Fave Friday: ECFE

I’m posting my favorite products and programs because they’re just that – my favorites. I'm not being compensated by anyone. Shame though.

I've known about the amazing offerings of Early Childhood and Family Education programs since working my first job out of college. I was the education reporter for a small town daily and frequently featured teachers and programs of the local ECFE. I didn't have kids yet, but I was sure impressed.

A few years later, while working with children with disabilities and working as a part-time nanny for another family, I often attended ECFE classes in my current community. I knew I'd want to take my own kids someday.

I'm glad I made that decision. We love it.

The purpose of ECFE is simple - to foster an environment of learning, support and community for both children and their caretakers - but the process is quite rich. The teachers are some of the most compassionate people I know. They deeply care about our children and all of the activities are done with individual attention, creativity and a focus on developing wonderful people out of already amazing children.

Through a variety of classes geared toward differing age groups all under six, the teachers foster academic learning, sharing, turn-taking, exploration and friendships. The kids sing, read books, play pretend, run in the gym and get messy at the art and sand tables.

We took a few classes when Natalie was young, but it's only been recently that we've taken full advantage of the program. I signed us up for a Family Fun class, which turned out to be one of the best things I've done to educate and support myself as a mom. For the first hour of the class, I played with my kids. During the second hour, I left them with their teacher and friends and joined the other moms for a discussion group led by a parent educator.

We used this time to talk and learn about issues concerning our children and our families. We brainstormed, shared, watched short videos, read excerpts from parenting books, swapped resources, drank a lot of coffee and got to know one another better. Perhaps the biggest surprise - but the best part - was the focus on parenting now for who we want our children to be later. It's so easy to get caught up in the moment - the tantrums, the drama, the immediate needs - but it's all really about helping our kids become the best adults they can be.

These sessions have really helped me center, refocusing my parenting on a much bigger goal, without letting it become too overwhelming. They've also helped me connect with some pretty amazing moms who are a great support in the whole process.

This year, Natalie graduates out of ECFE classes (being a big Kindergartner and all), but Gavin still has a couple years. He'll be excited to head back to class in the fall.

I know I am.