Reno Parents Connect, a joint project of early childhood agencies in the Hutchinson area, has a monthly newsletter with both parenting articles and upcoming family activities in the community.
To subscribe, go to www.RenoParentsConnect.org and enter your email address in the designated box on the home page. Or watch HutchPost.com for each month’s issue.
CURRENT ISSUE
Recent News from our Facebook Page
Parenting Perspectives
Don’t underestimate your child — independence can start early in the form of household responsibilities. Here are some age-appropriate ones.
How to Set Limits Without Harshness, Fear or Shame — This article from the Huffington Post gives great tips.
The Five Phrases that Helped Me Survive Mommyhood — So true.
Teaching Children about Money — Great ideas from Tonya Ferguson.
Keeping Parents Healthy
Surviving Anxiety — Parenting is hard enough when you’re not the anxious type. Turns out that many of us deal with quite a lot of anxiety, and this month’s cover story in The Atlantic is an in-depth story about the magazine editor’s own struggles with anxiety.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
***COMMUNITY RESOURCE BOOK AVAILABLE
Early Head Start has an excellent, comprehensive resource book with information about community agencies and organizations. View it here.
***KANSAS WETLANDS WINTER PROGRAMS
Take a day-trip northeast of Great Bend to Cheyenne Bottoms. They’re holding two programs in February for children (target age is 6-12).
Feb. 8 — Masters of the Sky — Explore owl folklore and discover the true wonder of this group of raptors with special appearances by live owls. Participants will create an owl and, for those who want to stay longer, the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet and make a bone chart. Registration deadline February 5.
Feb. 22 — What does the Fox Say? — What do foxes say? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Learn how Kansas’ three species of fox communicate, their fascinating behaviors and if they are really as sly as folklore tells us. Registration deadline February 19.
***COSMOSPHERE OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 9
The Cosmosphere is putting out the welcome mat for the community!
*Complimentary Hall of Space Museum tours
*Test out the Camp KAOS astronaut training facilities
*Get hands-on experience with the collections department**
*Check out Dr. Goddard’s Lab and the Justice Planetarium at no charge
*Enjoy stunning documentaries in the Carey Digital Dome Theater at a reduced price ($6) *Experience a thrilling ride on the naviGATOR flight simulator ($5)
**Limited space available for Collections Department experiences. Please call ahead to reserve your space! (620) 662.2305 or (800) 397.0330.
***PRESCHOOL CLASSES AT HUTCH REC
Wee Toddlers (2-3 yr olds)
This first time away from mommy class is the perfect introduction to pre-school. Wee Toddlers is a one-hour class where our instructors teach group play, how to follow directions, listening, and basic learning skills. Each week includes a different theme that includes crafts, snacks, stories, singing, movement, and games. Enrollment fee includes a teacher and aide in each class. Potty training not required! No class the week of March 24 for Spring Break during the Spring Sessions.
Fee: $63
8:30 A.M. SPRING: March 5-April 23 Wed. 8:30-9:30 a.m. KLAC
10 A.M. SPRING: March 5-April 23 Wed. 10-11 a.m. KLAC
Instructor: Lindsay Powell
Wee Wigglers (3-5 yr olds)
Our once-a-week preschool class is the perfect stepping stone for little ones as they prepare for a more formalized preschool or kindergarten setting. Miss Lindsay teaches basic number and letter skills, as well as listening and following directions through different themes each week. Children will participate in crafts, music and movement, story time, and much more! No class the week of March 24 for the Spring Sessions.
Fee: $63
TUES. SPRING: March 4-April 22 Tues. 9-11 a.m. KLAC
THURS. SPRING: March 6-April 24 Thurs. 9-11 a.m. KLAC
Instructor: Lindsay Powell
Amazing Art – Preschool Sessions (4-5 yr olds)
Have your preschooler join us each month for a fun arts and crafts time. Different themes are featured each month – sign up for one or all three!
Fee: $10
FEB: Feb. 5 Wed. 1:30-2:30 p.m. KLAC
MARCH: March 12 Wed. 1:30-2:30 p.m. KLAC
Instructor: Lindsay Powell
Athletics Start Smart – Preschool (3-5 yr olds): Deadline – March 7
Start Smart sports development program is designed to help children (ages 3-5 yrs old) and their parents prepare for organized sports without the threat of competition or the fear of getting hurt. The program instructs parents and kids together on the proper techniques for each of the basic motor skills: throwing, kicking, catching, and hitting. Deadline to register for Start Smart is March 7.
