First Connections

Ages & Stages Playgroups

First Connections offers quarterly developmental playgroups where caregiver and their little ones can gather with same-aged children in a prepared environment with activities designed to support your child's development. Additionally, teachers will read a story and sing familiar songs. Playgroups also offer a time for caregivers to gain insight into their child's unique path to development and address any potential developmental delays. Our staff are trained in early childhood development and would be delighted to speak with you about any concerns during or outside of group.

Quarterly playgroups require advance registration. Please see our quarterly newsletter for a list of upcoming groups.

Mandarin Story Time with Jasmine

• Saturday Morning
• For Ages 2 through 5
• Virtual Groups meet 9:00-9:30 via Zoom
• Occasional In-Person Meet-ups: 10:30-11:30

Ms. Jasmine's popular program includes read aloud stories, language facial exercises, introduction to Chinese characters and pronunciations, and virtual activities. Jasmine Wang graduated from Communication University of China with a Master's Degree in Language Arts and a Certification of Mandarin Grade A. She has 5 years of experience teaching Mandarin, specializing in teaching vocalization, speech, recitation, and debate. She is currently First Connections' ParentChild+ Coordinator. This is a Mandarin immersion experience with one-time registration and weekly Zoom sign-ins. If you would like to be added to this group, email Jasmine: [email protected]

ParentChild+

First Connections offers the ParentChild+ program to local families* through a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care! This free program brings fun and engaging early learning experiences right to your home. Each week a home visitor brings a high quality book or toy that the family keeps. The home visitor models reading, conversation, and play designed to promote language, literacy, and school readiness. Families with a child age 16 to 36 months may apply. This 23-46 week program supports families who cannot easily access traditional playgroups. Lack of transportation, language barriers, multiple toddlers, single parenting, or other circumstances are also considerations for participation.

Any interested family may inquire by contacting Jasmine at [email protected] or texting 978-505-4227.

ParentChild+ has a 40-year track record of supporting early childhood success. Children who take part in this program are well prepared to transition to preschool and kindergarten successfully!

Parent Education

Each month, First Connections offers free virtual parent enrichment classes on a variety of topics to support your parenting journey. Past topics have included:

• Sorry, Not Sorry: Building Social and Emotional Skills
• Choosing a Pre-School
• Navigating the 4th Trimester
• Starting Solids
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten
• Helping Parents Understand and Manage Challenging Behaviors in Young Children
• Potty Training
• Nature Exploration with Young Children
• Pelvic Floor Health - Infant Massage
• The Magic of Co-Regulation

For a list of current offerings, please see our quarterly newsletter.

Ages and Stages Screening

Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) provides reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6. Drawing on parents’ expert knowledge, ASQ has been specifically designed to pinpoint developmental progress and catch delays in young children—paving the way for meaningful next steps in learning, intervention, or monitoring. Please email Ellie, [email protected], for more information.