Our Newsletter

Parents As Teachers
A Newsletter for Parents of Preschoolers

Published 6 times a year.
Columbia Public Schools Parents As Teachers
555 Vandiver Dr. Columbia, MO 65202-1508
Belinda Masters, Coordinator (573) 214-3955

Dear Parents ...

The Holiday Season is upon us. My hope is that each of you will find extra time this season to delight in the playfulness of your children. This newsletter is filled with information that encourages parents to value their children’s play. Play is a primary process through which young children learn and develop. Play enhances all areas of development. Play can be solitary, cooperative, spontaneous, structured, and free. Play helps develop your child’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
During the holiday season we see more than decorations; we also see lots of advertisements for all kinds of toys. Many parents ask their parent educators for suggestions on which toys to purchase or put on their wish list. We’ve included some general guidelines for safe, age appropriate materials that are sure to pique your children’s interest and help to promote their learning. You will find that nearly every toy, activity or game suggested DOES NOT REQUIRE BATTERIES! You will also find that some items can be found in your kitchen cupboard and cost nothing.

Hearing & Vision Screenings

for ages 6 months to 5 years (pre-Kdg)

Thursday, Dec. 8 , 9:30 - 11:30 am

Thursday, Jan. 26, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Wed., Feb. 22, 8:30 - 10:30 am*
(*note earlier time in February)

PAT office, 555 Vandiver.
No appointment is necessary.
Please sign in upon arrival.

Children come into the world as active learners. Toys that only require a child to push a button, sit back and watch a myriad of bells, whistles, sounds and lights aren’t tapping into her innate need to actively manipulate the toy. Sitting back and watching the robot move across the floor is a passive activity. Wouldn’t it be better if your child could hold a toy, push it herself, make her own sound effects and delight in what she is able to make it do? I am certain that she would be able to make this toy do an endless number of interesting things that would bring a smile to any parent’s face.
Remember to place books at the top of your holiday list! Whether they are ‘store-bought’ or found at the local library makes no difference to your child. The time spent holding your child close to you and sharing a wonderful book is priceless.
Best wishes to you and yours this season!

Belinda Masters, Coordinator
Parents As Teachers

Parents & Infants to 12 mon.
10:30 - 11:30 am...Friends Room
Columbia Public Library
Broadway & Garth

Monday, December 5 ... Preparing for the Holidays

Monday, January 9 ... Establishing Sleep Routines

Monday, February 6 ... Choosing a Safe Sitter

Dancing with the Kids

Saturday, Jan. 21
9:00 to 10:30 am
Smithton Middle School
3600 W. Worley Street
Severe weather date: Sat. Jan. 28
Call the PAT Activity Line, 214-3959.

Jump into a Book
for Infants & Toddlers

Books & early literacy activities for infants to 36 months.

Saturday, Feb. 11
9:30 to 10:45 am
Smithton Middle School
3600 W. Worley Street

Severe weather date: Sat. Feb. 25
Call the PAT Activity Line, 214-3959.

Parenting Workshop

“Building connections on the outside builds connections
on the inside”
Monday, January 23
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Columbia Public Library
Workshop with Karen Hickman for parents of children up to age 8
Registration begins Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Call the library at 817-7160 to register.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

As the leaves turn color and temperatures become brisk, parents begin thinking of long hours spent indoors with their young child. But cooler weather doesn’t mean you have to limit your child’s active play. Here are some ways to keep your child moving even when the temperatures dip.

BUNDLE UP!
Your little one can still enjoy outside adventures in cool weather if dressed properly. Dress your child in layers, rather than in a single heavy garment. She’ll need one more layer than you. Keep porous layers such as thermal underwear next to the skin, and make sure the outer layer is a water-resistant material. Ninety percent of heat loss occurs from a child’s head, so wearing a hat is essential. Mittens and boots complete your child’s protective clothing.
Dressing your child in layers allows you to loosen or remove some clothes to prevent overheating. Toddlers and preschoolers need to be able to move freely in their outdoor clothing to get the most benefit from playing outdoors. Remember to dress for the weather yourself so you’ll be comfortable while you let your child have a good, long outdoor playtime.

