Willard Parents as Teachers

06/17/2026

Summer Sensory Fun!

Need an easy activity for a hot day?
Try:
• Ice cube painting
• Water table scooping & pouring
• Bubble foam play
• Frozen toy rescue
• Sidewalk chalk + spray bottle cleanup

Sensory play helps build fine motor skills, language, creativity, and problem-solving — all while having FUN!

Save this post for your next “I don’t know what to do today” moment.

06/16/2026

Splash pads are the real MVP of summer and honestly… they deserve a trophy. 🏆

Free? Usually.
Tires kids out? Beautifully.
Requires very little planning? Bless.
Makes your child instantly forget they were “too hot to walk” 4 seconds ago? A miracle.

It’s the kind of summer outing where the bar is low, the joy is high, and someone will absolutely need a snack the moment their feet hit the parking lot.

So let’s hear it:
What’s your family’s favorite splash pad in the 417?

Bonus points if it has:
✔ shade
✔ bathrooms
✔ a playground nearby
✔ enough water pressure to humble a toddler

Drop your go-to spot below so another 417 parent can survive summer with slightly less sweating and slightly more sanity.

06/10/2026

🌈 Boredom Isn’t Always a Bad Thing 🌈

Sometimes the magic starts after:
“Mommmm… I’m bored.” 😅

It can be tempting to fill every moment with activities, screens, or plans — but boredom often encourages children to become creators instead of just consumers.

That “nothing to do” feeling can lead to:
🎨 Creativity
🧠 Problem-solving
🏗️ Imaginative play
✨ Independent thinking

Some of the best summer memories are made from blanket forts, backyard adventures, made-up games, and simple moments at home. 💛

06/05/2026

🍩 Happy National Donut Day! 🍩

Whether it’s a special breakfast treat, a trip to your favorite donut shop, or a pretend donut bakery at home — today is a sweet excuse for a little extra fun!

Want to turn it into learning too?
✨ Count donut holes
✨ Sort sprinkles by color
✨ Practice taking turns “ordering”
✨ Make letter or number donuts with paper plates

Because even simple moments can build big skills.

Tell us your favorite donut flavor below! 👇

06/01/2026

Summer Reading Starts Today! 📚☀️

Today is the start of Summer Reading with Springfield-Greene County Library District!

Families can sign up online or stop by any library branch to pick up a game board and start earning prizes through reading and fun activities together all summer long.

Kids who complete the program can earn:
📚 A free book
🎟️ A Summer Youth Passport with local goodies
🧾 A Fresh Start Fine Waiver Card

There are also extra Star Reader Challenges for chances to win additional prizes throughout the summer!

Reading together helps build language, imagination, and early literacy skills — and it’s such a simple way to make meaningful memories together too. ❤️

The program is open for all ages, from babies through adults, and runs through August 10th!

All Library branches will be closed and the Mobile Library will not make its scheduled stops on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.

05/31/2026

Next week in the 417 is packed with the kind of family fun that makes you look organized… even if your real summer plan is mostly snacks, sunscreen, and hoping nobody loses a shoe.

I rounded up kid-friendly + free or low-cost things to do June 1–7 so when the kids ask, “What are we doing today?” you can point to this flyer like you have a whole activities department.

On the list:
Republic Branch Library Grand Opening
Outdoor pools opening for the season
Wednesday Concerts at Noon
Movie Matinee: The Parent Trap
First Friday Art Walk
Kids’ Fishing Fun Day
Nixa Multicultural Festival
Bennett Spring Everyone Fish Free Days
Cinema Sundays: Moana
High Street VBS: Kingdom Quest

We’ve got libraries, pools, music, movies, art, fishing, festivals, and VBS. Basically, if your kids still say they’re bored after this, they may need to speak with management.

Frugal mom tip:
Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and the backup snacks you pretend are “just in case” but absolutely know will be needed by minute 14.

Double-check times, registration, costs, and weather before heading out because free events are wonderful, but parenthood loves a plot twist.

Save this for next week’s “I need them entertained but I also like having money” plan.

05/28/2026

Toddler Summer Bucket List ☀️🌈

Summer is the perfect time for little adventures, messy play, and making memories together!

Toddlers learn best through hands-on experiences — climbing, splashing, exploring, creating, and playing. Even simple activities help build important skills like communication, coordination, problem-solving, and confidence. ❤️

Download our Toddler Summer Bucket List and see how many activities your family can check off this summer! ☀️🫧

05/26/2026

Baby Summer Bucket List ☀️🍼

Simple summer moments can make a BIG impact on your baby’s development. ❤️

From feeling grass for the first time to listening to birds chirp outside, babies learn through exploring the world with their senses and through loving interactions with YOU.

This summer, try slowing down and soaking in the little moments together. ☀️

Check out our Baby Summer Bucket List for easy ways to play, explore, and connect all season long!

05/24/2026

Summer Update ☀️📣

As we head into summer, we want to let families know that Parents as Teachers follows the school district calendar, which means parent educator visits pause during the summer months. ☀️

If you are currently enrolled, we’ll reconnect with you in the fall when visits resume and continue supporting your child’s learning and development. ❤️

If you are new and interested in joining our program over the summer, you can still sign up here:
👉 https://www.willardschools.net/programs/parents-as-teachers

*New families will be contacted in the fall to schedule their first visit.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your family’s journey — we look forward to connecting with you soon! 🍎

Parents as Teachers - Willard Public Schools

05/22/2026

School’s Out for Summer! ☀️🎉

School may be out, but learning can still happen through play, exploration, and everyday moments together. ❤️

This summer:
☀️ Play outside
📚 Read together
🫧 Blow bubbles
🌿 Explore nature
🎨 Make messes
🚲 Go on adventures

Children learn so much through simple experiences — building language, creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills along the way.

Thank you to all of our amazing families for a wonderful year of learning, growing, and making memories together. We are so grateful to be part of your journey and appreciate the time, trust, and love you pour into your children each day. ❤️

We hope your summer is filled with fun, laughter, and lots of memories together!