Blog

Awards Ceremony 2021

At West Woods, Ms. Crew and Ms. Mae’s class had a fantastic year and are ready to show off some of what they learned! We know it’s not the same as our typical celebrations, but the kids worked hard! We can’t wait for our young ones to return and are so excited for the adventures that await the ones moving on to Kindergarten!

West Woods Head Start 2021 Award Ceremony with Ms. Crew and Ms. Mae

At West Woods, Ms. Crew and Ms. Mae's class had a fantastic year and are ready to show off some of what they learned! We know it's not the same as our typical celebrations, but the kids worked hard! We can't wait for our young ones to return and are so excited for the adventures that await the ones moving on to Kindergarten!

Posted by FACT, Inc on Friday, May 14, 2021

New Food Experiences

One thing we do in our preschools is provide possible new food experiences to our children. Magnolia East took a bite out of Blood Oranges and they certainly enjoyed this new-to-them citrus experience!

Our Magnolia East location provides services to preschoolers not yet eligible for Kindergarten. Magnolia, Arkansas is also home to one of our Early Head Start preschools to meet the needs of infants and toddlers. Check our Locations list on the menu to find the right school near you!

Grapevine March 2021

Say “Yes!” to Non-Food Rewards

Our friends at Kids Eat Right remind us that rewarding children with food is a No-Go!

What parent doesn’t want good behavior and great grades?

Rewarding children for good choices is an effective way to encourage behaviors that parents value. Unfortunately, adults sometimes reward children with sweets and other food because it tastes good and kids get excited about it. Even though bribing children with candy to clean their rooms and eat their vegetables may lead to a clean room and a clean plate, there can be negative long-term consequences.

When food is given as a reward, children start to connect it with something good or bad, rather than to see food as fuel for their body. In the long run, this could lead to emotional eating as adults and generate an unhealthy relationship with food. Food rewards also teach kids to expect food when they’ve done something well, which can lead to poor nutrient intakes, eating when not hungry and excess calories. And it teaches them that the food rewarded is more desirable than other foods. Non-food rewards may be a wiser strategy.

Non-Food Rewards Kids Love

Praise is highly effective and costs nothing. Take time to identify additional non-food rewards that motivate your children. If your children are old enough, brainstorm a list of incentives with them. Here are several to consider:

  • Stickers
  • Playdate with friends
  • Sleepover with friends
  • Special time with parents or grandparents
  • Sitting at the head of the table for dinner
  • Trip to the park, pool, skating rink, bowling alley or movies
  • Time off from chores
  • More screen time (computer, tablet, TV, video games)
  • Additional minutes on the cell phone
  • Additional car privileges

Please keep in mind that some of the listed non-food rewards may need to be modified to follow safe COVID-19 precautions.

Non-Food Rewards at School

You may have a successful non-food reward system at home, but food rewards in school might send mixed messages to your children. Discuss your concerns with your children’s teachers. Explain the downsides of rewarding children with candy or celebrating a class victory with an ice cream party. Then, offer other options such as temporary tattoos, student of the week awards, eating lunch in a special place, additional time for recess, class field trips and watching movies.

Instead of using food as rewards, use outdoor activities that encourage physical activity such as going to the park, riding the bike or playing basketball. Show your kid you enjoy these activities and be a good role model for them to follow. By emphasizing non-food rewards, your children will strive for those.

Introducing our 2021 Policy Council!

FACT would like to wish a big welcome to our Policy Council for the 2021 Year!

Head Start understands that our parents and community are a vital part of the success of our program. These members will assist the agency with making decisions that impact our future. Welcome aboard and we thank you!

Calhoun/Dallas/Ouachita Counties
Shenna Clary, Marsheana Toney

Hempstead/Lafayette/Nevada Counties
Crystal Haley, Tequilla Marshall

Union County
Tamikai Harris, David Holmes (Vice-Chairperson)

Early Head Start
Lakesha Frazier, Renecee Ellis (Secretary), Raquel Ross (Chairperson)

Community Representatives
Barbara Breggs, Barbara Libengood, Lauren Dennis

Welcome to our new Board Members!

Our Board of Directors provides insight, counsel, and direction to the operation of our Head Start Agency. They serve 5-year terms and are comprised based on various qualifications. We thank you for joining our Board and look forward to 5 wonderful years with you!

Mayor Ethan M. Dunbar
Susan M. Spicher

Grapevine January 2020

Grapevine – October 2019

Grapevine – May 2019

Grapevine – March 2019