By Scott Harvey
Commerce – The Northeast Texas Children's Museum will be offering a new class for preschoolers and their mothers this fall. The class, "Healthy Kids from A to Z", is being sponsored by the Hunt County Regional Healthcare and the Texas A&M University-Commerce Morris Recreation Center.
Each of the eight sessions will present an example of a healthy lifestyle and an associated letter of the alphabet. With each meeting there will be time for children to play in the Museum and time for their mothers to socialize.
"I'm personally very interested in nutrition for my own child. I'm looking forward to presenting important information in a way that will be fun for the children," said Whitney Ferguson, teacher for the class. "Each class will include active participation on the part of each child."
Whitney has five years of teaching experience with her last year in teaching kindergarten. Her special interest is in preschoolers and how they learn. She will include crafts, music, and a learning experience for both the children and their mothers in each class session.
"Sharline and I have been discussing this concept for almost a year. We wanted to have a program for moms and children that would result in a better understanding of a healthy lifestyle," stated Patti Perone, coordinator of "Healthy Kids from A to Z". "I personally feel that this is a program that can really make a difference, and I'm excited about being a part of it."
Perone brings her experience as a registered nurse and a love for children to the class.
"Our thanks go to the Hunt County Regional Healthcare and the Campus Recreation Center for funding this program. We could not be offering it without their support," stated Sharline Freeman, Executive Director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum. "Patti and I had discussed the idea and program ideas, but the funding of these two groups made it possible."
"Healthy Kids from A to Z" will be offered on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM beginning September 15. Although the entire course will cover twenty-four weeks, the first eight weeks will be presented this fall. The second eight weeks will be presented in the spring of 2011, and the final eight weeks will be presented in the fall of 2011.
The Northeast Texas Children's Museum is now registering children for the class. Enrollment is limited. Call the Northeast Texas Children's Museum at (903)886-6055 for additional information.