Early Birds Frequently Asked Questions
- Early Head Start/Head Start
- Early Head Start Home Visitation Program
- Foster Care
- Mental Health
- Parenting Pathways
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Fall:
- Pregnant- Dr. Brown bottle set with bottle warmer.
- 0-3 years- puppet and stacking cups.
- 3-5 years- puppet, emotion blocks, and emotion puzzle.
Winter
- Pregnant- Pack and Play.
- 0-3 years- cloth busy book and shape matching house.
- 3-5 years- water blocks and doodle pad
Spring
- Pregnant- Pack and Play.
- 0-3 years- cloth busy book and shape matching house.
- 3-5 years- water blocks and doodle pad.
A caregiver is a parent, grandparent, foster parent, aunt, uncle, or anyone who is helping to raise children from birth to 5 and anyone who is expecting.
- Virtual classes- A reminder with the link attached will be sent out the day of class
- In-person classes – A reminder with the location will be sent out a day before classes
- Click the “Register for an Early Birds Classes” or
- Call the contact number-(405) 315-3199 to be signed up by an Early Birds Team rep
To be a virtual instructor you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Have some experience in early childhood education or child development
- Enjoy connecting with other people
- Have strong communication and organization skills
- Basic computer skills
- Have access to WiFi and a working computer
- We are always looking to create new partnerships
- Anyone in Oklahoma State can be a partner
We want to serve all communities and counties in Oklahoma. We currently are partnered with Pioneer Library (SW Oklahoma City, Moore, and Norman), Pierce Early Education Center, Educare OKC, Harbison Early Education Center, and Healthy Start. We also offer virtual classes for all of Oklahoma.
We have three seasons of classes. Each season focuses on a different developmental topic.
- Fall Season 0-5 years: Social Emotional and Self- Regulation
- Fall Season Prenatal: Nutrition
- Winter Season 0-5 years old: Cognitive and Communication
- Winter Season Prenatal: Health
- Spring Season 0-5 years old: Physical Development and Creative Expression
- Spring Season Prenatal: Safety
- Fall Season starts August 1st and ends October 31st
- Winter Season starts December 1st and ends February 28th
- Spring Season starts April 1st and ends June 30th
- Participants can sign up until the day of class by 4 pm (excludes weekend classes, cutoff date is Friday)
- Walk-ins are welcome at any site
Early Birds does not provide childcare for the classes.
*Some partner sites may choose to do so if they have the capacity.
- During our month-long break between each Early Birds season (November, March, July), families can go onto the website and access learning materials like Early Learning Matters curriculum, Activities by ages, and STEAM activities.
- STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. These activities were created with children 0-5 years old in mind and include step by step instructions and questions to ask during the activity.
Early Birds is a caregiver (parent, foster parent, aunt/uncle, grandparent, teacher, anyone caring for young children) education program designed to help families in their journey of raising and caring for children from pregnancy to 5 years old. Early Birds focuses on skills and fun educational activities that promote school readiness.
Any caregiver (parent, grandparent, foster parent, and others) who is raising children from birth to 5 and anyone who is expecting and resides in Oklahoma.
Every season has a main focus, “food fun” (nutrition), “storybook surprises” (literacy), and “loving lessons” (additional caregiver tips).
For the caregivers, there are no costs associated. This program is free for you. In addition, you will receive a free gift as a “Thank you” for participating.
At Early Birds, we want families to feel encouraged to connect and turn everyday moments into a teaching opportunity! We have focused our classes to be interaction based, where even if you don’t have materials present you can still use the moment to teach and build on your child’s skills.
This is not a continuing education class; families can take one class for the season per age group. However, we always welcome repeat families. Classes typically range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the size of class and in class interactions.
Yes, depending on your location and availability you are welcome to join virtually or in-person at your nearest location.
- Caregivers are learning about their child’s development and learning fun activities and ways to engage at home to promote school readiness.
- Families receive educational toys and books for attending.
- Class options are flexible to accommodate diverse schedules.
- Bilingual curriculum that is available in both English and Spanish.
For more information feel free to email us at earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199.
For additional resources or support feel free to email or call us at earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199.
- Participants will receive their gifts after attending the class and completing a short Class evaluation. The gift will be delivered straight to your home.
- Standard delivery time is about a month *delivery time varies by your location
The activities you will learn in class are meant to be done anywhere and at any time. This means many of them do not require materials! However, the gift you receive from Early Birds can be used for the activities provided. The activities do not rely on these materials.
Early Birds is not a continuing education class.
Classes are posted at the beginning of each season. New dates are added periodically – emails are sent to notify of new dates posted.
If you need to change your address, please contact the Early Birds team as soon as possible via email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org
- For additional resources or support feel free to email or call us at earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199.
- An Early Birds member can help track your gift
Yes, Early Birds classes are only available for participants residing in Oklahoma.
As referenced by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website, all counties in Oklahoma are covered.
You will need to login to your account and update your address.
Early Birds focuses on skills for the classroom before your child goes to school. We focus on building your child’s milestones and skills based on meeting them where they are developmentally. We want to help caregivers feel confident in helping their child with different skills like being able to listen, attention span, self- regulation, communication, building up small muscles to hold a pencil, and more!