Ready to Grow St. Joe

06/17/2026

🏃‍♂️💛 Movement Matters—Especially for Children with ADHD 💛🏃‍♀️

For children with ADHD, movement isn’t optional—it’s essential. Physical activity like running can provide structure, build confidence, and offer a positive outlet for energy. 🌱

One parent shared how running became a powerful tool for their children—reducing overwhelm, supporting focus, and turning small goals into big confidence boosts. From short runs around the block to crossing a finish line, the journey became about perseverance, pride, and joy.

🧠 Movement also supports brain development—boosting the chemicals that help with attention, mood, and regulation.

✨ Simple tips to get started:
• Keep it fun, not forced
• Start small and build gradually
• Use visual trackers for motivation
• Mix in playful activities
• Celebrate effort and progress

💡 Sometimes the simplest activities—like running—can make the biggest difference.

👉 More information from Active for Life here ⬇
https://activeforlife.com/running-for-kids-with-adhd/?utm_source=Newsletter+English&utm_campaign=fe352e584b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_03_12_07_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-fe352e584b-608322378

06/16/2026

Happy birthday, Maurice Sendak! Born on June 10th in 1928, Sendak rose to fame as an author and illustrator of books that take children — and their wild imaginations — seriously. Where the Wild Things Are, Sendak’s tale of mischievous Max and the monsters in his mind, has thrilled young readers since its publication in 1963.

He remains one of the most influential creators in children's literature, best known for:
Where the Wild Things Are
In the Night Kitchen
Outside Over There

Sendak believed that children's books should honor children's real emotions—including joy, fear, anger, imagination, and wonder. His work continues to inspire educators, families, and young readers around the world. 📚💛

A lovely quote from Maurice Sendak:
"There must be more to life than having everything."

And, of course, one of the most famous lines in children's literature:
"Let the wild rumpus start!" 🌟📚🐾

06/16/2026

💛 Friendships Matter—Right from the Start 💛

Research reminds us that building relationships with peers is one of the most important developmental tasks of early childhood. As highlighted in From Neurons to Neighborhoods (via the National Library of Medicine):

“How well children fare in forming peer relationships early on can help predict pathways toward competence—or challenges—later in childhood and adolescence.”

🌱 In other words, friendships in the early years truly matter.

In our early care and learning environments, we have the opportunity to support children as they:
✨ Learn to connect and build relationships
✨ Practice cooperation and problem-solving
✨ Develop empathy and a sense of belonging

The Exchange Essentials: Friendships collection offers wonderful ideas to support this work, including:

A Classroom Community – Where Everybody Knows Your Name – Joni Levine
Building Relationships with Young Children – George Scarlet
On the Rocky Road to Friendship – Kay Albrecht
On the Way to Friendship – Janet Gonzalez-Mena

💡 A powerful reminder: children are also learning from us. The way we model relationships—with colleagues, families, and one another—helps shape how children understand friendship and connection.

Together, we are supporting not just friendships for today—but foundations for a lifetime.

Thanks and credit to Exchange Everyday

06/15/2026

📚💛 “Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It)”—A Wonderful Book About Consent and Respect 💛📚

The book "Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It)" by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman is a fun and meaningful way to introduce young children to consent and personal boundaries.

Doug doesn’t like hugs because they feel “squeezy, squashy, squooshy, and smooshy!” Instead, he’s a master of high fives (spinny, side, and double!).

Through humor and relatable moments, the story helps children understand that everyone has different preferences, and the best way to know is to ask.

🌱 This book supports children in learning:
✨ It’s okay to say “no”
✨ We can respect others’ personal space
✨ We can ask before touching
✨ There are many ways to connect and show care

A perfect read for preschool through early elementary, supporting social-emotional learning in a way that is joyful, respectful, and empowering.

06/15/2026

✨ Why Change Feels So Hard—and What Helps ✨

Change is constant—but too much, too fast can lead to “change fatigue.” When people face ongoing shifts without enough support, it can result in stress, burnout, and reduced motivation.

💡 Key insight: It’s not just how big a change is—it’s the cumulative effect over time and whether people have the time, tools, and energy to adapt.

💛 What helps?

Build “change energy” and a culture of learning
Consider your team’s history with change
Honor both the old and the new
Change isn’t a problem to solve, but a polarity to manage .... embracing the sweet spot of both / and
Create psychological safety
Support well-being and resilience in your team/organization

When we focus on the people side of change—not just the process—we create stronger, more adaptable communities and organizations.

👉 Read more: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/change-fatigue-continual-evolution/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Learn best practices to recognize and deal with change fatigue in the workplace and foster a more innovative organizational culture.

06/14/2026

CHECK THIS OUT!!! Eck Institute for Global Health Study

The Eck Institute for Global Health is looking for volunteers (adults aged 18-55 in St. Joseph County) to participate in their Meals for Change study, led by Dr. Mike Reger and Dr. Marian Botchway.

Meals for Change is a one-year research study that looks at whether improving access to healthy food and health education can improve people’s health and well-being. The project brings together trusted local partners who already help provide fresh and frozen meals to the community:

● Unity Gardens, a network of community gardens in South Bend

● Cultivate Food Rescue, an organization that prepares and shares healthy, ready-to-eat meals

Please see the flyer for more information.

06/14/2026

Works so well with children, youth and adults! :)

06/14/2026

🐝 Great things rarely happen all at once.

They’re built through small moments:
✨ A kind word
✨ A brave conversation
✨ A pause before reacting
✨ One step forward, even when it feels tiny

Just like a bee moving from flower to flower, our everyday actions create ripples we may never fully see. What seems small today can grow into something meaningful tomorrow.

This is your reminder that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to matter. The little things count. In fact, they’re often what make the biggest difference.
What’s one small action you can take today that your future self will thank you for? 💛

Thanks and credit - 6 Seconds

06/13/2026

TURN SIMPLE STORIES INTO BIG LEARNING MOMENTS
New Webinar Tuesday, June 16, 1:00–2:00 PM ET
Storytelling: Engaging Children through Sharing, Connecting, and Community

There's still time to grab your spot. Professor Dr. Sarah Beth Nelson presents a free one-hour webinar on one of the most powerful tools in early childhood education — and how to make it work in your classroom.

In just one quick hour, you'll walk away with audio storytelling strategies that:

Keep children listening, thinking, and participating

Build a stronger sense of safety and community in your classroom

Give children the language to understand and share their own experiences

Leave ready for your very next circle time.

RSVP here (FREE) - https://platform.sflece.org/webinars?start_at%5C%5Bupcoming%5C%5D=1?utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-06-12

06/13/2026

😄🌙 A Little Roughhousing Before Bed? Yes, Please! 🌙😄

Did you know that playful movement before bedtime can actually help children fall asleep?

Activities like:
✨ Jumping on the bed
✨ Playing hide-and-seek
✨ Silly, active play
✨ Reading a book in a silly way/voice

…can help children release energy, connect with caregivers, and settle their bodies for rest. 💛

When paired with a calming bedtime routine, this kind of joyful play can support smoother transitions to sleep—and a stronger sense of connection, too.

Play, connection, then rest…a beautiful rhythm for ending the day. 🌙✨

Some Heavy Work resources: https://www.theottoolbox.com/heavy-work-activities/

Thanks and credit to The OT Toolbox!