Starting Strong
Guide to Early Childhood Education
Starting Strong is an early childhood education program offered by the Bay-Arenac ISD with funding through the Great Parents, Great Start grant provided by the Michigan Department of Education.
Starting Strong provides services to all families in Bay and Arenac counties with a child between the ages of birth to five. The services include interactive play groups, home visiting, family enrichment activities, Book-A-Ware parties, and monthly newsletters to families enrolled in the Imagination Library program.
- Interactive play groups: Each play group incorporates parent involvement discussions with parent and child activity time to enhance socialization and playful learning. Parents As Teachers curriculum is used each week.
To view the playgroup schedule and newsletter for March/April 2008,
please click here.
To view the playgroup schedule for May/June 2008, please click here.
To view the newsletter for May/June 2008, please click here.
- Monthly Newsletters: All families enrolled in the Imagination Library book program receive a newsletter each month providing activities that correspond with the books mailed. The activities are divided into targeted age groups. The newsletter also provides upcoming program activities offered by Starting Strong.
- Home visiting Services: Starting Strong also provides weekly home visits to targeted families who meet specific program criteria. Each visit will blend parenting education, early childhood education and parent child interaction time with focused age appropriate activities. Some home visits may include adult education and tutoring with a goal of enrolling in appropriate classes. This service provides assistance with identifying needs and developing family goals. The home visitor often acts as a community resource and may serve as a contact to other support agencies.
- Family Enrichment Activities: This service is linked to the Imagination Library book distribution program. Starting Strong invites families in Bay and Arenac counties to a night of free family fun each quarter. The activities provide families with age appropriate activities that can be easily incorporated at home and that address all areas of child development.
- Book-A-Ware Parties: Similar in format to a Tupperware party, this free service invites friends and family to an evening of learning activities that parents and caregivers can use with Imagination Library books. All guests receive free books and useful manipulatives and the hostess also receives a special gift.
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