Fee: $26
March 22-April 19 Sat. 10-11 a.m. ECC gym
***DILLON NATURE CENTER PRESCHOOL CLASSES
Wild Wednesdays – Winter & Spring Session (3 1/2-5 yr olds)
Preschoolers will enjoy this nature-based program that will work on kindergarten readiness skills. Children will learn about nature, the alphabet, shapes, time, math skills, work on fine motor skills, and best of all – spend time outdoors.
Fee: $65/DNC Member: $52
Jan. 8-Feb. 19 Wed. 8:30-10 a.m. DNC
March 5-April 16 Wed. 8:30-10 a.m. DNC
Those Silly Squirrels (3 1/2-5 yrs old)
Squirrels sure are adorable and crafty little guys, aren’t they? Preschoolers will love learning about the antics of squirrels and watching them outdoors. We’ll read a book and make a cute squirrel craft to take home.
Fee: $10/DNC Member: $8
Feb. 25 Tues. 9-10 a.m. DNC
***WIZARD OF OZ FEBRUARY 13-16
Catch the latest Family Community Theater production at Memorial Hall.
***IMAGO THEATER PRESENTS FROGZ FEBRUARY 22
This magical, family-friendly spectacle combines mime, dance, music, and special effects with elaborate human-sized costumes that will thrill and delight both young and old Tuesday, February 25, 2014, 7:30 PM. Tickets $35, $30 and $25. Student tickets $25, $20 and $15. For more information visit www.hutchinsonfox.com. or call 620-663-1981.
***SPACE OUT SATURDAY
February 22
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Adventure awaits for young space explorers! This FREE family-friendly day of activities provides exciting, educational fun for all. Sing, dance and imagine at StoryTime. Create an edible science project at Explorer’s Workshop. Travel through time on the Space Trek. There’s something for everyone, and it’s all FREE! For more information visit www.cosmo.org or call 800-397-0330.
***OODLEPLEX AT RENO COUNTY MUSEUM — GREAT PLAY PLACE FOR COLD DAYS
The Oodleplex is an interactive area for children 2-12 years old. Children can play dress up and engage in interactive activities while using their imaginations. The Reno County Museum is located at the corner of Walnut and Avenue A.
***KANSAS KIDS MUSEUM AT THE HUTCHINSON MALL
Kansas Kids is more than a museum …it’s learning through discovery. Enjoy hands-on family activities, science and life skills, field trips & birthday party ideas. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5.
***STORY TIME AT THE HUTCHINSON PUBLIC LIBRARY
TODDLER TIME
(for 2-year-olds accompanied by an adult)
9:30-10am and 10:30-11am each Tuesday
January 21 — Let It Snow
January 28 — Home Sweet Home
February 4 — A Rainbow of Colors
February 11 — Happy Valentine’s Day to Family & Friends
February 18 — Cats & Other Pets
February 25 — I Feel Sick
March 4 — How to Get From Here to There (transportation)
March 11 — A Hat on My Head
March 18 — Spring Is in the Air
March 25 — Dinosaurs
April 1 — Jump, Frog, Jump
April 8 — In the Deep Blue Sea
April 15 — Lambs, Bunnies & Chicks
April 22 — Rain, Rain, Go Away
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME
(for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds)
Wednesdays at 9:30-10:30am, and Thursdays at 9:30-10:30am and 1:45-2:45pm
January 22 & 23 — Let It Snow
January 29 & 30 — Home Sweet Home
February 5 & 6 — A Rainbow of Colors
February 12 & 13 — Happy Valentine’s Day
February 19 & 20 — Cats & Other Pets
February 26 — Doctors & Dentists [NO programs on February 27]
March 5 & 6 — Transportation
March 12 & 13 — A Hat on My Head
March 19 & 20 — Spring Weather
March 26 & 27 — Dinosaurs
April 2 & 3 — Leap, Frog, Leap!
April 9 & 10 — Under the Sea
April 16 & 17 — Lambs, Bunnies & Chicks
April 23 & 24 — Some of Our Favorite Stories
***IMAGINATION LIBRARY: FREE BOOKS FOR RENO COUNTY KIDS
Free books for all Reno County children 0-5! The United Way of Reno County is partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to send a library of up to 60 books (one per month from birth to 5) to children in a Reno County zip code. We hear kids absolutely love getting a special gift in the mail each month. Sign up at the link below, and pass the info along to anyone with a baby, tot or pre-schooler. We know there are about 4,000 kids under 5 in Reno County, and so far only 1800 have signed up. http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/
***TEXT4BABY: TIPS FOR MOMS AND MOMS-TO-BE
Reno County just received a grant to help promote Text4Baby, a service sponsored by Johnson & Johnson that sends texts with tips based on your baby’s age. Simply sign up with your due date and zip code at https://text4baby.org/.