* New * 15th Annual Parenting Conference: Saturday, March 6
How can parents raise self-motivated, confident and responsible children?
Hear Bob Howe and other great speakers on 15 different parenting topics
Learn about local parenting resources
Continental breakfast and lunch included
To register call 586-541-0033 or click the purple link below to print a registration form. http://www.careofmacomb.org/events.php
* New * Family Fun Day on April 10
This FREE event includes crafts and reading activities for young children and information on Macomb County's new Early Learning Communities. Co-sponsored with the United Way, it takes place at Panera Bread in Sterling Heights. http://greatstartmacomb.org/news_events/calendar/2010/4#10
* New * Family Fun Day on May 8
This FREE event includes crafts and reading activities for young children and information on Macomb County's new Early Learning Communities. Co-sponsored with the United Way, it takes place at Panera Bread in Roseville. http://greatstartmacomb.org/news_events/calendar/2010/5#08
* New * FREE programs: Early Head Start and Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start offer FREE programs, including home and center based options, designed to serve low-income families. Both are federally funded and sponsored locally by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. Call 586-469-5215. http://www.macombcountymi.gov/MCCSA/hs.htm
Did you know that you could get your children on the road to reading simply by reading aloud to them every day? Listen to Rona and her guests discuss wonderful ways to help your child fall in love with learning. Guests: Janell Flores, Director of San Francisco's Raising a Reader program, and Hildegarde Ayer, Executive Director of the Lee Pesky Learning Center and co-author of the new book Every Child Ready to Read.
http://www.archive.org/details/childhood-matters-04-08-29
Activities and Information for Families
Macomb County's Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) is an organization dedicated to promoting the rights and needs of all young children in a caring and professional manner.
http://www.macombaeyc.com/family.html
Activities for Preschoolers
Games and activities are more than just fun for a preschooler -- they also help with physical development and learning. Find creative activities for your preschooler in areas such as arts and crafts, cooking, music and dance, and basic academic skills.
http://fun.familyeducation.com/games/preschool/33373.html?detoured=1
All Aboard Family Fun Activities
Select child's age to access family activities including games, sports, crafts, music, cooking, and nature. Find parenting tips, articles on child development and hundreds of new age-appropriate child activities each month. http://www.teachmorelovemore.org/
Camp Resource for Families
A comprehensive camp resource for families offering expert advice from camp professionals on camp selection, readiness, child and youth development, and issues of importance to families.
1.877.823.0005 http://www.campparents.org/
Community Calendar from Metro Parent
Click on the tab for "Family Fun Guide" to find a listing of community events and activities in Southeast Michigan. http://www.metroparent.com
CRAFTS: Creative Arts and Crafts for Kids
It's so good for kids to stretch their imaginations and put their creativity skills to work. This websites creative arts and crafts for kids cover many different themes to capture your child's interest. You'll appreciate the step-by-step instructions, and your child will feel great about the results. Many of these craft ideas are easy enough for preschoolers to do on their own, with a little guidance to get them started. But they're so much fun for families you'll want to make time to enjoy them together!
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=craftslanding
CRAFTS: FREE Craft Activites for children 3 years of age and older.
Lake Shore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday from 11:00 am-3:00pm for children 3 years of age and older. http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/crafts.tem
CRAFTS: Plan a fun craft project.
Check out this website for many craft projects you can do with your family. http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
Detroit Institute of Art's Family Sundays sponsored by Target
After a hectic week of car pooling, homework and after-school activities, it's time for the whole family to relax and recharge at the DIA's Target Family Sundays. Take in family performances, storytelling, art-making workshops and much more. See the link below for upcoming Target Family Sunday events. The new DIA. Let yourself go!
http://www.dia.org/calendar/friday_nights/sundays.asp
FAMILY FUN: What Can We Do For Le$$
Family-centered events and fun activities taking place in our community and offering discount tickets, buy one free, free birthday meals for children and other DEALS!
http://demo.misd.net/Training/Flyers/WhatCanWeDoForLess.pdf
FUN AT HOME: Fun and Games with Songs
It is important to share songs and rhymes with your children. Say and read nursery rhymes so that your child hears words that rhyme. Rhyming is the beginning of understanding that words are made up of smaller parts. Babies and young toddlers often have short attention spans, but rhymes and songs are perfect for quick sharing. http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/FunandGameswithSongs.pdf
FUN AT HOME: What Can We Do at Home Today?
