Dinosaurs

ing held during April school vacation week, beginning Monday and concluding on Saturday, April 24, during park hours, at

Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway.

“With the help of Renee Wheeler, Leominster Public Library’s children librarian, we found this book which was a wonderful mix of dinosaur facts and fantasy,” said Lisa Novelli, Project Apples-Leominster

CFCE and PCHP Coordinator.

“If you had a pet dinosaur, this is the book for you,” she added.

A children’s Story Walk features a chosen book that has been taken apart, laminated, and posted around a path, with this walk being held around Barrett Pond.

“I think this is a great opportunity for children to get outdoors, observe the sights and sounds of nature, and have the opportunity to read a fun story,” said Novelli.

The Dinosaur Hide and Seek will offer families an exciting time working together to find the dinosaurs throughout the park, using clues such as “where do dinosaurs share a meal,” “go for shelter on a rainy or hot day,” “or even find a great book,” she emphasized.

Novelli believes this will be a fun activity that can be done while being social in a safe outdoor space.

“The Dinosaur Hide and Seek will feature 10 plastic dinosaurs that are hiding around the pond at Barrett Park,” Novelli said

“When you find the hidden dinosaur (on top of their container) read the card with the dinosaur’s name and facts and have fun learning something new.”

Participants are free to take lots of photos, but are asked to please leave the dinosaurs in their hiding spots for all to enjoy.

Novelli said to add to the fun, 75 “dinosaur eggs” will be available (while supplies last) at the Leominster Recreation Department office for families to pick up and take home.

“The children can pick up a dinosaur egg that will feature a little tool attached to each egg, just scrape through the egg to find the dinosaur,” Novelli said.

“Children will also be able to take home an activity packet filled with mazes, puppet making, word searches and finger tracing.”

Participants are asked to wear a mask and maintain six feet of social distance between you and others.

Project Apples is a free program offered by the Massachusetts Department

of Early Education and Care and supported by Leominster Public Schools.

“We have many initiatives through our grant to outreach to families with children newborn to age 5 that include parent education and family engagement, early literacy and child development, collaboration between early education and care partners, transition support, and linkages and supports to programs,” Novelli said.

Project Apples offers programs such as ParentChild Playgroups, ParentChild+ Home Visitation Program for under-resourced families, Parent Education Workshops, Positive Solutions Parenting Classes, newsletters, and community events including Family Fun Nights, Literacy Fairs, and Story Walks, along with weekly playgroups.

“As your child’s first and most important teacher, attending our free playgroups will help you guide your child’s social-emotional development, language and communication, cognitive development and physical health and wellbeing,”

Novelli said.

Engaging with your child, and others, through imaginative play, circle time which includes stories, music and movement, and S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities in a safe and supportive environment, enables curiosity and a love of learning to flourish, and the bond between you and your child to continue to grow.

“Our activities are a place where parents have an opportunity to meet and share ideas and experiences with other parents,” she said.

“Such events like the Dinosaur Story Walk and Dinosaur Hide and Seek gets children outside, gets them to read and learn about dinosaurs, and to spend time with family and friends during April school vacation week,” she continued. For more information on this event, Project Apples, or other events being planned, call 978-5343038; e-mail lisa.novelli@leominsterschools.org or visit them on Facebook.