Way to Grow believes that learning grows stronger when families come together. This month, our feed was full of music, movement, play, and moments of connection across our programs and neighborhoods. Here is a look at just some of what families experienced in October and November.
Group Programming: Parent Education and Family Connection
Our Together We Grow sessions and Family Game Nights bring families together each month for parent education, hands-on activities, and community building. These gatherings give parents tools to support their child’s development and create steady opportunities for families to learn from one another. This fall, we hosted sessions across the Twin Cities that showed the power of parent-child engagement in early learning. Read more about Together We Grow programming in the blog!
Building Bonds Through Early Learning in Brooklyn Park
Our Brooklyn Park team hosted a Together We Grow parent-child group at Osseo Early Childhood’s Willow Lane Center. Children and families explored music and movement with guest presenter Amanda from MacPhail Center for Music.
Families danced, shook egg shakers, moved with scarves, and saw how music strengthens early development. Parents joined right alongside their children, creating a morning full of joy and connection.
Research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children notes that music and movement activities support language development, motor skills, and social-emotional growth in young children. We are grateful to MacPhail for sharing their talents and look forward to welcoming them back in the spring.
Routines and Connection: Halloween Session
A little Halloween week brought families together for another meaningful Together We Grow session. Using the Parents as Teachers National curriculum, parents explored positive discipline strategies in English and Spanish. Children decorated pumpkins, practiced colors and shapes, and listened to “The Feelings Book/El libro de los sentimientos” by Todd Parr.
Family Educator Ms. Maria shared, “Together We Grow allows parents to get together, have fun, play with their children, and learn. Parents are relaxed, they enjoy themselves, and they support one another.”
What stood out most that day was how longtime participants welcomed a new family with warmth. These monthly sessions continue to be one of the most joyful ways families learn, play, and build community with us.
Music and Movement at St. Louis Park Library
Our most recent Together We Grow session brought families to the St. Louis Park Library for a morning of songs, dancing, and hands-on learning with Amanda from MacPhail Center for Music.
Mr. Tony, our Associate Supervisor, shared, “Amanda did a wonderful job engaging both the families and the children. She led the group through songs, dancing, and activities with egg shakers and scarves. Parents had the opportunity to interact closely with their children, which created a fun and meaningful learning experience.”
Each family brought home a resource bag that included materials on music and movement, a children’s book, and an art activity. Several families also signed up for library cards before heading out. Way to Grow knows that when families learn and play together, children thrive. We are grateful to Amanda, MacPhail, and St. Louis Park Library for hosting.
Richfield Family Game Night:
Play That Builds Skills
Our Family Game Night in Richfield brought children and families together for an evening full of laughter and friendly competition. Families played Spot It and Guess in 10, danced through rounds of Freeze, and took on an obstacle course created by our Family Educators. The room was energetic and welcoming.
Family Educator Ms. Marli shared, “Everyone felt really united, no matter what language we spoke.” Way to Grow knows that play builds more than skills. It builds community.
Thank you to the Richfield Community Center for hosting and to Rayito de Sol for joining us and tabling at the event. We loved seeing families connect, try new games, and learn together.
Give to the Max Day
Give to the Max Day filled us with gratitude. Our community liked, shared, forwarded, gave, and cheered us on.
Together, we raised over four thousand dollars in support of children and families across the Twin Cities. Every contribution strengthens our Great by Eight programming and fuels the steady support families count on. Thank you for showing up and believing in families.
Want to join us at an upcoming event? Learn more about our family programs or enroll your family today.
