Parent programming is a significant part of your experience at Anchor Center. Meeting other parents, grandparents, and caregivers is an important part of your parenting journey. For those of you in the Infant and Toddler program, parenting information, education and support will be part of every center as you work with Anchor staff on developing your child’s strength and potential. Parent Centers are held twice a month and will address child development as well as unique challenges specific to parenting a child with special needs.
Once a month there are Parent Pull-Out sessions in the Community Room during which your child will be cared for by Anchor Center staff and volunteers during regular Infant time and Toddler time. Topics range from literacy and language, to sleep challenges, alternative medicine, sensory issues, development and behavior, and navigating the care and educational systems outside of Anchor Center. Three or four times a year there will be Diagnostic Groups to allow you the opportunity to learn and share information specific to a particular diagnosis or overall topics pertinent to all of our parents. Diagnostic Groups are from 11:15 to 12:45 and registration is required as volunteers will care for the children.
The preschool parents, caretakers and alumni meet once a month for a Coffee Time in our Community Room. These coffees are generally the first Tuesday of each month from 11:30 to 12:30 a.m. for morning classes, and 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. for afternoon classes. These coffees are open discussions providing support and friendship for parents. Often teachers of the visually impaired from local school districts or other professionals from the field of visual impairment will join our coffees.
Whether you feel you have much to learn or already have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share; we hope you will participate in our parent groups. We have made them an ongoing vital part of who we are and have learned over the years that you are each others’ best support! Please contact your teacher of the visually impaired or any of the Family Program team, Kivanc Ozer-Afsar, Carol Puchalski or Karen Roberts for further information.
The following dates and topics have been scheduled for the 2011-2012 school year and are subject to change depending on availability of speakers.
Infant and Toddler Parent Pull-Outs
(Preschool parents can attend but must check with Kivanc regarding childcare)
Thursday December 1: Dr. Kara Hanson, Low Vision Specialist with the Lions Institute will discuss what is new in the arena of low vision devices and what services and equipment are available for your child. This Diagnostic Group is at a special time - 10 a.m. to 11 a.m in the community room. Register for childcare with Kivanc. From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. we will have coffee and donuts, conversation and relaxing in the parent lounge.
Tuesday December 6: Preschool and Alumni Parent Coffee from 11:30 to 12:30 and 1:15 to 2:15 in the community room. Join us for casual conversation as we laugh, cry and share together! Bring your favorite holiday snack to share!
Saturday December 10: Let’s Hear It for the Dads! Back by popular demand--veteran Anchor Center dads share the good, the bad and the ugly—but it is always fun! The dads panel will be held for all parents from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by 3.5 hours of respite care (from 12:30 to 3:00)—do your holiday shopping, get some lunch, have some down time…advanced childcare registration required with Kivanc by December 2 and parents will need to provide lunch for their children from 11 to 11:30 prior to leaving the building. From 2 to 3 the children will be treated to special holiday entertainment and parents are expected back to Anchor Center by 3 p.m. for pick up.
Tuesday January 3: Preschool Alumni Parent Coffee from 11:30 to 12:30 with school district TVI, Nancy Cozart and 12:30 to 1:30 with school district TVI, Nancy Knight.
Wednesday January 11: Anchor Center moms who have organized fundraisers on their children’s behalf will share strategies and lessons learned. To be followed by a guest speaker on alternative therapies.
Wednesday February 8: Yawn…sleep…join Anchor Center Developmental Psychologist Carol Puchalski as we explore solutions to an all too common problem among our children.
Wednesday March 14: Join popular guest and blind adult Bill West as he shares his journey.
Wednesday April 11: Fun with Books—How All Our Senses Can Engage in Reading! -- TVIs Paula Landry and Sarah Bickford
Wednesday May 9: “Hi! I’m Me!” How Communication Develops as our Children Grow – Carolyn Rickard and Carol Puchalski
Wednesday, June 6: Join other Anchor Center parents for breakfast as we support one another and celebrate the end of a wonderful year!
Preschool and Alumni Coffee Times
All coffees are scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month if there is school. Sibcare is offered; please register your child(ren) with Kivanc ahead of time. Coffee times are 11:30 - 12:30 for morning classes and 1:15 - 2:15 for afternoon classes. Mark your calendars for the following coffee dates: August 16, September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6, January 3, February 7, March 6, April 10, May 1, June 5. The conversation focuses on the transition from Anchor Center to neighborhood schools and is a great opportunity to meet alumni parents and get to know other preschool parents better.
A preschool diagnostic group featuring Dr. Kara Hanson, Low Vision Specialist with the Lions Institute is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 at 10 a.m. Learn what is new in the arena of low vision devices and what services and equipment are available for your child. Register with Kivanc for childcare.
Diagnoses Groups 11:15 - 12:45
(Please contact Kivanc to register for childcare if your child is not in regular programming.)
Wednesday February 22: TBD
Monday April 23: The “Science” of Floortime: What’s It All About? - Sarah Bickford
Toy Exchange
The annual toy exchange is scheduled for Tuesday May 1, and Wednesday May 2. Books, motivating toys and gently used therapy equipment are all welcomed…no clothes, stuffed animals or cassette tapes please. Donations can be brought to Anchor Center after spring break.