Regional Kids First stopped by Stoughton on Thursday, Aug. 7, with the "Main Street Mobile Resources Van," which has travelled through Saskatchewan this summer providing family resources for youth between the ages of two-years and five-years-old.
Resources the van focuses on include general parenting information, family wellness and support, information and referrals, as well as family programs.
Found along Main Street next to the library, Madelaine Valentine with Regional Kids First had set out numerous games and activities for youth to participate in.
Valentine had taken the van to Wawota, Fillmore, and Bengough in the days leading up to her Stoughton stop. Other locations were to continue the next week within the Suncountry Health Region including Carlyle, Kipling, Oxbow, Estevan, Weyburn, Radville, Ogema, and Glenavon.
The van was an initiative brought to the region through the Â鶹ÊÓƵ East Intersectoral Committee and Valentine described her work with Regional Kids First as being the "legs on the ground" for the committee.
Numerous games were set up focusing on fine motor functions, balance, and coordination. In addition to these types of games, Valentine read stories for youth as well.
"The families have been enjoying it and the kids are having fun," Valentine explained.
The Main Street van drew in approximately 15 youth at each event it attended although Stoughton's numbers were down, families arriving explained there were swimming lessons and other activities youth were involved in.
Regional Kids First is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Services, and Ministry of First Nations and Metis Relations. Together they created Regional Kids First to focus on providing assistance and information to parents
Regional Kids First's mission is to allow "Children [to] enjoy a good start in life and are nurtured and supported by caring families and communities. Supports and services are provided through partnerships between families, communities, service organizations and governments."
This is done through ensuring positive interaction between parents and their children as well as supporting parents' awareness of early childhood development and their overall well being.
