Posted by: Bethany on 02/01/2008 12:15 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 02/01/2008 06:35 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Children, Families Benefit from Playgroup Activities ~ By Bethany Monk
San Andreas, C.A….The time to play is now ... and with a succession of this month’s Calaveras playgroups beginning, Feb. 1, parents, guardians and their children, up to five years old, will have plenty of opportunities to join in the fun ...
Playgroups can help children gain independence and
self-confidence, according to Playgroups U.S.A.
(Photo taken at HRC Head Start/State Preschool,
San Andreas, C.A.)
Funded by First 5 Calaveras and HRC Calaveras Head Start/State Preschool, these playgroups – which will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at different locations throughout the county – are designed to help children learn to socialize, according to Sheila Neal,
family and community services manager at HRC Calaveras Head Start/State Preschool in Valley Springs.
The first playgroup, Friday, Feb. 1, will meet at the West Point Community Church, 22268 Highway 26, in West Point.
“Children and parents both benefit from the opportunity to participate in playgroups,” said Neal, who coordinates the activities and other details related to the playgroup events, which take place throughout the year. “(Playgroups) provide children and families the chance to socialize” with others.
Participation in playgroups can enhance a child’s ability to problem solve, build self-confidence and learn how to work well with others, according to Playgroups U.S.A.
“Parents also gain ideas about different activities they can do with their children,” Neal said. A variety of activities and snacks will be available at each playgroup event.
Parents can enjoy themselves as well by mingling with other parents while their children engage in fun activities and make new friends, Neal added.
Upcoming playgroups include the following:
Monday, Feb. 4: Seventh-day Adventist Church, 140 N. Main Street in Angels Camp
Thursday, Feb. 21: Community Covenant Church, 261 Treat Avenue in San Andreas
Friday, Feb. 29: Good Samaritan Church, 4684 Baldwin Street.
Calaveras Playgroups are organized by Child and Parent Services, Calaveras Early Head Start and Child Care Resources programs.
For more information about Calaveras playgroups call (209) 772-3980 or (209) 754-3421 or visit http://www.hrcccr.org/.
For more information regarding the benefits of playgroups in general, visit All About Moms at http://www.allaboutmoms.com/playgroups.htm#top or Playgroups U.S.A. at http://www.playgroupsusa.com/.
For the Amador/ Calaveras HRC Resource Directory for Children With Special Needs http://www.hrcccr.org/pdfs/spneed0607dir.pdfvisit.
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