AFC Connector

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Email: rgiles@aspenk12.net
Website: https://www.aspenfamilyconnections.org/
Location: Aspen Middle School Office 2-108

Aspen Christmas Activities: https://www.insiderfamilies.com/aspen-christmas-festivities/

Aces Winter Break Activities: https://aspennature.org/activity/winter-explorers-holiday-break-camp/

Red Brick Art Center: https://www.redbrickaspen.com/kids-art-classes-in-aspen

Theatre Aspen: https://theatreaspen.org/2023-winterspring-k-4/

There is a new preschool program in a town called Ajax Cubs! It will begin offering Preschool, Toddler Care, and Infant Care in The Yellow Brick building in Aspen beginning in January. The Ajax preschool is for ages 3-5 and will include curriculum developed by Ivy Camps USA, an entity providing preschool-licensed curriculum and services in over 40 countries. The curriculum will meet Colorado and European education standards and will inspire children to: enjoy the learning process, expand their curiosity, and affirm and develop their personalities. In addition to the two preschool rooms, Ajax Cubs will be opening one Toddler Room (ages 18 months to 3 years) and one Infant Room (ages 2-18 months). Ajax Cubs staff will be uniquely trained to deliver a blend of traditional early childhood teaching philosophies and outdoor adventure and exploration to create an experience well-suited for Aspen families. Please visit their website to learn more and express interest in enrollment: https://www.ajaxcubs.com/

Childcare Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwx9QNwjtAYx-uU41RLBY8drVO8G8HL-POTmPv9UFzJLNYKQ/viewform

Aspen Daily News Article: https://www.aspendailynews.com/news/ajax-cubs-lease-for-yellow-brick-spaces-approved-by-aspen-city-council/article_097b62fc-75da-11ed-bc94-4b09e2218381.html

Aspen Daily News Article: https://www.aspendailynews.com/dana-ruiz/image_404e5278-7510-11ed-b9bd-7f2c35c527e3.html

Email: littlestepscollege99@gmail.com
Location: Colorado Mountain College Aspen, Sage Way, Aspen, CO, USA
Phone: (970) 379-1783

Naughty or Nice? With the holiday season upon us, many parents may find themselves using treats, presents, or even threats of the naughty list to incentivize young children to listen and behave. If you’re guilty of this, you’re not alone!

Unfortunately, whether it is using “Santa’s watching” (for those believers out there!) or some other “reward”, or dishing out consequences for problem behavior, the reality is that often these strategies will not work to change behavior. This is because it assumes children are choosing to misbehave and can miraculously choose to behave instead, which is often not the case. When we can shift away from believing a child is choosing not to listen, it changes the way we address challenging behaviors and is more likely to have a positive impact on our children.

Monday Delahooke, Ph.D, says “When we see a behavior that is problematic or confusing, the first question we ask isn’t ‘How do we get rid of it?’ but rather ‘What is this telling us about the child?’” I like to tell parents it is their job to be detectives and think about why a child is responding a certain way. Often it is because of a physiological response that a child is experiencing. In other words, their nervous system is out of whack, and they are relying on you, the adult, to help them regulate.

Here a few quick tips for addressing challenging behaviors:

1. Recognize our own physiological response - how are you approaching this dynamic? Are you angry and dysregulated? Is it likely your child will calm down if you are not calm as well? How can you model self-regulation?

2. Ask “What is this behavior telling me?” What is your child’s physiological response - are they in flight or fight mode? If yes, they are likely not going to listen until they are regulated. Are they testing boundaries (which is developmentally appropriate)? Are they tired? Hungry? Are they seeking attention or connection from you?

3. Connect with your child: Emotional connection helps regulate a child’s nervous system. Validate their feelings (“it is okay to feel angry”), get on their level, provide Time in versus Time Out - young children are not able to learn by being alone with their big feelings. They need your help to manage them.

