Playgroups

1st Tuesday, 3rd Thursday and 4th Friday of the month (September 3 – December 3), 9:30-10:30 am
An open interactive group for parents and children ages 0-5 using books and activity stations centered around themes. Come and play with your child while interacting with other parents in our safe and fun playroom! Explore different toys, gain ideas to try at home, make new friends, or bring friends to share in the fun! Facilitated by OFS Parents as Teachers staff.

Let’s Play to Learn

9:30 – 10:30 am

• • • Tuesday, September 10          1-2 year olds       Sensory Music and Movement
    • Tuesday, September 17          3-5 year olds       The Very Hungry Caterpillar
    • Monday, October 28                0-5 year olds       Silly Songs with Mr. Smith
    • Wednesday, October 30          0-5 year olds       Halloween Fun – activities, crafts & trick or treating
    • Friday, November 15               3-5 year olds       Things that Move
    • Wednesday, November 20      1-2 year olds       Sensory Music and Movement

  Learn ways to stimulate your child’s learning and creativity through these fun, play based workshops. They provide great bonding time as parent/caregiver and child will participate together. All sessions are planned for the specific ages listed. Facilitated by OFS Parents as Teachers staff. Registration closes 2 business days before each session so register early! Limited free childcare available for children outside designated age group.

Polar Express Pajama Party

Thursday, December 19, 9:00 – 11:00 am
For parents/caregivers and children age 0-5 years old. Stop in anytime between 9:00 and 11:00 at this Open House for some holiday fun. Come visit Santa plus enjoy holiday activities, games and crafts. Feel free to wear your pajamas!

OFS Book Club

Tuesdays, September 17 – October 1, 6:00-7:30 pm

NEW

OFS Mindful Mondays

Mondays, September 23 – October 14, 10:00-10:45 am
This is for parents/caregivers to participate WITH their 1-4 year old child. Mindful Mondays will get you and your little feeling zen together. We’ll start with a Word of the Day and read an adorable book focusing on topics like mindfulness, emotions, and building life skills. Then we will bring the social-emotional lesson to life – adults and children will be guided through a short and engaging mindfulness activity followed by a 15-minute light, beginner yoga practice.

Anxiety Management and Self-Regulation

Thursday, September 26, 6:00-7:30 pm
As a parent or caregiver, how do we support someone who is struggling with anxiety? What’s the difference between ‘normal’ situational anxiety and something more? Join Dr. David Eichenhofer, Ph.D. of Eichenhofer Psychological Services, in learning about anxiety in children. We’ll discuss how to recognize symptoms and how your child may be affected in their day-to-day life. Dr. Eichenhofer will discuss various types of anxiety as well as strategies for both parent and child to ease challenging situations. Free limited childcare is available.

The Incredible Years

Tuesdays, October 1 – November 19, 6:00-7:15 pm
This is an evidence-based parenting program designed to help promote the social, emotional, and academic success of kids ages 2-10. Parents learn how to prevent, reduce, and treat emotional challenges in children through a positive and nurturing approach. The course introduces developmentally appropriate and consistent responses to increase children’s self-esteem, reduce conflict in the home, and promote a strong and healthy family. Facilitated by OFS staff. Free limited childcare is available.

Rainbows

Mondays, October 21 – January 20 (NO SESSION on December 23 or 30), 6:30-7:30 pm

The Cost of Caring: Pushing Against Compassion Fatigue

Thursday, October 24, 6:00-7:30 pm
When caring for a child or parent with complex needs, there is an inevitable cost. We feel immense empathy for those we love when we see them struggling, often resulting in our own stress and burn out. This presentation aims to identify strategies to reduce compassion fatigue, increasing our ability to continue to care for the ones we love. Facilitated by Dr. Melissa Nelson, Licensed Counselor at North Shore Center, LLC. Free limited childcare is available.