Help Me Grow Marin

05/15/2026

05/11/2026

let's talk about pencil grasp development and FUNCTIONAL grasps: https://www.theottoolbox.com/pencil-grasp-development

05/11/2026

🌹 The ROSE Program Series for Expectant Moms 🌹
📅 Tuesdays, May 5 & 12
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
💻 Live Online (Free!)

The ROSE (Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for New Mothers) Program is a free, evidence-based class series designed to help expectant moms feel supported and prepared for a smoother transition to parenthood.

What to Expect:
🧠 Conversations about postpartum mental health
🤝 Navigating role changes and relationships after becoming a parent
💗 Tools for self-care and goal setting
✅ Proven strategies to reduce the risk of postpartum depression
👩‍🍼 A supportive space led by trained facilitators and surrounded by fellow moms-to-be

Join this empowering series and build your emotional toolkit before baby arrives!
✨ Open to all expectant moms or those planning pregnancy. Register today at [email protected]

04/03/2026

We are pleased to invite you to the 3rd Annual Maternal Mental Health Forum & Training, a meaningful day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration focused on supporting parents and strengthening families in our community.

This year’s forum brings together providers, advocates, students, and community members committed to advancing maternal and paternal mental health.

Register today to reserve your spot!

Event Highlights:
💜 Film screening of More Than Blue, a documentary on maternal mental health
💜 Facilitated group discussion following the film
💜 Panel discussion with local providers, moderated by Maria Ni**le (First 5 Marin)
💜 Training on engaging fathers and partners in perinatal mental health
💜 Training on substance use in pregnancy and postpartum
💜 Opportunities for networking and cross-sector collaboration

Event Details:
💜 Free community event
💜 Lunch provided
💜 Open to providers, students, and all community members interested in supporting families

This event is presented by Postpartum Support Center, First 5 Marin, County of Marin, and Dominican University of California. We hope you will join us for this important community conversation!

04/03/2026

03/21/2026

🌸☀️ ¡Le damos la bienvenida a la primavera! 🤩🌼 Aquí te compartimos algunas flores comestibles de distintos países. ¿Conoces alguna otra que sea de tu país? ¡Cuéntanos!

03/21/2026

Marin Mommies Newsletter - 🐰 Easter egg hunts, 🎨 Big Art Weekend giveaway, weekend events, and more!

https://mailchi.mp/marinmommies/newsletter-3-20-26

03/21/2026

Holding and manipulating objects is more than meets the eye! Did you know there are sub-components that make up the fine motor skill of in-hand manipulation? These aspects of in-hand manipulation play a powerful fine motor skill kids need for pencil grasp, shoe tying, clothing fasteners, opening containers, and so much more.

👉Finger-to-Palm Translation: The motor skills needed to pick up a coin and move it to the palm.
👉Palm-to-Finger Translation: Looks like moving a coin from the palm to the fingertips to insert into a vending machine.
👉Shift: Includes the adjusting a pencil up and down in your hand.
Simple Rotation: Needed for unscrewing a toothpaste lid.
👉Complex Rotation: Turning a paper clip within the fingertips.

Read more about these sub-skills and activities to improve in-hand manipulation:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/in-hand-manipulation-and-money/

03/21/2026

👇 Type NATURE to get our FREE GUIDE on Encouraging Outdoor Play in Children 👇

🌿 Something simple can have a powerful impact on a child’s brain: time outside.

Research shows that even a 20-minute walk outdoors can increase activity in brain areas linked to attention, learning, and emotional regulation 🧠.

When children move, explore, and take in natural environments, their brains often shift into a state that is more alert, more focused, and more ready to learn.

Nature does something screens and structured environments often can’t:

🌱 It gently engages the senses
🌬️ It regulates the nervous system
🧠 It supports attention and cognitive function

For many children, time outside isn’t just recreation — it’s brain support.

Sometimes the most helpful thing for a child who is restless, overwhelmed, or struggling to focus is surprisingly simple:

☀️ Go for a walk
☀️ Play outside
☀️ let their brain reset in nature