Local early childhood learning programs supporting families during extreme heat

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An early childhood learning program is stepping up to support families with resources to help them thrive in the brutal temperatures.

The Sixpence Early Childhood Fund’s work is expanding with the extreme heat warnings this weekend.

“The local grocery store here in our community, they donated punch cards to us this year so our families can go to the local swimming pool at no cost to them. We’re having a lot of water play activities at our splash pad and we always have coolers of water so everyone stays hydrated. We really try to focus on that with the families about being outside for shorter periods of time and drinking lots of water,” said Susan Johnson, one of the Family Educators and Directors of Sixpence.

She said during the extreme heat, families tend to need help with things that some might not even think about.

So, they’re giving them the extra education, time and attention for even the smallest things.

“We’re helping families with assistance if they need to find fans for their home,” she said. “If they’re out of air conditioning, we try to find resources that can help them to get their air conditioning fixed. We really try to focus on the importance of staying cool, keeping kids cool.”

She adds that they’re not just helping those registered with the program.

“We have about 36 children enrolled from pre-natal until they go into preschool,” she said. “But we do reach out to the community so any activities that we’re doing outside of our office, we offer everything to the community. We usually get a lot of people that are not just in our sixpence program.”