August 15, 2024 Live Panel Discussion

First 5:

#1 Discussion for Contra Costa County

Topic: Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Questions for Context:

1. What does E.C.E stand for?
   Early Childhood Education (ECE): ECE encompasses the essential programs and strategies geared toward the early development of children from birth to age eight, focusing on their cognitive, social, and emotional growth. These formative years lay the foundation for lifelong learning and development.
2. What are First Five Centers?
   First Five Centers are invaluable community resources that support parents and caregivers in guiding their children’s development. They offer:
   • Networking opportunities with other parents, children, and caregivers.
   • Interactive, inclusive, and diverse play focused on educational preparation.
   • Programs that foster children’s natural skills, abilities, and expression through art.
   • Free child developmental screenings.
   • Grants and scholarships to help parents with educational goals.
   • Assistance from birth to age eight.
3. How much do ECE programs cost in Contra Costa County?
   In Contra Costa County, ECE programs are 100% free. First Five Centers provide both virtual and in-person services to meet diverse needs. This accessibility allowed me to participate in discussions online without worrying about transportation challenges, which I greatly appreciated.

Virtual Discussion: Inclusion in Early Learning

Personal Observations:

• Labeling: The impact of labels on children and their development.
• True Inclusion: Moving beyond trends and bandwagons to achieve genuine inclusion.
• Advocacy: Utilizing resources and community support to drive inclusion.
• Support Systems: Building networks that offer real assistance.
• Diversity: Emphasizing diverse learning environments.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ensuring that community values, languages, and cultures are reflected in all educational efforts.

Actual Discussion:

1. What excites you about the First 5 Early Childhood Education program?

• Anonymous Response 1:
  • Mini-grant opportunities.
  • The program’s dedication to enhancing children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
  • Guidance on how to effectively support a child’s development from birth onward.
• Anonymous Response 2:
  • A parent with a child who has ADHD expressed frustration with the lack of true inclusion. They emphasized the need for programs that genuinely embody diversity and inclusion, rather than just paying lip service.
• Anonymous Response 3:
  • A parent without a child with learning disabilities stressed the importance of exposing her children to diversity early on. She believes that by doing so, her children won’t be surprised by diversity later in life. This parent, who has multiple sclerosis, also values her children being around others with disabilities and disorders, both diagnosed and undiagnosed.

2. What was surprising about the recommendations?

• Anonymous Response 1:
  • Advocacy is crucial for all age groups, not just children.

3. How can we promote this free First Five ECE program in Contra Costa?

• Anonymous Response 1:
  • Increase awareness through social media and community outreach.
• Anonymous Response 2:
  • Engage community advocates to promote programs tailored to the specific needs of children and families in their communities.
  • Utilize billboards, bus stop ads, and city official endorsements to spread the word.
• Anonymous Response 3:
  • Foster a strong community to educate one another about diversity, disabilities, and inclusion while promoting more resources.

Personal Reflections:

For me, the First 5 program became a lifeline when I suspected my daughter, Elizabeth, might be on the autism spectrum. I faced a three-month wait for county support, which was agonizing. No parent should have to wait that long for clarity about their child’s development. In the meantime, I took proactive steps, such as using visual aids around the house—pictures of fruits, numbers, maps, and alphabet mats—to create a fun learning environment in every room. Although Elizabeth wasn’t ultimately diagnosed with autism, these efforts were crucial in helping bridge her communication gaps.

Recently, I discovered that Elizabeth is a Gestalt learner. She processes information in clusters, using phrases like “pretty flowers,” “I do,” and “I don’t.” My use of visual aids has been instrumental in helping her point to and identify objects, which brings her learning to life. This has made education tangible for my two-year-old.

As a first-time mother, I had to conduct extensive research on my own to figure out how best to support my daughter’s education. While my three degrees across various fields were beneficial, I recognize that not everyone has the ability or resources to research critically. This is why community awareness and access to resources are so vital.

This discussion was especially enlightening for me. I learned a great deal and was able to contribute my insights. I also shared my research paper on how yoga aids toddlers in social, communicative, and emotional development, hoping to offer something valuable to other parents navigating similar challenges.

Thank you for the opportunity to share and learn in this valuable discussion.

First5 Contra Costa Contact⬇️
Location: 300 H Street, Antioch, CA
Phone: 925-301-4052
Instagram: @AntiochFirst5Center
Facebook: AntiochF5C
Partners/Affiliates: Aspiranet: Hope Forward