BRANDON TOWNSHIP – To the parents of a 3-year old thoughts of preschool, socialization skills, and separation anxiety are sometimes overwhelming.
To ease the transition, the Oakland Family Services along with the Church of the Nazarene is hosting a program aimed at preschool readiness. Ready Let’s Grow is designed to support and strengthen parent interaction and parental skills management while guiding children into preschool.
“This is a program that has the best of both worlds and I’ve seen wonderful results,” said Kathryn Bell, Oakland Family Services Prevention program supervisor.
“What is so unique about the program is it combines the best of both worlds, which is parent and child.”
The family program is available to children 18 months to 5 years old.
“This program gives kids the opportunity to develop friendship skills, work as groups, separate from their parents, builds trust, and get them ready for preschool,” said Kevin Zoromski, Brandon Parent Group leader.
The eight week program addresses problem solving, negotiating skills, and parent-child interactive activities said Zoromski.
Done in a supportive environment, parents meet for one hour with the parent group leader to discuss and workout the topic of their choice. Children spend this time with a qualified child group leader in a play group setting that enriches self-esteem, encourages imagination, stimulates brain development and enhances creativity. At the end of the session parent and child are united to enjoy craft and painting projects.
Ortonville mom, Rachel Davis and her 3-year old daughter Emily are nearing the end of their third session and Rachel said there has been a remarkable improvement in her daughter’s separation issues.
“It’s been a very beneficial as far as being a parent,” said Davis.
“I’ve definitely seen a huge difference in separation and Emily loves it a lot.”
To learn more about the Brandon Ready Let’s Grow program contact Kathryn Bell at Oakland Family Services, (248) 858-7215, ext. 258.
Next session begins in mid-April 2003.