Help us understand your needs and challenges by taking the SURVEY. | |
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Talk, read, and sing together during family time! Talk about your day over dinner, read books as a family before bed, and sing together in the car! These simple moments are so crucial to your little one’s social-emotional and cognitive development.
For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING
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Kindergarten Readiness Goal:
- Stack 10 or more blocks
- Initiates, joins in, and sustains positive interactions with a small group of 2-3 children Initiates the sharing of materials in the classroom and outdoors
- Recognizes name and as many as 10 letters
- Identifies 2 and 3 dimensional shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and describes them (round, has four sides, has 3 corners, etc.)
- Demonstrates knowledge of characteristics of living things (pretends to feed a baby doll or animal, puts baby doll to sleep, etc.)
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Cooking Matters Recipe:
PINEAPPLE CARROT MUFFINS
45 Minutes 12 Servings
Baking and cooking together is a wonderful family activity. Ask your little one to count the tablespoons as they poor them into the bowl. Talk about the color of each ingredients. Together taste test the finish product!
Ingredients:
1 medium carrot
1 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice
5 Tablespoons canola oil
¼ cup cold water
1 Tablespoon white distilled vinegar
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Pinch ground nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice
Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Rinse and peel carrot. Shred with a grater. Measure out ¾ cup shredded carrot.
- In a medium bowl, add pineapple with juice, oil, water, vinegar, and shredded carrot. Mix with a fork to combine.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Blend well with a fork to break up any lumps.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- If using walnuts or raisins, gently stir in now.
- Coat muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with batter. Bake on middle rack of oven until muffin tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20–25 minutes.
View the Recipe: PINEAPPLE CARROT MUFFINS
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TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Talking is Teaching
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BEDTIME MATH
Bedtime Math sends parents a fun, new math problem every day, on everything from electric eels to chocolate chips to flamingoes. Targeted for kids ages 3-9, it begins with a short, fun set-up story, followed by three math problems at three levels of challenge.
Learn more: BEDTIME MATH
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SCREEN TIME AND CHILDREN
Mayo Clinic
"With screens virtually everywhere, monitoring a child's screen time can be challenging. To complicate matters, some screen time can be educational and support children's social development. So how do you manage your child's screen time? Here's a primer on guiding your child's use of screens and media.”
Read full article: SCREEN TIME AND CHILDREN
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Families with children between the ages of 2 months and five residing in Saginaw County can complete a FREE Ages and Stages developmental screening or a social-emotional screening. Screenings take ten minutes to complete and the results are back within a week. Results tell parents what to expect at each state of development. Often times, early diagnosis can help give a child the best opportunity to reach their potential.
Learn more: AGES & STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES
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One out of every 169 pregnancies ends in stillbirth in the U.S., and that rate is two times higher for Black expectant parents.
The link between fetal movement and a healthy baby is clear, but research continues to uncover more about the importance of tracking baby’s movements. Count the Kicks uses the latest research to help achieve our mission.
Count the Kicks provides free, evidence-based resources for expectant parents to stay informed and monitor their baby’s well-being.
Learn more about: COUNT THE KICKS
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Great Start to Quality
Children learn so much in their first five years. Quality licensed programs, for children 0-12, help children learn, grow, and develop. The foundation is set for children to be successful in school, work, and life when they have a safe place to learn, explore their world, and build relationships. Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find child care that fits their budget and schedule.
Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality rating and improvement system that evaluates the quality of licensed programs, for children 0-12. As a Michigan family, you can use Great Start to Quality as a tool to help you look up and compare early childhood programs to find the best child care. On a scale of one- to five-stars, Michigan child care, preschool, and afterschool programs are scored in different areas, and those scores are combined to give them their Star rating.
Learn More: GREAT START TO QUALITY
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Peer 360 Recovery Alliance exists to serve the diverse recovery communities, their family, friends and allies offering a unified voice and a shared recovery vision. We are building bridges across the gaps between professional treatment services and successful lives in long-term recovery so that no more are lost to addiction.
What is peer support?
- Peer support is an informal gathering of others in recovery; it is a chance to share your experience and strength in recovery with others. It is also a chance to talk about your struggles and get support.
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FREE Online Parenting Classes
Extension Extras Parenting Hour
Tuesdays at 8 - 9:30 PM
April 9 - Parenting in a Digital Age Children 0-8
April 16 - Importance of Outdoor Play
April 23 - Parenting in a Digital Age Children 9-17
April 30 - Let's Talk: Parent and Provider Communication
Online Extension Extras Parenting Hour Positive Discipline
April 2, 2024 8:00 - 9:30PM
Online for Kinship Caregivers Parent Talk System Series - 2024
April 5, 2024 - May 10, 2024 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Online Kinship Caregiver Workshops: Parenting in the Digital Age
April 10, 2024 7:00 - 8:30PM
Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - April-May 2024
April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 2024 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
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Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region. | | |
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Start planning your summer with the Summer Camps guide, sponsored by Bay Shore Camps. Explore camps by county or type.
