SEQUIM — It may be the dead of winter, but the First Teacher rooms are full of action, coordinator Patsene Dashiell noticed this week.
First Teacher, a playroom and resource center for families with preschool-age children, is inside the Sequim Community School at 220 W. Alder St. The center is so named because Cynthia Martin, its founder, believes as many do that parents are a child’s first teachers.
Those parents, grandparents and other family members are invited to bring their youngsters in any Monday, Wednesday or Friday to enjoy the toys in the playroom and the basket of free kids’ books. While the children play, parents can take time to talk with one another and browse through the lending library.
More families
“I’ve been thinking lately of how to get more families to come to our room,” said Dashiell, “especially in this weather. We’ve got children’s books to check out, and videos,” as well as books on a variety of parenting topics.
To see families through winter and into spring, First Teacher and its umbrella organization, Parenting Matters, are presenting a slate of no-cost activities and services during the coming weeks:
• Next Friday, Jan. 22, starting at 9:30 a.m., free H1N1 flu vaccinations will be available for adults and children. Parents must phone First Teacher to sign up in advance at 360-582-3428, or phone Parenting Matters at 360-681-2250.
• Also on Jan. 22, at 10:30 a.m., John and Linda Benson will discuss children’s speech and language development and how it relates to discipline. Children are welcome at the discussion.
The Bensons will also preview their free parenting class, “Developing Capable People: Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World.” The course, based on Stephen Glenn’s research on the five skills that help kids deal with life’s challenges, will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 17 through March 24.
While the classes are free, child care is available at $10 per child per evening.
• Every Tuesday is WIC — Women, Infants and Children — day at First Teacher, and mothers are encouraged to visit and learn about the nutrition program. For information about WIC, phone Pam Walker at 360-417-2275.
• Wednesdays are craft days, so kids are invited to come to the First Teacher room to participate at 10:30 a.m.
• Each Thursday, the Parent Connection, a casual group of parents who share experiences and ideas, meets at 10 a.m. Kids are welcome to enjoy the playroom while their parents meet. For more details phone 360-461-9992.
First Teacher also mails parent-education newsletters free to families with preschoolers and school-age kids in Sequim and Port Angeles. To join the mailing list, phone Parenting Matters at 360-681-2250.
Overcoming struggles
First Teacher has had its struggles this school year, since the Sequim School District reduced funding for the program.
But Martin managed to cobble together some grant funding, a cadre of volunteers put on a benefit dinner back in August, and many local donations have come in.
One who recently contributed to First Teacher is Rebecca Redshaw, a local author, playwright and cinema buff who self-published a book of movie reviews in September.
Sofa Cinema: An Easy Guide to DVDs, is available at Pacific Mist Books, 121 W. Washington St. in Sequim and at Port Book and News, 104 E. First St., in Port Angeles for $15.
Redshaw has donated $250 of the proceeds from book sales to the Parenting Matters Foundation and said she’ll keep writing checks as long as the guide keeps selling.
That kind of local backing has been crucial to First Teacher’s health, Martin said. “We’re in pretty good shape for this year. But for next year, we’re looking for what’s going to sustain us.”
As Martin seeks more grant funding and more community support, First Teacher will continue offering free programs to young families.
Bloc Fest
In March, a special program called Block Fest will come to Sequim, Port Angeles and the West End, she said.
Block Fest is an indoor educational game in which kids — and their grown-ups — play with building blocks of many sizes, kinds and colors. It’s geared toward children from 8 months to 8 years old.
Dates and times for the Block Fests across Clallam County are to be announced, and First Teacher will provide a training session for those who want to volunteer during the games, Dashiell added.
To learn more about the Block Fest concept, visit www.blockfestwa.org.
For news on First Teacher activities, see www.ParentingMatters.org.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladaily news.com.
