05/21/2020
PROGRAMMING GOES ONLINE DURING COVID-19:
We can all admit that social distancing has been tough!
It’s been especially hard for parents of young children and elementary aged children that Opportunity Neighborhood serves through the early childhood and out-of-school time programming at Ames Lake Neighborhood. With no consistent programming, opportunities to engage in intentional activities and interact with their peers and the program staff have been lost. To create connections and provide structure, staff have taken programming online.
The Birth to 5 Early Childhood Program goes live via Zoom twice a week. Parents and their young children spend 30 minutes greeting one another, singing songs and sharing. Opportunity Neighborhood staff and a staff member from the Montessori Center of Minnesota lead an activity from their respected homes. In addition to meeting via Zoom, parents receive an online newsletter with resources for early childhood learning and resources in the community.
Ames After Hours also meets via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 pm for 30 minutes of interactive programming. Youth log-on using their school issued iPad or parents’ phones. Youth also have access to a website created through padlet.com with activities and resources to spark creativity and active learning.
Thanks to the use of technology, community building activities for parents of young children and elementary aged youth continues to strengthen the social fabric of the Ames Lake community.