Tips for safe cold weather play

Dress in layers.

Wear a hat and mittens.

Don’t play outside if temperature is 10 degrees or colder.

Drink water to remain hydrated.

Change clothes when they become wet.

Have a snack for energy.

Keep young babies inside in very cold weather.

LOOK FOR INDOOR PLAY PLACES
Tummy time is exercise time for babies, and crawlers will want to do just that--crawl! Make sure your baby has plenty of time on the floor, out of infant carriers and car seats. Baby proof the room where baby spends time on the floor and supervise him at all times. Then you can feel confident letting your baby exercise by rolling, crawling, or walking.
Visit a shopping mall in cold weather and you are likely to see parents with babies and toddlers. Some malls even have play areas for little ones. A large, relatively empty space will allow your child to run and play. Make use of community resources such as indoor swimming pools or recreation centers. Organize a play group in a church multi-purpose room. Perhaps the basement of your home or apartment building can accommodate active play. Add a riding toy and large ball and you have a place that encourages your child to be active. Be sure to take advantage of Parents As Teachers group meetings that offer vigorous indoor activities.
n GO OUT AND ABOUT!
Cool weather activities can be so much fun for your and your child. Bundle up and go outside. Jump in a big pile of leaves. Hop through the crisp, cold snow! Visit a park or walk on a trail. Look for animal tracks in the snow. You will be teaching your child that being active is a year-round possibility.

Source: Parents As Teachers National Center, Fall 2005
For active indoor winter fun, try the following:

Lend and Learn, 443-8885, offers a play space and toy lending library for parents and children in Boone County under kindergarten age. It is located in the east end of the Parkade Center, 601 Business 70 West and open Monday -- Friday, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, on days that Columbia Public Schools are in session.
Columbia Parks & Recreation activities for young children and their families. General information, 874-7460; Activities & Recreation Center (ARC) 874-7700 or the city’s website at gocolumbiamo.com

Participate in ‘active storytime’ at the Columbia Public Library. Special programs for Wee Ones, Terrific Twos & Preschoolers. Rhymes & Rhythms for Pre-Walkers & Walkers. Family Story Times and many special programs with singers, story tellers, puppeteers & more. Call the library at 443-3161 or visit the Daniel Boone Regional Library website: www.dbrl.org.

Parents As Teachers activities

Dancing with the Kids for 3 to 5 year olds (pre-Kdg) Sat. Jan 21st 9:00 to 10:30 am Smithton Middle School.

Jump into a Book for Infants & Toddlers, Sat. Feb. 11th, 9:30 to 10:45 am Smithton Middle School

Say 'Cheese'

Tracking your child's development through pictures

We’ve all heard the famous quote, “One picture is worth a thousand words.” A picture of your child can also call to mind a thousand memories of her growth and development.

Save the moment
You probably have favorites among the daily experiences and special events of your young child’s life. Remember how cute your newborn looked in the outfit Grandma sent? Or how proud your preschooler was of his “big boy” basketball shoes? Perhaps you want to preserve how sweet your toddler looks, curled up with his special stuffed toy. Capture the ‘stuffie’ in a picture and it will become a cherished memory of tender toddler bedtimes.
Pictures are often taken at special occasions, but you can also create traditions by taking photos at the same place and time year after year. Take a snapshot under the maple tree each year when it turns golden. Collect all the maple tree photos on one page of a photo album and you can see your child getting taller from year to year. Photos of birthday parties and Halloween trick-or-treating tend to be about the event. Taking photos at other times documents your child’s favorite clothes, toys and activities, and shows his growth and development.
Save other mementos also, such as your child’s artwork, and attach a photo to show what he looked like when he created the masterpiece. Glue pictures to a calendar page that records activities for that month. As your child grows, he will love looking at the mementos and pictures “from when I was little.”

