Inspire Children

EMPOWER PARENTS

Learning Opportunities

From the day they are born, young children learn from daily interactions with people, places and experiences. Parents can promote healthy development by understanding age-appropriate expectations and engaging young children in meaningful opportunities in and outside of the home.

These opportunities are offered in partnership with local organizations committed to CLEO.

Join us to learn and grow together!

Central Lake Public Schools Early Childhood Programs

Central Lake Early Childhood Programs envisions that families and children in Central Lake have access to high quality, affordable infant, toddler and preschool programming.  A tight knit community dedicated to providing play based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, embedded professional development and qualified early childhood educators.  Through partnerships and funding from the CLEO Purdy Endowment Fund, Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) we offer infant, toddler and preschool aged programming.

  • Central Lake Public Schools

  • Contact Anne Thornton; Early Childhood Director @ 231-544-3141 ext 54331

    thornton@clps.k12.mi.us


CLEO Book Club

Learn proven approaches to parenting along with numerous tips and tricks for handling every stage of early childhood development. Join other parents in a friendly and casual book discussion. Childcare and dinner are provided.


Central Lake Family Resources Monthly Newsletter

The monthly newsletter has information about upcoming activities, resources, parenting tips and child development.


Community Playgroup

Gather with other parents and young children for fun activities, movement, connecting and a snack! Support coordination, strength and cooperation through play.

  • Fridays: 10:00am-11:30am.

  • First Congregational Church basement - Central Lake

  • Contact Danielle Rosenow, 231-632-8837


Dolly Parton Imagination Library

At no cost to you, an age-appropriate book can be mailed to your home for each of your children (birth to 5 years old). Register your child today!

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Library Story Time

Build early literacy skills through stories, songs, themed activities and snacks!

  • Wednesdays: 10:30am

  • Contact the Central Lake District Library 231-544-2517


Tumble & Talk Time

Families with young children and siblings, join us in the CL Elementary School Gym. There will be toys to help kiddos move their bodies and burn off some energy! There is also an optional parent talk time during the last half of the gathering.

Additional Learning Resources

Conscious Discipline

Learn to create a safe, connected, problem-solving home environment through a proven and comprehensive approach to discipline. Conscious Discipline will empower you with self-awareness, brain information, developmental knowledge and usable skills to support strong parent-child relationships and decrease child behavior problems.


Developmental Milestones

Understand age-appropriate development to best connect with and support your growing child. Access milestone descriptions, checklists, trackers and related photo and video libraries from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


PBS Kids

Play fun online, educational games with your child.


PBS Parents

Find ways to play and explore age-appropriate educational activities on a variety of topics—literacy, math, science, arts, social skills, emotions and self-awareness, etc.

Links:

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Raising a Reader

Learn ways to develop, practice and maintain home literacy routines, fostering healthy brain development, healthy relationships, a love of reading and the literacy skills critical for school success.


Read Aloud 15 Minutes

Establish a daily 15 minute book sharing routine to promote early literacy and language development. After all, reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to improve your child’s readiness to read and learn!


Talking is Teaching

Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing is a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions.


Too Small to Fail

Find fun, age-appropriate activities to build your child’s math skills.

Links:


Vroom!

Do more with your shared moments by adding learning to mealtime, bath time, or anytime with 1,000+ fun, free activities.