Programs
Igniting Connections Parent Series
Date: October 30, December 11, January 22, February 26, March 26, April 23
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Description: Early Childhood Education Initiatives will host a monthly "lunch & learn" on a variety of topics. Upcoming topics include "Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Children - Building Empathy and Emotional Regulation Skills" and "Crafting Calming Sleep Routines for Children - Creating Peaceful Bedtime Rituals." These conversations will be facilitated in partnership with NRV CARES.
Review the full list of upcoming topics and select which classes you'd like to register for at the link below.
Finding the Right Child Care for Your Family
Date: December 4, February 5, April 2
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Via Zoom
Description: During the 2025-2026 academic year, Kim Thomason, Program Manager for Early Childhood Education Initiatives, will host a discussion-based seminar to support parents in choosing high quality early care and education that is a good fit for their family.
Planning for Baby
Description: Planning for Baby programs are for employees who are expecting the birth of a child, or for new parents of a child under three months of age. All expecting and new parents are welcome to attend including fathers, non-birth mothers and adoptive parents. Topics to be discussed include benefits, leave, and resources available to new parents.
Planning for Baby - Faculty
Date: October 30
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Via Zoom
Planning for Baby - Staff
Date: October 28
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Via Zoom
VT Working Parent Meet-ups in the NRV
Date: Ongoing
Description: The Early Childhood Education Initiatives collaborated with Hokie Wellness to offer Parent Meet-ups for Virginia Tech working parents. The meet-ups were informal gatherings that brought Virginia Tech working parents together to meet, chat, and learn more about child care resources and information. Sign up to get information of upcoming parent meet-ups!
For more information or questions about upcoming programs, reach out to Kim Thomason, Program Manager for Early Childhood Education Initiatives
Past Programs
The Early Childhood Education Initiatives partnered with Samantha Buchanan, M.Ed., Associate Director in New Student and Family Programs here at Virginia Tech, to offer a session about the transition from high school student to higher education student.
ECE Initiatives in collaboration with Wolf Trap teaching artist Maria Tripodi presented a Zoom based interactive family event that guided children and families through movement experiences to engage with children’s literature and the work around them.
With Cynthia Hutchinson, Ed.S, program director of the Excellence in Children’s Early Language and Literacy (ExCELL), we offered a session where Cynthia addressed how parents can promote language and critical thinking skills relevant to kindergarten readiness.
The Early Childhood Education Initiatives at Virginia Tech partnered with the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech to offer the 2024 version of the Lunch & Learn - What You Need to Know About Raising a Child with a Disability series. This year, the topics were:
- Organization, Time Management, and Planning Strategies to Get Your Child's Homework on Track
- Child Emotional Development and Strategies to Help Kids Manage Emotions
- Moving from Power and Control to Collaboration and Problem-Solving
ECE Initiatives partnered with Heidi Hawkins, M.S., Ed.S. Licensed and Nationally Certified School Psychologist, to offer a view on parenting children and adolescents diagnosed with a disability.
In partnership with Hokie Wellness.
On 2024, the Early Childhood Education Initiatives hosted a session led by Jarrid Dulaney, Transfer Coordinator and Interim Associate Director, where he shared with VT working parent strategies to help their high school seniors write compelling essays and short answers for college applications. This year, a second version of this program was led by Jen Tkacz, Deputy Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Virginia Tech recognizes the ongoing concern among faculty, staff and students regarding the availability of affordable quality early care and education. Therefore, Early Childhood Education Initiatives hosted a virtual roundtable with Hokie Wellness, Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Human Resources, and faculty and staff representatives, who shared information and answered questions about resources for parents working and studying at Virgina Tech.
The Early Childhood Education Initiatives team is partnering with Hokie Wellness to offer a lunch and learn workshop for parents and caregivers of children about the Community Resilience Model (CRM). The workshop focused on the six wellness skills of the Community Resilience Model (CRM), designed to help adults and children learn to track their own nervous systems in order to bring the body, mind, and spirit back into greater balance, and to encourage people to pass the skills along to others.
The Early Childhood Education Initiatives at Virginia Tech partnered with the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech to offer a Lunch & Learn series of workshops on parenting strategies to support children's social-emotional and academic well-being during the 2024-2025 academic year. You can view the recordings here.
Dr. Koeun Choi, director of the Cognitive Developmental Science (CoDeS) Lab at Virginia Tech and an assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Human Development and Family Science, shared information about the impact of screen media on the development of young children and specific strategies that parents can implement with children to support healthy screen use.
Rosanna Breaux, PhD, and Charity Majusiak, MPS, from the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech, led this session, which discussed parenting strategies to help foster autonomy and independence, and help your middle schooler develop soft and life skills (e.g., problem-solving, self-care) to set them up for success. You can view the recording here.
Megan Schumeyer, Assistant Director of Client Services in Virginia Tech’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, offered an overview of financial aid and scholarships processes, including practical FAFSA tips and key cost concepts, for parents of soon-to-be higher education student.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kim Thomason at 540-320-3226 or kimbe74@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.