BrightStart Milestones
Through 2018, more than 250 parents have participated in BrightStart For Families. Their children experienced fun and learning while dads and moms had time to reflect on what their children really need to thrive with other parents like them and our BrightStart Team. This is possible because of our amazing community volunteers who give freely of themselves and their time and the generous financial support of individuals and local foundations like the SBM Charitable Foundation and the Mortensen Foundation. Thank you!
BrightStart For Families Begins on September 28
BrightStart™ is a fun experience for the whole family. Parents who are expecting, or have a child 4 years old or younger and older children up through 8 
years old are invited. Other care-givers are also welcome! BrightStart is a family time; it's a place to create memories and bonds and to learn in new ways. It is a shared family experience in our local community, where children see familiar faces and the families can build a supportive group of peers.
Our Learn & Play Kid’s Program is play-based and offers infants through 8 year olds opportunities to learn and have fun while developing listening and attention skills. BrightStart™ is offered by Building Healthy Families, a nonprofit organization in Manchester, CT. The workshop will be offered at The Manchester Learning Center at 42 Prospect Street in Manchester. The morning is full of learning and activities for parents and children; Breakfast begins at 9:30 and lunch starts at noon.
Please subscribe here if you want to get a reminder about enrolling in BrightStart beginning on September 28, 2019.
About Circle of Security Parenting
As parents, we are the center of our young child’s world. How we respond to them has an enduring impact. When they are little we can spend so much time trying to meet our children’s physical needs that we don’t have space to think about what they need from us emotionally. Circle of Security Parenting Groups are designed to give parents a 'map’ for understanding and responding to their children’s emotional needs. Research shows that parents who are able do this in a loving and consistent way give their children an amazing start in life. Read more to Subscribe or Enroll.
Imagination Playground
The Imagination Playground is a breakthrough playspace designed to encourage child-directed, unstructured free play which is essential for healthy development. When children's imaginations are engaged in active play they benefit physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. All children need play opportunities that begin at a young age. If you're interested in learning more about how you can get involved, you can This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 860.375.0121. The Imagination Playground is featured at BrightStart for Families and other events for kids. Read more to watch a video about how the Imagination Playground supports healthy development for children.
Visit the Imagination Playground at our playground events. Check out our Facebook page for when the playground will be open at 20 Hartford Road and other events around Manchester. Interested in hosting an Imagination Playground event at your school or church? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
About Ages & Stages
Building Healthy Families now offers the Ages and Stages Questionnaire!
ASQ-3 is a set of questionnaires about children’s development.
It has been used for more than 20 years to make sure children are developing well. A screening provides a quick look at how children are doing in important areas, such as communication, physical ability, social skills, and problem-solving skills. ASQ-3 can help identify your child’s strengths as well as any areas where your child may need support.
As a parent or caregiver, you are the best source of information about your child.
That’s why ASQ-3 questionnaires are designed to be filled out by you. You will only need 10–15 minutes. It’s that quick and easy. Here’s how ASQ-3 works:
PlaySpace
This new space will be dedicated to promoting healthy development of young children at BHF's Learning Space at 20 Hartford Road. This nearly completed new room will be used for children whose parents are attending Circle of Security Parenting groups, and as a drop in center for parents with young children. The room will feature our Medium Size Imagination Playground, a reading nook, great toys, and a dedicated space for arts and crafts (including Play-Doh!). Subscribe to receive notices about when the PlaySpace will be open.