Helping your child learn to read and write doesn't have to take a lot of time or money. Here are some easy ways to build literacy skills at home, in the sun or on the run! http://demo.misd.net/Training/Flyers/WhatCanWeDoatHomeToday.pdf
Guide to Fun for Families, 2009
Inside you will find many ideas for activities and places to visit with your family throughout the year! From museums, nature centers, and attractions to local libraries, parks and recreation departments and theaters, you will find endless possibilities for enjoyment, learning and relaxation. http://www.misd.net/Earlychild/PDF/2009FunGuide.pdf
Head Start: FREE Programs for Qualified Families
Early Head Start and Head Start offer FREE programs, including home and center based options, designed to service low-income families. Both are federally funded and sponsored locally by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. Call 586-469-5215. http://www.macombcountymi.gov/MCCSA/hs.htm
HEALTH: St. Joseph Mercy Health Exploration Station, Canton, MI
For family fun tour the Interactive Exhibit Gallery, free of charge, on the fourth (4th) Thursday of each month from 10am-8pm September through May and 10am-6pm June through August. You can expect to spend 40-60 minutes for the tour.
Imagine seeing real germs grow. And crawling through a giant intestinal tract. And learning about body systems while playing a TV-style game show. These are the tools that inspire young minds to learn about health. About wellness. About making wise lifestyle choices. These are the tools of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health Exploration Station, Michigan's first interactive health education center -- one of only about 30 in the entire country.
Field trips may be scheduled for large groups Mondays through Fridays. Your group will have time to explore the Exhibit Gallery -- a giant walk-through (not to mention crawl and slide through!) of the human body filled with exhibits to engage the senses of touch, sound and sight. Kids -- and kids at heart -- will enjoy leaping, pulling and stretching in the fitness area, hearing the rhythm of their own heartbeat and testing their nutrition savvy using a touch screen.
Call 734.398.7518 or click on the link below for further information.
http://www.healthexplorationstation.com/aboutus.html
Information and Referral Line to Great Parents, Great Start
Call toll-free in Macomb County for information on community activities and events for young children, or for information regarding your young child's (birth-60 months) development. (866) 462-2662
http://www.misd.net/greatparents/gpgsflyer.pdf
Kids in Action
For young children, physical activity is natural. Kids in Action is based on the premise that children love to move. Little ones are delighted to have your company and your undivided attention. Playing actively with them will give pleasure to both of you. You do not need to be an expert on movement to promote a child's daily physical activity, and no special equipment is necessary to make meaningful activity part of children's lives.
http://www.fitness.gov/funfit/kidsinaction/kidsinaction_03.html
LANGUAGE ARTS: Helping your children become readers
Download this tip sheet and coloring page on enjoying reading as a family.
When you open a book with your children you open the world for them. http://www.rif.org/assets/Documents/parents/BecomingReaders.pdf
LANGUAGE ARTS: Raising Readers
Through common everyday activities, the video shows fun and easy ways to build strong muscles for getting young children ready to read. http://www.getreadytoread.org/content/view/396
LANGUAGE ARTS: Reading Activities & Tips available in Spanish and English
Research shows that it's vitally important for children to have a good start in reading. Reading is often the key to success at school and in life. And because you are your child's first and best teacher, what you do at home even before your child goes to school is what will help him or her become a reader.
You will find simple, powerful ways to help your child. There are ideas on what to do at home, fun reading tips and activities, and much more.
So explore this Web site. Print out any of the pages. Find out what you can do. And most of all, enjoy reading with your child.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/parents/
LANGUAGE ARTS: Reading Aloud to Your Children
Reading aloud to children is one of the best ways to help them discover the joy of reading. This colorful guide for parents is from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). http://www.rif.org/assets/Documents/parents/reading_aloud.pdf
LANGUAGE ARTS: Reading Tips
Parents can make reading with their children part of the daily routine. Reading together in the evening can become an important part of the bedtime ritual. Here are some additional suggestions for making reading together a pleasurable experience. http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/ReadingTips.pdf
LANGUAGE ARTS: Story Time at Borders
Gather in the children's area of the Utica store on M-59/Hall Road for a story each Friday at 10:30 am.
Call 586-726-8555 for more information.
LANGUAGE ARTS: The Real Mother Goose
The Real Mother Goose is one of the larger collections of rhymes for children. It has wonderful pen and watercolor illustrations by Blanche Fisher Wright. Originally published in 1916, this link provides a complete transcription of the book in both HTML and plain text formats. http://trmg.designwest.com/contents.html
LANGUAGE ARTS: What Can I Do To Promote Literacy?
You can play a big role in helping your child learn to read, write, speak, and listen well. The results will pay off for years to come. Helping your child learn these skills can bring you and your child closer together - plus it can be rewarding and fun. http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/WhatCanIDo.pdf
Library Collections and Events
With a click of the mouse, find information on children's FREE Lap-Sits, Story Times and other events. Patrons with a valid library card and "in good standing," may also place a "hold" on items to be conveniently delivered to your community's library for pick-up.
http://www.libcoop.net/slclibraries.html
MUSEUM: Detroit Institute of Art's Family Sundays sponsored by Target
After a hectic week of car pooling, homework and after-school activities, it's time for the whole family to relax and recharge at the DIA's Target Family Sundays. Take in family performances, storytelling, art-making workshops and much more at no additional charge. See the link below for upcoming events.
