CFCE programs are locally-based programs in your community that provide child development services and resources to families with young children. This program is funded by the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant awarded to CTI by the Department of Early Education and Care

Servicing Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, and Wilmington

January Newsletter

Coordinator's Corner

Happy New Year!

Now that it's officially winter time, it can be harder to find space and time for gross motor activities. Gross motor activities have loads of benefits to Child Development, including emotional regulation, increased independence skills, better sleep, and more! Consider how your kids are developing their upper body, lower body, and core muscles with these activities. Try and observe how they move, push and travel through their spaces during these activities, and you might be surprised to see how they learn! Here are some ideas you can try at home!

Laundry Basket Luge

Some kids love to move things around the house. The carrying and traveling skills they learn from this practice can be really engaging and build lots of gross motor skills. I love to encourage this using some of their favorite items inside a laundry basket or large cardboard box. Make the laundry basket heavier for an extra challenge.

Bean Bag Toss

Remember that Laundry basket? Set it up and place a line in front of it to stand behind and toss some safe items inside. Tissue and wrapping paper make great balls that are safe to throw indoors. If there's none left, stuffed toys or newspaper work just as well. Throw from further distances for an extra challenge.

More info from United Way

DIY Obstacle Course

Put on your spy outfits and get ready to avoid some obstacles! Get involved!- Preschool age kids (3-5 years old) tend to love setting up an obstacle course almost as much as they love to travel through one. Use what you have available to meet your needs. We love to use the couch cushions (flipped over for less mess), yarn, painters tape, streamers, hula-hoops, butcher's twine, sheets and lots more. Use your imagination while setting things up and have lots of fun!

Looking for more activities to do at home? Send us an email and we'll give you more ideas

Check out this month's workshop!

Toddler Tips & The Art of Distraction

When: Wednesday January 15th, 1:30-2:30

Where: Parker Avenue Early Learning, 77 Parker Avenue, Dracut MA

(If you’d like to attend in person, please email me in advance)

We'll talk about tantrums, their

causes, prevention, and solutions.

We encourage parents to share their

expierence and ask questions. Can’t

wait to see you there!

Visit our Website

"Where can I find your Playgroups?"

Look at our calendar for more information about when we will be in each of the towns we service, and feel free to join us whenever you are able.

Don't miss out on our Parent Workshops or other Events! Follow the link to our website and click on our Activities Calendar!

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Wilmington Memorial Library

10:00-10:45

Chelmsford Public Library

10:00-10:45

Tyngsborough Public Library

11:00-11:45

Billerica Public Library

9:30-10:15

Parker Memorial Library in Dracut

10:00-10:45

Tewksbury Public Library

11:00-11:45

Check out all the events we have planned this month!

Deep Play with Jenn Gadbios Tuesday 1/7/25 11:00am at the Parker Memorial Library in Dracut
Music with Dara Friday 1/10/25 at 10am in the Wilmington Memorial Library
Deep Play with Jenn Gadbios Friday 1/17/25 at 10:30 in the Wilmington Memorial Library
Music and More with Bernadette Baird Saturday January 18th at 9:30am at the Parker Memorial Library in Dracut
Music and More with Marybeth Maes Saturday 1/25 at 11am at the Parker Memorial Library in Dracut
Kids N Harmony with James Lepler Tuesday 1/28 at 11am at the Tyngsborough Public Library

Have you seen our Community Flyer around town?

I hope you have! We want to spread the word about our CFCE Playgroups in all of our communities. Want to help share these flyers? Send me an email and I'll send you our latest flyer!

We're looking to have our flyers in spaces that families of young children gather. This includes barbershops, hair salons, places of worship, community centers, coffee shops, local small businesses, anywhere who's interested can learn more.

Send me an email

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Local Family Resources

We're here for everything your family and young children need!

Click on the 'Family Resources' tab to find what you need or contact us to discuss how we can help you and your family!

Want to learn more about your Child's Development?

Take a few minutes to fill out the Ages and Stages Questionnaire ® and one of our team members will follow up with you to discuss your child's areas of strength and development

Learn More

Join our Advisory Council! (please)

Advisory Council Sign up

Chris Cole

77 Parker Avenue

Dracut MA 01826

(978) 418-9306

ccole@commteam.org

CTI's Family Resource Network is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program