Start planning: SUMMER CAMPS
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The Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport compiles information for hands-on, dynamic STEM organizations in the community. Now locating current STEM-based activities and events in the region is easy!
Learn more: STEM PASSPORT
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January - Playgroup at Thomas Township Nature Center & Preserve | |
April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 - Kindergarten Boot Camp: Preschool Story Time | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw
DATE: Mondays at 10:30 AM
This story time is an interactive learning experience that helps preschool aged children strengthen the skills necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten. Story time and activities focus on early literacy and kindergarten readiness skills such as colors, shapes, numbers, counting, letters, and scissors practice. Stories, activities, and crafts are prepared for children ages 3 to 6.
Learn More: KINDERGARTEN BOOT CAMP
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April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 & 30 - Story Time with Mrs. Emmons | | |
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WHERE: Frankenmuth Wickson District Library, Frankenmuth
DATE: Mondays & Tuesdays
at 9:30 AM & 11 AM
Learn More: STORY TIME
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April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 - Story Hour | | |
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WHERE: River Rapids District Library, St. Charles
DATE: Mondays at 10:30 AM
Story Hour (3&4 Yr Olds) with Janet Godfrey
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 - Story Hour | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: Mondays at 10:30 AM
For kids ages 2-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 & 30 - Tales For Two | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw
DATE: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 AM
Come read, laugh, and play at our storytime program designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Our storytime provides active young children and their caregivers with stories, fingerplays and songs based on simple concepts, repetition, and lots of movement. This storytime will engage toddlers while fostering early literacy and fine motor skills development.
Meets Tuesdays, with a repeat of the same program on Thursdays.
Learn More: TALES FOR TWO
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April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 - Play to Learn | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Play to Learn: Playgroup at the Library
September 19th-May 14th (with some breaks)
For kids ages 0-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: PLAY TO LEARN
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April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 - Story Hour | | |
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WHERE: Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport
DATE: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Have fun with stories as Miss Cindy reads and discusses each story. We also sing songs, learn rhymes and fingerplays and make crafts. We promote early literacy by teach the Ready to Read Michigan skills during each story hour.
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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April 3, 10, 17 & 24 - Story Time | | |
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WHERE: Carolyn R. Otto Family Literacy Center, Saginaw
DATE: Wednesdays at 11 AM
Learn More: STORY TIME
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April 4 - Solar Eclipse Science | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: April 4, 3:30 PM
Before the solar eclipse (which will take place on Monday, April 8th from about 2:00pm-4:30pm), join us at the library to learn about the science behind the eclipse in a way that is fun and engaging for kids! Open to all ages.
**Please sign up to participate by visiting or calling the library. 989-642-8621.**
Learn More: SOLAR ECLIPSE
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April 4, 11, 18 & 25 - Story Hour (ages 5-8) | | |
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WHERE: River Rapids District Library, St. Charles
DATE: Thursday, 6 PM
Stories, Crafts, food and fun for 5 to 8 years old. Join with Bethany and James every Thursday during the school year except for holidays. Children must be pre-registered and Story Hour fills up fast so be sure to call or step in to see if we have any openings.
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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April 5, 12, 19 & 26 - Preschool Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw
DATE: Fridays at 10:30 AM
Drop-in storytime fun! We can't wait to have you join us for stories, music, crafts, games, and more!
Learn More: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
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April 5, 12, 19 & 26 - Jumping Jammers | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: Fridays at 10:30 AM
Jumping Jammers: Music Time at the Library!
For kids ages 2-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: JUMPING JAMMERS
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WHERE: Home Depot, Saginaw
DATE: First Saturday at 9 AM – 12 PM
Join us the first Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops.
Learn more: KIDS WORKSHOP
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April 6 - Preschool Storytimes | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Library, Saginaw
DATE: Saturdays
at 10:30 AM
Preschool Storytime at Zauel
Learn More: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
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April 6 - Hands On History | | |
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WHERE: Castle Museum, Saginaw
DATE: April 6 at 11AM - 1 PM
Learn more: HANDS ON HISTORY
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April 6, 13, 20 & 27 - Free Saturdays @ Saginaw Art Museum | | |
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WHERE: Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw
DATE: Saturdays at 12 - 5 PM
In an effort to increase accessibility to the museum, we have extended our regular hours to include Saturday afternoons Noon-5pm starting this week, for FREE! We look forward to welcoming you and yours into our gem of a museum to explore our collection, exhibitions, and gardens.
