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Let’s talk, read and sing about BOOKS! Books build connections. That’s why it’s important to read with your little one every day. March is NATIONAL READING MONTH. Challenge yourself to read with your child everyday.
For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING
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Kindergarten Readiness Goal:
- Copy a triangle, circle, square, and other shapes
- Identify basic emotions of others and their causes
- Match beginning sounds of some words
- Use and respond appropriately to positional words indicating location, direction, and distance (under, over, between, close, far, behind, in front, etc.)
- Explore drama through actions and language
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Cooking Matters Recipe:
HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS
15 Minutes 12 Servings
Homemade tortilla chips are easy and quick to make. Ask you little one to arrange the tortilla triangles on the baking sheet. Talk about shapes: What shape was the tortilla before cutting? What shape did we cut them into?
Ingredients:
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cut each corn tortilla into six triangles.
- Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place tortilla slices on baking sheet. Lightly spray the chips with nonstick cooking spray to prevent burning.
- Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 8-10 minutes.
View the Recipe: HOMEMADE CORN TORTILLA CHIPS
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LENDING LIBRARY
The Great Start to Quality Easter Resource Center offers materials and resources to parents to check out at no cost. It includes age-appropriate, hands-on learning materials for children 0-5. It's the same concept as checking out a book from your local library.
Learn more: LENDING LIBRARY
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LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Little Free Libraries are book-sharing boxes where free book exchanges take place. Anyone can take a book or bring a book to share. Our boxes inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges.
Learn more: LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
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IMAGINATION LIBRARY
The Imagination Library program is available to children throughout Saginaw County between the ages of Birth-5 and provides the opportunity for children to receive FREE, age appropriate books mailed directly to their homes.
Learn more: IMAGINATION LIBRARY
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READ ASSOCIATION OF SAGINAW COUNTY | |
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The READ Association of Saginaw County is a local initiative started in 1966 in response to a high correlation between juvenile delinquency, poverty and illiteracy. One out of every three children find reading one of the most difficult tasks that they ever have to master.
READ's mission is to help students improve their reading skills and discover the joy of reading. Primary goals are to motivate children to want to read and to enhance their confidence and self-esteem so that they can read at their respective grade level. READ strives to instill in all children a love of reading and the value of becoming a lifelong reader. A child's ability to read is important to their development to live as happy, successful and productive members of society.
The Read Association of Saginaw County offers the following resources:
- The Carolyn R. Otto Family Literacy Center
- Storytime
- Raising Readers Academy
- READ Mentor Program
- Barton Reading & Spelling Program
- READing STARS
- Special events
Learn more: READ ASSOCIATION OF SAGINAW COUNTY
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TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Talking is Teaching
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HOST STORYTIME AT HOME
PBS Parents
If your child loves storytime at your local library or bookstore, he’ll be excited to have storytime at home too! Though it may be an audience of one, your storytime at home can be just as engaging and interactive. In this article you’ll find a step-by-step guide to creating a storytime similar to those your child has enjoyed at school, the library or bookstore.
View transportation activities, crafts, games and articles: HOST STORYTIME AT HOME
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CARING FOR KIDS: MANAGING SCREEN TIME
University of Michigan Human Resources
"Recognizing benefits and risks as well as seeking strategies for developing healthy limits can help parents and caregivers of children implement intentional practices,” says Christine Snyder, Director of Child and Family Care. “One effective approach is to start early by removing digital media from shared living and play spaces for very young children. By minimizing the presence of screens in the environment, you encourage alternative forms of play, social interaction, and exploration, which are crucial for their overall development.”
Read full article: CARING FOR KIDS: MANAGING SCREEN TIME
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Families with children between the ages of 2 months and five residing in Saginaw County can complete a FREE Ages and Stages developmental screening or a social-emotional screening. Screenings take ten minutes to complete and the results are back within a week. Results tell parents what to expect at each state of development. Often times, early diagnosis can help give a child the best opportunity to reach their potential.
Learn more: AGES & STAGES QUESTIONNAIRES
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One out of every 169 pregnancies ends in stillbirth in the U.S., and that rate is two times higher for Black expectant parents.
The link between fetal movement and a healthy baby is clear, but research continues to uncover more about the importance of tracking baby’s movements. Count the Kicks uses the latest research to help achieve our mission.
Count the Kicks provides free, evidence-based resources for expectant parents to stay informed and monitor their baby’s well-being.
Learn more about: COUNT THE KICKS
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Great Start to Quality
Children learn so much in their first five years. Quality licensed programs, for children 0-12, help children learn, grow, and develop. The foundation is set for children to be successful in school, work, and life when they have a safe place to learn, explore their world, and build relationships. Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find child care that fits their budget and schedule.
Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality rating and improvement system that evaluates the quality of licensed programs, for children 0-12. As a Michigan family, you can use Great Start to Quality as a tool to help you look up and compare early childhood programs to find the best child care. On a scale of one- to five-stars, Michigan child care, preschool, and afterschool programs are scored in different areas, and those scores are combined to give them their Star rating.
