Parent Connections
NKC Schools Parents as Teachers - August 2025
It’s hard to believe summer is already wrapping up! We’re excited to kick off another great year with lots of Group Connections planned — including an infant playgroup, a toddler playgroup, and several larger group events at the Early Education Center.
You may also notice a new face on the Parents as Teachers team — please join us in welcoming Caitlin! She’s excited to begin meeting our amazing families. With her addition, our team is now 15 strong, and we’re hoping to grow to 16 this year! Interested in becoming a Parent Educator? We still have a full-time Parent Educator position open. Visit the NKC Schools careers page to learn more and apply.
Our Parent Educators officially return on August 11, although some have already begun reaching out. If you haven’t heard from your Parent Educator yet, expect a call by August 18 to schedule your first visit of the year.
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.
Visit Times
Visits last approximately one hour, and parents are expected to be actively engaged and present. This is a special opportunity for you and your child to connect, learn, and enjoy time together.
Pets
We kindly ask that all animals are securely put away in a separate area during your home visit. This helps ensure the safety and comfort of both the home visitor and your pet, and allows for fewer distractions so we can focus fully on your child and family during our time together.
Illnesses
Our Parent Educators visit several families each day, so let’s work together to keep everyone healthy. If anyone in your home is sick, please contact your Parent Educator to schedule a virtual visit — we have plenty of engaging options for both parents and children!
Establish Routines
Consistent routines help children feel secure and prepared during transitions. A daily schedule with time for school prep, meals, and quiet activities can provide the stability they need to adjust with confidence.
Communicate and Involve
Keep open communication with your child about the transition back to school. Discuss what to expect and involve them in preparations—like choosing school supplies or planning their morning routine—to help them feel more confident and in control.
Offer Emotional Support
Transitions can be emotional, especially for children. Offer reassurance, spend quality time together, and acknowledge their feelings to help them adjust.
Create a Visual Schedule at Home
Ask your Parent Educator for ideas of a visual schedule for routines in the home.
Start Back-to-School/Childcare Wake-Up Routines
Waking up and morning routines are hard. Try to establish the wake up routines early so the first day goes smooth!
Back-to-School Photo Safety
Be careful what you post online of your child including children's identifying information.
Wemberly Worried
Wemberly Worried is a great story to share during back-to-school time. It explores the worries children may feel during transitions and helps them see they’re not alone. It’s a comforting reminder that new experiences, like starting school, can lead to positive surprises.
The Kissing Hand
The Kissing Hand is a heartwarming story that helps ease separation anxiety during back-to-school transitions, reminding children that a parent’s love stays with them wherever they go. It’s a reassuring way to support little ones as they face new routines and environments.
The Invisible String
The Invisible String is a comforting story for children facing back-to-school transitions, reminding them that they are always connected to their loved ones, even when apart. It's a powerful way to ease anxiety and build emotional security during times of change.
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: NKC Early Education Center, 6479 N. Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119
Join us for a magical evening inspired by Eric Carle’s beloved classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Families and little ones are invited to crawl into a world of color, fun, and learning with hands-on activities and storytime celebrating the hungry little caterpillar's big adventure. Perfect for children ages 0-5. Whether you're a fan of the book or discovering it for the first time, this night promises to be sweet, silly, and full of learning! RSVPs are required for this event. Please sign up using the Sign-Up Genius. This event is only for enrolled participants in North Kansas City Schools Parents as Teachers program.
Join us for a Parent Information Night with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (also known as a Car Seat Safety Inspector)! Learn essential tips about car seat safety and receive a free car seat safety check.
Please note:
This event is for parents and guardians enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program.
Childcare will not be provided.
Our Infant Playgroups are back! This year, we will hold our (almost) monthly infant group connections at Mid-Continent Public Library - Antioch Branch. Our infant-toddler playgroups are intended for families with children under 18 months old. It will be a time for families to connect with one another and babies to interact with each other. All while talking about parenting! Sign up for the dates that work best for your family. We hope to see you there!
Date(s): Monday, August 18, September 8, October 13, December 1
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Mid-Continent Public Library, Antioch Branch - 6060 N. Chestnut Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119
Toddler Playgroups
We heard you! Last year's survey showed you wanted more toddler-specific group events—and we're making it happen! Our Toddler Playgroups are specially created for families with children ages 18 months to 3 years.
Dates: Wednesday, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 10.
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116.
Please note: Families should meet at the play structure off of Howell Street.
Deanna Rose Safety Day
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
13800 Switzer Rd.
Overland Park, KS 66221
Free admission, safety education, touch-a-trucks, safety items, and more!
Clay County Health Department Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Macken Park, North Kansas City
This is a family-friendly event hosted annually by Clay County Public Health Center. The purpose of Family Fun Day is to present a wide variety of ways local families can incorporate wellness habits in their daily lives to improve health.
Local vendors and community partners host booths or tents with fun activities for kids, plus helpful resources and information for adults. All booths cover topics like: physical activity, nutrition and healthy eating, safety, mental health and wellness, education and literacy, healthcare resources and more.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
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 Mobile Food Pantry
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
About Us
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