Champions for Children of Smith County

07/29/2026

Tune in and Tune-Up! Click here to register today: https://championsforchildren.org/all-events-and-trainings/teacher-director-tune-up-kick-off-to-a-great-fall-2-984-126-533/

07/13/2026

Big shout out to all you teachers working during these crazy storms!!☔️

07/09/2026

Coming August 1st!

Early Childhood Tune-Up Conference Tools for Stronger Programs and Brighter Futures! Get ready to tune up your skills, recharge your passion, and strengthen your early learning program! Join fellow educators, directors, and administrators for a day filled with engaging training sessions, fresh ideas...

07/07/2026

Come paint a prehistoric masterpiece! Children going into grades K-12 are invited to join and explore the contrasts between light and color on July 8th, 2026 at 3 p.m.

07/07/2026

As an early childhood special education professional in rural Colorado, Bry spent years helping families navigate Early Intervention and special education systems. She understood the eligibility requirements. She knew the language. She knew how to advocate.

And still, her family fell into the gap of wait and see.

Wait until preschool.
Wait until kindergarten.
Wait until the delays become more obvious.
Wait until a child falls far enough behind.

Child development does not happen in neat categories. Many children exist in the gray area between thriving and qualifying. And for families living in rural communities, that gray area can feel enormous.

Believing in babies means recognizing that children do not suddenly become worthy of support once a score crosses a threshold. We can build systems that respond earlier, support families sooner, and ensure parents do not have to wait for things to get worse before anyone is allowed to help. Read their story: https://bit.ly/4erJ9Tj

07/02/2026

https://www.theautismclinic.org/helping-children-with-sensory-issues-cope-with-fireworks/

Helping Children with Sensory Issues Cope with Fireworks The Autism Clinic

06/30/2026

💚 How to Check In on Your Child's Mental Health At Every Age

Ages 4–7: Keep It Playful 🎨

Young children often express feelings through play, pictures, and imagination rather than direct conversation.
Try asking:
* 🎨 "Can you draw how your heart feels today?"
* 🌤️ "If your feelings were weather, what would they be?"
* 🐻 "If your feelings were an animal, what would they be doing?"
* 😊😐😢 "Point to the face that looks most like how you feel today."
* ⭐ "What was your favorite part of today? What was the trickiest part?"
——

Ages 8–12: Encourage Reflection 💭

Kids this age can think more about their emotions but often need specific prompts.
Try asking:
* 💚 "What's been on your mind the most lately?"
* 🤝 "How are things going with your friends?"
* 😟 "Has anything been making you feel worried or stressed?"
* 💪 "What's something you're proud of this week?"
* 🔋 "If your emotional battery was between 0–100%, where is it today?"
——

Ages 13–18: Respect Their Independence 🌱

Teens are more likely to open up when they don't feel interrogated or judged.
Try asking:
* "What's been taking up the most space in your mind lately?"
* "How have you really been doing, not just the answer you give everyone else?"
* "What's been the most stressful part of your week?"
* "Do you feel like you have people you can be yourself around?"
* "Is there anything you wish adults understood about you right now?"

06/26/2026

Studio Movie Grill this Saturday at 11am showing of Toy Story 5! FREE for our NAET families to attend. Arrive 10-15 minutes prior to secure your seats.

06/22/2026