CARD Head Start & Early Head Start

05/21/2026

School readiness starts long before kindergarten ✏️

At C.A.R.D. Head Start & Early Head Start, we support children at every stage of development because each age builds the foundation for the next.

Here’s what school readiness looks like as children grow:

👶 Infants & Toddlers (Early Head Start)
Building trust, attachment, and early communication
✔ Safe, nurturing relationships
✔ Language development through talking, singing, and play
✔ Exploring the world through senses and movement

👧 Preschool (Head Start)
Developing independence and social-emotional skills
✔ Learning to share, take turns, and express feelings
✔ Building routines and confidence
✔ Early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills

🎒 Pre-K Transition
Preparing for a successful start in school
✔ Following directions and classroom routines
✔ Managing emotions and behavior
✔ Growing curiosity and a love for learning

School readiness isn’t just academics, it’s social, emotional, and developmental.

At Head Start, we support the whole child and partner with families every step of the way, because strong beginnings lead to lifelong success. 💙

05/20/2026

How does a child’s brain develop? 🧠

At CARD Head Start & Early Head Start, we use the Conscious Discipline Brain States Model to understand behavior and support children’s development.

Children move through three brain states:

🔴 Survival State – “Am I safe?”
A child may cry, hit, run away, or shut down when they feel overwhelmed or unsafe.

🟡 Emotional State – “Am I loved?”
Big feelings take over. Children may have tantrums, struggle to share, or react strongly.

🟢 Executive State – “What can I learn?”
This is where problem-solving, self-control, and learning happen.

Young children are still developing these skills and they need caring, responsive adults to help guide them from survival → emotional → executive.

At Head Start, we focus on connection, safety, and relationships first because feeling safe is the foundation for learning. 💙

05/19/2026

Last week, our East sites enjoyed School Spirit Week that included Career Day! We had a sweet moment at school when Mrs. Sabrina, the cook for East 2, had a little friend who admired her so much that she came in dressed like her. She said that when she grows up, she wants to be “Miss Bafrina” and become a cook just like her. 💕

It’s amazing to see the impact our staff members have on our students every single day. Sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest impressions!

05/15/2026

You don’t have to carry it all alone. 💚

At CARD Head Start & Early Head Start, we know that mental health matters, for children and for families.

Life can feel overwhelming. Raising children, managing stress, and navigating rising costs can leave very little left to give. That’s why we’re here.

Our program includes dedicated mental health support for children, and our Family Advocates are here to connect parents and caregivers with community resources, guidance, and support when it’s needed most.

We also create safe, supportive environments where families can come together, build relationships, and support one another, because community matters.

What we look for in young children:

🌿 Signs of positive mental health:
• Expressing emotions in healthy ways
• Forming connections with caregivers and peers
• Curiosity, playfulness, and engagement
• Ability to calm with support

⚠️ Signs a child may need extra support:
• Frequent tantrums or withdrawal
• Difficulty connecting with others
• Delays in communication or play
• Trouble regulating emotions

Every child develops at their own pace, but early support can make a lasting difference.

If you ever have concerns, you are not alone and we are here to help. 💙

05/12/2026

What a day in Broken Arrow! 🏁🚗

We had an incredible time at our Box Car Show celebrating fathers and families through our Fatherhood Initiative event. It was so special seeing so many families come out, connect, and enjoy a fun-filled community day together.

A huge thank you to all of our amazing vendors who showed up in support of our mission and helped raise funds for our car seat program, making it possible for us to continue supporting families in need.

Special appreciation to:
✨ Parent Ambassador Jaimee Dale for helping bring this event to life
🍪 Ugly Cookie Company
🤝 Parent Child Center
☕ Kuyas Coffee
⛪ Saint Stephens Methodist Church for generously allowing us to use their parking lot
⚖️ Panagopoulos Law Firm
🎨 ConfuzedClownArt
💎 Bendecida Jewelry

Your support, time, and generosity made this event possible and meaningful for our community.

Here’s to building stronger families, together. 💛

05/07/2026

🙌

When you pause to wonder what is behind the behavior, you open the door to understanding.

Curiosity shifts the moment from reaction to connection and creates space to teach what is needed.

05/04/2026

Thank you, Catoosa Chamber of Commerce!

Check out Catoosa Chamber of Commerce,OK’s video.

05/01/2026

🚗✨ Reminder: Box Car Show is TOMORROW!

Broken Arrow families and surrounding communities, don’t forget to join us tomorrow morning for our Annual Fatherhood Initiative Box Car Show! We’re so excited to bring everyone together for this special event.

All proceeds from our community vendors will go directly to our Car Seat Fund, helping us provide free car seats to children in need. 💛

This event has been a huge effort, and we want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing Parent Ambassador, Jami, for helping bring it all together!

Come out, support a great cause, and enjoy the fun, we can’t wait to see you there! 🚘🎉

🚗💙 You’re invited, CARD Broken Arrow and surrounding area families!

Join us for our Annual Fatherhood Initiative Box Car Show on
📅 May 2, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Parking lot of Saint Stephens United Methodist Church
400 W. New Orleans, Broken Arrow, OK

What’s happening:
✨ Families and children building and showing off their own cardboard box cars
🚘 A fun box car parade for all to enjoy
🎁 Prizes
🤝 Community partner booths with helpful resources

Why this matters:
We want to create meaningful time for fathers and children to connect, while also supporting our families. This event helps raise awareness around car seat safety and support for providing car seats to families in need, keeping our children safe every day!

🎉 Come out, have fun, and make memories with your child!
We can’t wait to see your creativity on wheels!!

04/29/2026

🚗💙 You’re invited, CARD Broken Arrow and surrounding area families!

Join us for our Annual Fatherhood Initiative Box Car Show on
📅 May 2, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Parking lot of Saint Stephens United Methodist Church
400 W. New Orleans, Broken Arrow, OK

What’s happening:
✨ Families and children building and showing off their own cardboard box cars
🚘 A fun box car parade for all to enjoy
🎁 Prizes
🤝 Community partner booths with helpful resources

Why this matters:
We want to create meaningful time for fathers and children to connect, while also supporting our families. This event helps raise awareness around car seat safety and support for providing car seats to families in need, keeping our children safe every day!

🎉 Come out, have fun, and make memories with your child!
We can’t wait to see your creativity on wheels!!

04/28/2026

🎉 WE HAVE A WINNER! 🎉

We are excited to announce that our random drawing winner for completing our Parent Surveys is Catalina Beltran! Congratulations! 🚗⛽️

Thank you to everyone who participated and took the time to share your feedback with us. Your voice helps us grow and improve our services for families.

We hold this drawing twice a year, so don’t miss your next chance to win a gas card, our next drawing will be in November!

We appreciate each one of you being part of our Head Start and Early Head Start family!