Regardless of how you celebrate this holiday season, remember that this can be a busy, stressful time that often takes our young kids out of their typical routine. This alone can be dysregulating. So put your detective hat on and ask “what else might be going on with my child and how can I help?”.

Emily Supino is a licensed professional counselor providing individual counseling and parent coaching to families in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Email: counseling@emilysupino.com
Website: https://emilysupinollc.wixsite.com/counseling

Email: ecackett@aspenk12.net
Website: https://www.aspenfamilyconnections.org/
Location: Aspen Middle School Office 2-108
Phone: (719) 427-7968

A Google Calendar has been created to organize local youth activities on one calendar. Please reach out if you would like to collaborate on this calendar.

Link to Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y190dWN0MGllbnBiNDdrMjd0dnNoczJydnJua0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

The Glenwood Springs Workforce Center offers free services to assist youth and young adults in every step of their job search, career advancement, or career change.

Email: samantha.freese@state.co.us
Website: https://cdle.colorado.gov/
Location: 401 23rd Street suite 300, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA
Phone: (970) 945-8638
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlenwoodWorkforceCenter

With the darkest days of winter upon us and winter break approaching, it is important for parents to understand how the time change, lack of sunlight, and decreased social connections may be impacting your teenager’s mental health.

Research suggests that seasonal changes and decreased sunlight can impact levels of serotonin (primary neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood) and melatonin (plays a role in sleep patterns and mood). With less time spent outdoors due to cold temps and fewer hours of sunshine, lack of vitamin D can also impact your teen’s mood. Finally, time changes greatly impact circadian rhythm, or internal clock, which is also tied to depression. If you’ve noticed a shift in your teen’s mood recently, this seasonal change could be a factor.

Combine seasonal changes with the upcoming winter break, which for some students might mean drastic changes in routine and decreased in-person connections, it’s possible your teen might appear more distant and disengaged than usual. It’s important to remember that virtual connections via phone and social media cannot alone replace in-person connection. And while many teens will argue that social media use is helping them connect with others or cope with loneliness, scrolling through images of their peers having a great time or presenting themselves in a perfect light can actually make your teen feel more isolated, alone, or disconnected.

Here are some tips to help your teen this winter:

• Validate what your teen is feeling. Don’t immediately jump into "fix it" mode. Listen and really hear what your teen is telling you if they are struggling. Ask “what do you need from me right now?”.

• Encourage time outdoors. Sunshine exposure can improve mood. Allow for maximum natural light in your home and encourage your teen to open their curtains as well.

• Encourage social connection with peers. Obviously, a nice balance between family and socializing is ideal. Remember that real-life connection is substantially healthier than virtual connection, so allow for in-person social interactions when appropriate for your family’s schedule.

• Enforce tech-free time at home, especially during family meals and celebrations. If necessary, prepare your teen for this ahead of time. Create the expectation and be sure to follow through.

• Check-in and ask the hard questions - if your teen is exhibiting drastically different behaviors when it comes to mood, social habits, sleep, or eating habits, don’t shy away from asking them if they are okay and seek out additional help if needed.

Emily Supino is a licensed professional counselor providing individual counseling and parent coaching to families in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Email: counseling@emilysupino.com
Website: https://emilysupinollc.wixsite.com/counseling

Aspen Family Connections works in partnership with Aspen Youth Center to provide prevention programming for our youth.

Checkout the AYC Amazon Wishlist! The items listed have been requested by AYC kids! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/16NTJDJQJN5EI?ref_=wl_share

Aspen Family Connections is funded by a combination of grants and donations, and we are extremely grateful for financial support. Tax deductible gifts may be made to Aspen Family Connections and sent to: Katherine Sand, Aspen Family Connections, 235 High School Rd, Aspen, CO 81611, or through the Aspen Education Foundation www.aef.org directed to Aspen Family Connections.

The Aspen Family Connections team is here for all families! We provide help and advice, resource navigation, and connection to support children, youth and families. We have bilingual Spanish-speaking staff and work in confidentiality and without judgment. Please call us at 970-205-7025.