Angela Beck, family engagement specialist with Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster's first Thrive to Five program and CrossNet Ministries in New Holland, has been holding seasonal Play & Learn gatherings for a while, but the summer series will be special.

"Over the summer, we will do kindergarten readiness," explained Beck, who noted that Jen Watson, assistant director and youth services coordinator with the ELANCO Area Library, will run the sessions, which will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays, July 11 to Aug. 1, on the second floor of the library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland.

"The Play & Learn in partnership with Parents as Teachers will focus on developing kindergarten readiness skills in ages birth to 5, from gross and fine motor skill development to color and letter recognition," said Watson, who added that the aim is to "give participants hands-on activities to foster these skills," as well as resources, which will help continue to develop the skills throughout early childhood. "Our goal is to promote early literacy in local children and support their success in kindergarten and beyond," she said. Watson plans to provide a variety of educational opportunities at each Play & Learn, along with take-home activities for parents and caregivers.

Activities generally include those that promote hand-eye coordination in young children, who also work on learning shapes and colors. "We do finger plays with rhymes such as 'This Little Piggy,'" said Beck, who also mentioned "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and songs that include the opportunity to teach some sign language.

Beck explained that the Play & Learns benefit local families with young children in a number of ways. "Parents can meet each other and talk and build community while children interact with each other," said Beck. "Parents learn from each other and observe their children with other children."

Beck mentioned that the developmental activities also coordinate with a theme. "In the spring one, we did spring activities such as bird watching; we made bird feeders," said Beck. "We did motor skill activities such as making flower bouquets, painting, and coloring." Looking ahead, Beck is planning activities for children who will not be heading to kindergarten this year. "In the fall, we are looking at apple counting and tasting and pumpkins," she said. "I would love to get some animals in."

When Beck is not hosting Play & Learns, she is working with parents during home visits under the Parents as Teachers program. "We partner with parents to share age development information," said Beck of the program, which receives referrals from various outreach programs, CrossNet, and health insurance organizations. "We help (parents) learn to observe how their child is developing, and we help them with parenting skills," added Beck, who noted fostering parent-child interaction and recommending intentional actions parents can take to help children develop are key components of the program. "We (also) help find resources for families," she added. Beck explained that once she receives a referral, she reaches out to the family to explain the program. "We schedule an intake, and they get one to two visits a month," she said. Beck does home visits in the Ephrata Area School District as well as in ELANCO, currently visiting 13 families on a regular basis. "I would love to connect with others," she stated.

In addition to home visits, Beck coordinates yearly developmental and health and vision screenings for enrolled children. "We do that to see where their growth and abilities lie and to see if any of them require early intervention or referrals to S. June Smith Center or IU13."

Beck started in her position in early 2024. "It's been amazing," she stated. "CAP and CrossNet have been very supportive of this position, and I have learned a lot." Since she started, the Play & Learn program attendance has grown. "Our last Play & Learn had a full roster," she noted, stating that at her first event, only two families attended, but that 21 families registered and 14 attended the most recent session on a regular basis. "It's been a great change," she said.

More information about upcoming Play & Learns may be found by searching for "CrossNet Ministries Participants" on Facebook or by picking up a flyer at the ELANCO Area Library. Families that wish to participate in the next Play & Learn session are asked to register ahead by emailing abeck@caplanc.org.