1. family and parenting
2. children

Beginning Years Family Network
13 Providence Road | Sutton MA 01590
508-865-5920 | www.byfn.org
Serving the towns of Auburn, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Sutton and Upton
BYFN Family Update
BYFN is happy to enclose the Spring 2015 schedule of events, which includes
parent/child Play & Learn groups at BYFN Family Center in Sutton, music groups at
Millbury Library and parent workshops at the YMCA, Boroughs Branch, 4 Valente
Drive (across from the Christmas Tree Shop on Route 20) in Westborough.
Registration for Spring I programs is now available at www.byfn.org and will remain
open until 8:00 am on Thursday, April 2nd. At this time, we are registering families for
Spring Session I only. Families will receive an email in May for Spring Session II
registration.
Spring 2015
Next Council Meeting
To be announced at
the BYFN Family
Center and mailed to
Council members
BYFN Online Registration
Please visit www.byfn.org and click “Spring I Registration” which will bring you to an
online registration form. Complete this form to register for all parent/child groups (by
priority) and parent workshops. Families will be entered into ONE parent/child group
(Play & Learn or Tots & Tunes) by electronic lottery or be placed on a waitlist. You will
receive an email by Friday, April 3rd confirming your group. Families who are placed on
a waitlist will receive an email indicating any groups with openings. These slots will be
filled on a first come, first serve basis. Please call BYFN at 508-865-5920 if you are
unable to register online
Please note: Any family who is new to BYFN or who did not participate in a Winter
Session II parent/child group will have first priority for a Spring I parent/child group and
their registration form will be processed before the lottery (on a first come, first served
basis). Families who participated in a Winter II parent/child group will be entered into
the lottery.
Join BYFN
If you are new to BYFN and would like to receive BYFN email newsletters (Spring,
Summer, Fall and Winter) and announcements about registration dates, parent
workshops and other information, please visit www.byfn.org and click “Join BYFN” to
register your family.
Thank you!
Thank you to all families and community agencies for your support of BYFN. A special
thank you for all donated supplies! Happy Spring!
Beginning Years Family Network is funded by the MA Department of Early
Education & Care and administered by the YMCA of Central MA, Boroughs
Branch. All of the programs are free of charge with childcare offered for
parent workshops.
Inside This Issue
Parent/Child
Groups
2
Parent
Workshops
3
A Look
Ahead
4
Play & Learn
Group
Guidelines
5
Spring 2015 PLAY & LEARN GROUPS
Groups held at BYFN, 13 Providence Road, Sutton MA
Play & Learn Groups provide the opportunity for parents and children to interact with each other in a
safe, developmentally appropriate environment. Children learn to play, share, develop listening skills,
communicate and build social skills. A facilitator will introduce literacy, music, art, science, math and
movement activities during free play, circle and story time. Parents/caregivers are able to share ideas,
develop relationships and expand their support system. A lending library and resources are available.
Please register online for ONE Play & Learn Group or ONE Tots & Tunes group, and parent workshops
at www.byfn.org. Call 508-865-5920 if you are unable to register online.
Spring Session I: April 6 – May 15
Spring Session II: May 18 – June 19
Registration will remain open until
8:00 am on Thursday, April 2nd
No group Monday, May 25
Registration will open May 4 and
remain open until 8:00 am on May 14
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to allergies, bring your own snack and drink for your child to playgroup.
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri at 9:15-10:30, Play & Learn Groups, all ages
Includes free-play, art, science, math & movement activities, story time, songs and snack
Mon, Tues & Thurs at 10:45-12:00, Play & Learn Groups, all ages
Includes free-play, art, science, math & movement activities, story time, songs and snack
Tuesday at 1:00-3:30, Afternoon Free Play
Come meet other families to socialize and play. No facilitator at this time — parents/caregivers are
responsible for cleanup please. No registration required.
Wednesday at 9:30-11:00, Toddler Group, ages infant to 2 years
For parents with children, infant to 2 years, to enjoy free-play, stories, songs, snack and movement fun
Tots & Tunes at Millbury Public Library, 128 Elm St., Millbury MA
Spring Session I: April 10 – May 15 (NO class on April 24)
Spring Session II: May 22 – June 19
Friday at 10:15-11:00, Tots & Tunes, all ages, at Millbury Library
Friday at 11:15-12:00, Tots & Tunes, all ages, at Millbury Library
Come join Miss Ingrid from Apple Tree Arts for a joyful music and movement experience for young
children with parent/caregiver. She will introduce musical instruments, songs, rhymes and dance.
Spring 2015 PARENT WORKSHOPS
Workshops are held at the YMCA Boroughs Branch, 4 Valente Drive in Westborough
(across from Christmas Tree Shops on Route 20). An email reminder for each parent
workshop will be sent with information to register for free childcare.
*“Play: Unifying the Mind, Body & Spirit” on Tues, March 24 at 6:30 to 8:00
Children haven’t changed, childhood has. Children no longer have the freedom to explore fields and
woods, or find special places. Informal games on the playground have turned into structured leagues by
age 4. We now have programs with scripted teaching, computerized learning, standardized assessment,
and decreased time for recess on playgrounds that have been determined to present too much risk to
safety. All of these trivialize and undermine children’s natural capacities for meaningful lessons learned
through play. This session examines this one feature of childhood – play.
“Behavior Fundamentals” on Tues, April 28 at 6:30 to 8:30
A child’s behavior is not the problem to be fixed, nor is the child. Behavior is a symptom of an unsolved
problem and a form of communication. Get ready to examine the principles that govern behaviors and
strategies of positive guidance from prevention to crisis intervention. The ultimate goal of any system of
discipline is to solve the problems when possible, not to coerce through quick fixes. This workshop will
be facilitated by Erin Fournier, a Certified Human Behavior Consultant and Specialist, and daughter of
Jeanine Fitzgerald.
*“No Senseless Behavior” on Tues, May 26 at 6:30 to 8:00
Challenging behaviors are not just a reflection of some emotional or social disturbance in a child. They
are a symptom of an unsolved problem, often related to unmet needs or a lack of skills and resources.
Therefore, we must focus on what a child needs, instead of what an adult or system demands. It is time
we move beyond tradition and see challenging behavior as an opportunity to teach alternative ways to
gets authentic needs met. This session helps us do just that.
*“Raising a Happy Child” on Tues, June 16 at 6:30 to 8:00
Happiness is a gift we gift ourselves and our children. Too often we hope it finds us or we pursue it in
places or ways it will never be found. Together, we will be introduced to the pursuit of happiness for our
children: defining it, examining attributes that lead to it and applying ways to behave that achieve it.
*These workshops will be facilitated by Jeanine Fitzgerald, a certified Human Behavior Specialist, author,
speaker, consultant, master trainer and owner of The Fitzgerald Institute of Lifelong Learning. With
experience as a certified teacher, mental health professional and mother of three grown children, she
understands the promise of every child, as well as the diversity of their needs. To learn more about
Jeannine and her work, please click here to visit her website. (www.thefitzgeraldinstitute.com)
Beginning Years Family Network
13 Providence Road
Sutton, MA 01590
A network of activities, support, education
and community resources for families with
children prenatal through age 8.
Beginning Years Family Network is a grant program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early
Education and Care and administered by the YMCA of Central MA/Boroughs Branch.
Brain Building in Progress Free Family Event at the YMCA* on Wednesday, April 15th at 10:30 – 12:00
Animal Story time at 10:30 am with music & movement
ANIMAL ADVENTURES at 11:00 am – Enjoy a memorable learning experience with gentle mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, bugs and a surprise guest! Children will have lots of petting time and personalized interaction.
Safety and cleanliness are top priority. Registration is NOT required. All families are welcome!
Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA* on Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00 – 12:00
Come join the fun with Mr. Vic from Music Together, Family Story Walk, vendors, games, crafts, face painting
and much more! Registration in NOT required. All families are welcome!
BYFN Summer Schedule at BYFN Family Center in Sutton
BYFN will be offering morning Drop-in playgroups Monday—Thursday at 9:30-11:00 am with parent facilitators
and a simple craft/science activity, snack time, story, songs & movement. No registration is required for summer
groups. Dates for programs will be available in the summer newsletter (pending grant approval).
YMCA* Summer Camp at Boroughs Family Branch
Sunshine Kids Camp (ages 3-5), Camp Boroughs (ages 6-11) and Adventure Camp (ages 7-12)
For information: www.ymcaofcm.org or contact Joe Bertone at 508-870-1320, X316 or Jbertone@ymcaofcm.org
*YMCA is located at 4 Valente Drive in Westborough (across from Christmas Tree Shops on Route 20)
Beginning Years Family Network Play & Learn Group Guidelines

