Summer / Fall Newsletter

Vol. 8, July 2023 - October 2023

This edition features a very successful fundraiser in celebration of Dr. Charles Shoemaker and the start of our yearly programming!


We’ve added a new section to our newsletter featuring a craft idea to do at home with children as well as a list of book recommendations based on our monthly themes.


Thank you for being part of our community of families and for your motivation to be the best and first teacher to your children!


Here is a recap of what we’ve been doing these past few months:


Summer Session



Summer kits sponsored by the FCCP

Popsicles and Playtime

MCOZ and Baby Steps

Middletown Child Opportunity Zone in collaboration with Baby Steps organized a "Popsicles and Playtime" activity. Parents with children 0-5 were invited to attend and make a popsicle stick craft with their children. Participant families received a summer kit sponsored by the Child and Family Services, Family Care Community Partnership (FCCP). Children also received a book and enjoyed a delicious popsicle!

August

Rita Capotosto, Kimberly Remington, Donna Ramos and Cristina Boza at the Fundraiser

Baby Steps Fundraiser

On Sunday, August 27th Baby Steps held a cocktail reception fundraiser at the Elks Lodge in Newport, RI. The guest of honor was Dr. Charles Shoemaker, founder of Baby Steps, who was recognized for his important work in establishing Baby Steps and promoting excellence in education. More than 80 guests - family, friends, elected officials, and supporters- attended the event to help celebrate our honored guest. Special awards were presented to Dr. Shoemaker by both Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong and Rita Capotosto, EBCAP’s Vice President of Family Development. Thank you to all who attended and supported the event!

September

Kezia building a tower during our session

The Value of Play

We started our yearly programming talking about how children learn and the value of play. We talked to parents about focusing on the process of playing, and not the outcome. During play, children imagine possibilities, using their curiosity and testing different results. This is how they learn about the world around them!

Parents had the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas from a simple activity, such as block building. We talked about how we can extend playtime and the role as a parent to promote exploration and children’s curiosity.


We also had a visit from Judy Hall, the Imagination Library Coordinator, who organized a yoga session with the children and shared information about all the great services offered by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

October

Karla McCoin and her daughter Kiara ready to explore the corn maze

Escobar Farm Field Trip

and

Family Goal Setting

This month, we organized our first field trip of the program. Families were invited to Escobar Farm in Portsmouth for a day full of fun activities, including a farm-themed scavenger hunt.


In our Spanish-speaking and Middletown groups, we talked about family goal-setting. Parents were encouraged to set a goal for their household, such as taking a walk as a family once a month or a game-night involving all members of the family.


As a craft, for our Middletown group, we painted and decorated mini pumpkins! Parents received ideas on how to reuse these pumpkins at home to extend their playtime activities with children.

We’d like to remind you that our Middletown group has a new location! You can now attend to our Tuesday morning session at the Middletown Public Schools Administration Building, 26 Oliphant Lane. Take a look at our flyer with the scheduled dates for this group or contact us at babysteps@ebcap.org for more information.


Click here for the flyer

Andrea Ramos, Matthew Silva and their daughter Hannah

Family Spotlight




“Baby Steps educates and inspires us in our efforts to be more involved and engaged in our child’s life. Whether you spend all day with your child or only have a limited time after work, the Baby Steps can give you the tools to make that time more enjoyable for everyone, and help you connect with other parents and children on the same journey. Any family could benefit from and enjoy the program. Thank you, Baby Steps staff!” - Andrea Ramos

Craft to Do at Home

Try this craft to do at home with children!


Open the link below and follow the instructions.


Click here

Book Recommendations

Dear Zoo (lift-the-flap book) - by Rod Campbell.


Young children will love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent – a monkey, a lion and even an elephant!

Windows – by Julia Denos.


Walking his dog at dusk, one boy catches glimpses of the lives around him in this lovely ode to autumn evenings, exploring your neighborhood, and coming home.

Upcoming Sessions

November

Transitions and Routines


Speaker: Dr. Katherine Partridge


November 4th

November 14th

November 16th

November 21st


christmas_wreath_ribbon.jpg

December

Brain Development in Children / Reading Strategies


Guest: Judy Hall


December 2nd

December 5th

December 14th

December 19th

sparkling-snowy-trees.jpg

January

Family Well-Being / Stress management


Guest: Fiddle 'n Fun


January 20th

January 23rd

For more information on our sessions email us at babysteps@ebcap.org or call us at 401-367-2001 Ext. 2226

Thank you for your continued support of the Baby Steps program!


Your generous help and participation makes it possible for Baby Steps to provide a strong community resource to increase early childhood literacy and support family development.

Make a Donation


Baby Steps is a program of East Bay Community Action Program


CONTACT US


babysteps@ebcap.org

Phone (401) 367 - 2001 Ext. 2226


Baby Steps Team

Cristina Boza

Kimberly Remington

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