On Thursday, October 29th, The Coalition for Children is offering a cold dinner buffet, bar access for adult beverages, and a humorous parenting presentation with author and parenting expert, Jeanine Fitzgerald, at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth, and all for only $20.00 (thank you, Bill Zammer)!!!
Jeanine's presentation "Is there Humor in Parenting?" will offer comedy and irreverent comfort to all parents and caregivers. Laugh at the commonalities felt by all while basking in the comfort of knowing that you are not alone on this crazy parenting train.
This night out is for all parents and providers, caregivers and spouses who would like to laugh and connect, relax and be entertained.
All payment must be received ahead of time, so call (508) 548 0151 x 172 to secure your spot today. Sign in and networking 5:00 - 5:30. Dinner 5:30 - 7:00. Presentation 7:30 - 8:30.
Scholarships are available, so if you cannot afford to attend, please call The Coalition for Children (508) 548 0151 x 172.
This program is brought to you by the Coalition for Children, the Community Network of Cape Cod,The Falmouth Public Schools, and Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition.

By: Tina Toran

Free Play & Learn groups in Falmouth begin this week. Have you checked on the Coalition for Children’s website? Have you signed up for a registered group? Do you know when and where all the drop-ins are? If not, maybe you need a couple of reasons to participate. How about 10?

Ten Reasons to Join a Playgroup*

1. Variety makes life spicy. Wake up. Feed baby. Change diapers. Look at dirty house. Ignore house. Feed baby. Change diaper. Put baby down for a nap. Baby cries. Feed baby…. There is nothing more glorious than bringing your baby home, but after a week or two, the sameness of the routine may become stressful. Playgroups provide a reason to get dressed (although very few have dress codes) and add structure to your days.

2. Friends make the world go round. The size of your group is space dependant, but most groups usually consist of at least seven or eight parents. Before you even put your child down, you have a whole room full of potential mom and dad friends. No ice breakers are necessary, you all have at least one thing in common, and adult conversation is just a new friend away!

3. Avoid isolation. Ping ponging, after-baby hormones can be destructive, and isolation can exacerbate the baby blues or maternal depression. If getting out of the house is the last thing you want to do, then it’s the first thing you probably should do. Getting out and meeting others can be a great way to assess your own health and well being. It’s also a great place to say, “you know, I think I need a little help.” Your new friends can, and will, listen with empathy: this is your choir.

4. Find your little Twyla. Playgroups differ according to age group, developmental appropriateness, and focus. The Coalition for Children offers free Lap Babies Groups, Mixed Age Playgroups, Tots ‘n Tales, Movement and Creative Music, and Intergenerational Groups. While their content is different, all of the songs, finger plays, dances, books, and the crafts are designed to provide the children with a variety of stimulating experiences.

5. Slow down, you move too fast. Have you ever heard anyone say, “I wish I could remove some hours from my day?” No, probably not. Everyone is always trying to fit more in, do more, add more. Playgroups are a place to relax, make friends and bond with your children. When you are holding your baby and singing or reading a book with your toddlers, you’re giving your child(ren) the message that this time is important, and you are important.

6. Social emotional learning is a Pre-K activity. Children do not come out of the womb with shiny social skills; these empty little vessels need to be taught how to do everything. While the work begins at home, playgroups are a great place to introduce and/or practice skills like how to treat friends, share, follow directions, gain independence, take turns, and deal with difficult situations. Consider playgroups as another school readiness exercise.

7. But she bit her best friend! Most community run playgroups are led by experienced leaders with child development experience. Many have folders and fliers with information about everything from toilet training and developmental delays, to eating issues – and of course, biting. If you have questions, please ask. If the leader does not have an answer, they will look for resources and bring them to the next meeting.

