Little Explorers begins next month
The City’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts multiple programs throughout the year for young children and their families. (Stock photo)
By Steve Van Kooten
Kids and their parents can rejoice because the Little Explorers program will return to Hoffman Hall on Sept. 9 and run all the way through April 30 next year.
Sara Ross, who has run both Little Explorers and Tot Lot for the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for the past four years, announced that the program will again be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-10 a.m. at a cost of $2 per child over one year old. Programming is geared towards children five and younger.
On Tuesdays, kids can participate in a craft and free playtime, and later in the week, guest speakers and visitors will stop by to teach kids about a wide variety of subjects.
“We had a tow truck last year, a garbage truck a couple of years ago, a tractor and a street sweeper. I usually have the UW-Extension come in and do some education and fun things,” said Ross. “I even have community members and let them do whatever they’re good at.”
Ross invited an amateur astronomer, school buses and members from Special Olympics this past year. She’s had many guests come by, often bringing with them new things for the kids to — as the name would imply — explore.
This year, the program will welcome Parks and Recreation Director Mike Wallace (Sept. 11), the UW-Extension to talk about opening savings accounts for children (Sept. 18) and the Department of Public Health to talk about teeth health (Sept. 25), among many others.
Little Explorers gives preschool-age and younger children the chance to spend time with their peers and begin working on skills they’ll need when they go to school, such as listening, sharing and sitting still — even if it’s just for a little bit.
“The kids are little enough that sometimes their sitting time isn’t great,” said Ross. “When we have a presenter, the kids don’t always sit for very long, and that’s okay. They sat for two minutes. Next time it will be for three. That’s the point of teaching them these readiness skills for school.”
Another reason for parents, grandparents and guardians to attend is finding their social group. Sometimes, adults need to talk to other adults and get a break from the rigors of child-rearing (otherwise, the term “age-appropriate” language takes on an entirely different meaning). Despite what it might sound like, these groups aren’t just for kids.
“I found out through speech therapy about the group,” said Cheyanne Hackett. “My daughter had a speech delay, and she needed interaction with other children. I said we’d try it out, and, as a stay-at-home mom, I didn’t realize how much I needed to talk to adults.”
Those interactions are especially critical for young parents, who can talk with other parents to troubleshoot problems and get reassurance that they’re neither the only ones dealing with a challenge nor the first ones to encounter it.
“After the first day, I said, ‘I needed that.’ We were able to bounce things off of each other, like potty training ideas,” said Hackett.
Ross also expressed gratitude to the local schools, Crossing Rivers Health and local families.
“We have lots of people donating things, and it’s greatly appreciated,” she said. “For the kids to have a great experience, it’s amazing.”
Cancellations will be announced on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page and will follow school cancellations as well. The Facebook page will also have pictures and theme announcements throughout the year.
