Family Resource Center Gaining Visibility
Among Parents with Pre-schoolers

(June 22, 2009) It's morning in the Dragon's Den at Derynoski School and the room is filled with the sights and sounds of children playing. The mix of toddlers and pre-schoolers is getting their first taste of school as they choose from an array of toys to play alone, with a parent and - sometimes tentatively - with each other; sit down and get quiet to hear a story; or build a project with the art supplies on the big table. 

Launched in 2008, the popular playgroups are a program of Southington's new Family Resource Center (FRC), which is part of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington. Operating with a $25,000 grant from the First Years First Fund, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's early childhood development initiative, the Collaborative brings parents, educators, community stakeholders and others together to ensure that all Southington children enter school ready to learn.

The FRC serves as a "one-stop shop" for families looking for programs, information and guidance in preparing their children for the challenges of kindergarten and beyond. This past year, their outreach touched 48 Southington families and 80 children with pre-school playgroups among the most popular offerings. The playgoups took place in four of the town's eight elementary schools helping  young children and their parents make a successful transition to school. As the word got out among parents, the groups were soon at full capacity with waiting lists. Shannon Fitzsimons, whose son Gavin participated in the Deryonski School playgroup said the experience was wholly positive. "Our neighborhood doesn't have many children Gavin's age. This was a great opportunity for him to meet other kids and to develop his social skills. He's learned to interact with others, share, take turns, follow directions, and grow as an individual. And he's so proud of what he created in the arts and crafts activities. They are displayed throughout the house and he shows everyone who comes over," she said.

Crystal Heft, coordinator of the Early Childhood Collaborative, said they're seeking additional funding to expand the playgroups to the remaining elementary schools next year. "The concept has been welcomed with open arms by so many in the community. The principals at the various elementary schools have been really receptive and eager to have programming in their buildings," she noted. 

The FRC also offers other programs, including a summer playgroup, a pre-school playgroup that meets in parks around town, kindergarten education workshops for parents and early-care providers, and two programs designed to encourage literacy in families with young children. The FRC's 'Raising Readers Parent Club' is designed to give parents strategies and activities to make reading with their children both enjoyable and beneficial. New books are provided free of charge, along with educational materials and supplies, tips for fun home activities, and an opportunity for parents to support each other in making reading a way of life.

Ms. Heft said the literacy initiative is an important component of the FRC's offerings because principals and teachers report that many children in Southington enter school lacking even the most basic literacy skills such as how to hold a book and  which way to flip the pages. "We want to help parents introduce these skills to their children. And we're also here to help parents become leaders and advocates for their kids in the schools. Parents who are more involved in their child's education help their kids become more successful in school."

For more information about the Family Resource Center, call 628-3286, ext. 380 or visit www.southingtonearlychildhood.org.