Mineral County Parents as Teachers

04/28/2026

Fine motor skills are so important to overall development.

✨ Before Writing: Building Strong Foundations ✨

Before a child begins to write, their hands need to explore, strengthen, and develop essential fine motor skills. These simple, playful activities prepare little fingers for control, precision, and confidence 🖐️💡

🧩 Manipulate modeling clay
Soft textures help improve hand strength and flexibility while encouraging creativity and coordination

👕 Fold cloth
Folding develops bilateral coordination and teaches control through structured movement

📄 Tear paper
A fun way to build hand strength and improve finger separation

Press
Applying pressure strengthens muscles needed for holding and controlling a pencil

🔵 Roll balls
Rolling small objects enhances finger coordination and precision

🧵 Thread
Threading beads supports concentration, accuracy, and hand-eye coordination

🔄 Screw
Twisting motions build wrist strength and improve rotational control

🖍️ Glue
Careful application improves precision and controlled movement

✂️ Use scissors
Cutting develops coordination, strength, and control essential for writing

🌱 Step by step, these activities create the foundation for smooth, confident writing, turning small movements into powerful skills for lifelong learning ✨📚

03/19/2026

Look at this little one and her new skill!
Serve and return is a skill learned early on in infancy but plays a BIG role during the whole process of your child's social and language development.

03/04/2026

Spring weather brings more sunshine, more activity, and often a growth spurt for babies and kids. As they get taller and heavier, it’s a good time to double‑check the height and weight limits on their car seat or booster to make sure it still fits safely.
If you’re unsure about installation, harness fit, or how to use the tether, we are here to help. Call (406) 822‑3564 or send us here message anytime.

The tether reduces head movement in a crash and should always be used for forward‑facing car seats—no matter how the seat is installed. This one step makes a big difference. Get more car seat safety info: https://www.safety-connection.org/caregiver/

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

03/02/2026

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." ~ Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! What book are you reading today to celebrate? ❤️

02/24/2026

Did you know that Parents as Teachers offers free developmental screenings annually for children 1-month to 5-years-old? Screening assesses skills in the areas of cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional, and self-help skills. Screenings are a valuable tool for identifying your child’s strengths and areas for growth.

Would you like to schedule a developmental screening for your child? Enrollment in PAT is not required to participate. Call 406-822-3564 to schedule.

02/05/2026

This is a fun and easy way to learn about healthy eating, meal planning, and using the Instant Pot for nutritious meals. Register and participate in 5 of the 6 meetings and your family will receive your new Instant Pot. For more information or to register please visit: https://bit.ly/3czvpTp Space is limited! Please share with anyone in your community who might be eligible and interested.

Please see the attached flyer regarding an upcoming healthy cooking and eating virtual class series. This program is sponsored by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) federal grant. EFNEP classes are free to attend and for anyone who:

✔️Feeds youth under age 19 in their household (or are pregnant and will be feeding youth) OR are emerging adults ages 20–29,

AND

✔️Currently receive (or qualify for) benefits such as SNAP, WIC, free or reduced school meals, TANF, or similar programs.

In all our classes we will explore:
🥑Eating healthy
🏃🏻‍♀️Increasing physical activity
🍲Creating healthy meals using the Instant Pot
🥫Keeping a well-stocked pantry
💵Stretching food dollars

This particular series will focus on using the Instant Pot to cook healthy meals and graduates of the series (those who attend at least 5 of the 6 lessons) will receive a brand new Instant Pot at the close of the series.

For more information or to register please visit: https://bit.ly/3czvpTp Space is limited! Please share with anyone in your community who might be eligible and interested.

02/04/2026

01/30/2026

01/05/2026

🗣 1️⃣2️⃣ practical, loving ways to support your child’s communication journey, no matter where they are starting from 💬

🗣 1️⃣2️⃣ practical, loving ways to support your child’s communication journey, no matter where they are starting from 💬

📘 From Talk to Me, Baby! by Betty S. Bardige | Brookes Publishing Co.