i care for children, i am an FFN

For a few years now several agencies in San Antonio have been striving to reach informal caregivers, also known as Family, Friends and Neighbors. Are you an FFN? Click here to find out. Whether the answer is yes or no, we also hope to see you at our play and learn events.

Video: Play and Learn with Little Read Wagon

Our play and learn programs are an opportunity for parents and informal caregivers (also known as family, friends or neighbors) to enjoy fun activities, discover new things about their children, and meet some wonderful people. The 2010 schedule is growing and we can't wait to get started!

August-September Play and Learn Opportunities

Many of us are getting ready to go back to school, but summer is not over! Little Read Wagon will host a play and learn series at the Miller's Pond Community Center for children 5 years of age and younger and their caregivers. The series is every Tuesday, 3:30 - 4:30 beginning August 11 and continues until September 29.

What is play and learn? This is an opportunity for you and your child(ren) to enjoy activities that also help both of you learn. Each week has a special topic such as reading, math, nutrition, self-esteem, etc. You and your child(ren) will learn something about the topic of the week while having lots of fun. We will have a short group time and the rest of the session is for interaction between you and your child(ren).

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Play and Learn at The Neighborhood Place

In July and August Little Read Wagon will hold Para los niños play and learn sessions at The Neighborhood Place.

What is it all about? Fun, learning activities for parents/caregivers and their young children. New activities each week!

Who can come? Children (birth - 5 years old) and the parents, extended family, friendds, or neighbors who take care of them. Older brothers and sisters are also welcome.

Please join us in room 25 of The Neighborhood Place on Wednesdays, July 8 - August 26 at 10:30 a.m.

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Summertime: Time to play and learn

This summer opportunities to play and learn will be everywhere! Little Read Wagon will host another Para los niños series at the Guerra Branch Library. Beginning June 12, children and their caregivers are invited to join us at 10:30 for a story and fun activities. The series will be every Friday until July 31, except July 3.

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Are you an FFN?

Are you an aunt, uncle, grandparent, older sibling, cousin, friend, or neighbor of a young child? Do you take care of a friend, neighbor, or other family member's child(ren)? Then you are a "Family, Friend, and Neighbor" caregiver! FFN's, also known as informal caregivers, are a valuable source of child care and early learning for our children.

The BUILD initiative has a list of resources and research related to FFN care: http://www.buildinitiative.org/content/family-friend-and-neighbor-care

Several organizations in San Antonio are striving to provide support to FFN caregivers through Play & Learn and other workshops. For more information, take a look at the Play & Learn calendar and the fliers attached to it.

Play and Learn some more!

Play and Learn events are available through several organizations in a variety of locations. These sessions are intended for the child and caregiver to participate in together. Contact information for Play and Learn providers is available here or en español.

Para los niños Play and Learn events begin again in January 2009!

Are you a stay at home parent, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, foster parent, relative, friend or neighbor caring for a child younger than 5 years old in your home? Join us for these free and fun events!

Tuesdays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Cortez Branch Library: flyer map
Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the McCreless Branch Library: flyer map
Second Mondays, through August, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Memorial Branch Library: flyer map

Para los niños is a series of learning events created by the Children's Museum of Houston and the Houston Public Library. At each event there is a short storytime, discussion of a child-related theme, and several hands-on activities for the adults and children to do together. The themes are: Raise a Reader, Math at Home, Family Communication, How Your Child Learns, Taking Time / Taking Turns, Healthy Minds / Healthy Bodies, Self Esteem and Loving Limits.

Visit http://www.cmhouston.org/losninos/ for more information about the history of the Para los niños program.