Play and Learn meets on Tuesdays from 10-11:30 at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center in Maple Falls. All children 0-5 and their caregivers are welcome. Free, and no registration required: just drop in and play!

Coming Up:

Tuesday March 17: No Play and Learn

April and May: Play and Learn Hiatus

Play and Learn will be on an extended pause from April 7 through May 26, returning on Tuesday June 2. Some alternative family play dates are being arranged, and communication about that will happen via phone/text. Please make sure you share your phone number on the contact sheet at Play and Learn before the end of March. Thanks for your understanding!

Introducing East Whatcom Play and Learn: Baby & Me!

Starting June 2, We will have a dedicated baby group every week on Tuesdays from 12:30-2 pm! Baby & Me is for babies 0-12 months (pre-walkers). For adults, it is a time to connect with other caregivers and talk about joys, concerns, and needs of ourselves and babies. For babies, it is a time to play, feed, or sleep, whatever arises. Infants are still welcome at Tuesday morning Play and Learn, but our baby time is a time for conversation and connection in an environment just for babies.

More details to come, but feel free to email your questions, or ask Allie!

What Have We Been Up To?

Fine motor development requires interaction with materials that kids can change and manipulate. Kids are motivated to use fine motor movements and challenge themselves to do hard things when they’re interested in the materials!

Fine motor skills develop bit by bit: a baby gripping a toy is getting ready to grasp a spoon to feed themselves; a toddler exploring play dough is on the road to writing skills.

This video breaks down the progression of the development of fine motor skills, and the windows when you might expect to see those milestones.

Caregiver Corner

All day, every day, your child’s brain is developing! The Harvard Center on the Developing Child shares games you can play with your child in everyday moments to boost brain-building.

Another great resource for brain-building play in everyday moments the Vroom youtube channel.

Need more parenting support? Ask your questions at Play and Learn, or reach out to allie_bishop@oppco.org. We can connect you with community resources, information about child care, assistance with basic needs, and much more.