Have fun with pictures
With babies: Mount an 8 x 10 or 5 x 7 photo of your baby on stiff backing. Attach a piece of cloth at the top so the cloth hangs down to cover the picture. Show your baby how to lift the cloth to see her picture. Help her learn her name by saying, “There’s (her name)!” when she uncovers her picture.
With toddlers: Buy an inexpensive photo album and place snapshots of family, pets and friends in it. Look at the pictures together and name the people. Be sure to include pictures of your family so she learns she is a part of a family.
With preschoolers: Trace your child’s hand on cardboard or craft foam. Let her cut it out if she can use scissors. Trim a picture of your child to fit in the palm of the hand shape and help her glue it on. Place a magnet strip on the back. These ‘handy’ frames provide memories of how your child looked when her hand was so small. Help your child make these magnets and give them as gifts to promote her social-emotional development.
Childhood passes so quickly, especially the early childhood years. Your child has a personal history that is important for him to understand. Taking photos and saving mementos can make memories last a lifetime.

Source: Parents As Teachers National Center, Fall 2004

“A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.” ~ Bill Vaughn

Photographers’ tips for great kid pictures

Take photos frequently in the first year when baby is changing quickly

Give baby time to focus on the camera before shooting.

When someone else is taking the picture, stay close to your baby for safety and security.

Give your toddler time to warm up in a photo studio.

Keep clothing simple; lots of ruffles or outfits that are too big can overwhelm the picture.

Incorporate favorite toys; children are more relaxed with their own possession.

Pretend photo sessions with an active toddler so she will know what to expect.

Let preschoolers have some choices about clothing and poses.

Infant Information

Teething Tips

Q: When should I expect my child’s first tooth to start coming in?
A: Teething usually begins when a baby is between 4 and 7 months old, but it’s not uncommon--or worrisome--for the first tooth to appear as late as age 1. Typically the bottom two front teeth are the first to poke through, followed by the center top two, the bottom lateral incisors (next to the center teeth), and the top lateral incisors. On average, your child will sprout a set of four new teeth every four months. She should have all 20 of her baby teeth by age 2 1/2.
Q: My 5-month-old’s been cranky and drooling for weeks, but I don’t see anything breaking through his gums. Could he be teething?
A: It’s entirely possible. “Drooling is one of the most common symptoms of teething, and it often increases four to five days before a tooth appears,” says Rebecca Swan, MD of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Nashville, TN. The continual wetness from constant drooling may cause your baby’s lower cheeks and chin to turn red. But slobber alone doesn’t necessarily indicate a tooth is on its way. Your son may simply have discovered how much fun it is to put his hands or other objects in his mouth. At this stage, his salivary glands have kicked in but his ability to swallow is still poorly developed.
Q: Are there other telltale sings to look for?
A: Yes--tender, swollen, reddened gums (often accompanied by a mild cough) and a seemingly insatiable desire to bite down on things, which can last for months. Some babies become so uncomfortable that they temporarily lose interest in eating solids. It’s also possible that your little one will display no symptoms whatsoever.
Q: My mother-in-law says teething can cause babies to have a fever. Is she right?
A: To a degree. Current research shows that teething may cause a low-grade fever. But if your baby’s temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s probably something else.
Q: Can I let my son chew on a frozen bagel if he seems uncomfortable?
A: That’s not the best idea. “Even if it’s frozen, food could break apart and cause him to choke,” says Andrea McCoy, MD, of Temple University Children’s Medical Center in Philadelphia. To soothe his gums and reduce the pressure

Learning through Play

What Babies are learning:

During the first six months of life, babies are using their eyes, ears, feet, hands, fingers, and mouths to explore their environment. As they reach the 6-month mark, they can focus their eyes, respond to different sounds, lift their heads while lying on their stomachs, roll over, and grasp items like rattles and small toys.