Parents/caregivers are responsible for supervising and helping their child(ren) at all times.

Sick children should not attend playgroup to prevent illnesses from spreading. If your child has a
fever, severe cold (thick runny nose) or a contagious illness, we ask that he/she remain at home for
as long as the symptoms exist. Please wait 24 hours after a fever to return to group.

The playgroup experience is intended to give parents an opportunity to play with their child(ren) in
the company of other parents. Parents should play along with their child during free play and are
encouraged to participate in music and story time. If toddlers see parents sitting quietly during
story time they will, in time, sit and listen. Participation in all aspects of the playgroup is
encouraged yet optional since toddlers are independent thinkers who like to explore on their own.
Parents are always encouraged to share a story, music, art/science/math activity, parenting article
or resource at playgroup.

Please do not bring toys from home to playgroup since it is difficult to share these toys. Parents
should encourage and assist their child(ren) in putting toys away. Please place any toys that your
child has put in his/her mouth in the bucket labeled “toys to be washed”.

Please bring a drink in a non-spill cup and a snack for your child to playgroup. Please eat and drink
at the table only during snack time. Children do not have to participate in snack time but they
should not eat anywhere else. Parents need to help their child with snack and clean up. Donations of
napkins, paper towels and cleaning materials are greatly appreciated.

Since toddlers are only beginning to develop their socialization skills, many of them will exhibit
aggressive behavior towards another child. This is normal behavior for children at this age and
should be expected. If your child is being aggressive, please physically remove him/her from the
situation. Use calm, simple language to explain to your child what happened. Try to redirect the
children in play. Some children need actual physical space apart from others in order to regain their
emotional balance. You can take your child to a quiet corner or into the next room to give him/her a
chance to calm down. Stay with your child until he/she is ready to return to the group. If your child
is unable to return to the group, don’t despair and try again next week. This is common toddler
behavior.

Please bring a change of clothes in case a child has a bathroom accident and wets or soils their
clothes. If a child has a bathroom accident and dry clothes are not available, a child will not be able
to stay at playgroup. Please have children wear play clothes to playgroup.

Please leave promptly after playgroup so the room can be set up for the next group.

If you are unable to attend a playgroup, there is no need to call BYFN. If you are absent from three
consecutive playgroups, you will be contacted if there is a waitlist to determine if you are still
interested in attending this playgroup. You will not lose your spot due to absences. Please call
BYFN at 508-865-5920 if your schedule changes and you are no longer able to attend a group.