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04/08/2019 12:00 AMOn Saturday, April 27, as part of its annual Week of the Young Child (WOYC) program, non-profit Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC) hosts a free community event, "Talking Early Childhood – Discovering Communication and Connection."
Geared to those who care for kids ages 5 and younger, the session will help adults recognize their primary communication style and give them techniques to help them communicate, so that conversations and interactions become more meaningful. The result? Relationships flourish, and conflicts decrease.
The event takes place Sat. April 27, 9 a.m. — 1 p.m. at Shoreline Community Church (SCC), 9 Business Park Drive (Units 1 – 4) in Branford.
The day of talks, workshops and lunch with professionals is a new addition to BECC’s annual WOYC activities. BECC Executive Director Robin Comey, who is also a Branford State Representative (District 102), and serves on the House Education Committee, is excited about the possibilities the new talk and its workshops will offer, and wants to make sure the community knows about this amazing, free opportunity. Comey said the workshop aligns with the BECC board’s intent to expand child-centric assistance and programming to also include programming which deepens BECC’s support to parents or others who are raising young ones, something that’s known as two-generational, or “2Gen” learning.
“What we’ve been moving into is really the impact of two-generational learning,” said Comey. “It’s making sure we’re [also] talking about the parents and their ability to be successful [and] have the skills to raise families, so that the whole family unit is successful. We want kids to be well-cared for; but we also want parents to be given the ability to raise families in positive environments, and with the skills they need.” With the April 27 workshop, “... our intent is to give parents and caregivers the opportunity to learn about issues that are important when raising children,” Comey said.
BECC’s “Talking Early Childhood” participants will hear a keynote address from Susan Graham, MSW, MA (Women’s Studies), a well-known leadership and training consultant, said Comey.
“She’s going to be talking about connecting with your child,” said Comey. “Making sure that you’re really doing the listening and the talking; and how that can improve behavior in [your] kids.”
In addition to other topics she’ll cover, Graham, who also has 20 years of law enforcement experience, will touch on the impacts of technology for both adults and kids, said Comey.
Special guest Luz Rivera of the CT Office of Early Childhood will be talking about developmental milestones and the “Ages and Stages” tool, said Comey.
“Parents can use this tool to understand better, developmentally, what is expected of children in their early years – everything from language to social skills,” said Comey.
Additional workshops will include those on reading aloud techniques, sensory development, and challenging behavior.
In honor of WOYC, lunch and light breakfast will be provided, courtesy of BECC community partners. The day’s informal lunchtime discussion will bring participants together with a group of pediatricians, kindergarten and PreK teachers, advocates and experienced administrators, all there to answer questions from parents and caregivers. Give-aways, free books and information on local community resources will also be available.
Advance registration is required (limited childcare available). Sign up online at www.eventbrite.com
Recognizing that a number of other events, from the annual townwide clean up (Rid Litter Day, Branford Green) to the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce’s Chili Challenge, are also taking place April 27, Comey said the BECC event will offer flexibility for registrants with some drop in-attendance options.
Comey especially thanks SCC for opening its doors to serve as the venue for BECC’s April 27 event.
“They’ve been super gracious, and they have marvelous volunteers who help us. We are so appreciative,” says Comey.
Comey said having the space provided by SCC on April 27 will also help BECC to tie into Branford’s 375th birthday celebration, with BECC/WOYC’s own nod to history.
“We’re pulling together a ‘Toys through the Decades’ [display] in celebration of Branford’s 375, so if anyone wants to participate, we’d certainly appreciate it,” she said.
Interested participants are asked to contact BECC in advance to notify of their intent to share a vintage toy to display (email branford.becc@gmail.com or call 203-415-5237).
BECC is also grateful to Greater New Haven Community Foundation (GNHCF) for its support, Comey noted. From May 1 – 2, the public can support BECC as a participating non-profit in GNHCF’s “The Great Give 2019” (more info at www.thegreatgive.org)
BECC has been offering WOYC activities for many years, including its annual “One Town, One Book” event. This year, with a grant from Branford Community Foundation assisting Read to Grow with the gift of books, BECC gave out copies of the children’s book “What Does it Mean to Be Kind?” to the youngest students at schools and a daycare programs in town. This year, books also were shared with children assisted by New Haven-based IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services), said Comey.
On April 5, to kick off WOYC, downtown Branford merchants’ windows became galleries for 600 works of kids’ art inspired by the book. The art remains on display as BECC’s annual WOYC Art Walk through Saturday, April 13.
BECC April 27 event registration is available now at Eventbrite.com Email branford.becc@gmail.com or call 203-415-5237 with questions or special dietary needs.