Child Development
Playgroups
The Mobile Outreach - Playgroup program consists of weekly “playgroups” in three locations throughout Amador County. The program was designed to provide services in multiple areas of the county. Each playgroup consists of a mobile-classroom with age-appropriate activities, child development information, and resources for parents. Our First 5 grantee - Heather Hall - provides the activities, story time, and healthy snacks. Playgroups are open to all stay at home children 0-5 and their caregiver, grandparent, mom or dad. Adults remain with the children during playgroup - and are encouraged to interact and play alongside them! And please remember, playgroups are a technology-free zone.
Playgroups follow the Amador County Unified School District's Calendar.
Playgroups will NOT be in session the week of December 25th & and January 1st for Winter Break. We will see everyone back on January 9th 2024!
Playgroups are in
3 Locations:
Jackson
Ione
Plymouth NEW
See the flyer for more information
And don't forget
- continuing every Friday
in Jackson at
First 5 Amador
975 Broadway
Imagination Library
It sounds almost too simple to be true, but by reading regularly with your children during their infant, toddler and preschool years, you are giving them one of the biggest boosts toward a successful education they will ever get.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will help you read with your child. There are many reasons parents do not read to their child, but we can eliminate one of them. Every child will have books of their very own, at no cost to you, thanks to First 5 Amador, Friends of the Amador County Library, and Dolly Parton.
Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. He/she can look forward to new and exciting reading adventures from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library until he/she turns five years old as long as you remain a resident of Amador County. Should the child move outside Amador County, he/she automatically exits the program.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a FREE GIFT courtesy of First 5 Amador and generous donations to our children! All you have to do is read to your child.
Or call us here at First 5 and we will get you all signed up!
(209) 257-1092.
Messy Mornings
Dress for Mess! Join us for messy, unstructured playtime! Receive a free Messy Mornings t-shirt to wear, so you and your child can enjoy the messy fun.
Every Friday from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at First 5 Amador's Indoor/Outdoor Learning Lab, 975 Broadway.
This playgroup is open to all Amador County children aged 0-5, and their parents or caregivers and continues through the summer! Get the flyer HERE.
Messy Morning will NOT be in session on October 20th for Fall Break! See everyone on October 27th!
Summer Bridge Program
The Bridge to Kindergarten Transition Program is designed for children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall. Priority is given to children who have spent little or no time in a preschool setting. The program is designed to introduce young children to the structure and rhythm of the classroom. It is called a Bridge Program because it is aimed at helping children cross from the pre-kindergarten environment to Kindergarten.
Over one hundred children participate in the Summer Bridge Program each year, which consists of an average of eight classes at all six elementary schools within Amador County:
Jackson, Plymouth, Ione, Pine Grove, Pioneer Elementary Schools, and Sutter Creek Primary. Students, parents and teachers thoroughly enjoy and benefit greatly from this transitional program.
"I just wanted to tell you how much my son has enjoyed the Bridge program this summer. It has been a great experience for him and us! We were honestly not sure of his capability and really worried about the transition to Kindergarten. Although he has been in preschool for the past year and has progressed really well, we still were hesitant and debated holding him back. Instead of making that huge decision on our own, we decided to wait and see how the Bridge program worked out for him. Yesterday we received his evaluation and were shocked! He only scored a '1' in one area. He was 3 and 4's in all other areas. This was huge for us--it helped us realize that our son is not only doing well, but it helped us as parents have more confidence in his abilities. We will continue to work with him throughout the summer to ensure he continues to build on his skills and work on things that need improving; however, the gift of knowing that he is going to be okay and that this transition to kindergarten is something he is prepared for was priceless and we can't thank you, the teachers at Jackson Elementary and First 5, for giving us this confidence in our little dude. "
< 2024 Teacher/Aide Application
Indoor/Outdoor Learning Lab
Join us here at First 5 Amador for a variety of activities and events that happen in this colorful and creative space: Playgroups, Dad and Me, Messy Mornings, and so much more! A child-friendly space for playing, connecting, and having fun! We hope to see you here soon.
Developmental Screenings
The following tip sheets are simple guides to what is typical development and behaviors for young children. If you have questions about your child's development, give us a call,
(209) 257-1092.
Are we on track?
Are you curious about your child's development? How can you give kids the best start in life?
... by taking your children to well-child and dental check ups and also, by doing an "ASQ."
The Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) is a way to make sure you are "on track." The screening tools are designed to be completed by parents or primary caregivers, that encourage parent-caregiver involvement.
Each questionnaire can be completed in 10-20 minutes, and is divided into five areas: Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and Personal-Social.
The benefit for all children and families is so that parents/caregivers know which areas they can focus on at home with their children.
Call First 5 to learn more about the Ages and Stages Developmental Screenings to discover how your can help your child as they grow and develop, (209) 257-1092.
For an online ASQ developmental screening questionnaire,
click HERE.
Dad and Me
Dad and Me outings are fun-filled father involvement events for young children & dads, grandfathers, uncles and the men in their lives.
An assortment of entertaining activities including planting, arts & crafts, visits to a horse or goat ranch, water play, games, and story time are offered each month. Sample projects include making bird feeders, creating snowmen, and building with blocks.
Each event includes a book which your family can take home to help build your family's early literacy library! Healthy snacks are always provided. It’s the perfect weekend outings for families that want to positively engage in their child’s development and they provide fun and easy opportunities to help your children get ready for school.
View the latest flyer with
all of this month's
details!