New partners to support Play & Learn
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley will launch four new Play & Learn partnerships this fall – three of them at area libraries. The popular parent-child groups provide opportunities for children to have early social experiences while also promoting positive parent-child relationships and learning through play. Parents can discuss parenting strategies, dilemmas, and everyday happenings with a Parent Educator and other parents going through similar situations. All groups include parent-child play, parent discussion topic, children’s activity, snack and story.
“We are pleased to announce new partnerships with Ellsworth Public Library, Hazel Mackin Public Library (Roberts), Hudson YMCA, and St. Croix Falls Public Library,” said Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley Parent Educator Coordinator Betsy Byker. “We can reach more people when we partner,” said Byker. “Everybody wins.”
While the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley offers one group at its Baldwin office location, eight additional groups are available through community locations, including libraries and churches.
Libraries have been a natural fit over the years, as they tend to be accessible and familiar within communities, often serving as an information hub. Another important key to the success of these relationships has been that “we have the mutual goal promoting early literacy and family reading”, said Byker.
Hazel Mackin Library Director Krissa Coleman is eager to offer the group, stating, “We’ve been waiting for this partnership opportunity for a long time. We have a wonderful facility to serve our community and this type of programming will be an added benefit to help parents with young children. It is always great to connect with other parents and the children learn so much with early literacy, taking turns and sharing.”
Participant Nicole Young of Hammond started attending with daughter Evelyn when she was 18 months old. “We had attended a couple moms groups together and were regular visitors at the library storytime,” said Young. “Play & Learn was a whole new experience for us. The predictable routine of our sessions allows kids to anticipate what comes next. They get practice playing with other young children, and following directions from a teacher or other parent. Parents learn from each other, and from the staff. We get ideas of activities and songs we can do at home.”
“Play & Learn is the most highly-anticipated activity in Evy’s week,” continued Young. “She has made friends there that we also meet up with occasionally outside of Play & Learn.”
Over 400 parents and children participated across Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties in 2015. Registration begins Monday, August 29 at 9:00 a.m. by calling the Family Resource Center at 715-684-4440. View the fall schedule