Childhood fair will be family event

Area families with young children are encouraged to come acquire information, ideas and free gifts at the area Early Childhood Family Education Fair set from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 27 at the Waseca Intermediate School.

Sponsored by the Waseca school district’s Family Education Center, the evening features activities and displays of interest to young children, including games, baby animals, and even a free book for each child in attendance. The event simultaneously allows parents to connect with organizations, businesses and services pertinent to early childhood, that is, ages 0 to 5.  

Area public safety officers, health care providers, youth organizations, education agencies and more will be available to interact with children while also providing adult-level resources and ideas. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Organizers point out family members should attend together, since all ages will find something to their liking.

Among those with resources to share will be Sam Holicky, a member of the Family Health Team of the Waseca County Public Health Department. Having attended the event numerous times, Holicky says she recommends it highly not only because of the educational fun it provides for children, but more importantly for the resources and assurance it can provide for parents.

Holicky acknowledges a great deal of information can be found online, then mentions “parents must often sort through large amounts of information to find what is accurate and trustworthy.” The locally relevant, personal conversations the fair can initiate, she suggests, can be helpful to those looking for a place to turn to.

“The Early Childhood Fair brings a variety of local resources, including Public Health, into one convenient place, helping both new and experienced parents connect with agencies and professionals who support their child’s healthy development.” She goes on to say the resources pertain to every phase of early growth–prenatal to preschool.

Public Health is a county department which provides services to people of all income levels. Its display at the EC Fair will center around early childhood, but its services are relevant for individuals of all ages, including offering parents help with children all the way through young adulthood.

The Public Health booth at the EC Fair will be focusing on nutrition and hydration, according to Holicky. She mentions the intent is to share information about the new federal nutrition guidelines, which she says will have effects in many aspects of daily life, including the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, school meals, and recommendations from health care providers.

The new guidelines, she summarizes, “shift toward a ‘real food’ approach that emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods,” adding “It is important that parents and caregivers understand what is changing and why.

“We hope to give WIC families and our wider community clear, practical information that supports healthier choices at home and in every setting where children eat and drink.”

But whatever type of guidance or assistance families are looking for, Holicky suggests they will find a path to useful, locally available support at the March 27 fair.