Learn More: GREAT START TO QUALITY
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Peer 360 Recovery Alliance exists to serve the diverse recovery communities, their family, friends and allies offering a unified voice and a shared recovery vision. We are building bridges across the gaps between professional treatment services and successful lives in long-term recovery so that no more are lost to addiction.
What is peer support?
- Peer support is an informal gathering of others in recovery; it is a chance to share your experience and strength in recovery with others. It is also a chance to talk about your struggles and get support.
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FREE Online Parenting Classes
Extension Extras Parenting Hour
Tuesdays at 8 - 9:30 PM
March 5 - Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers
March 12 - Talking With Kids About Race
March 19 - Screen Time for Young Children
March 26 - Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss
Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - March-April 2024
Mondays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 2024
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm ET
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
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Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region. | |
SPRING GUIDE - EASTER EGG HUNTS
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STEM PIPELINE - STEM STAYCATION
Spring Break 2024 (March 23 – April 7)
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Prizes are available thanks to donations from Go Great Lakes Bay, the Mt. Pleasant Convention and Visitors Bureau and other regional partners for those who post a picture on Facebook at one of the free events, passport locations or STEM activity listed on the STEM calendar. Simply tag STEM Pipeline (@stempipeline). One picture per location equals one entry and chance to win per post running March 23 through April 7.
Learn more about events: STEM STAYCATION
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January - Playgroup at Thomas Township Nature Center & Preserve | |
March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 - Preschool Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw
DATE: Fridays at 10:30 AM
Drop-in storytime fun! We can't wait to have you join us for stories, music, crafts, games, and more!
Learn More: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
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WHERE: Home Depot, Saginaw
DATE: First Saturday at 9 AM – 12 PM
Join us the first Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops.
Learn more: KIDS WORKSHOP
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March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 - Preschool Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Library, Saginaw
DATE: Saturdays
at 10:30 AM
Preschool Storytime at Zauel
Learn More: PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
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March 2 - Community Youth Day | |
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 - Free Saturdays @ Saginaw Art Museum | | |
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WHERE: Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw
DATE: Saturdays at 12 - 5 PM
In an effort to increase accessibility to the museum, we have extended our regular hours to include Saturday afternoons Noon-5pm starting this week, for FREE! We look forward to welcoming you and yours into our gem of a museum to explore our collection, exhibitions, and gardens.
Learn More: FREE SATURDAYS
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March 2 - Welcome Back the Wildlife: Birdhouse Painting | | |
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WHERE: Butman-Fish Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 2, 3 - 4 PM
Join us in painting and decorating birdhouses to welcome back the wildlife!
Learn More: WILDLIFE BIRDHOUSE
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March 2 - Drop-In Activity: Artwork to Collages | | |
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WHERE: Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, University Center
DATE: March 2 at 1 - 4 PM
Join us anytime on Saturday, March 2 between 1:00pm - 4:00pm for "Artwork to Collages"- a FREE and family-friendly workshop! This workshop is based on Harlem Renaissance Sculptor Richmond Barthé's early arts training and use of easy-to-find art materials in the home like paper, crayon and pencil. Participants will use similar materials to create artworks then collage them into a larger art piece!
Learn more: DROP IN ART
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March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26 - Story Time with Mrs. Emmons | | |
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WHERE: Frankenmuth Wickson District Library, Frankenmuth
DATE: Mondays & Tuesdays
at 9:30 AM & 11 AM
Learn More: STORY TIME
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March 4, 11, 18 & 25 - Kindergarten Boot Camp: Preschool Story Time
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WHERE: Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw
DATE: Mondays at 10:30 AM
This story time is an interactive learning experience that helps preschool aged children strengthen the skills necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten. Story time and activities focus on early literacy and kindergarten readiness skills such as colors, shapes, numbers, counting, letters, and scissors practice. Stories, activities, and crafts are prepared for children ages 3 to 6.
Learn More: TALES FOR TWO
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March 4, 11 & 18 - Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: March 4, 11 & 18 at 10:30 AM
For kids ages 2-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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March 4 - Hoots at Hoyt Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Hoyt Main Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 4, 7 PM
Come join us in the Children's Area at Hoyt Library for Evening Storytime! Enjoy a snack as our overly enthusiastic reader reads a variety of stories with a variety of voices! (and he may even sing if the kids ask him nicely!) Spend an evening with us filled with books, rhymes, and good times! Have a hoot at Hoyt!
Learn More: HOOTS HOYT STORYTIME
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March 5, 12, 19 & 26 - Story Hour | | |
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WHERE: Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport
DATE: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Have fun with stories as Miss Cindy reads and discusses each story. We also sing songs, learn rhymes and fingerplays and make crafts. We promote early literacy by teach the Ready to Read Michigan skills during each story hour.