The new DIA. Let yourself go! http://www.dia.org/calendar/friday_nights/sundays.asp
PARENTING: Why Take a Parenting Class?
Parents who take parenting classes are concerned about their relationship with their children. They know that being an effective parent in today's world can be a most difficult and challenging task. CARE'S parenting classes offer parents a realistic and practical approach to meeting the challenges of raising children today. Participants work together in small groups to actively discuss common concerns and learn specific child-training principles and techniques. The classes guide parents toward raising responsible children who will grow into responsible men and women, capable of living meaningful, happy adult lives. For information regarding class locations, dates, times and fees call CARE 586.541.0033 www.careofmacomb.com http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/WhyTakeaParentingClass.pdf
PLAYGROUP: FREE in Mt. Clemens Community Schools
The Little Lions Playgroups are for in-district children 0-5 years of age. Choose Tuesday or Friday morning sessions at the new Alexander Macomb Early Learning Center. http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/10-27-12-18Playgroup2009.pdf
PLAYGROUP: Mom and Tots of Southeast Macomb County
A playgroup/support group for stay at home or part time working moms with 1 or more young children, living in the S.E. Macomb County area.
Online message board offers a way for moms to converse w/ other local moms at their convenience.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/momsandtotsclubofsoutheastmacombcounty/
RECREATION: Macomb County Parks and Recreation
Use this link to find parks and trails in Macomb County. This page will be updated on a regular basis; keep checking back for new and exciting recreational sites! http://www.macombcountymi.gov/parksandrec/links.htm
RECREATION: Warren Family YMCA
Looking for fun programs for you and your family? The Warren Family YMCA offers a variety of different programs. The YMCA offers youth sports, fitness classes, preschool classes, summer day camp and much more. For more information call 586-751-1050 or check out its website. http://www.ymcadetroit.org/Warren%20Family%20YMCA/default.aspx
School Readiness Activities
You play the most important role in getting your child off to a good start in kindergarten. Children love to learn. Be sure to give your child plenty of praise and encouragement without pressure. Remember that children learn best through "hands-on" activities and participation. http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/School_Readiness_Activities#writing
SCHOOL READINESS: Countdown to Kindergarten
These monthly activities have been developed by a team of Boston parents, childcare providers and kindergarten teachers to honor your role as your child's first teacher. Every activity is "kid tested." Most can be done with things already in your home. Each month's activity includes children's books about similar topics that you can get at the library to read together.
Besides being fun, these activities introduce four- and five-year olds to the kind of learning skills they'll be developing further in kindergarten. At this age, children's skills vary. Also, not every activity will appeal to you. Children should find learning fun and exciting. So, if you try anything suggested here that isn't fun, simply skip it and try another!
Remember that one of the simplest things you can do is cuddle up together with a good book or two every day. Whether you try all or none of these activities, remember that the best way to prepare children for school during the year before kindergarten is to encourage their natural curiosity while making sure that they are safe, healthy and well loved.
http://www.countdowntokindergarten.org/monthact.htm
SCHOOL READINESS: Jumpstart to Kindergarten
How it Works
It's simple! If your child is currently between the ages of 2 ½ to 5 (or will be soon!), fill out our online registration form, make sure to type in your child's name and birth date, and you will receive a monthly e-mail that is personalized to his or her age group.
http://www.jstart.org/index.php?submenu=jumpstart_to_kindergarten&src=gendocs&link=Jumpstart_to_Kind
Spaulding for Children Zero to Three Program
The Spaulding for Children 0-3 Program provides access to prenatal care, family support, education and training to reduce the risk factors for child maltreatment in families. http://www.misd.net/Training/Flyers/ZerotoThree-Macomb.pdf
TRAVEL: Cool Places to visit in Michigan
A listing of tours, museums and science centers to visit throughout the state of Michigan. http://www.howstuffworks.com/cp-mi.htm
TRAVEL: Michigan State Capitol
Open to the public weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours every half hour, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. FREE! Registration required for groups of 10 or more. 100 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing. 517.373.2353
http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-18835_18890-53726--,00.html
TRAVEL: Road Trip Boredom Busters
The family road trip can be a time for bonding, a time for learning about each other's interests and points of view - a time to practically pull out every last hair on your head for every instance the words, "Are we there yet?" are uttered.
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/road_trip.html
TRAVEL: Small Town Events
Get out into the crisp fall air and explore the small towns of Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland & St. Clair Counties. Each town in this guide has small treasures in the form of parks, nature trails, festivals and fairs, orchards and You-Pick farms, cultural events, farmers markets and historical buildings.
http://www.4ccf.org/pubs/rstt/treasures.php
