In February and March, cabin fever sets in for many Vermont families with young children. Building Bright Futures’ Early Childhood Regional Councils and Families & Communities Committee host annual winter events to give families a place to connect with each other, find out about local early childhood resources, and most of all, to PLAY!
Family leaders from across the state are invited to join the Dabble Days Planning Committee to help plan winter events in their communities. To learn more, contact Families & Communities Committee Co-Chair Jen Fortman at families@buildingbrightfutures.org.
Barre and Lamoille Valley Dabble Days
On February 1, the Central Vermont Early Childhood Regional Council helped sponsor Barre Dabble Day, with 70 children and 45 adults in attendance. Local child care centers and community partners provided arts, crafts, sensory tables, and snacks for everyone. The event was organized by the Aldrich Public Library. Partners included Family Center of Washington County, Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, Montessori School of Montpelier, St. Monica-St. Michael School, Head Start, Department of Health/WIC, Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate, Robin Smith (Tooth Tutor), JROTC (Spaulding High School), Head Start’s Learning Together Center, Moms Demand Action Vermont, and Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.
And on March 8, the Lamoille Valley Early Childhood Regional Council held their Dabble Day in Morrisville, with 73 attendees. Regional Manager Kelly Hayes and Families & Communities Committee Co-Chair Jen Fortman organized partners from across the region. Crafts, activities, and resources for families were provided by Lamoille Family Center, WIC, Help Me Grow, Let’s Grow Kids, 802 Smiles, Be Seat Smart, Centennial Library, Head Start, the Boy Scouts, local child care centers, and more. And bike helmets were for sale for only $15!
Interested in learning more about Regional Council events and meetings in the Lamoille Valley and Central Vermont? Contact Kelly Hayes, BBF’s Regional Manager for Lamoille Valley and Central Vermont.
Rutland’s “Just Play? No Way!”
On February 15, the Rutland Early Childhood Regional Council hosted “Just Play? No Way!” at the Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum in Rutland. Part of Rutland’s Winterfest, the annual event brought together families, educators, and community leaders to celebrate the power of play and its role in shaping the future of young children. Over 225 kids and family members attended. The theme of this year’s event was “Healthy Brain Development in Young Children through Play,” offering an opportunity for families to engage in hands-on, screen-free activities designed to promote early learning.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities crafted to inspire and educate children while highlighting the importance of play-based learning. The event also served as a space for local organizations to share resources and connect with families. Participating organizations included Naturally You Childbirth LLC, Rutland County Parent Child Center Inc, Rutland Regional Medical Center Women’s and Children’s Unit, Imagination Library at Rutland Free Library, Rutland Early Education and Early Childhood Advocacy-REECA, Rutland Children’s Integrated Services, and Building Bright Futures.
Interested in learning more about Regional Council events and meetings in the Rutland region? Contact Darla Senecal, Regional Manager for Bennington, Rutland, and Addison.
Caledonia and Southern Essex Dabble Day
On March 15, the Caledonia/Southern Essex Early Childhood Regional Council welcomed families to Dabble Day at the St. Johnsbury School for activities, “messy play,” and snacks. The event was attended by 156 children and 129 adults. Highlights included face painting, planting lettuce and watermelon seeds, and doing volcano experiments. Twenty-five organizations participated, including Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Umbrella, Northeast Kingdom Community Action, ABC LOL Child Care Center and Preschool, and the Vermont Early Childhood Network for the St. Johnsbury region. A special thank you to the St. Johnsbury School, Vermont Fish & Wildlife, the Vermont State Troopers, the St. Johnsbury Police Department, and CALEX Ambulance Service for their support and participation.
Interested in learning more about Regional Council events and meetings in the Caledonia and Southern Essex region? Contact Linda Michniewicz, Regional Manager for Caledonia/Southern Essex and Orleans/Northern Essex
Would you like to bring Dabble Days to your community? Contact Families & Communities Committee Co-Chair Jen Fortman at families@buildingbrightfutures.org.
