April 2023 - SPRING

Talk, Read, and Sing - Talking is Teaching
Created by Great Lakes Bay Parents - Informing parents since 2012!
You are your child's lifelong teacher.

"Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing" is a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions ... "
LET'S TALK ABOUT SPRING!
Let’s talk about SPRING! Take some time this spring to relax with your little one. On a warm day, talk about the shapes and pictures you see in the clouds! “I see a teddy bear! What do you see in the clouds?” This calming activity will also help build your child’s communication skills. 

Talking is Teaching has tips and resources to help parents talk to their children, even those who are very young. 

Learn More: TALKING IS TEACHING
LET'S TALK TOGETHER
Activities
Let’s talk about SPRING! 

It’s springtime, which means warmer weather, birds chirping, and more! With your child, talk about your favorite part of spring! “I like spring because the flowers start blooming! What do you like about spring?”
Let's Talk About the Earth
Talking is Teaching

April is Earth Month and a perfect opportunity to teach children about the environment. It is a chance to help them appreciate the world around them and make a difference in protecting it. Use this tip sheet to talk, read, and sing with children about
the earth and show them ways we can all do our part to keep it healthy. 

Print & View: EARTH DAY TIP SHEET
Activities & Projects for the Springtime
Scholastic Parents

Decorate your home with colorful springtime butterflies! With your child, drop food coloring onto a coffee filter and watch as the colors blend together! Then, pinch the middle of the coffee filter and wrap it with string or a pipe cleaner to make a homemade butterfly! 
15 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day With Kids
PBS Kids for Parents

“From playing nature bingo to planting a DIY terrarium, these fun (and simple) activities will help point kids back to the wonder of the great outdoors and help you foster conversation about why it’s important for us all to take care of our planet long after Earth Day is over!”

VIEW ACTIVITIES: CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
Calendar of Activities
View & Print: CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
LET'S READ TOGETHER
Recommended Books & Videos
Reading to your child is the perfect way to stimulate and strengthen their developing brain. Did you know that snuggling is also essential for building your baby’s brain? Cuddle up with your baby and read story about SPRING together. Your little one loves snuggling up with you and listening to your voice!

VIEW & PRINT: SPRING BOOKS & VIDEOS
More Book & Video Resources
Visit or Contact Your Local Librarian
ARENAC COUNTY
Au Gres Community Library
989-876-8818

Mary Johnston Memorial Library (Standish)
989-846-6611

Omer Little Eagles Nest Library
989-653-2230
BAY COUNTY
Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library
(Bay City)
989-893-9566 ext. 2111

Auburn Area Branch Library
989-662-2381 ext. 207

Pinconning Branch Library
989-879-3283

Historical Sage Library
Bay City
989-892-8555 ext. 207
LET'S SING TOGETHER
Sesame Street: Spring is Here
Let’s sing about SPRING! 

Spring is finally here and everyone on Sesame Street is so happy that they can't stop singing.  
WHY TALKING IS TEACHING
Talking Positively to Kids About Scary Weather
PBS Kids for Parents
Spring time often brings scary weather. Talking Positively to Kids About Scary Weather has tips on how to ease anxiety.
TALKING IS TEACHING IN OUR COMMUNITY
Bay County Historical Society

DATE: 3rd Thursday at 1:30 pm.

LOCATION: 321 Washington Avenue , Bay City

All little ones (age 0-5) and their adults are welcome to attend PLAYGROUP AT THE MUSEUM! Join us for as we will talk, read, and sing in the galleries. Delta Kids & Michigan Learning Channel will be joining us with a fun STEAM activity. 

Learn More: PLAYGROUP

DATE: April 24 at 9 AM.

LOCATION: 321 Washington Avenue , Bay City


Learn More: STORYTIME
UPCOMING EVENTS & PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES
MSU Extension Webinars
Extension Extras Parenting Hour
WHEN: Tuesdays at 8 - 9:30 PM
April 25 - Positive Discipline
May 2 - Let's Talk: Parent and Provider Communication
May 9 - Unlock the Conversation: Safety from Guns for Parents
May 16 - Young at Art

Online Kinship Caregiver Workshops
May 10 at 7 PM - RELAX: Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers

The Parent Talk System Webinar Series
April 27-June 1 at 7:30 - 9 PM

Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series
Wednesdays, May 10, 17, 24, 31, June 7 at 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
MotherBaby Cafe

DATES: Every Thursday at 10 am - 12 pm

LOCATION: 4101 East Wilder Rd., Bay City

Join other mothers and their children for weekly themes, Question and Answers, and guest presenters. Meetings will be at the Bay City Town Center in the Community Room near Game Stop.
Prizes will be raffled.

Learn More: MOTHERBABY CAFE
Bay-Arenac Great Start Family Network

DATE: 1st & 3rd Wednesday at 4:30 pm.

LOCATION: 583 E. Cedar Street, Standish

Drop in for an evening of fun. Connect with other parents, and learn about upcoming events and local resources. Each family will receive a meal kit to make at home.

Learn More; PARENT NETWORK
STEM Passport

Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport just welcomed four new locations and added search functionality, enhancing STEM opportunities for youth, parents, guardians, educators in the region. 

Learn More: STEM PASSPORT
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STAY INFORMED
*This newsletter was supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0055-01-0090TP0002, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

**Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.