Thrive to Five Events Newsletter

This newsletter includes FREE events that are organized by or are in collaboration with, Thrive to Five and other Community Action Partnership programs. This newsletter also offers ideas and resources that support the whole family in staying connected, safe, healthy, and informed.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact:

Katy Torres, Coordinator of Family Engagement, Thrive to Five

ktorres@caplanc.org

If this newsletter was shared with you and you would like to get on our monthly email list, please click the button below to sign up.

Pre-K learning at a farmers market provides a rich, multi-sensory environment that promotes experiential learning. Children build essential skills in math, science, and social development by interacting directly with real-world environments and community members. Check out the farmers market activities below that tie to core early learning domains.

Social & Emotional Development

Concept: Community building, interactions, and empathy.

• Vendor Interviews-Encourage children to use conversational skills by asking farmers simple, pre-planned "How" and "Why" questions (e.g., "Why are these carrots purple?").
• Market Transactions-Practice sharing, patience in lines, and using polite manners (please, thank you, making eye contact) during buying and selling.

Physical Development (Motor Skills)

Concept: Fine and gross motor control, sensory exploration.

• Sensory Walk-Allow children to feel the rough skin of a melon, the fuzz on a peach, and the smooth leaves of kale.
• Scavenger Hunt-Give children a small basket to hold while walking, reaching, and carrying heavy items to build gross motor strength and coordination.
• Sorting & Stacking-Have children use tongs to transfer specific produce (like cherry tomatoes or apples) from crates to scales.

Concept: Vocabulary expansion, expressive language, and print awareness.

• Environmental Print Reading-Point out numbers on price tags, labels, and signs (e.g., "Grown in Pennsylvania").
• Market Vocabulary-Introduce and define descriptive words (crunchy, bumpy, vibrant, organic, harvest, roots).
• Market Journals-Have children dictate a story about their favorite market find or draw pictures of the stands they visited.

Cognitive & Math (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

Concept: Measurement, classification, counting, and life sciences.

• Counting and Sorting: Group produce by color, shape, or type (e.g., separating all root vegetables from leafy greens).
• Weight & Measurement: Use a simple balance scale to compare which vegetables are heavier or lighter.
• Plant Anatomy: Discuss how foods grow by looking at the whole plant (roots like carrots, stems like celery, flowers like broccoli, and leaves like spinach).

Creative Arts

Concept: Expression, imagination, and dramatic play.

• Dramatic Play Stand: Set up a mini farm stand at home using play food, toy cash registers, and homemade price tags to recreate the field trip experience.
• Nature Rubbings: Place paper over leaves, dried corn cobs, or the outside of onions, and rub with crayons to make textured artwork.

Always preview a book before reading it to your child. This is important for ensuring that what you share is age appropriate and aligns with your personal family values.

Click the library card to find a library near you.

Click the book images to learn what they are about.

The Library System of Lancaster County has kickstarted their Summer Reading Program of 'Unearth a Story' with lots of great rewards for kids that participate. There are also lots of fun reading events happening at Library's around the County.

Click the button below to access the website for the following information:

• Link to register through Beanstack to participate.
• Reading event schedules.
• Summer reading recommendations by age group.
• Teen Summer Zine for Tweens and Teens (12-19)
• Sneak peek of the prize sponsors

Each invitation below includes the event details and a link to register.

Please note that some events may only be open to residents of a specific region of Lancaster County, so please be mindful before registering.

Invitations can be downloaded and printed through the 'Printables Folder' at the end of this newsletter.

Self-guided events are opportunities for your family to engage in fun and learning when and where it is convenient for you and your schedule.

This summer program, brought to you each year by WellSpan Health, Library System of Lancaster County, and Public Libraries of Lancaster County, encourages children and their families to get outdoors and get moving as they explore Lancaster County. This year’s theme — GO and Discover the Past! — will give you fun ways to learn about tools to dig up ancient treasures, industries that shaped our history, and even a few dinosaurs!

Twenty “site markers” — wooden posts with an etching plate attached — have been hidden in local and state parks and sites around Lancaster County. The Ledger (program guide) contains clues to follow as you hike to find the post at each location. Click the button below to learn more and to register.

CHILDREN'S EARLY LITERACY CALENDAR

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY CALENDAR

Create a fun family bucket list of activities to complete this Summer, and then celebrate completing together. Check out the file folder linked at the bottom of the newsletter to print your own copy.

Below are resources to stay connected to the Lancaster County community and to support the overall growth and well-being of you and your family.

A mobile market bringing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables directly to communities throughout Lancaster County—at affordable prices! Rolling Roots’ mission is to make fresh produce more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone.

Why choose Rolling Roots?

• Farm-fresh produce from trusted local growers across Lancaster County
• Convenient locations at Union Community Care health centers you already know and trust
• Wholesome, affordable food that supports your health and well-being
• A friendly, welcoming mobile market that brings fresh food directly to your community

DVS provides emergency shelter, counseling, legal and housing services, and children's programming for victims of domestic violence and their children.

We as a community have an opportunity to support families and children experiencing abuse in their homes. Please contact Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster (dvsinfo@caplanc.org) to learn more and get involved.

DVS 24-Hour Hotline: 717.299.1249 Collect Calls Accepted

National Domestic Violence: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

TTY 1.800.787.3224

Text a DVS advocate: Text SAFE (7233) to 61222

The Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) supports pregnant women, mothers, and caregivers of infants and young children to keep themselves and their families healthy. WIC provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, healthy foods, and referrals to health and social services during the critical stages of fetal and early childhood development.

WIC HELPS YOU HELP YOUR FAMILY

EASY AS 1, 2, 3

1. Apply online, https://www.pawic.com/OnlineApplication.aspx; by phone, 717-509-3686 | 1-800-WIC WINS; or in person at 601 S Queen St, Lancaster PA
2. Set up an appointment to determine if you qualify.
3. Receive benefits for nutritious foods, important nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for other helpful programs.

This is a paid subscription, but if you sign up using the button below you will receive the service for FREE!

Click the file folder below to access invitations, handouts, and resources to download and print.

CAP Thrive to Five provides quality, evidence-based services to families residing in Lancaster County from prenatal through Kindergarten entry. These programs offer both classroom and home visiting options and include but are not limited to Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K Counts.

For more information, or to apply, contact Thrive to Five using the information below.

Email: thrivetofive@caplanc.org
Website: www.caplanc.org
Location: 601 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 299-7301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAPLancasterCounty/
Twitter: @CAPLancaster