What is the Program?
Earn While You Learn is a program designed to educate, equip and encourage parents of infants and toddlers in our community. Pregnancy and parenting are filled with lots of uncertainty. This program helps to answer many of the questions a new parent may have and ease their anxiety.
The Earn While You Learn (EWYL) curriculum consists of educational information on pregnancy, infant and toddler care. DVD’s with lessons, worksheets and homework are used. The lessons are fun, interesting and practical.
Each EWYL client is paired with a trained mentor that meets with them weekly for lessons and will be available for support and information throughout their pregnancy and first two years of parenting.
As a participant in the EWYL program, parents will earn “Baby Bucks” which can be used to purchase clothing and other baby items from our Baby Boutique. The Baby Boutique is stocked by donations of new and gently used clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, diapers, wipes, formula and other baby needs.
How are Baby Bucks earned?
To participate in the program, individuals must be pregnant or have a child under the age of two. Fathers are more than welcome to participate and the family earns double the baby bucks if the parents attend classes together. Baby bucks can be earned by keeping scheduled lesson appointments, completing DVD’s and lesson worksheets, completing and turning in homework assignments, and also by making donations to our Baby Boutique as items are outgrown.
What can Baby Bucks buy?
One Baby Buck – quilts, blankets, baby tubs, diapers (12), powdered formula
50 Cents – new clothing (per piece), baby towels, shoes
25 Cents – books, toys, used clothing, onesies, undershirts, bibs, socks, hats, bottles, pacifiers
Larger items like furniture are available at various prices depending on availability.
EWYL Course Topics:
| The First Trimester |
The Second Trimester |
The Third Trimester |
The First Years Last Forever |
| Prenatal Care |
A Look at Adoption |
Getting Ready for Baby |
Safe and Healthy Environment |
| Nutrition |
Reducing the Risk of SIDS |
Eye Contact Means Love |
Parent Child Relationship |
| Going it Alone |
Amazing Talents of your Newborn |
Infant Temperament |
Self-Esteem |
| Your Developing Baby |
Your Baby’s Secret World |
The Importance of Bonding |
Quality Child Care |
| Smoking |
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Infant Massage |
Accidents |
| Ultrasound |
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Newborn Care |
Illnesses |
| What’s Safe, What Isn’t |
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Crying, Colic and Sleep |
Car Seat Safety |
| Bonding with Your Baby |
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Caring for Yourself |
Your Baby Can’t Sleep |
| Your Changing Body |
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Discipline with Love |
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Food for Growth |
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Breast Feeding Basics |
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Discipline with Love |
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Your Child’s Development |
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Protecting Your Child from Molestation |
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Never Shake a Baby |
CHOICES has several grant requests in process to expand our curriculum with new topics and new, updated lessons. This program has had a significant impact in many young families in our community, giving them new skills and new confidence to be the best parent they can be.