Franklin County Family and Children First Council

08/31/2026

Before that first bite reaches their mouth, so much is happening behind the scenes.

Self-feeding relies on skills stacking together 👇
✋ Grasp — starting with a whole-hand swipe, growing into a pincer grasp (thumb + finger) to pick up small bites
👀 Hand-eye coordination — tracking the food, guiding it toward the mouth
🪑 Core & trunk control — sitting steady enough to free up those hands for the job
👄 Oral motor skills — munching, moving food side to side, learning to manage texture
🧠 Motor planning — the brain figuring out "grab → move → mouth," one rep at a time

Kids build these skills at their own pace, and in their own way. Some children move through this with typical grasp patterns and timing. Others may rely on adapted utensils, extra support, or more repetition — and that's just as valid a path to the same goal. 🌱

💡 Try this: Offer soft, easy-to-grab foods and let your child practice the whole sequence — messy hands mean a busy brain!

👇 What skill is your little one working on right now?

08/27/2026

A new school year means new routines, new goals and sometimes, the need to update or create a new IEP for your child. Franklin County FCFC can help you advocate and make sure your child has the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Here are some simple, helpful tips for starting the school year strong:

➡ Review the current IEP. Are the goals still appropriate? Do the supports match their needs?
➡ Have an IEP meeting? Our staff can support you before, during, and after the IEP process.
➡ We bring everyone to the table. Through our multisystem team approach, we work directly with schools and providers involved in your child’s care. When everyone communicates, your child gets more coordinated and consistent support.
➡ Need help connecting the school with the rest of your child's team? We can help bridge communication between you and your child’s teachers, therapists, and school staff, especially if there’s been confusion or things feel stuck.

Tip: Students' IEP teams must meet at least once a year to review and potentially revise the IEP, but caregivers can request a meeting at any time.

08/21/2026

🧠 We've talked about how predictability helps your brain. Kids' brains work the same way.

Same routine ➡ their brain builds a map.
Brain has a map ➡it stops bracing.
Stops bracing ➡ nervous system relaxes.

No routine? Their brain stays on alert. Constantly scanning. What's next? Am I safe?

That scanning burns energy kids need for learning, focusing, connecting — exactly what they need most on day one.

So, when we walk the route to school before it starts... lay out the backpack the night before... keep the same goodbye ritual at drop-off every single day...

We're not being rigid. We're building safety, one repetition at a time. 💙

Small and steady beats big and occasional. Every time.

What's your go-to back-to-school routine for the kids in your life? Tell us below. 👇

08/18/2026

Starting next week, we're offering free After-School Snacks at 19 library locations thanks to Children's Hunger Alliance ➡️

08/17/2026

Forget the calendar — potty readiness isn't about age, it's about signs.

🚽Here's what to look for:

🧠 They notice. Your child pauses, squats, or tells you after (or during!) going in their diaper.
👖 They want independence. Pulling at wet diapers, wanting to dress/undress themselves, or showing interest in "big kid" underwear.
⏱️ They can wait. Longer stretches of dry diapers mean their bladder is maturing and holding urine longer.
🚪 They're curious. Following you into the bathroom, watching siblings or caregivers, asking questions about the toilet.
🗣️ They can communicate. Using words, signs, or gestures to tell you they need to go — or that they just went.
🧍 They can follow simple steps. Sitting down, standing up, walking to the bathroom on their own.

Every child hits these signs on their own timeline — and that's okay! Readiness is about the whole child, not the calendar. 💙

What sign did you notice first with your little one? Tell us below! 👇

08/13/2026

🏫Back-to-school season is around the corner, let’s make the transition smoother for everyone!🏫

After a long summer, getting back into school mode can be tough but a little prep now can go a long way.

Here are a few ways to ease the shift:

🍎Start easing back into a school-year sleep schedule: move bedtime a little earlier each night
🍎Reintroduce structure: plan out morning and evening routines so they feel familiar by the first day
🍎Talk about what’s coming: discuss any changes in school, teachers or routines to reduce surprises
🍎Set small goals together: help your child feel motivated and involved in the new school year
🍎Check in on emotions: some kids feel excited, others anxious (or both)—and that’s okay!

Need support with the transition or school planning? We’re here to help. Whether it’s navigating IEPs, collaborating with school staff or getting the right team in place, we’ve got your back.

08/11/2026

08/07/2026

🧠Before we talk about kids and routines... let's talk about you.

Your nervous system runs the same script theirs does:

Same routine → your brain builds a map.
Brain has a map → it stops bracing.
Stops bracing → you show up calmer.

No routine? You're scanning too. Did I forget something? Are we going to be late? That scanning is exhausting — and kids feel it, even when we don't say a word.

So when you lay out your bag the night before... keep the same goodbye ritual at drop-off... build in a few quiet minutes before the day gets loud...

You're not just managing logistics. You're regulating your own system — and that calm is contagious. 💙

Because here's the thing: kids don't just need predictable routines. They need a predictable you.

Tomorrow, we'll get into the brain science behind why their routines matter just as much. 👀

What's one small routine that keeps you grounded during transition seasons like back-to-school? Tell us below. 👇

08/03/2026

🎒 Back-to-school shopping can add up fast. This weekend is a great chance to stretch your budget:

✅ Clothing items $75 or less — tax free
✅ School supplies $20 or less — tax free
✅ Instructional materials $20 or less — tax free

📚 It's also a great time to stock up on extra supplies for schoolwork or at-home crafts — think notebooks, markers, glue, and other everyday essentials.

💛 A small tip: letting kids pick their own backpack or notebook color can make the shopping trip more fun — and gives them a little sense of ownership over the new school year.

Happy (tax-free) shopping! 🛍️

Check out the link below:
https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/sales-tax-holiday-for-back-to-school-shopping/

07/30/2026