Above / Early childhood education is the emphasis of No Small Matter, a film to be viewed and discussed in Naperville on Tues., Sept. 24, at Hollywood Palms Cinema in WestRidge Court. (DCM Photo)
The west suburban premiere of the film No Small Matter will be hosted from 5:30PM to 9PM on Tues., Sept. 24, at the Hollywood Palms Cinema in Naperville. The event, presented by DuPage Children’s Museum in collaboration with DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration, DuPage Regional Office of Education, and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, is designed to kick-start the public conversation about early care and education.
Presenting organizations emphasize that this “must attend event” is for anyone who has, knows, or works with children.
No Small Matter is the first feature documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force for good in America today: early childhood education. Through poignant stories and surprising humor, the film lays out the overwhelming evidence for the importance of the first five years, and reveals how our failure to act on that evidence has resulted in an everyday crisis for American families, and a slow-motion catastrophe for the country.
A panel discussion will follow the screening of the film with moderator Dionne Miller, ABC7 News, and panelists: Shelley Bromberek-Lambert, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago; FaKelia Guyton, DuPage Early Childhood Collaborative; Theresa Hawley, PhD, Education Systems Center, Northern Illinois University; and David J Sabathne’, Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce.
“This film highlights the critical importance of the earliest years, and the many ways in which our current system falls short in supporting families with babies and young children,” explained Theresa Hawley, PhD Education Systems Center, Northern Illinois University. “I’m excited to talk about how we can make sure every family in and around DuPage has access to the child care, early education and other supports they need to ensure their children are ready to succeed as they enter school.”
No Small Matter Campaign
No Small Matter is built from stories of real children, families, and teachers, illustrating the impact of high-quality early childhood experiences. The film introduces viewers to parents who are struggling to do their best for their kids, incredible teachers who model what early childhood classrooms should and could be like, and children learning and developing in real time. These positive, hopeful stories serve as motivational tools in both the film and the No Small Matter campaign: Change is necessary, critical, and attainable if we put our minds to it.
The film also is firmly grounded in science, opening up the “black box” of what’s happening inside children’s brains with exciting, stimulating animation and the voices of compelling scientists, physicians, and ECE experts. When it comes to understanding the incredible dynamism of how a child’s mind develops, seeing is believing from firing neurons to still face experiments — and these illustrations drive home the critical nature of these early years.
Most important of all, the facts and figures in the film must stick with the viewer and drive them to act. From celebrity parent cameos to the “marshmallow test” with Cookie Monster to hilarious moments with the children we meet along the way — all will help No Small Matter move the viewer in ways that a fact sheet simply cannot.
“As an institution built on the theory and practice of igniting the learning potential of all children, one of our shared roles is to advocate for early childhood resources,” stated Sarah Orleans, President & CEO, DuPage Children’s Museum, in a news release. “To create awareness and urgency for why investments in quality early learning programs are so critical for child development and future success in the workplace, DuPage Children’s Museum is excited to host the west suburban premiere of this compelling film with our community partners at the DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration, DuPage Regional Office of Education, and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago.”
Free admission to Hollywood Palms via online registration
Free tickets for the No Small Matter screening and panel discussion are available via online registration through the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: https://conta.cc/2N2w1rr. Early Childhood Educators attending the event can earn 1.5 hours Gateways approved PD credit.
Hollywood Palms Cinema is located at 352 S. Route 59 in WestRidge Court, Naperville, IL 60540.
This event is made possible with generous support from ABC7 Chicago, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Bright & Early DuPage: A DuPage Foundation Initiative, and PNC Bank.
Story submitted by Jaime Johnson, Sr. Marketing Manager, DuPage Children’s Museum.
About DuPage Children’s Museum
The Museum helps develop curiosity, creativity, thinking, and problem solving in young children through its mission: “DuPage Children’s Museum ignites the potential of all children to learn through hands-on exploration by integrating art, math, and science.” Interactive exhibits and programs make learning fun for children and adults playing together. DCM serves over 325,000 visitors annually representing all 50 states and more than 600 zip codes in Illinois. DCM’s reach and support represent well beyond the Chicagoland area. The Museum’s impact extends across cultural, financial, and educational boundaries. It touches the lives of children from all regions, providing the building blocks for success in school and life. The Museum is located at 301 N. Washington Street in Naperville, www.dupagechildrens.org or call (630) 637-8000.
About DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration
The DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration (DECC) was formed in 2015 from the generous support of DuPage Foundation’s Bright & Early DuPage Initiative, with the goal of addressing the needs of DuPage County’s youngest learners. The collaboration is supported in joint partnership with DuPage Regional Office of Education and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. With 42 school districts and nearly 1 million residents, the complexity of this county’s school system makes such a collaboration particularly necessary. DECC’s vision is to ensure that each and every child enters kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed, and eager to learn. The reach of DECC has increased to support eight established local early childhood collaborations in the following communities: Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale/Carol Stream, Glenbard (Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lombard), Naperville, West Chicago, Wheaton/Warrenville and Willowbrook.
About DuPage Regional Office of Education
The DuPage Regional Office of Education is a county wide system of support with both administrative, service and support, and fiscal oversight responsibilities for the 42 school districts in DuPage County.
The county superintendent since 1854 has played an important role in the support of quality education for all students. The role of the Regional Superintendent of Schools is to promote quality education for the school children of DuPage County, to provide meaningful, proactive leadership that facilitates cooperation between parents, schools, districts, businesses, community and social service agencies. In addition, the ROE works to impact public policy, and to deliver educational services effectively and efficiently for the benefit of DuPage school districts, other educational entities and the taxpayers. The number one goal of the DuPage Regional Office of Education is to ensure that every child is provided a world class education in a fiscally responsible manner, providing many research based programs, shared services, and brings in millions of additional dollars to support our schools, families and children.
About YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is the oldest and largest women’s organization in the region providing services over 1,000 square miles; our mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. For more than 140 years, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago has been committed to serving the evolving needs of women and families. Today, we help more than 200,000 individuals annually through programs focused around Education & Training, Safety & Wellness, and Economic Empowerment. We administer the state’s second-largest Child Care Resource and Referral program offering services to families seeking child care and a variety of support resources for child care providers including, but not limited to on-site consultation, professional development support, and business growth and development. We are the largest provider of sexual assault support services in the state of Illinois, offering crisis intervention, counseling, prevention education and medical and legal advocacy services. We also offer career, financial management, digital literacy and business services to help youth and adult members achieve financial stability and obtain training to enter high-growth fields.
