New name brings changes for playgroup

  • Published
  • By Airman Alexis Grotz
  • 23 Wing Public Affairs
Moody Air Force Base, Ga. --  The interactive playgroup formerly known as Tater Tots has been renamed to Moody Family Connections Playgroup in an effort to reach more children and families.

The newly renamed playgroup is designed to show more of a family aspect. A change of the name isn't the only thing that's different. The playgroup has also added some new activities for the children such as games, sing along, dancing and playtime.

"While changing the name I also looked into adding 4 year olds to the group's original ages of 6 months to 3 years old," said Windy Scott, 23d Force Support Squadron Exceptional Family Member Program coordinator. "Allowing children 4 years of age to participate gives us more time to watch how the children interact and behave before they get to school."

Although the playgroup is mainly for the children to interact with one another, parents are also learning while they attend as well. Family Advocacy and the Exceptional Family Member Program have teamed up to better educate parents in topics of interest such as safe sleep, coupon training, making your own baby food, cloth diapering and breastfeeding. To do so they invite different speakers to help the parents as the children play with the many toys.

"The playgroup gives me the adult interaction I need as wells as lets the children interact with each other," said Billie-Ann Bradshaw, wife of Staff Sgt. Henry Bradshaw, 23d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics systems craftsman. "Having somewhere to go to talk about what I am experiencing with my children and finding out I'm not the only one helps."

The adults get to socialize with other parents as their children interact with one another, make friends, have fun and learn how to share the many toys that are donated.

"In the new name the family connections portion helps to incorporate anyone, whether that is a dad, or a mom," said Scott. "These days there are just as many dads out there raising children on their own as there are moms."

The playgroup is held every Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. to help children ages 6 months to 4 years learn how to interact with one another and prepare for the transition to school. It is currently held in the Freedom I Fitness Center Annex until the construction at the youth center is complete.