Gross-motor skills are developing as babies start to hold items, sit up, stand, and eventually walk. Thanks to advanced finger and hand dexterity, they initiate contact with the world around them.

caused by the emerging tooth, give your baby a chilled--but not frozen--teething ring instead. (Avoid fluid-filled teethers, since they may contain liquids that are poisonous if your child swallows them.) You might also try rubbing your baby’s gums with a wet washcloth. For kids older that 6 months, cold foods like plain yogurt or unsweetened applesauce may help too. Numbing gels won’t work for long; they’ll wash out of your baby’s mouth within minutes. And even if your mom swears it worked on you, never put whiskey or alcohol on your child’s gums--it could make him sick.

Source: Parents, Sept 2005

Best types of toys for Babies:

It’s important to provide infants with playthings that give them a variety of tactile and visual experiences (different textures, colors, and patterns). Mobiles, crib mirrors, activity gyms, rattles, stuffed animals, bath toys, cloth blocks, teethers, and cloth or board books all stimulate the senses. Avoid toys that have sharp edges or small pieces or that make loud noises.

Additional items with lots of play value include large plastic lids, Whiffle balls, squeeze toys, wooden spoons, butter tubs, nesting and stacking toys. Do not give infants beads or small items that can cause choking.

Toddler Time

“What your child’s meltdowns mean, and how to stop them before they begin.”

He can’t say what he wants!
You might not always be able to head off tantrums but knowing the triggers behind them and the right ways to respond will make you better prepared the next time.
“Toddlers know what they want but often don’t have the language skills to tell you what it is,” says Michelle Zimmer, MD. Since they can’t use words to express their needs or emotions, they may start crying, screaming, or thrashing around.
Meltdown Maneuvers: Begin by letting your child know that you are listening to him. If he’s using grunts or gestures, play detective to figure out what he wants. Then, make sure to verbalize it for him by repeating the name, such as “toy” or “milk,” a couple of times. That way, your toddler knows he’s gotten his message across (plus, you’re helping him learn the right words).
She’s testing the limits!
Toddlers love exploring what new things they can do--and what you’ll let them get away with. “Your child is trying to figure out the rules,” Dr. Zimmer says. “She’s testing you to see whether you’ll give in when she cries and screams.” If you do crack, you’ll send the message that tantrums are an effective strategy.
Meltdown Maneuvers: It’s important to stand your ground when your child is pitching a fit. Otherwise, she’s manipulating you into letting her call the shots. But make sure the limits are ones you intend to enforce consistently. You can’t let her have three cookies one night and expect her to be okay with the one-cookie rule the next. If your toddler doesn’t like your decision, don’t give in. But you can give her a say in the matter by presenting her with options, such as holding up her red and yellow T-shirts and letting her pick which one she wants to wear.

He wants to do it himself!
Your toddler’s tantrum can also be his way of expressing his independence. But even though he wants to complete a task himself, he may lack the skills to do it--or you simply might not have the time to let him try.
Meltdown Maneuvers: “Whenever possible, give your child the time and space he needs to finish a task,” says Linda Sonna, Ph.D., author of The Everything Toddler Book. This may mean building more time into your morning routine so he can put on his coat at his own pace. Try to resist the urge to step in and do it for him. If the activity is a bit unsafe or complex, come up with a way to keep him involved. For example, tell

Learning through Play

What Toddlers are learning:

Through trial and error, toddlers learn to lift, push and pull. By the time babies are about 1 1/2 years old, most can understand the concepts of object permanence and cause and effect.

Toddlers are imaginative and like to mimic what they see in the real world (Mom giving a baby a kiss, Dad cooking). They begin to show preferences and emotional attachments to people and objects.

Language skills are developing rapidly, and children are able to conceive complex ideas and thoughts. They are also becoming much more independent (for example, feeding and dressing themselves).

