Fair offers ideas for preschoolers and their parents
By Melissa Wood
Amelia Coleman, 3, of Kittery, dances to the beat of a musical demonstration by Music Together, a program offering music and movement classes for young children, at the Preschool Age Fair, which was held at the York Public Library. Also pictured is Lisa Flynn of ChildLight Yoga, holding a yoga demonstration with attendees of the fair. Flynn offers yoga classes for babies, toddlers, kids and teens at Dover Yoga Studio in Dover, N.H., and Yoga East in Portsmouth, N.H. Flynn said even though yoga for young children and babies sounds surprising, it can help them sleep, relax, breathe and digest.
Photos by Melissa Wood
The Jan. 27 event showcased 29 preschool and enrichment programs along with the activities the library offers to young children, which include Music and Movement, the Tactile Toddler and Preschool Story Hour.
Joining the tykes and their parents were Maine State Attorney General Stephen Rowe, who spoke about the importance of preschool in early childhood education, as well as Maine Sen. Dawn Hill, D-York, and Village Elementary Principal Ruth Dealy.
The event was the brainchild of organizer Sarah Morosoff, a York parent and library volunteer. Morosoff had to learn about these programs the hard way.
"When we moved to York, my children were two and twins, and it was really hard not knowing anyone," said Morosoff, who spent a lot of time calling and driving around looking for suitable programs in the area.
Morosoff's work paid off, but she realized that there must be other parents of young children facing a similar dilemma. Her hunch was validated when the first Preschool Age Fair held last year drew about 80 families.
"With the turnout that we had last year it was a true indication that there was really a need for it," said Morosoff
This year's rough estimate was 300 people.
"It's been nonstop since 10 a.m.," she said Saturday. "People are coming and going."
Gary and Bethany Grogg of South Berwick came to the fair with their two-year-old daughter Kaylin. Although Kaylin is not old enough yet for preschool, Gary Grogg said there were some possible programs they'd be looking into.
"I really came out here to see what's available," he said, adding it was good just to know what was in the area.
One thing Kaylin tried out was a free yoga demonstration by Lisa Flynn of ChildLight Yoga, a program that offers classes to babies, children and teens.
Rae Lynn Stackpoole of Yoga on York said yoga can help young children with body awareness and anxiety.
"I'm amazed at how many parents tell me their preschoolers have anxiety," she said.
Her studio offers classes for children between the ages of 3½ and 6, but with a fun side.
"We make everything very playful, taking it out the adult realm," she said.
Preschooler Amelia Coleman, 3, of Kittery found her favorite activity at the Music Together of York County area, where there were instruments for kids to pick up and play with. The program offers music and movement activities for newborns through to age 6 to do at class and share with their families.
For those looking to go outside, Triple G Farm on Bog Road gives kids a chance to visit with the animals and help out on the farm. The farm welcomes group visits from schools or individuals may get a group together for a visit.
With so many programs to choose from, one place parents can turn for help is the Family Resource Center in Kittery. Run entirely by Carin Sarzynski and Michelle James, the center offers activities, playgroups, parenting support groups and parent education, as well as referral service to preschool programs in the area.
"This is another early childhood option," said Sarzynski, who added that the center's activities were either free of charge or just $4 per family, with scholarships to families in need.
The center also recommends families to preschool programs.
"We don't necessarily say 'try this childcare center,' but we say here are six in your area," Sarzynski explained.
Doug Bowie of Herne School of Discovery said the mood at the fair was not competitive among the different programs.
"We're finding we can refer people to other programs," he said, adding that the school has students who also attend other programs such as yoga.
He said the fair was a definite boost and commended Morosoff for her work.
"It's an amazing effort that she pulls together," he said.
Library Director Robert Waldman couldn't agree more. He praised Morosoff and other library volunteers for their contributions to the community.
"It's those people that enable us to have programs like this," he said. "She's the star of the show. I just work here."
