News

Youth Center program helps parents, children

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Dover Air Force Base, Del. --  Active duty, dependents, retirees and civilians who are connected to the military may bring their children every Thursday from 10 - 11 a.m. to the Mommies-N-Me and Daddies Too group at the Youth Center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The program is an outlet for parents to bring their children out to play and get to meet other children and parents. It is a great way for children to build social skills and for both parent and child to build friendships. It is also an opportunity for parents to meet with other parents and share stories and parental advice. The program is available for newborns as well as children up to age five.

"Kids get to socialize, follow the other kids and learn to share," said Staff Sgt. Jason Helbig, 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintainer.

There is no preschool on base, so this program gives children the opportunity to come in to play and learn.

"The kids come out and make friends," said Kristy Grove, Youth Center team coordinator. "It is really cute to see two little kids excited to see each other because at that point you know friendships are forming and social skills are building."

Kashante Whitaker, parent and volunteer at the Mommies-N-Me and Daddies Too group, believes the program is a great opportunity for stay-at-home moms to get out and meet other parents and children. She said it helps children build relationships with other children who they can later set up play dates outside the program.

Grove said she wishes they had the program 20 years ago when she was raising her child while her husband was deployed or on temporary duties.

"I had only one child and sometimes it got a little boring at home for her," said Grove. "My outlet back then was trying to figure it out on my own. I wish the program was around then so I would have had someone to talk to who was going through the same issues as me."

There are many activities at the Mommies-N-Me and Daddies Too group session such as an art table, a reading station and open play. They put basketballs, toys and games out so the parents and children can do things together. It is an open area for the children to just play. They are also trying to get a tumbling class to help with their goals of child development and social skills.