The Family Resource Centre encouraged families, including their small children, to spend time together in a fun interactive manner at a community play date held at the Sturgis Elementary School on January 29.
"The Sturgis, Preeceville and Endeavour Family Resource Centre is grateful to have received funding from the Community Initiatives Fund to be able to continue to provide support and services to families in the area," said Karolyn Kosheluk, co-ordinator.
"One of our new programs is the Community Play Date in Sturgis,” she said. “This is a monthly event for children six years old and younger that provides an opportunity for the children and their caregivers to develop skills such as literacy, social development and gross and fine motor skills.
Older children are welcome at the program but activities are targeted to younger children, Kosheluk said. Feedback from parents in the area indicated that a monthly event was better suited to their schedules and so the community play date idea was developed.
The first session was held on January 29 and parents were very pleased with it, she said. Children participated in a variety of activities such as reading, crafts, dress-up, puzzles and colouring at various play centres and at a toddler-oriented area.
Music is also an important aspect of the program, she said. Children enjoyed the freedom to explore the different areas as long as they wished, and then a healthy snack was served.
The Come Grow with Me program continues to be offered in Preeceville at the library on Wednesday mornings, she said. This program is similar to the Community Play Date offered in Sturgis but runs weekly. Both programs are held at no charge and are open to all children.
People are invited to check out the centre’s Facebook page for updates and information, she said.