Best types of toys for Toddlers:

Peekaboo discovery toys and hide-and-seek games enforce the concepts of object permanence (the idea that objects and people are still there even if you can’t see them); pop-up toys--like jack-in-the boxes

him he can put the cheese on the sandwich and you’ll cut it in half.
She doesn’t like change!
At this age, toddlers really rely on a predictable routine. So be prepared for tantrums if they’re hungry, tired, or off their regular schedule. “When toddlers get cranky, they tend to dissolve and collapse,” Dr. Sonna says. “Stress-related tantrums occur when children are overwhelmed.”
Meltdown Maneuvers: “Look for ways to reduce stress and reassure your toddler,” Dr. Sonna suggests. Give her a snack on the go, have her home in time for her nap, or simply provide a hug. Sometimes a child who’s having a tantrum just needs a little TLC.

and busy boxes demonstrate cause and effect (when I do one thing, something else happens). Soft blocks and dolls, balls, cloth and board books, nesting blocks, and stackers are also good options.

Choose toys like shape sorters, puzzles with knobs, lacing toys, and building blocks to boost hand-eye coordination. Pretend kitchens, tool benches, and other props allow toddlers to imitate adults. Toddlers are very active, so they need toys that let them run, walk, and push (push and pull toys, small wagons, and tricycles). Encourage creativity with an easel and nontoxic art supplies or with everyday items like boxes.

Other items with lots of play value include plastic containers with screw-on lids, baskets and other containers with handles to carry around, simple matching and sorting materials, and play dough. Do not give Toddlers beads or small items that can cause choking.

Source: adapted from Child, Sept. 2005 & Texas Child Care, Fall 2005

Preschooler Page

Turn off the TV:
Get a hand on learning
Let’s forget for a moment the violence and sex in TV programs. Here’s another reason for turning off the tube: hands-on learning.
Preschool children need to be using their hands--building with blocks, scribbling on paper, rolling a ball are some examples. Physical activity strengthens the fingers and enhances coordination, forming the foundation for writing, drawing, typing at a computer keyboard, and many other skills.
But it’s more than that. The hand and arm form a deep learning pathway to the brain, and the pathway gets laid down in early childhood. It begins in infancy, as babies grasp, drop, and bang objects. It continues in the preschool years as children work puzzles, pound pegs with wooden hammers, shape clay, and match nuts and bolts.
By manipulating objects, children develop thinking skills. Children learn that objects have shape, color, weight, and texture, for example. Gradually children learn to classify objects by these traits. They begin to recognize patterns--red-blue, red-blue, red-blue, for example. They learn how to match similar objects and put them in sequence--smallest to largest. Eventually, these concepts lead to math skills--counting, adding, subtracting--and to science skills--observing, predicting, testing.
So it’s important that children get plenty of hands-on learning opportunities at home. And they don’t need store-bought educational materials. Ordinary activities--setting the table, sorting socks, and folding laundry--are goods way to start.
You can also make learning games from household objects and recyclables. Make sure all materials are safe. Don’t use glass or sharp pointed objects. Small objects, like buttons and beads, pose a choking hazard for children 3 and younger.

Learning through Play
What Preschoolers are learning:

Peers become more important as preschoolers move from parallel play to group play. Through fantasy and pretend play--having tea parties and playing store and school--kids learn about different relationships and roles.

Children this age are learning social skills, practicing negotiation, and beginning to understand rules. They are also fine-tuning their art skills. Concentration level and hand-eye coordination also improve.

Best types of toys for Preschoolers:

Dress-up clothes, pretend kitchens, puppet theaters, and other props foster preschoolers’ imagination. Simple board games, like Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land, are a great introduction to rules. Rhyming, word, and memory games encourage language and cognitive skills. Blocks, train sets, tape players with microphones, and other open-ended toys nurture storytelling and creativity.

Other items with lots of play value for 3-year-olds include 1-inch beads to string, puzzles of 6 to 12 pieces, nuts and bolts, matching and lotto games. Encourage children to match and sort items by color and shape.

Four and five-year-olds can also use sewing and lacing cards, work puzzles of 12 to 50 pieces and enjoy playing with geometric shapes and dominoes. Encourage children to sort items by size and order them in sequence.

Source: adapted from Child, Sept. 2005 & Texas Child Care, Fall 2005

Parent's Place

Infant Massage
Day & Evening series

Infant Massage classes are offered regularly for P.A.T. parents & their infants from 3 weeks to 8 months.

