Save the Children Head Start - St. Landry Parish Program

01/06/2026

🌟 Welcoming the New Year with Gratitude 🌟
As we begin a new year, we want to take a moment to say thank you—for trusting us with your children, for partnering with us, and for showing up every day for their growth and well-being. 💙
Practicing gratitude, even in small ways, plays a powerful role in children’s social-emotional development. When children learn to notice and name what they are thankful for, they build skills like empathy, emotional awareness, and positive relationships with others.
Using your senses to remember the things that you are thankful for is a good way to turn a rough day into a happy one.

Watch the following video from our friends at Sesame Workshop to learn ways to bring gratitude into your daily routines. In this video, Abby’s mother helps her to slow down and transform her bad day back to a good one–no magic wand required!

• Before watching: Explain that Abby was having a rough day; one thing after another was upsetting her. Has your child ever felt that way?
• While you watch: Observe aloud how Abby’s mom reminds Abby to take a deep breath. That helps her slow down and reset. Point out the “senses” strategy that helps Abby remember things she can feel grateful for.
• After watching: Ask your child to think about things he or she sees, hears, touches, smells, or even tastes that might make them feel better when times are hard.
Your center directors will be passing out two worksheets with more activities you can use at home to continue to practice gratitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ12FG574vk&t=122s
Thank you and happy New Year!
Your Mental Health Advisor,
Krystle Johnson, LPC

Easy strategies that help children focus on reasons to be grateful can really help them get through challenging times.Sesame Street in Communities brings fre...

12/10/2025

Looking for a simple way to support your child’s learning and connection during the holiday break? Try imitation play! 🎄✨
Imitation is one of the earliest and most powerful ways children learn. When you copy your child’s actions—stacking blocks like they do, stirring a pretend pot, dancing to their rhythm—you’re doing more than just playing. You’re helping them build:
🧠 Early brain development
💬 Communication and language skills
❤️ Social–emotional growth like confidence, connection, and turn-taking
🤸‍♀️ Problem-solving and creativity
This kind of back-and-forth play shows your child that you’re tuned in, that their ideas matter, and that learning can be joyful and shared. It’s a wonderful way to bond during the slower days of the holiday season.
Here’s a quick resource from our favorite folks at Sesame Workshop to help you get started Be on the lookout for additional resources! ⬇️
https://youtu.be/rSy5yXpLqOk
Give it a try—and enjoy the giggles, the connection, and the little moments that matter most. 🎁👶✨
Your Mental Health Advisor,
Krystle Johnson, LPC

Krystle Johnson MS, LPC, CCTP II
ADVISOR MENTAL HEALTH,
LOUISIANA HEAD START PROGRAMS- Red River, Jeff Davis, St. Landry & Evangeline

You can support children’s development by imitating— doing what they’re doing! This helps children feel important and helps you connect; it all starts with f...

12/09/2025

Tiny Passengers event is happening now! The event is at the Opelousas Civic tonight.

12/09/2025

Just a reminder!!!

Tonight is the event at the Opelousas Civic Center. This event is for all children birth to five years old. Everything is absolutely FREE. Please bring your children to experience the magic.

See you all soon!!!

We would like all of our children to attend this event. Each child attending will receive a special gift and participate in various activities.

12/04/2025

We would like all of our children to attend this event. Each child attending will receive a special gift and participate in various activities.

12/04/2025

Congratulations to Lawtell Head Start and Port Barre Head Start on receiving Excellence Performance Rating.This is based on the rigorous CLASS tool, which evaluates the quality of the teacher-child interactions.

11/04/2025

Hello to our wonderful families and Happy November!
This month we want to highlight mindfulness tools to use and practice at home with our children! Mindfulness means… really slowing down and paying attention to the world. This practice can help children and families feel happier, healthier, and more in control. Mindfulness works best when it becomes a habit. Mindfulness can be a superpower for young children to feel better, build confidence, and find focus! We want to again thank our friends at Sesame Workshop for this amazing tool.

Together with children, listen to this podcast to practice some mindful mantras with Grover. When children are having big feelings (or just need a little boost), you can remind them of these mantras—that they are loved, kind, brave, and growing everyday!
Utilize this link to watch a video on promoting Self Love with Grover. Your Center Directors will have a handout of the activity for you to complete.
Your Mental Health Advisor,
Krystle Johnson
Mindful Monsters: Self-Love Mantras with Grover - Sesame Workshop;
https://youtu.be/79jYqIWuj3A
For extra support using the Mindful Monsters podcast series, see the Mindful Monsters: A Podcast Guide to Peace

Mindfulness can be a superpower for young children to feel better, build confidence, and find focus. Practice a mindfulness strategy with Grover by repeating...

10/29/2025

Grand Coteau Head Start center had several activities for the children and staff to participate in throughout the month of October. Head Start Awareness week, Breast Cancer walk for the Cure, and Fire Prevention were some of the activities at Grand Coteau Head Start.

10/20/2025

Opelousas Head Start show cased their hall artwork for the month of October. The students have been learning about a lot of new things, and they are glowing in their showing. Class 12 teachers even made their own washer and dryer for the clothes study. The kids created their own shirt and pant and will bring home a family assignment to make their own shoe.

Parents are encouraged to take art walks down the hallways to view weekly drawings created by the students.

10/15/2025

Eunice Head Start students had a special visit from the local fire department. The students were taught about fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and had the opportunity to explore the fire engine.

10/13/2025

Lebeau Head Start students are enjoying working together on their small group activities. During small group, Mrs. Bre and Ms. Tanner class worked on a social emotional activity. The children were able to draw and write down how they felt about coming to school today.

10/13/2025

The future is so bright for finding a cure for breast cancer! Port Barre EHS Room 3 students are wearing their shades to support breast cancer awareness.