Appalachian Early Childhood Network

10/09/2026

October is Fire Prevention Month!

The children at Lil Rays of Sunshine Child Care in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, are doing so much more than putting together a giant fire truck floor puzzle!

As they work together, they're building important developmental skills, including:

- Problem-solving as they figure out where the pieces fit.
- Cooperation and teamwork as they work toward a common goal.
- Language and communication skills as they share ideas and help one another.
- Visual discrimination and spatial awareness as they recognize shapes, colors, and how pieces fit together.
- Fine motor skills as they pick up, turn, and connect puzzle pieces.
- Fire safety awareness as the puzzle creates opportunities to talk about fire trucks, firefighters, and how they help keep us safe.

A simple activity with so many opportunities for learning!

Thank you to Lil Rays of Sunshine Child Care for sharing this wonderful example of learning through play!

10/05/2026

🍎 It's World Teachers’ Day!🍎

Most of us can think of someone who helped shape who we are today. Someone who encouraged us, taught us, believed in us, challenged us, or just made us feel seen. ❤️

Maybe it was a classroom teacher, mentor, child care provider, preschool teacher, coach, college professor, Sunday school teacher, family member, or someone else who made a lasting difference in your life.

Let's make their day and give them a little nod of appreciation! Would you take a minute just to:

📸 Share a photo or a story?
🏷️ Tag them in the comments?
💬 Tell us what made them special?
❤️ Or simply share this post and give a shout-out to someone who helped you learn and grow?

10/04/2026

As we approach TEN-4 Day this Sunday, October 4th, the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement encourages all caring adults to understand the critically important TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule -- the technique to recognize concerning bruising on young children -- and role we each play in recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse.

Get involved by visiting faceitabuse.org/ten4rule/ to:
→ Check out the resource
→ Watch the short video
→ Sign up for one of the Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma + TEN-4-FACESp Bruising Rule trainings with CEUs
→ Utilize the social media toolkit

10/02/2026

🔥Monthly Fire Drill Reminder!🚨

Don’t forget to practice your monthly fire drill with the children in your care. Regular practice helps children become familiar with the routine and helps everyone know what to do if a real emergency occurs.

A written record of each monthly fire drill should be maintained and include the:

✅ Date
✅ Time
✅ Children who participated

Need a simple way to document your drills? Fire Drill Record Sheets are available on the Family Child Care Network of Kentucky website (fccnky.com) under the Toolbox tab.

Practicing the same safety routine regularly can help children and adults respond more quickly and confidently when it matters most.

Have you completed and logged this month's fire drill?

10/01/2026

🚨 October is Fire Prevention Month! 🔥

Take a few minutes today to check the batteries in every smoke alarm in your family child care home.

Working smoke alarms are one of the simplest and most important tools for helping keep children, families, and providers safe.

✅ Test each smoke alarm
✅ Replace weak or dead batteries
✅ Make sure alarms are clean, secure, and working properly

A few minutes now can make a big difference in an emergency.

When was the last time you checked yours? Let us know in the comments, or use this post as your reminder to do it today! ❤️

09/29/2026

Celebrating Literacy Month with some of our favorite childhood books!

Early literacy begins long before a child learns to read independently. Every story shared, picture discussed, rhyme repeated, and favorite book read again…and again…and again helps build language, connection, imagination, and a lifelong relationship with books.

Now it’s your turn! What children’s book holds a special place in your heart? Drop the title in the comments or tell us which books your children love to read again and again and again!! ❤️📚

09/26/2026

📚Celebrating National Literacy Month!

A love of books can begin long before a child can read the words on the page.
Notice that little finger pointing to the page? That matters. Looking at pictures, pointing, listening, talking about what they see, and turning pages are all part of how young children begin building a relationship with books and language.

When young children turn the pages, study the pictures, point to what catches their attention, and share a book with someone they trust, they build the early literacy skills that will support learning for years to come.

Moments like this are a beautiful reminder that early literacy doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply starts with a good book.

Throughout National Literacy Month, we celebrate the children who are discovering the joy of books, the families and early childhood professionals who encourage them, and our partners who continue to support opportunities for young children across Appalachia. ❤️📖

09/25/2026

Learn more about Family Child Care by exploring the Family Child Care Network of Kentucky website.

Find useful tips, resources, business practices, templates, and forms under the toolbox tab!

Family Child Care Network of KY recruits and supports in-home care,  families, and communities to increase and sustain access to quality early learning experiences.

09/24/2026

💙September 24th is Bluebird of Happiness Day!💙

Bluebirds have long symbolized happiness, hope, and simple joy. Today is a reminder to slow down, step outside, and notice the little things around us: a bird singing from a branch, the feel of fresh air, or a few quiet minutes spent outdoors.

Through FLORA, Fostering Learning Outdoors Reaching Appalachia, we encourage children and adults alike to get outside, explore, and experience the many benefits of connecting with nature.

Turn up the sound and enjoy this little Eastern bluebird, native to Appalachia, singing its song! 🎶

Ask a child what they think the bluebird is saying, and share their answers with us in the comments! We can't wait to hear what they come up with. 💙 🎶

Eastern Bluebird sounds 🧡

09/23/2026

Did you know that today, September 23, is recognized as the International Day of Sign Languages? 🤟

Learn more about sign language and print your FREE ASL Alphabet Chart by clicking the link below!

⭐ Tip: Consider displaying the ASL alphabet chart in an area where children can easily see it—and don’t just hang it up! Use it with the children. Introduce a few signs, talk about the pictures and hand shapes, and incorporate signs into songs, routines, or other activities.

Intentional, child-accessible displays that providers actually use to support children’s learning and communication can help strengthen quality practices reflected in the Environmental Rating Scale.

Display it. Talk about it. Use it!

Free ASL Alphabet Chart