Office of Child Care and Family Resources

Wishing all our parenting students the best of luck as they embark on a new semester at UW-Madison. You got this!!!

Head into Labor Day weekend with the last burgers on the bay Brittingham Boats, first friday Monroe Street Madison, the first Wisconsin Union , the last Mad-City Ski Team free show, a day of magic Keep Calm Tool Kits LLC, and of course the Taste of Madison festival! See details and more https://madisonwi.macaronikid.com/events

Early reading ability is one of the key predictors of how children will succeed in their later schooling and life. Learn more about how you can support your child at different months here: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/parenting-future-readers/

Maintaining focus can be challenging for infants, preschoolers, and even grownups! Don’t be discouraged if your little one finds it tough to concentrate on a story. What matters is the bond you’re building!

Tip: Engage your child by encouraging them to turn the pages and talk about the pictures while you read together. 💡

Free guided walk in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve: Centipedes, Millipedes, and Spiders, Oh My! Friday, September 1, (7 to 9 p.m.)
Meet at entrance to Picnic Point (2000 University Bay Dr)
Since many of our charismatic arthropods are nocturnal, we will explore the Preserve in the evening, so come prepared with flashlights or headlamps! Sponsored by the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

We would like to recognize Linnea Hjelm, PhD student in the Civil Society & Community Research program, for her recent op-ed in The Progressive Magazine that has been gaining media attention nationwide!

Linnea writes about how young people should take part in decision-making when the outcome directly impacts them. Teens experience anxiety about active shooters in schools, feel the effects of climate change, and are invested in important conversations around trans youth healthcare. Creating youth advisory committees through nonprofit organizations or with policymakers can improve the reach of impact. To accomplish this, adults need to find ways to work with youth groups safely and respectfully — to show that young voices matter.

Join us in congratulating Linnea for her fantastic work on this piece! Read the full op-ed: https://progressive.org/op-eds/young-people-deserve-a-seat-at-the-table/

Have you heard about the Naturalist-in-Residence Program?

This nature-based program offers events for all ages in libraries, parks, and natural areas across the city of Madison in the month of September. It is a partnership between Madison Public Library and Madison Parks.

These events are led by Naturalist Qwantese Dourese Winters, a doula, writer, agriculturist, and mixed media artist. Her work is centered around inspiring black folks to connect with the land, enjoy the outdoors, and benefit from nature's healing properties. She also has a deep appreciation for food sovereignty and agriculture, including these elements into her various projects.

This year’s Naturalist-in-Residence Program offers workshops about making a rosemary and rose petal hair rinse, brewing herbal tea blends, cooking foraged foods, and nature writings coupled with meditative walks.

Find more information about upcoming events and registration links here: https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/special-series/naturalist-residence

Photo: Retrieved from Madison Public Library’s website.

Madison Parks Madison Public Library

It's FINALLY cooling down for our FINAL August weekend with Dane Dances, the Orton Park Festival including kid mind-blowing Cycropia Aerial Dance, Middleton Good Neighbor Festival, the Lil' Badger Consignment Sale, LLC, Bodega Breese Stevens Field, biergarten San Damiano Monona, the Water Lantern Festival (and our 3 ticket winners!), plus connect with your community at Penn Park Madison Parks, and lots more https://madisonwi.macaronikid.com/events

Be safe out there today, friends!!

MCM is open today (8/24) 9 am–8 pm. Our indoor spaces (Floors 1, 2, Wildernest, and Rooftop Clubhouse) are open, however the Wonderground will be closed after 12 pm due to extreme heat. Stay safe and come on in if you need a cool place for your family to relax and play.