Families First Health, Support Center Has Programs

PORTSMOUTH

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Building in Protection from Risky Situations: Identify your child’s risk and protective factors. Learn how to build your child’s ability to resist risky situations and behaviors. Learn about creating protective factors to strengthen your family and help your child resist and avoid dangers as they grow into teenagers and adults. With Parkie Boley and Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Tuesdayevenings, Feb. 3 and 10, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Building in Protection from Risky Situations: Identify your child’s risk and protective factors. Learn how to build your child’s ability to resist risky situations and behaviors. Learn about creating protective factors to strengthen your family and help your child resist and avoid dangers as they grow into teenagers and adults. With Parkie Boley and Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Tuesdayevenings, Feb. 3 and 10, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Thursday, Feb. 12

Winter Games: Indoor and Outdoor Play: Great ideas for keeping everyone active indoors and out. With Peggy Meyers. Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 9:30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Understanding Bullying: Are We Raising a Mean Generation? We are lucky to have one of the nation’s leading experts on bullying living on the Seacoast. Former UNH professor Malcolm Smith, PhD, CFLE, founder of the Courage to Care program, will present a powerful evening for parents on why bullying today is much more dangerous than bullying in the past, how to talk to your child about bullying, and how to use the NH School Safety Act to protect your child from harm in school. Dr. Smith will also address how to teach your child civility, empathy and kindness. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Keeping the Peace: Helping Siblings Get Along: Learn the surprising underlying causes of sibling rivalry, when to intervene and when not to, and techniques for handling kids’ feelings and behaviors. These strategies can be used for handling issues between playmates as well as siblings. With Parkie Boley.Tuesday, Feb 24, 6-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Thursday, Feb. 26

Toilet Learning Made Easier: Learn how to tell when your children are really ready and how to work with your children, not against them. With Parkie Boley. Thursday morning, Feb. 26, :30-11 a.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

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Mixed-Age Afternoon Playgroup: A playgroup for children ages 1-5 and parents or other caregivers (infants also welcome with older siblings). Provides children with a chance to play with siblings and friends of different ages. Join us for art projects, gross-motor activities and more. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Meets Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m., through the end of April. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Monday

Toddler Playtime: For toddlers, ages 1 to 2: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and first friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Mondays, 9:30-11 a.m. $5 per family. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Monday

Family Fun Night: A fun, relaxing evening out for families who are experiencing stress. Includes a family dinner and family activities. Advance signup required. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm

Every Tuesday

Mother-To-Mother Postpartum Group: Offering support for mothers during their baby’s first year, when postpartum depression and anxiety are common. Come be with other mothers who know what it’s like. Led by women trained in birth and postpartum care. Every Tuesday, 9-10 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Tuesday

Babytime: An educational, playful and supportive group for babies up to 12 months and their parents or other caregivers; expecting parents also welcome. A developmental therapist from the Children’s Rehab Center of Portsmouth Regional Hospital comes to Babytime once a month to talk about infants’ motor, social/emotional, language and brain development. Free child care offered for older siblings (advance signup required). Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. At Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Wednesday

Terrific Twos Playtime: For children ages 2 to 3: Gym, circle time, songs, story, snack, fun activities and friendships. For parents and other caregivers: New ideas for activities and parenting, a chance to connect with other parents. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Wednesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

1st and 3rd Thursdays Each Month

Parent Recharge: Kick back, get involved in relaxing activities, and recharge your parenting battery. Child care and refreshments included. Facilitator: Bob Pavlik, M.Ed. Free. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. Free; includes free child care. Advance signup required: 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Every Friday

Preschool Playtime: Join children ages 3 to 5 and parents or other caregivers for circle time, gym, free play, snack and story. Facilitator: Parkie Boley. Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m. at Families First, 100 Campus Dr., Portsmouth. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm. $5 per family.

EPPING

Every Friday No Program Feb. 27

Epping Family Morning Out: Epping Family Morning Out is for children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Held at SAU 14 Building (213 Main St., Epping). Fridays, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

EXETER

Every Thursday No Program Feb. 26

Exeter Family Morning Out: Exeter Family Morning Out is for children ages birth to six, with parents or other caregivers. Children will explore age-appropriate crafts and other activities, have positive play with peers and adults, and enjoy songs, stories and snack. Facilitator: Patricia Keck. Held at the Exeter Recreation Center, Court Street, Exeter. Thursdays 9:30-11 a.m., Free. More info at 422-8208 ext. 2 or FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org/programs.cfm.

Submitted text.