Daniela’s first introduction to the Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC) was nearly two years ago after she took an offsite parenting class called “Incredible Years for Parents.” Little did she know just how incredible her future ECRC experience would be.
The parenting class held a graduation ceremony at the ECRC, where Daniela toured the center and received a free membership. She was intrigued by the ECRC’s production lab, which included equipment and supplies where she could create her own educational materials.
“I didn’t think of myself as a very creative person,” said Daniela. That changed once she took advantage of the lab. “Creating a calendar opened my eyes to how much I could really do at the ECRC."
She also created a laminated bedroom-to-bathroom footprint path to help her son Braden, 6, who has a sensory integration disorder with autism characteristics. “The wonderful production lab gives parents like me the ability to create visual learning tools,” she added. “These tools have helped Braden tremendously.”
Daniela, Braden and his 5-month-old sister Zoey visit the ECRC twice a week for Braden’s creative arts class in the Inspiration Station, which is an interactive classroom and play area. Apart from attending organized programs, Daniela and her children often go to the ECRC to learn, play, read and tap into the expertise of ECRC employees who are available to discuss a child’s learning plans and challenges.
Though Daniela relies on the ECRC to help with Braden’s unique needs, the ECRC provides early childhood education support services for all Canton-area children, their parents and local teachers.
Daniela is also using the ECRC, which is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, to sharpen her parenting skills as Zoey grows up. She enrolled in the “Happy to Be Me, Zero to Three” course, which is taught from the child’s perspective of how they learn.
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