News

We've assembled some take-home craft kits with the types of simple crafts for toddlers and preschoolers that we typically have at our parties and Tot Times. 

Each November kit bag includes materials for one child to make the following crafts:

• Indian corn painting (can use erasers like example, included Q-tips or fingers)
• Pumpkin suncatcher
• Turkey paper plate (You can use a sponge or plastic fork, or the Q-tips, or child's fingers. You'll also need glue for this craft.)
• Fall/Thanksgiving stickers

Note that we have put some plastic baggies with non-toxic red, orange and yellow finger paints in the bin. However, these paints (while good for young kids) do not leave as lasting or bright colors behind as acrylic paints do. We recommend you use acrylic paints if you have any at your disposal. 

The November kits are in brown paper bags. We still have some October kits in there too (in jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat bags)! Kits are available for pickup outside a member's home in Stoneham (near the Redstone Target). Please email pot.president@gmail.com for the address if you'd like to pick some up!

We've assembled some take-home craft kits with the types of simple crafts for toddlers and preschoolers that we typically have at our parties and Tot Times. 

Each October kit bag includes materials for one child to make three or more of the following crafts:

• Count Dracula paper plates
• Cheerio corn on the cob (you'll need to supply the cereal)
• Pumpkin paper plates
• Candy corn paper pasting
• Stickers to decorate pumpkins with
• Halloween themed coloring sheets

Note that crafts may vary slightly by bag and each bag contains a set of crafts for one child. You will require glue and markers/crayons to complete the crafts.

Kits will be available for pickup outside a member's home in Stoneham (near the Redstone Target). Please email pot.president@gmail.com for the address if you'd like to pick some up!

Register for a winter 2019 playgroup by 1/5/19!  Sign up information is here.

Playgroups are one of the many wonderful offerings of Parents of Tots.  These are groups of parents and babies/toddlers who meet regularly for fun, friendship and community building.  They're parents just like you, who are hoping to expand their "village" while encouraging social interaction for their children.  Most of our playgroups are mixed-aged (we have lots of sibling groups participating!); however, we typically form one "baby" group each cycle for families with babies under the age of 1 (no older siblings).  Participating in a "baby" playgroup is a wonderful way to seek peer advice on all the challenges of raising a newborn!

Ready to weed out your books and toys in preparations for new holiday arrivals?  Or is it just time to pass along toys that your child has outgrown?  Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play.  

PoTs is accepting new or used *and in GOOD condition* books and developmental toys for babies and toddlers through January.  Toys must have all the pieces.  Items may be brought to a monthly Tot time, the Halloween Spooktacular, or our winter party in January.

If you're looking to pass along other items (clothes, baby gear, diapers, etc), please consider giving to Mothers Helping Mothers in Malden.  You can contact Karen about donations (781-338-7607).  Donations can sometimes be picked up at your home if drop off would be difficult.

Here are additional resources for passing along items you no longer need:

Melrose Recycle Economy - https://www.facebook.com/groups/165561081032227/ 

Reading Recycle Economy - https://www.facebook.com/groups/306497639938134/ 

Wakefield Recycle economy - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1031877333582280/ 

Playgroups will meet from March through June.  Members, please register (using the below links) by March 1st!

Wednesdays 10am Playgroup (mixed ages)

Fridays 9:30am Playgroup (mixed ages)

Babies Playgroup (day and time will be determined by the group)

Looking for something to do that is FREE, FUN, and FITNESS!  There are still openings for this Saturday’s Music and Movement with Kidzfun at the First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster Street, Melrose hosted by the North Suburban Family Network.   If interested please contact Kathy Harlow (KHarlow@hallmarkhealth.org; 781-246-5187) with the following information:

Phone number and caregiver’s name:

Child/ren’s name and age:

Which session you would like to attend:

Music & Movement with Kidzfun

Saturday, February 3rd (Ages 2 - 5 years) Registration Required

Location: First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster Street, Melrose

Choose one of the following sessions:

9:30-10:00 a.m.

10:10-10:40 a.m.

10:50-11:20 a.m.

Each winter, Theresa McLennan of Kidzfun, brings her enthusiasm and bag of fun to share with the Family Resource Network families. If you have never seen her in action, you are in for a treat. Theresa will conduct a half hour program of music and movement that will

This program is funded by a grant from the Melrose Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council in collaboration with the Melrose Congregational Church.

The Stoneham Rec Department announced their winter programs.  Highlights include a free basketball clinic for kids aged 3 and up on December 16th as well as mom fitness classes and indoor soccer for ages 12 months - 5 years.

The Melrose YMCA also announced their winter session offerings, including swim, soccer, track and field, basketball, ballet, garden and cooking classes for preschoolers.  They also offer pre and postnatal fitness classes.

In anticipation of very chilly weather tomorrow (November 10th), we are relocating our morning meetup from Drumlin Farm to Vinkari Safari in Woburn! Please join us at 9:45! Admission is $10 per child (infants under 7 months are free with a sibling). 

My favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, has arrived!  A special time to enjoy family and friends and celebrate the many blessings of our life, while avoiding much of the commercialization that accompanies so many of our other holidays.

As parents, we are constantly working towards raising polite and appreciative young people.  While many of us may focus on the use of "manner words" (aka please, thank you, you're welcome), it can be a struggle to develop a sense of gratitude in young children, particularly those who live in a society where their basic needs are met.

Head over to our Facebook page to share ideas about how to instill that sense of gratitude in our tots.  We'd also love to hear about any of your thankfulness parenting wins!