Pasitos Playgroups
Pasitos was created when the need was identified among the Spanish-speaking families for programming directed at 3-year olds and their parents. Pasitos was modeled on the informal play group, where mothers meet weekly with their children at each others’ homes to provide opportunities for socializing for both parent and child.
To strengthen the family’s connection to their neighborhood school, no-cost Pasitos playgroups meet weekly, at school sites, as space is available. Each group has 12-15 families. Children are 2½ to 4 years of age. Some four-year olds may attend if they did not get into preschool. Groups are mostly conducted in Spanish. For the children, the meetings intentionally focus on developing language, social-emotional, and fine motor skills. For parents, group leaders model behaviors that foster school readiness skills in the home and provide information on child development and community resources, as well as other topics that strengthen families and encourage future success in school.
Accepted to the Portfolio: May 2015
Target Outcomes
Short Term Outcomes
- Parents knowledge of positive parenting practices increases
- Parent knowledge of child development increases
- Parents knowledge of strategies to foster literacy and language development increases
Long Term Outcomes
- Improved school readiness including social emotional, language development and approaches to learning
- Parents employ positive discipline techniques
- Parents establish routines and structured environments
- Parents read more to their children
Target Population
Demographics
- Early Childhood (0 - 5)
- Adult (25 - 60)
Service Area
- Southeast (District 1)
- Southwest (District 2)
- Central (District 3)
- Northeast (District 4)
- Northwest (District 5)
Information
Program Funders
Many thanks to the following funders for making this program possible.
Local Funders
- First 5 Sonoma County
- Santa Rosa City Schools
- Sonoma Wine Country Weekend