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Early Childhood Programming

Early Childhood Family Education is a MN State funded educational program for families with children from birth to 5 (not yet in kindergarten). ECFE helps parents support their child's growth and development. Classes are taught by licensed early childhood teachers and licensed parent educators. 

Winter/Spring ECFE Registration

We are no longer taking registrations for the Winter/Spring semester. The lottery for early bird registration for fall 2022 classes will take place June 6-17. Lottery placement will be conducted on Monday, June 20. After that time, we will continue to take registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register  WInter/Spring 2022 Class Schedule

Contact

Sharon Griffiths
Enrollment
651-425-7181

sgriffit2@sowashco.org

Beth Quist
Site Coordinator
Liberty Ridge Site 2
651-425-7163

bquist@sowashco.org

Ann Mockenhaupt
Site Coordinator
District Program Center
651-425-6636

amockenh@sowashco.org

Joyce Beaird
Early Learning Family
Services Manager
651-425-6625

jbeaird@sowashco.org

Office Hours:
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Early Learning Blog

Along with the joy of becoming a parent comes a lot of questions about raising a child. It can be hard to find answers and information. Our Early Learning blog can provide the information you seek. Written by one of our own ECFE Licensed Parent Educators, each blog offers insight into child development, parenting strategies, and other important topics that can support parents during their parenting journey. View our extensive blog library of topics as well as our most recent post below:

A lot is said about the negative impacts of screens, technology, and media on children. The reality is these technology and screens aren’t going anywhere. Our children are growing up in a time when technology is literally at the touch of their fingertips. Kids are savvy digital natives. All of this can make it difficult for parents to manage their child’s use of screens, technology, and media. Now I am not suggesting that just because technology is so readily available that we should disregard screen time recommendations. I would like to suggest that instead focusing on screen time, we follow Common Sense Media’s advice and shift our focus to creating a healthy, balanced screen diet. Just like how we want to have balanced meals, we can also create a balanced screen diet.

A lot is said about the negative impacts of screens, technology, and media on children. The reality is these technology and screens aren’t going anywhere. Our children are growing up in a time when technology is literally at the touch of their fingertips. Kids are savvy digital natives. All of this can make it difficult for parents to manage their child’s use of screens, technology, and media. Now I am not suggesting that just because technology is so readily available that we should disregard screen time recommendations. I would like to suggest that instead focusing on screen time, we follow Common Sense Media’s advice and shift our focus to creating a healthy, balanced screen diet. Just like how we want to have balanced meals, we can also create a balanced screen diet.

In March, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) partnered with Woodbury Lutheran Preschool to provide a free parent-child event for families with young children who live in the Woodbury community.
ECFE Licensed Parent Educator, Bobbie Bigwood, shared mindfulness tools and techniques. Parents and children left the event equipped with new knowledge, strategies, and tools to help their children calm and regulate their emotions. ECFE is excited about the possibility to partner with Woodbury Lutheran Preschool on additional parent-child events next year!

Put your coat on. Pick up your blocks. Eat your lunch. Don’t touch your brother. It’s time to get dressed. Bath time is over, time to get out of the tub. Turn off the TV. Bring me your shoes. Stop bugging your sister. Do any of these sound like things you have said to your kids today? Think about how many times during your day you tell or ask your child to do something. Telling our kids what to do is a big part of what we do as parents. Unfortunately, most parents at some point have been left thinking or saying things like, “Why can’t he listen?” or “Why can’t she just do what I ask her to do?” If these types of thoughts sound familiar to you, keep reading to learn some easy-to-use strategies to increase your child’s compliance with your requests.

Parent Resources