Two-session daytime class: January 3 & 10 - 10 to 11:30 AM
Three-session daytime class: February 14, 21, & 28 - 10 to 11 AM
Two-session daytime class: March 7 & 14 - 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Two-session evening class: March 9 & 16 - 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Please bring lotion and a blanket or pillow for your baby.

The guide, Nurturing Touch, ($5.50) is available for purchase.

Call 214-3955 to register. Minimum of 5 registrations are needed to hold the class. Maximum number 10 families for day; 12 for evening.

Thank you for your support of Parents As Teachers
© Harold & Clara Sontag
© Teri Amistead, Savannah & Jack

“Building Connections on the Outside
Builds Connections on the Inside”
Monday, January 23, 2006 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Columbia Public Library Friends Room

© Join Karen Hickman, Loving Guidance Associate, who enthusiastically teaches the skills of Conscious Discipline that have had a tremendous impact on her life. Learn ways to use one-on-one “I Love You” rituals to strengthen relationships with your children and foster their brain development. Small group discussions will be included for brainstorming with other participants.
© This workshop is for parents of children up to age 8. If you have participated in previous Conscious Discipline workshops with Karen, this workshop will be helpful to you as you continue your journey. Parents only please - no child care is available.
© Co-sponsored by Boone Early Childhood Partners, Parents As Teachers, and the Parent Education Committee.
© Registration begins Tuesday, January 10, 2006. Call the Columbia Public Library’s Children’s Desk at 817-7160 to register.

PAT Wish List

From time to time, parents ask how they can help the PAT program. Parent Educators can always use the following items for home visits or parent/child activities:

washable markers

construction paper - all sizes

large and small zip-lock bags

juice lids from frozen juice cans

glue sticks

food coloring

large pasta for stringing

clear plastic containers with lids (shoe box size)

gently used chunky or board books

• The PAT newsletter is published bi-monthly -- 6 times/year.
• Ads are limited to used items for children & families, 1-time insertion.
• Mail, fax (214-3998) or bring ad to PAT office by Wed., Jan. 18 for February/March edition.
• Newsletter is now on our website: www.columbia.k12.mo.us/pat.

For Sale:
Medula Pump-in-Style Advance breast pump & acc. Retails, $350; selling $175 OBO. Natalie, 882-2814.

2 maple cribs, $150 ea. 2 bumpers, bedskits $20 set. Maple chg. table--2 drawers, 2 shelves $100. InStep double jogging stroller, $125. Cosco double stroller, $50. Step 2 Kangaroo Climber $30. Adj. Configure steel gate for lg openings $50. Elongate steel gate $25. Elizabeth 449-5943.

6-speed battery operated Graco swing, $40 OBO. Stephanie, 474-2505.

Medela breast pump-lower suction option only $5. Manual Evenflo breast pump $5. Amy, 442-6154.

Evenflo carseat w/ base $35. Matching Evenflo stroller $20. Graco carseat w/ base $50. 3-tier changing table $15. Kay, 882-2587 (W); 875-8153 (H)

Medela Pump-in-Style double breast pump. $100, Angie, 442-1146.

Solid wood sleigh baby bed & changing table, $250. Jen, 447-2463.

2 Graco Snug Ride 5 pt harness infant car seats w/ base. $25 ea. Paulette, 442-8230.
F-P Intellitable, $12. F-P rocking/vib. toddler chair $10; ‘castle’ area rug $15.

Girl’s winter clothes/coats/holiday dresses, 18 mo--3T. Boys’ coats. Lisa 447-4839.

Crib set inc. bumper pad, dust ruffle, comforter. $75. Wendy, 447-1002.

Boy’s clothes, 3 mon-3T. Cheap-nothing more than $1.00 Varied styles, seasons. Alexa, 874-1837.

Baby crib & mattress, $10. Little Tykes BB hoop, $40. Purely Yours pump acc. $5

Purely Yours car adaptor $10. Boys, girls, clothes - newborn to 5 mon., plus several other items. Charissa, 442-6504.

