Parent Connections

As winter weather approaches, please help keep our Parent Educators safe as we visit during the colder months. Below are some reminders we are asking families to keep in mind:

• Please ensure there is a clear and safe path into the home — whether that means shoveling/salting a walkway or having the Parent Educator enter through an alternate route (such as the garage) if that is safer.
• If there is a snow day or unsafe road conditions, your Parent Educator may request a virtual visit. We have a visit specifically designed for snow days!
• If your child or anyone in the home is sick, please request a virtual visit. We will do the same. We visit several families each day and want to prevent the spread of germs during RSV season and the holidays.
• Please keep pets secured during icy or snowy visits to prevent slips, jumps, or falls at the doorway.
• If your driveway or street is not plowed, please let your Parent Educator know ahead of time so they can plan safely.

Thank you for helping keep everyone safe!

Screening appointments are now available for our 2026-27 free, general education preschool programs!

Children are age-eligible if born between 8/1/2021 and 7/31/2022.

The first step toward enrolling in our free, general education preschool programs is completing a developmental screening. A screening does not guarantee placement, but it is required. During your appointment, our staff will screen your child while you complete some paperwork. At the end, you will meet with a staff member to review the results and discuss next steps. Children must live within the North Kansas City School District boundaries to participate. Interpreters are available upon request. You can click the flyer or button below to read more about the process and/or schedule an appointment.

Even in the colder months, outdoor play is important for young children’s physical health, mood, and development. Families can make wintertime outdoor activities fun, safe, and engaging for toddlers and preschoolers.

• Dress children in layers, including hats, gloves, and waterproof boots, to stay warm and dry.

• Explore simple activities like walking in the snow, building snow tunnels, or collecting pinecones.

• Observe ice, frost, or winter wildlife to create fun sensory experiences.

• If it’s too cold for long play, try short outdoor breaks or indoor gross motor activities near windows.

• Outdoor play helps children stay active, curious, and engaged—even during the winter months.

Shorter days, colder weather, and changes in routine can affect young children’s moods and energy levels. Providing consistent support and simple coping strategies can help toddlers and preschoolers navigate these seasonal changes with confidence and calm.

• Maintain consistent daily routines for meals, naps, and bedtime to provide stability.

• Encourage children to talk about their feelings and validate their emotions.

• Offer comfort items, like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, to help children feel secure.

• Include movement breaks, dance, or indoor active play to boost mood and energy.

• Use mindfulness activities like deep breaths, gentle stretching, or quiet storytime to help children relax.

This kid-friendly recipe is something fun and easy to make on those days that are snowy and you are stuck inside!

Ingredients

• 1 Gallon of Clean Snow
• 1 Cup of White Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract
• 2 Cups of Milk

Directions

1. When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect flakes.

2. When the bowl is full, mix in sugar and vanilla. Stir in just enough milk for desired consistency. Serve at once.

This is a great recipe for toddlers and preschoolers to help with! Vegetables can be added, removed, or arranged based on what your family has at home or what your children enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2–3 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 1–2 potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 cup green beans (fresh or frozen), chopped

• 1 cup corn or peas (optional)

• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (optional for picky eaters)

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper to taste (keep very light for young children)

• Small pasta shapes (stars, alphabet, elbows) OR cooked rice (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery; sauté 3–4 minutes until slightly soft.

2. Add potatoes, green beans, broth, garlic powder, and tomatoes (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15–20 minutes.

3. Stir in corn/peas and small pasta or rice. Cook until veggies and pasta are tender.

4. Serve warm. For toddlers, mash lightly or serve brothier portions.

Our toddler playgroups are intended for families with children 18 months to 3 years old. It will be a time for families to connect with one another and toddlers to interact with each other. All while talking about parenting! Bundle up and join us on Wednesday, December 10 from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at Macken Park (1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116). We will be doing activities around the book, The Mitten!

Please note: The park the Parent Educators will be at is off of Howell Street (please see map below).

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: NKC Early Education Center, 6479 N. Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119

Join us for Winterfest a family evening filled with hands-on activities, crafts, and play for families in Parents as Teachers. Families will enjoy winter-themed experiences that support learning and connection while making memories together. Please register on the button below.

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: NKC Schools Early Education Center, 6479 N. Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119

An evening expanding favorite children’s stories into fun activities! Join us for a night expanding on the book, The Day the Crayons Quit.

The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (LIWAP) provides homeowners and renters with cost-effective, energy-efficient home improvements free of charge through Community Action Agency of Kansas City.

Thank you to Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, all children under the age of 5 in Missouri are eligable for a free monthly book to the child each month. Sign up for your free books today!

Clay County Health Department offers a monthly mobile food pantry with free, fresh and healty food. The pantry is the first Wednesday of every month from 3:00-4:30 PM, while supplies last. While the purpose of the event is to provide fresh and healthy foods to those in our community who might otherwise not be able to afford all the nutritious food their family needs that week, anyone is welcome to get food at our events. No proof of need is required. You can also pick up food for other people.

Pickup is at

Clay County Health Department

800 Haines Drive, Liberty, MO 64068

WIC Approved Food List changes start October 1, 2025. All participants will receive the same amount of food with the same nutritional value each month! Participants will continue to receive the higher dollar amount for fruit and vegetable purchases each month! Check out the Clay County Health Department's website for more information!

We still have openings for families! Know someone with young children?

If you have friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors who live within the North Kansas City School District boundaries and have children under 5, send them our way! We’re currently enrolling families for the 2025–2026 school year.

We are always looking for families and our best recruitment is YOU! Invite a friend to come learn about PAT.

Email: parentsasteachers@nkcschools.org

Website: https://www.nkcschools.org
Location: 6479 North Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO, USA
Phone: (816)321-5453

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NKCParentsAsTeachers/photos/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: @NKCPAT