GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (ABC 4)- Laughter, joy, and excitement fill the halls of Kent City Elementary School, and it’s for a fantastic reason!
Kent County families with children under 5 can participate in the Bright Beginnings Program.
Bright Beginnings is a free “Parents as Teachers program that promotes young children’s early development, learning, and health by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers,” a description on Kent ISD’s website reads.
In the program, kids and parents can interact with one another, engage in immersive activities, including a sensory bin, creativity station, and literacy station, and learn of fun activities to try at home.
Furthermore, the program also offers personal home visits, a Baby Buddies Group, developmental screenings, playgroups and field trips.
“Everything is purposeful,” Marlene Raffler, Bright Beginnings parent educator, said. “We know that kids learn through play. It is the work of childhood.”
Alongside the Bright Beginnings Program, Kent ISD offers a Great Start to Quality Resource Center, which connects families with Child Care Navigators to help identify the best childcare options.
This service is offered for free and is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to all.
>>> Learn more in Maranda’s featured segment.
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