By Julie Witt

If you haven’t had a chance to participate in the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lincoln Early Childhood Council (CKLECC) Fun Tote Program now is a great time!  The program is designed for ages 0 to 8 years old.  The program is a great way for parents and caregivers to interact with their children at home by working on important developmental milestones.  The totes are also a way to prepare children to be more school ready when they begin Kindergarten.

There are a variety of totes to choose from.  Each tote has been created for a certain age group and area of development. Each tote has been aligned with the Colorado Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines. Themes range from reading, math, science, dramatic play, healthy living, social and emotional development and more.   The totes are not only met to be a great learning experience for the child but they are met to be fun as well!  For more information on the importance of monitoring your child’s development visit earlylearning.co.org. 

The totes are available for check out at different locations throughout Cheyenne, Kiowa and Lincoln Counties.  In Kiowa, the totes are available at the Public Library.   The Library currently has some of the NEW AND IMPROVED back pack totes making it much easier for kids or caregivers to check them out to take home.  The totes are also being used in the preschool classroom at the Plainview School.

The Buell Foundation generously funds this program.  It is important to our Council to be able to continue to offer this program throughout each of our counties.  In order to do so, it is very important that we get parent and caregiver feedback so that we can report back to the Buell Foundation.  Each tote includes a survey that parents and caregivers can complete and return with the tote.  This feedbacks helps the Council determine what is working for our families and how often the totes are being used.  The survey is also offered online at cklecc.org. 

Please contact CKLECC Coordinator, Julie Witt, with any questions about the tote program, if you have a business that would like to serve as a tote program location or if you are an organization who would like to help sponsor the program.  Julie can also provide information for anyone interested in learning more about CKLECC, how to volunteer or offer financial support.   Julie can be reached at 719-775-9728 or by email at cklecc.esrta.com.   Visit us at cklecc.org and LIKE the Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Lincoln Early Childhood Council on FACEBOOK!