Franklin County Family and Children First Council

🌈🖤❤️💛 June belongs to ALL of us.

Juneteenth + Pride = a whole month of honoring freedom, love, and the beautiful mosaic of our community. 🎉

Read along with your child:

✨ "The Skin You Live In" by Michael Tyler — A joyful rhyming board book celebrating all skin tones
✨ "Love Makes a Family" by Sophie Beer — simple, bright, and perfect for babies & toddlers
✨ "I Am Enough" by Grace Byers — affirming every child's worth
✨ "All Are Welcome" by Alexandra Penfold — Every child belongs, no matter what

💛❤️🖤 Every child deserves to see themselves — and their neighbors — celebrated. Happy Juneteenth & Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

In celebration of Juneteenth, Franklin Co. FCFC will be closed

🌟 We're Almost to the Weekend! 🌟

We see you, caregivers; the emotional energy, the constant redirection, the effort you expend every single day. Weekends can offer a break but also bring changes in routine that can lead to meltdowns, power struggles or screen-time battles. Here are some ideas for a smoother weekend:

🧡 Give Choices: “Would you rather jump like a frog or do 10 arm circles?” Giving kids control can help cut down on power struggles.

🩷 Sensory Breaks: Bins with rice, kinetic sand, or water beads can be a great way to regulate. For teens, try noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools or quiet lighting.

💚 Use Timers and Transitions: “5 more minutes of play, then it’s lunch.” Visual timers or phone alarms can reduce the stress of sudden changes.

💙 Use “When/Then” Agreements : “When chores are done, then you can have gaming time.” Clear expectations reduce conflict and set boundaries without power struggles.

💜 Let Teens Be Helpers: Invite them to lead an activity with younger siblings, help cook dinner or take charge of a family playlist. Responsibility can boost confidence and build connection.

Bonus: When in public, bring some low-prep activities they can do independently during wait times or when bored. (Think: stickers, pipe cleaners, reusable activity books, fidget toys.)

💛It’s okay if everything doesn’t get done. Prioritize connection over perfection. Every caregiver needs support, breaks and grace. 💛

Sign up on our website!

franklinfamilyfirst.org/upcomingevents

☀️ Summer break can be wonderful — and can be really hard for kids.
Without the structure of school, some children feel anxious, dysregulated, or out of sorts. That's not a behavior problem. That's a nervous system searching for safety. For the brain, safety can mean the nervous system looking for the predictability of routines, structures, and relationships to help them successfully navigate their summer.

Here's what helps 👇
🔁 Routines over perfection
⚠️ Prepare for transitions
🤝 Connection first
👀 Watch without judgment
💛 Care for yourself

Connection ➡️ Predictability ➡️ Routine.
That's the foundation of safety, all summer long.

This summer, we're sharing a few trauma-informed practices to help you and your family navigate the season with more ease.

Stay tuned! and if this resonates, share it with a caregiver who needs to hear it today. 💛

Play is how children learn everything. Here are six phases of play. Each one builds on the skills your child has learned before they are ready for the next.

🩷Unoccupied Play Builds: body & sensory awareness Baby explores what their body can do — kicking, reaching, staring. This is the starting point for all play that follows.

💜Solitary Play Builds: focus & independence Playing alone, fully absorbed in their own world. Children need to learn how to direct their own attention before they can share it with others.

💙Onlooker Play Builds: social observation Watching others play without joining in. Children are learning the unwritten rules of how people play together — before they feel ready to try.

💚Parallel Play Builds: comfort with other kids Playing side-by-side without interacting. Children are getting used to sharing a space with peers — a key step before true back-and-forth begins.

💛Associative Play Builds: sharing & conversation Kids play together and talk, but without a shared plan. This is where turn-taking and early friendship skills really start to take shape.

🧡Cooperative Play Builds: teamwork & problem-solving Playing together toward a shared goal — games with rules, pretend play, group projects. Every previous stage comes together here.

Helpful Reminder: Readiness to move forward comes from having enough time and space in each phase — not from age alone.

The next time you see your child playing, you'll know that they're working hard and having fun! Save this and share it with a parent or caregiver who would find it helpful!

Spending quality time together as a family doesn’t have to be expensive. As summer begins, we wanted to share a few free and low-cost events happening around Columbus this June that families can enjoy together
🎶 PBJ & Jazz at Topiary Park
June 13
Enjoy a free family-friendly jazz concert, dancing and even PB&J sandwiches for the kids!
https://columbusjazz.org/about/series-and-events/pbj-jazz/
🌿 Franklin Park Conservatory Community Day
June 7
Free admission for Franklin County and Columbus residents. Explore beautiful gardens, exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages.
https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/june-community-day/
🎵 Central Ohio Folk Festival
June 6–7
A low-cost, family-friendly festival with live music, crafts, workshops, and kids’ activities. Children under 18 attend free!
https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/festival
❤️ Juneteenth on the Ave
June 20
Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with live entertainment, food, art and family fun in Bronzeville.
https://www.juneteenthontheave.com/
🌳 Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks Programs
Free nature programs, story times, hikes and family activities all month long!
https://www.metroparks.net/
We hope these events help your family make fun memories together!

☀️Ohio is now accepting applications for Sun Bucks - a grocery benefit program that provides $120 for each eligible school-aged child during the summer. But wait! Most eligible children will be automatically enrolled.

Find our if your child is eligible or apply at: https://sebt.ohio.gov



Image description: Graphic promoting the Sun Bucks program featuring a photo of a father and son chopping vegetables and the Sun Bucks logo. Text says, "Now is the time to apply for Sun Bucks! Learn more at sebt.ohio.gov."

FREE SUMMER MEALS are coming back to the library 🍽️🌟

Starting Monday, June 1, kids and teens can get free meals at select library locations thanks to Children's Hunger Alliance. Some branches will also offer breakfast or dinner options.

Meals will be available until school is back in session.

👉 See meal times in the comments, and come grab a plate!