Learn More: FREE SATURDAYS
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WHERE: River Rapids District Library, St. Charles
DATE: Saturdays, 12 PM
Lego Club for kids of all ages. No registration required. Just come to enjoy time with other Lego Enthusiasts. We have 30 minutes of free build, then a 30 minute challenge build. Snack provided.
Learn More: LEGO CLUB
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April 9 - Bookmobile Stop | | |
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WHERE: Boys & Girls Club (East Campus), Saginaw
DATE: April 9, 4-5 PM
The PLOS Bookmobile is coming to the Boys & Girls Club's East Campus! Children and their friends can bring their Public Libraries of Saginaw library card or sign up for a new card (ID with current address needed), then browse our mobile library to find the perfect book! You can also check out a Chromebook and get help with our digital services. Note: a parent or guardian needs to be present for children to get a library card.
Learn More: BOOK MOBILE STOP
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April 13 - Studio Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw
DATE: April 13 at 12:30 PM
Calling all young museum goers! Join us every second Saturday, January through April for Studio Storytime. Every month will be a new theme, where we read a story and create an art project from 12:30-1:00 PM. The program is geared towards ages 2-5, but all are welcome. Studio Storytime is in partnership with Public Libraries of Saginaw.
Registration is requested, but not required:
STUDIO STORYTIME
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April 13 - Swinging Thru the Stacks | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw
DATE: April 13, 1-3 PM
Come play indoor mini golf with us on the children's side of the library!
Learn More: SWINGING THRU THE STACKS
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April 18 - Preschool Storytime - Post Office History | |
April 20 - Healthy Kids Day | | |
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WHERE: Saginaw YMCA, Saginaw
DATE: April 20 at 9 AM - 12 PM
This is a FREE community event offering fun games and activities like:
- Obstacle Course by SVSU Students
- MMR
- Fire Department
- K9 Dogs
- Police Officers
- Community Vendors
- T&T Mexican Food Truck
-Meet and Greet with
Learn More & Register: HEALTHY KIDS DAY
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WHERE: Lowes, Saginaw
DATE: April 20 at 10 AM - 12 PM
Playful Garden Cart Planter
Kick-off spring with your little builder as they create a garden cart planter. Kids can grow new skills and take home a fun garden project just in time to start some seeds!
Workshops are hosted by our Red Vests are held from 10:00am – 1:00pm, in-store only.
Learn More & Register: LOWES
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April 20 - Superhero Spectacle | | |
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WHERE: SVRC Marketplace, Saginaw
DATE: April 20 at 1-4 PM
Hey Superhero Squads and Sidekicks! Grab your capes and zoom over to the Marketplace for the most fantastic event of the year - it's Superhero Day, and it's going to be EPIC!
🎨 SUPERHERO Coloring Extravaganza!
Calling all budding Picassos! Dive into our superhero coloring contest and unleash your artistic superpowers. Prizes galore for the most colorfully creative heroes!
📸 Strike a Pose - FREE Photo Frenzy!
Say "cheese!" Strike your superhero stance and capture the moment with our free photo ops. It's your time to shine in the superhero spotlight!
🍏 FREE Healthy Kids in the Kitchen Adventure!
Discover the secrets of superhero snacks with our "Thor Hammers" and munch on Super Power Treats that are as yummy as they are mighty. Healthy eats for our little champions!
🎉 Super Surprises - Who's Dropping By? Stay Tuned!
Hold onto your capes because we've got some surprise superhero guests! Keep your eyes peeled for announcements. Spoiler alert: It's going to be AWESOME!
Learn More: SUPERHERO SPECTACLE
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April 20 - Together We Read | | |
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WHERE: Hoyt Main Library Library, Saginaw
DATE: April 20 at 2-3 PM
We'd LOVE to have you join us in the Hoyt Children's area for a fun time of stories, jumpy songs, a craft, and a snack!
Learn More: TOGETHER WE READ
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April 22 - Kids Care for Drinking Water | | |
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WHERE: Hoyt Main Library, Saginaw
DATE: April 22 at 3:30 PM
To celebrate Earth Day, join us for a fun hour with the Division of Environmental Health as we learn about caring for safe drinking water! We'll have activity kits, booklets, a story time, and a fun enviroscape demonstration with hands-on activity and learning.
Learn More: KIDS CARE FOR DRINKING WATER
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April 27 - LEGOs at the Library | | |
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WHERE: Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw
DATE: April 27, 3 PM
Come test your creativity with our Legos. See what weird and wonderful things you can build!
Learn More: LEGOS AT THE LIBRARY
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Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region. | | | | |
