Infant Toddler Services of Douglas County

08/27/2026

As we head into a new school year, we’re excited to introduce Play Pals—a new name for what we have previously called our playgroups!

You may be wondering: What’s the difference between Play Pals and Group Connections? While both are wonderful opportunities to spend time together as a PAT community, they each have a slightly different purpose.

PLAY PALS — Come Play & Connect!
Play Pals are relaxed opportunities for children, ages 0-5, and their parents or caregivers to play, explore, and connect together. Families will have opportunities for intentional play with their children through hands-on activities, while also getting to know and connect with other PAT families. Think of Play Pals as a chance to slow down, play and learn together, and enjoy time with your child and your PAT community.

GROUP CONNECTIONS — Come Learn, Explore & Experience!

Group Connections are intentional, planned experiences designed around a specific purpose, topic, activity, or community experience. Throughout the year, these may look very different! We might have a special guest or presenter, a music or movement experience, a field trip, a family activity, a community event, or an opportunity to learn something new together. Think of Group Connections as a chance to learn, experience, explore, and connect as a family and community.

Both Play Pals and Group Connections are opportunities to build relationships, support your child’s development, and connect with other families. We hope you’ll find opportunities to join us for both!

A Note About Play & Participation:
While both Play Pals and Group Connections include opportunities for children to play, neither is intended to be a free-play or drop-in play time. Each gathering is intentionally planned to give parents and caregivers opportunities to participate alongside their children, build connections, and support their child’s learning and development. At Play Pals, the focus is on intentional play and connection between children and their grown-ups. At Group Connections, the focus is on participating in a planned experience together. Your participation is an important part of what makes these gatherings meaningful!

​Please see the Play Pals Flyer listing the dates and times for Fall 2026.​ We are still finalizing our Group Connections Calendar, we can't wait to share it with you once it's complete!

​Here's to play​ing, learn​ing, explor​ing, and grow​ing together this year!

08/26/2026

Hi everyone! I needed to take a break from social media for the last month, but storytimes resume NEXT WEEK, so I knew it was time to hop back on here. Hopefully the algorithm will make this post show up for you! If it does, can you give us a like and share? I would love for the 20th year of Sunflower Music Therapy to start off full of fun, friendship, community, and of course music!

08/26/2026

Got questions or concerns about your child's car seat? You're not alone! Visit an upcoming Child Safety Seat Check Event to have your questions answered.
➡ Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
🛑More than half of car seats are not used or installed correctly.

✔ September 12, 2026 at Cable Dahmer Kia of Lawrence from 10am to Noon.
✔ September 15, 2026 at LMH Health from 6 to 8pm
✔ September 19, 2026 at Clinton State Park from 10am to 2pm

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Thank you, Dolly.

For decades, Dolly Parton has helped put books into the hands of millions of young children through her Imagination Library, beginning at birth.

And those books represent so much more than learning to read.

In the earliest years, sharing a book is a chance for babies and toddlers to hear new words, explore the world, connect with the people who love them and build the relationships that help their brains grow. Long before a child can read the words on a page, they’re learning through every story, snuggle, point and conversation.

Inspired by her own father, who never had the opportunity to learn to read, Dolly turned a deeply personal experience into a commitment to making books more accessible to families, regardless of where they live or what they earn.

Her work is a powerful reminder that every child deserves opportunities to learn, connect and thrive from the very beginning.

Thank you, Dolly, for believing in babies.

08/25/2026

Free Community Baby Shower to Provide Resources & Supplies to Local Families The “It Takes a Village” Baby Shower is designed to help parents prepare for a new baby while connecting families already raising young children with additional resources Expecting parents and families with young childr...

08/19/2026

We’re BACK and ready for a year of Growing Together!

Meet our 2026–27 Parent Educator Team: Audrey, Stacie, Miriah, and our brand new parent educator, Emily!

Home visits are officially underway, and our team is excited to partner with families for another year of learning, connection, play, and growth. We’re also putting the finishing touches on our Group Connection schedule—and trust us, you’re going to want to see what we have planned!

Lots of new things are growing at Lawrence Parents as Teachers, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

2026-27..LET'S GROW!

¡Hemos vuelto y estamos listos para un año de crecimiento conjunto!
Conozcan a nuestro equipo de educadores para padres del ciclo 2026-27: Audrey, Stacie, Miriah y nuestra nueva educadora, Emily.
Las visitas a domicilio ya han comenzado oficialmente, y nuestro equipo está entusiasmado por colaborar con las familias en otro año de aprendizaje, conexión, juego y crecimiento. También estamos ultimando los detalles de nuestro calendario de actividades grupales; ¡y créannos, querrán ver lo que tenemos preparado!
¡Hay muchas novedades surgiendo en Lawrence Parents as Teachers y estamos deseando compartirlas con ustedes!
2026-27... ¡CREZCAMOS JUNTOS!

08/14/2026