Parent Connections
NKC Schools Parents as Teachers - February 2026
The February Newsletter is arriving a bit later than anticipated; however, we wanted to share a few important updates and reminders as we continue navigating the winter months.
As a reminder, Parent Educators see up to four families per day—not including their own. If anyone in your home is feeling unwell, please notify your Parent Educator as soon as possible. They may request a virtual visit to help prevent the spread of illness during cold, flu, COVID, and RSV season.
Winter Visit Reminders:
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Please ensure there is a clear, safe path into your home by shoveling and salting walkways, or by using an alternate entrance (such as a garage) if it is safer.
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On snow days or when road conditions are unsafe, your Parent Educator may request a virtual visit. We offer visit options designed specifically for winter weather.
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Please keep pets secured during icy or snowy visits to prevent slips, jumps, or falls at the doorway.
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If your driveway or street has not been plowed, please inform your Parent Educator ahead of time so they can plan accordingly and travel safely.
Infants
Responsive caregiving - holding, talking, and responding to cue builds trust and security. During this time, your focus is building secure attachment and responsive caregiving.
- Face-to-Face Time: Lay your baby in your lap and copy their sounds and facial expressions. Pause and wait for them to respond.
- Narrate the Day: Talk through everyday routines such as diaper changing, feedings, or bath time. Hearing your voice helps the baby feel secure.
- Gentle Touch & Massage: After bath time, use slow and gentle strokes on arms and legs while talking softly. This supports bonding and body awareness.
Toddlers
Toddlers' behavior is communication. During this time, your focus is big feelings and consistent, safe boundaries.
- Feelings Naming Game: Use simple phrases like, "You look frustrated," and "That made you happy!" You can also look at books and identify how characters feel.
- Special 10-Minute Play Time: Let your child choose the activity and follow their lead without correcting or directing. Even 10 minutes of undivided attention builds connection.
- Choice Practice: Offer simple choices throughout the day ("Blue cup or red cup?"). This helps support independence and reduces power struggles.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers thrive when given daily one-on-one time, opportunities to practice problem-solving, and encouragement as they build independence. During this time, your focus is on emotional skills and empathy. Connection increases cooperation.
- Role-Play Problem Solving: Act out common scenarios (sharing, waiting turns) and practice what to say. This builds empathy and social skills.
- Emotion Charades: Take turns acting out feelings while others guess. Talk about what clues helped identify the emotion.
- Gratitude at Bedtime: Share 1 thing each person appreciated that day. This strengthens emotional awareness and family connection.
If Animals Kissed Goodnight
If Animals Kissed Goodnight imagines how different animal families might say goodnight to one another. This book is great for infant and toddlers celebrating loving connections and bedtime routines.
My First Book of Emotions
My First Book of Emotions introduces key emotions like joy, sadness, and surprise in toddler-friendly language. It's a fun way to help little ones begin recognizing and talking about how they feel.
The Rabbit Listened
The picture book about a child coping with big emotions and the power of listening, patience, and support - great for conversations about empathy and emotional regulation.
Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits
Ingredients
- Vanilla or Plain Yogurt
- Fresh or Frozen (thawed) strawberries
- Granola or crushed cereal
Directions
- Spoon yogurt into a cup or bowl.
- Add a layer of strawberries.
- Sprinkle granola on top. Repeat layers if desired.
Make it Family Friendly
- Infants: Skip granola and mash strawberries into plain yogurt.
- Toddlers: Let them help spoon and sprinkle.
- Preschoolers: Encourage them to build their own layered parfait.
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: NKC Schools Early Education Center, 6479 N. Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119
Get ready for Kindergarten with an open-house type night! Talk with district leaders and supports this evening answering your questions about kindergarten as well as practice kindergarten readiness skills.
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.
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: Microsoft TEAMS Virtual Event
Get ready to learn how to keep those little smiles shining! The dentists from Dentistry for Children in Gladstone will be joining us to share fun, practical tips for building healthy oral care habits from the very first tooth through the teen years. From brushing basics to cavity prevention, you’ll walk away with simple strategies to help your child’s smile stay strong and healthy for years to come! Sign up is required; a link to the event will be sent the morning of Tuesday, March 17th.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: NKC Schools Early Education Center, 6479 N. Prospect Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119
Join us for an evening inspired by the children’s book Ricky, the Rock That Couldn’t Roll! Together, we’ll explore Ricky’s heartwarming story of friendship, perseverance, and celebrating what makes each of us unique. After reading the story, families will enjoy engaging, hands-on activities that bring the book to life and encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to build literacy skills while sharing meaningful moments and important life lessons together.
Our infant 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! All sessions will be from 9:30 am - 10:30 am and held at: Mid-Continent Public Library - Antioch Branch, 6060 N. Chesnut Avenue, Gladstone, MO 64119
Dates: Monday, January 12, February 2, March 2, April 6, 2026
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! All sessions will be from 9:30 am - 10:30 am and held at: Hobby Hill Park - West, 7700 N. Broadway, Gladstone, MO 64118.
Dates: Wednesday, January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, and May 6, 2026
Weatherization
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.
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
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!
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