The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Rising Titans prepares children for kindergarten
Lorain children played and learned at the same time Oct. 8 while getting prepared for kindergarten.
The event was Rising Titans Playgroup at the Lorain Public Library System’s South Branch, 2121 Homewood Drive in Lorain.
It was provided by the Rising Titans community collaborative funded by United Way of Greater Lorain County and led by Neighborhood Alliance and a team of community partners.
“We want to make sure kids in Lorain area ready for that first year of school,” said Katelyn Gonzalez, coordinator of the collaborative. “In today’s world, kids are expected to do so much more than when I was in kindergarten.
“So, this initiative allows them to be ready while having their parents here as support.”
Mel Mendez, community outreach specialist with Neighborhood Alliance, ran the program.
“The overall age range for us is 2 to 5, but we do have some younger,” Mendez said. “There is a lot of sensory play things, music and soft play equipment.
“We encourage parents to play with their children and help them develop those skills. They also get used to being in a public setting and be instructed how to do something.”
Mendez said the ultimate goal is for the children to engage with others.
“They need to work with parents and other children through learning and play,” she said. “With (student) Bryce (Hughes), he is a bit older than the other kids here, so I was working with him on matching and counting with a Halloween theme of pumpkins and spiderwebs.
“It’s good fun, and there is no wrong way for them to play.”
Amber Carnley, of Lorain, was with her son 2-year-old son, Bryson.
“It’s very educational,” said Carnley, when talking about Rising Titans Playgroup. “He (Bryson) learns a lot from these, and it’s a good social opportunity as well.”
Ana Caceres, of Lorain, brought her 1-yearold daughter, Analia, to the event.
“We really like it,” Caceres said. “It gives her a chance to play with other kids.
“There aren’t any other kids at home, so I want her to get the chance to play with kids her age.”
The next Rising Titans Playgroup will be Oct. 17 at the Lorain Public Library System’s Main Branch, 351 W. Sixth St. in Lorain.
The event will return to the South Lorain Branch on Nov. 12 and back to the main branch Nov. 20.
The event is from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Rising Titans also will hold a Trunk-or-Treat for children ages infant to 5 years from noon to 2 p.m., Oct. 19, at Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave. in Lorain.
The first 75 children will receive a Rising Titans string backpack and two free children’s books.
Anyone looking to sign their child up for Rising Titans can call Gonzalez at 440-752-1823 or Mendez at 440-396-0391.