The LAVC Family Resource Center

Wondering what to do this summer?

We love going to the Hollywood Bowl during the week for their children’s music series. It’s a great place to listen to music, maybe do some of the post-concert art activities and bring a picnic. 

There are so many free and low cost great things to do on weekends as well. We love going to Mother’s Beach for the day  - shallow calm water, good parking and picnic tables…and SHADE! 

We are now enrolling for our Infant & Toddler 2013 Summer Session for you and your child (newborn to 30 months old)!

The playgroups will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm from June 11th to August 15th. 

The enrollment fee is $10 and the summer parking pass is $5.

Pre-registration is required. To register, please follow the instructions provided below:

1) Go to http://lavalley.augusoft.net

2) Click on courses on the left hand side

3) Under the Play column, click on Just for Kids

4) Select Infant & Toddler Playgroups

5) Complete the required registration information

We all know that toddlers don’t share…but some of us don’t know they CAN’T share. Sometimes it’s so hard to take a deep breath and just delight in their ability to think the world revolves around them!

But…there is hope on the horizon….they grow up! Here’s a link to an article in the LA Times that will help put it all in perspective.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! The Story Pirates is a great family show! They have a new show that looks like it’s great for older toddlers and young preschoolers, and fun for adults as well.

The Geffen Playhouse is charming…it’s easy to get to in Westwood …and it’s surrounded by inexpensive family-friendly restaurants.

Staying with our theme of the importance of everyday events for families  having fun together…this beautiful image says it all!

We can all share in the absolute pure ecstasy this child is experiencing as she “helps” bake cookies!

For those of you who like to know what your child is learning: you’re building your relationship with each other, developing language skills as you chat together….and as she cracks, measures, pours, spills and blends…she’s learning parts, wholes and how matter changes… I could go on and on about the value and fun of cooking together!

If you are enrolled in Parenting 20CE and bringing your baby to playgroups …read on!!!!

Every Thursday morning (before playgroups) Lisa is available to meet with you privately to answer questions and discuss whatever you want. No questions are too big or too small!!!

In case you don’t know:

Lisa Brauer, M.A., M.F.T., is a psychotherapist and child development specialist with a thriving private practice in Los Angeles.  Both in private practice and in agency settings, Lisa offers parent education, play therapy, and case collaboration support. In her work with children, Lisa stresses a team approach and interfaces with a team of early interventionists. Lisa has taught workshops for LAUSD, Jewish Family Service and LAVC with an emphasis on understanding unique developmental patterns of children with special needs. As part of her commitment to young children, Lisa has worked to bring increased awareness and improve the quality of training provided to college students entering special needs work force.  Ms. Brauer has been trained in the Touchpoints Approach from the Harvard-based Brazelton Touchpoints Center.

You must make an appointment directly with Lisa via email . You may bring your child with you and she can play while you chat. 

lisabrauer2@gmail.com

Though the morning playgroups filled quickly, afternoon playgroups still have spaces! Bring your child (up to 3 years old) for play and socialization! Meet other parents and have fun!

Playgroups are held Monday and Wednesday 2:30 - 3:30 at the LAVC Family Resource Center.

Call 818 778 5612 for more information.

I’ve recently gotten a few questions from parents who are wondering when and how to introduce museums into their children’s lives. Clearly this photo shows how inspiring art is for young children!

So - when - whenever YOU feel like going to a museum. Your babe-in-arms/or stroller will like being with you…your toddler may like the big rooms and beautiful grounds to run in…and your preschooler may actually enjoy some of the art. And maybe they’ll remember and like the museum because it had a special rock to climb on… those initial experiences are what make them want to come back - and each visit will build on the previous one.

There’s usually a gift shop with children’s books about the exhibit, and it’s fun to review what you saw…”we just saw this!”  There’s always something to talk about - colors, shapes, texture. And there are great open-ended questions to ask…”what does this painting make you think about?”…”how do you think the painter felt?”…..

LACMA is great because there is a large variety of exhibits to choose from (keep visits short) and Skirball has dedicated family days with lots of hands-on activities. I happen to especially love the Getty - partially because of the tram to get there, the gardens, the view…. and also because it’s FREE! 

Internships with Infants and Toddlers

2. Come to the first class meeting on tuesday, Feb 5.

This class provides experience working with infants and toddlers in the Family Resource Center and counts for hours towards your CD Permit! 

You must attend a seminar class on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  You will choose ONE of the play sessions on the following days: 

• Mondays 2:00pm - 5:00pm
• Tuesdays 10:00am - 1:00pm
• Wednesdays 2:00pm - 5:00pm
• Thursdays 10:00sm - 1:00pm

To build on a previous post about the importance of everyday opportunities for spending time as a family… folding laundry might even be more fun than loading a dishwasher!

And for those of you who are concerned that your child be prepared for kindergarten: be assured that she is learning language and math skills, among so much else. By chatting with you about colors and shapes and textures, she’ll pick up words. And as she folds and stacks and sorts socks, she’s learning about parts and whole.

But as always, remember you’re building a strong relationship, even if you have to re-do her “work”!

Join us every Tuesday and Thursday in January for free Infant & Toddler Playgroups.  Sessions are scheduled from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.  No registration required!  Call (818) 778-5612 for additional information.

Spring 2013

New for spring…we are expanding the Infant/Toddler Playgroups to include new days and times!

Enroll now for our FREE Infant and Toddler Playgroups (ages 0-3), also known as Parenting 20CE.  Once enrolled, you may choose any 2 of the following days/times to attend playgroups.  Only officially enrolled families will be permitted to attend (see below for enrollment information).

• Mondays from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
• Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm
• Tuesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
• Wednesdays from 2:30pm to 4:00pm
• Thursdays from 10:30am to 12:00pm

Questions? Call us after January 7 at (818) 778-5612.