Children

For the Children

Programming for children birth to five has been designed to equip children entering school with the cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional assets that facilitate school and life success. Programs include curriculum-based play-to-learn and socialization groups, field trips, language and literacy activities, basic math skills, along with many other fun, innovative early learning programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Prenatal Outreach and Education Program

Expectant families meet weekly to get to know other families in their neighborhood, participate in workshops and prenatal education opportunities, and to learn about services in their community. Each participating family is given a baby shower and layette items for their baby. Our prenatal education program is curriculum-based and often co-facilitated in partnership with health centers or the federal Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

Smart Start Home Visiting

Home visits are offered to families with newborns and each family receives a Smart Start basket. During the visit, the core principles of raising a learner are introduced. Families are enrolled in Smart and those in need of crucial services are connected with community providers.

Baby Basics

In this ongoing support and educational program for parents and caregivers with babies ages birth to 12 months, families learn about everything from infant brain development, breastfeeding, and infant massage to time management and how to care for older siblings along with a new baby.

Socialization Groups

Curriculum-based socialization groups take the place of traditional child care. We want every moment we have with the children to provide fun opportunities to learn and grow, and, therefore, these groups are designed to promote school readiness by providing fun learning activities.

Play-to-Learn Groups

Structured play groups are offered for caregivers with infants and toddlers, especially for those children not already in structured child-care settings. During play groups, early learning and parenting skills are promoted in the context of play. Families are also connected to necessary services. Our curriculum has been customized to engage the multicultural, urban population of families we serve.

Little Explorers Field Trip Program

Smart creates multiple opportunities for families to get out of their homes and communities and to visit unfamiliar sites and participate in enriching activities in Boston. The goal is to broaden experiences for adults and children, with a focus on language and literacy development during the trips.