous system.

Self-talk can help you stay grounded: remind yourself, “I can handle this,” or “This is a moment, not a crisis.” Physical strategies like stretching, stepping outside for a brief break, or grounding exercises can help release tension and restore calm. Reflecting on your feelings after a challenging moment allows you to learn and prepare for next time.

Modeling empathy and calm presence shows children that all emotions are valid, and they can be managed safely. It’s okay to acknowledge your feelings to your child: “I’m frustrated right now, so I need a moment to calm down.” Consistency and patience in your own regulation helps create a predictable, safe environment for your child to express their emotions.

Remember, self-regulation isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up as a calm, supportive guide through life’s ups and downs.