Families
At First Up, we celebrate families as experts in their children’s growth and development. Through workshops, resources, and shared learning experiences, we partner with parents and caregivers to support the healthy development of their children. By honoring families’ strengths, culture, and values, we create spaces where families can connect, learn, and take an active role in shaping their children’s learning and well-being.
Project Bridge
Project Bridge supports early literacy by creating joyful, culturally responsive learning experiences for families of young children (0-5 yrs), grounded in the science of reading. Families participate in interactive workshops in English and Spanish, exploring strategies to connect what children are learning at school with learning at home. Each family receives a home education kit and a library of 30 brand new books, and both families and early childhood educators are trained to use these materials effectively.
R.O.O.T.S. Affinity Groups
R.O.O.T.S. provides a supportive community for families of young Black children, focusing on positive racial identity development. Families participate in a five-part series of workshops, co-facilitated by First Up specialists and a local teaching artist, creating engaging and culturally responsive experiences. Through these workshops, families connect, reflect, and share strategies to affirm their children’s identity and support their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. R.O.O.T.S. fosters a space where families’ experiences, cultures, and knowledge are celebrated.
Parents Growing Together (First Up and Children First partnership)
Parents Growing Together is a peer-to-peer program that empowers parent leaders to create healing-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed spaces for families. Through a series of workshops focused on connection, reflection, and the sharing of strategies, caregivers build resilience, reduce stress, and strengthen their ability to support the healthy growth and well-being of their children.
Anti-Bias Education Family Pop Up Workshops
Our ABE Family Pop Ups are vibrant and celebratory events intended to create an atmosphere where families can engage in meaningful conversations, explore new perspectives, and have fun together. Workshops feature culturally responsive activities that can be used at home, books and resources for grownups, and music and delicious appetizers.
Anti-Bias Family Pop Up workshops are made possible through generous funding from PNC Grow Up Great.
Anti-Bias Resources
First Up has assembled a compendium of podcasts and videos to deep your understanding of the historical and present-day intersections of race and childcare in America, plus videos and other materials on topics including how to talk about race and racism with young children.
Oher Resources
Not sure how to navigate the early educational landscape? We can help steer you through, with materials that include Getting Ready for Kindergarten (see here for English, and here for Spanish.) and answers to some frequently asked questions and links to helpful resources.