8. You are a life saver. Since Air Station Cape Cod is right in the middle of our attachment area, I’ve spoken to recently relocated families who have no familial supports: they know no one. One woman from the base called our office and asked for a baby sitter. She needed to go to the doctor and had no one to ask. Not one person. With time and attendance, trust builds and parents begin to reach out to each other. Many develop childcare friendships, which in any economy, including this one, is a definite mothers little helper.

9. What does your village look like? If it takes a village to raise strong, socially adept, and confident children (and parents) the earlier you make the connections, the stronger the foundation will be. Playgroups are the fertile ground from which spring literacy habits, parent and child together bonding, and life long friendships. If you are an adult with children ages birth to school age, we have a group for you. If you’re a visitor to our area and you don’t have access where you are, you might consider starting a group of your own.

10. Finding local support. If you are new to the area, or you are new to parenting and you need information about local resources – what do you do? If you live in Falmouth, you call us, THE COALITION FOR CHILDREN. We are a parent support and education program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. We offer free workshops, free parenting classes, free childcare resource guides, and free playgroups! Groups will begin the week of September 15th, 2014. For more information call (508) 548 0151 x 172. You can also check our website: http://www.thecoalitionforchildren.org.

Tina Toran is the co-coordinator of The Coalition for Children.The Coalition for Children is a grant funded, education and support program for parents and early childhood educators with children from birth to school age. We offer play and learn groups, workshops, parenting classes, developmental screenings, an emergency childcare fund, community events and links to local childcare providers: anything we can do to create a strong foundation for our children, our families, our providers, our community. All classes are FREE

Below is the Fall Playgroup Schedule. If you wish to register visit their webiste: http://www.thecoalitionforchildren.org/fall-2014-schedule.html

 The Coalition for Children Presents

The Toe Jam Puppet Band 

Pre-Thanksgiving Pie & Bake Sale* 

$2.00/ticket * $10.00 family max 

Saturday, November 23th, 2013 
 
Mullen Hall School 
130 Katherine Lee Bates Road
Falmouth, MA 

9:00 Doors Open 
9:30 Toe Jam Performs! 

Call 508 548 0151 x 172 
For tickets or more information 
*all proceeds support the Coalition for Children programming 

Thanks to Tina Toran and the amazing crew at The Coalition for Children for their hard work and dedication!

July 8 – August 12
 Monday – Mashpee Public Library 
10:15 - Toddle Time w/Miss Rosemary (15 – 24 months)
11:15 – Lap Babies w/Miss Rosemary (birth – 15 months)

 July 9 – August 13
Tuesday – Falmouth Service Center (this groups starts indoors and then participants go right into the community garden to explore!)
 9:00– 10:00 Nature Calls w/Carolyn (3 – 6  years)

June 5, 12, 19, July 3, 10, 17
Wednesday – Sandwich Public Library 
9:30 - Lap Babies w/Kathy Gattoni (birth – 15 months)

 July10 – August 14
 Wednesday – Sandwich Public Library 
9:30 - Music, Crafts, and Song (ages 2 and up) w/ Martina Mehl

 July 11 – August 8
 Thursday – Jonathan Bourne Public Library 
9:30 – 10:30 - Storytime Playgroup w/Kathy Gattoni (mixed age)

 AND

 July 11 – August 15
 Thursday – Monument Beach Playground 
11:00 – 12:30 Playtime at the Playground w/Melissa Romano (all ages welcome!)
 Stories, games, free play and you can bring your lunch!)
 
Norina’s Toddler Spectaculars!

 June 27  (Thursday) Falmouth Public Library
 10:30 am - Wiggles and Waggles! Songs, Stories, Movement, Music, and More.  Best for ages 1 – 3

 July 25 (Thursday) Falmouth Public Library
10:30 am - Jiggles and Giggles! Songs, Stories, Movement, Music, and More. 
Best for ages 1 – 3

 August 29 (Thursday) Falmouth Public Library 
10:30 am – Fun with Puppets! Songs, poems, and stories told with puppet friends. 
Special program for tots!