Learn More: STORY HOUR
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March 5, 12 & 19 - Play to Learn | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Play to Learn: Playgroup at the Library
September 19th-May 14th (with some breaks)
For kids ages 0-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: PLAY TO LEARN
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March 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28 - Tales for Two | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Memorial Library, Saginaw
DATE: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 AM
Come read, laugh, and play at our storytime program designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Our storytime provides active young children and their caregivers with stories, fingerplays and songs based on simple concepts, repetition, and lots of movement. This storytime will engage toddlers while fostering early literacy and fine motor skills development.
Meets Tuesdays, with a repeat of the same program on Thursdays.
Learn More: TALES FOR TWO
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March 6, 13, 20 & 27 - Story Time | | |
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WHERE: Carolyn R. Otto Family Literacy Center, Saginaw
DATE: Wednesdays at 11 AM
Learn More: STORY TIME
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March 8, 15 & 22 - Jumping Jammers | | |
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WHERE: Rauchholz Library, Hemlock
DATE: Fridays at 10:30 AM
Jumping Jammers: Music Time at the Library!
For kids ages 2-5. Drop-ins are welcome!
Learn More: JUMPING JAMMERS
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March 9 - Studio Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Saginaw Art Museum, Saginaw
DATE: March 9 at 12:30 PM
Calling all young museum goers! Join us every second Saturday, January through April for Studio Storytime. Every month will be a new theme, where we read a story and create an art project from 12:30-1:00 PM. The program is geared towards ages 2-5, but all are welcome. Studio Storytime is in partnership with Public Libraries of Saginaw.
Registration is requested, but not required:
STUDIO STORYTIME
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March 12 - Bookmobile Stop | | |
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WHERE: Boys & Girls Club (Stone Elementary), Saginaw
DATE: March 12 at 3:30 - 5:30 PM
The PLOS Bookmobile is coming to the Boys & Girls Club at Stone Elementary School! Children and their friends can bring their Public Libraries of Saginaw library card or sign up for a new card (ID with current address needed), then browse our mobile library to find the perfect book! You can also check out a Chromebook and get help with our digital services.
Learn More: BOOK MOBILE STOP
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March 14 - Preschool Storytime - Sports Hall of Fame | | |
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WHERE: Lowes, Saginaw
DATE: March 16 at 10 AM - 12 PM
Flower Bird Feeder
Gather your mini-DIYers and bird lovers to craft a flower shaped bird feeder. Kid's will learn basic building skills as the create a unique ornament to attract our feathered friends.
Workshops are hosted by our Red Vests are held from 10:00am – 1:00pm, in-store only.
Learn More & Register: LOWES
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March 16 - Together We Read | | |
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WHERE: Hoyt Main Library Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 16 at 2-3 PM
We'd LOVE to have you join us in the Hoyt Children's area for a fun time of stories, jumpy songs, a craft, and a snack!
Learn More: TOGETHER WE READ
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March 20 - Won't You Be My Neighbor Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Hoyt Main Library Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 20 at 4-5PM
Let's celebrate Mr. Roger's Birthday with a special storytime! Kids of all ages are invited to come to Hoyt library and listen to some stories. We'll do a craft, and everyone will leave with something special! Hope you will come and celebrate with us!
Learn More: WONT YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR STORYTIME
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March 23 - Eat, Taste, and Read at Zauel Library's Book Tasting | | |
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WHERE: Zauel Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 23 at 1-3 PM
Let's celebrate reading month with a book tasting event at Zauel Library. You're invited to sample tables of books and try something new from our menu of titles. You just might find a new favorite to take home!
Learn More: EAT, TASTE, AND READ
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March 26 - Pizza & Pages Storytime | | |
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WHERE: Wicke Library, Saginaw
DATE: March 26 at 4:30 PM
Bring the whole family for stories, crafts and PIZZA at Wickes Library! This activity is specially prepared for children ages 2-5, but the whole family is welcome. Please let us know you can be there by calling Wickes Library at (989) 752-3821.
Learn More: PIZZA & PAGES FAMILY STORYTIME
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March 27 - Hands On History | | |
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WHERE: Castle Museum, Saginaw
DATE: March 27 at 11AM - 1 PM
Learn more: HANDS ON HISTORY
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March 28 - Hands On History | |
March 30 - Drop-In Activity: Still Life Drawing | | |
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WHERE: Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, University Center
DATE: March 30 at 1 - 4 PM
Join us anytime on Saturday, March 30 between 1:00pm - 4:00pm for "Still Life Drawings"- a FREE and family-friendly workshop! This workshop is based on Harlem Renaissance Sculptor Richmond Barthé's early arts training in still life drawing. As Barthé honed his drawing skills, he and his mother played games in which they decided to name the people, animals, and insects that he drew.
Participants will draw objects displayed in a still life and create a name to add within the artwork!
Learn more: DROP IN ART
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Visit Great Lakes Bay Parents' KIDS DAILY CALENDAR for a full listing of story times, family/ kid events, and new places to discover in the Great Lakes Bay Region. | | | | |
