Parent-Child Groups

The Better Beginnings Parent-Child Program offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to gather while their children take part in an enrichment program. Once the parent and child are comfortably separated, parents will meet together for discussions on parenting topics of interest. Parent Group Facilitators – Carol Lunan, Nancy Macalaster, or Erica Snyder – support conversation around a variety of topics such as relationships and relationship building; communication; attachment and bonding; early learning; child development; and/or any number of parenting topics of interest to the group.  Each morning, time is set aside for “checking in” with parents, offering the opportunity to discuss parenting and other challenges in a supportive, confidential, trusting environment. Parent groups are open and accessible to all families in the community.

Better Beginnings Children’s Enrichment Program offers time to play, social opportunities and activities that naturally support children’s individual needs and developmental abilities. Early childhood staff focus their attention on the children one-to-one or in small groups, and on designing child-friendly space that is warm, inviting, friendly and engaging.  Our staff follow children’s lead in choosing materials or activities, while also working to introduce new ideas and ways of playing. Activities offer experiences with dress-ups, homemade play dough, sand, water, music, art, books, snack, etc. in order to enhance each child’s experience. Playgroups provide important social opportunities for children, a chance for them to be together and learn to communicate and cooperate. The enrichment program is for children between the ages of one to five years. Younger babies can stay with their parents.

The Better Beginnings for Babies group offers a space where parents, infants and toddlers up to twenty months of age can feel safe and held in the circle of community.

Becoming the parent of a newborn/infant can be at best a daunting experience. Often new parents feel overwhelmed with responsibility, isolated in their experiences, and inundated with advice.

Within the structure of the Better Beginnings for Babies group meeting, parents and/or caregivers have the time and space to talk about their hopes, concerns, and individual resources. They can play with and observe their children, informally talk about parenting topics and concerns, share ideas and visit. The gift parents and/or caregivers receive is being listened to and heard. The circle embraces each parent /caregiver for where they are in their individual journey.

Meanwhile, infants are free to experience self-initiated exploration of their own body movements and then the environment of the play space. The play space is designed to meet the needs of each individual child enticing them to reach just a little bit further as they are ready.

The group is facilitated and guided by Nancy Macalaster, M.A. and Infant/Parent Mental Health Clinician. Special speakers sometimes join the group to share information on particular topics.