Playgroups, Parent Connection, and Family Fun
Great Start Parents
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 24 from 12:30-1:30
Be Part of Great Start Parents!

We will organize for Sidewalk Math, share information about exciting summer events for families, celebrate our Peace Meal Parent Ambassadors, and present our summer beach read relating to postpartum(perinatal) mood disorders. So much to share! Meet new parents and make some social connections. Join us!
Upcoming Peace Meal Solidarity Events
One more meal left!

Registration generally closes when an event is full or at 48 hours prior to the event, whichever comes first.

We are so fortunate to have a team of Parent Ambassadors working diligently behind the scenes on cultural guides for families to take home with their meals!

A landing page for all of these guides will soon be available on the Great Start Kids website.

Be watching for an extra special global cooking class opportunity as part of our Parent Wellness Series!
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Redeemer Lutheran Church, Interlochen
Tuesday, May 24, 5:30-6:15
Prepared meal ready to eat
Our partners this year who helped make Peace Meal Solidarity a reality for families are amazing! Thank you, Partners!

Presbyterian Church of Traverse City
Interlochen Public Library
Advent Lutheran Church
Kalkaska County Library
Kalkaska Head Start/Early Head Start
KAIR
Redeemer Lutheran Church
North Ed Career Tech Center
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
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Upcoming Playgroups
Our 5toONE playgroups now operate with the assistance of an electronic registration process. A listing of all playgroups is also available on our website. Registration links are always available for families to register in advance for all playgroups. In addition to a simple registration for each group, families will complete a 30 second check in upon arrival at any 5toONE event.
THIS THURSDAY
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month
Please register in advance. Health screening done onsite the morning of the group.
THIS FRIDAY
Playgroup will happen the 1st and and 3rd Fridays of the month from 10-11:30, join us for playgroup at Betsie Valley Elementary School. Please register in advance.
THIS FRIDAY-Grand Re-Opening!
Playgroup will happen the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month from 10-11:30, join us for playgroup at Betsie Valley Elementary School. Please register in advance.
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month
Please register in advance. If the the registration form is not accepting responses, we have reached our capacity for this group. Registration at the door on the morning of playgroup will only be available if space allows.
PLAYGROUP THIS WEEK!
Storytime happens each week. Playgroup will happen the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month from 10-11:30, Please register in advance on playgroup weeks only.
More for Parents
Would you like to be one of our pilot sites for Sidewalk Math this summer? We would like to feature 5 towns/cities in our 5 county area who would like to create some temporary public chalk art to promote learning around math concepts and have FUN! Materials and templates are provided. Come to our next Great Start Parents meeting on May 24 to learn more. Lunch is provided!
Breastfeeding Webinar
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The Michigan Breastfeeding Network advocates, educates, and builds community alongside families and organizations for the advancement of an equitable, just, and breastfeeding-supportive culture. They are presenting FREE Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars that launch on the third Tuesday of the month at 8am EST. Webinars are available to watch whenever and wherever for up to 1 year after the initial air date. 
Learn Something New from MSU Extension
Extension Extra’s Parenting Hour

These free online parenting workshops will provide guidance for parents of young children as they navigate the challenges, concerns, and joys of parenting. Participants may register for as few or as many workshops as they wish. The workshops are on Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30PM EST as follows:

 Class dates:
 
 *  5/24/22: Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Infants and Toddlers
 *  5/31/22: Together We Can: Co-Parenting
 *  Class Times: 8:00PM to 9:30PM
 *  Attached are flyers for these workshops
 *  For more information contact Courtney Aldrich at aldric82@msu.edu<mailto:aldric82@msu.edu>
Great Start Parents meets 10 months of the year to build strong families, understanding of the early childhood system, and leadership skills in parents. Our meetings are open to anyone parenting a young child, including grandparents. Lead parents attend most meetings throughout the year and help projects relating to our with our 4 purposes:

  1. Providing a "customer" and "real time" parenting perspective to agencies and organizations in our region.
  2. Educate others about the importance of early childhood.
  3. Support the work of the Great Start Collaborative and 5toONE Project.
  4. Provide information, education, and resources to parents.

Stipends to participate, meals, and unique opportunities tend to arise for those who partake in our work together and we hope you will consider joining us this year.
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