Wanted to Buy:
Winter maternity clothes, M-L. Sheanna, 256-4023.

Lincoln logs, wooden blocks, swingset/fort, InStep snow/rain cover, manual baby food grinder, Charissa, 442-6504.

Zip-in ‘mommy panel’ from a Japanese Weekend Mama Coat, Devoney, 874-3526.

Columbia Public Schools Parents As Teachers Activities, 2005-2006

DAY	DATE	TIME	AGES	ACTIVITY	LOCATION
WED	SEP 7	6 to 7:30 pm	‘walkers’ to 36 months (No activities for infants)	MESSY NITE for TODDLERS	Cosmo Park Lamb Shelter Business Loop 70 W.
MON	SEP 12	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	OUTDOOR FUN at the PARK	Lions Stephens Park N. Williams & Windsor Sts. 2 blocks N of Boone Hospital Center
MON	SEP 19	6:30 to 8:30 pm	Parents only please; no childcare.	PARENTAL DISCIPLINE: WHAT IS GOOD ENOUGH?	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
WED	SEP 28	5:00 to 6:30 pm	Infants to 5 years	BACK TO NATURE	Oakland Park Shelters 2 & 3 1900 Blue Ridge Rd
MON	OCT 3	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	FEEDING YOUR BABY	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
THUR	OCT 13	5:00 to 6:30 pm	‘walkers’ to 36 months (No activities for infants)	AWESOME AUTUMN for TODDLERS	PAT office parking lot 555 Vandiver
MON	OCT 24	6:30 to 7:45 pm	3 to 5 Years (but not yet in Kindergarten)	FALL into a BOOK for 3 to 5’s	Russell Blvd. School 1800 W Rollins Rd.
MON	NOV 7	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	TRAVELING with INFANTS	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
MON	DEC 5	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	PREPARING for the HOLIDAYS	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
MON	JAN 9	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	ESTABLISHING SLEEP ROUTINES	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
SAT	JAN 21	9:00 to 10:30 am	3 to 5 years (pre-K)	DANCING with the KIDS for 3 to 5’s	Smithton Middle School Cafetorium
MON	FEB 6	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	CHOOSING A SAFE SITTER	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
SAT	FEB 11	9:30 to 10:45 am	Infants to Age 3	JUMP into a BOOK for Infants & Toddlers	Smithton Middle School Cafetorium & Room 99
MON	MAR 6	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	SETTING LIMITS with your INFANT	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
MON	MAR 13	6:30 to 7:45 pm	3 to 5 years (pre-K)	KIDS CUISINE for 3 to 5’s (pre-Kindergarten)	Russell Blvd. School 1800 W Rollins Rd.
MON	MAR 20	6:30 to 7:45 pm	Infants to 36 mon.	KIDS in the KITCHEN for Infants & Toddlers	Smithton Middle School Cafetorium & Room 99
MON	APR 3	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	MUSIC & FINGER PLAYS	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
THUR	APR __	4:00 to 7:00 pm	‘Walkers’ & up	TONS of TRUCKS	Cosmo Park Rainbow Softball Complex Parking Lot
MON	MAY 1	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	SAFETY PROOFING YOUR HOME	Columbia Public Library Friends Room
MON	MAY 15	5:00 to 6:15 pm…Infants to 36 months 6:30 to 7:45 pm…36 months to 5 (pre-K)		DOWN on the FARM	Nifong Park Nifong Bl. & Ponderosa (near Hwy 63 & Rte AC)
MON	JUN 5	10:30 to 11:30 am	Parents & Infants up to 12 months	OUTDOOR SAFETY	Lions Stephens Park N. Williams & Windsor Sts. 2 blocks N of BHC
MON	JUN 5	6:00 to 7:30 pm	3 to 5 Years (pre-K)	MESSY NITE for 3-5’s (pre-Kindergarten)	Cosmo Park Lamb Shelter Business Loop 70 West

Please save and post on your refrigerator! J