For TJC’s Family Learning Center of Tyler, one of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic was the restriction of parents from entering the center.
Increased health and safety guidelines forced a change to the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up routines; and for the time being, staff members meet the parents at the front entrance and bring the children in and out.
Amber Welguisz, center director, said, “Usually, the parents would be able to walk through and see their children’s artwork displayed along the hallways.”
Since that isn’t an option at the moment, FLCOT faculty and staff recently created an outdoor exhibit and Walk of Gratitude for the parents.
Christina Blackburn and her daughter, Hannah, enjoy the Walk of Gratitude on Friday afternoon at the Family Learning Center of Tyler.
On Friday afternoon, the sidewalks leading up to the front entrance were lined with the children’s paintings, and staff decorated the sidewalks with chalk drawings of bright and cheerful fall scenes.
“We wanted to make sure the parents know that, even though they can’t come into the building right now, we still want to have that connection and for them to see the things that their children are creating,” Welguisz said.
She continued, “It’s difficult to share and have those interactions with them right now, so we wanted to connect with the parents today and give them that opportunity for us to thank them for adapting to COVID with us.”
About the center
The Family Learning Center of Tyler was established in 2007 as a collaborative project of the Literacy Council of Tyler, Tyler ISD and TJC.
It also serves as the TJC Child Development/Early Childhood Education Laboratory School for college students preparing for careers in early childhood professions. For more information, go to TJC.edu/EarlyChildhood.
The center currently has limited openings for children in its 2-, 3- and 4-year-old toddler and pre-kindergarten classrooms. For more information, go to TJC.edu/FamilyLearningCenter or call 903-593-2295.