Rocking Babies

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Physical therapist Cayley MacDonald, of the Intervention Center for Early Childhood, mothering a baby while parents receive parenting advice at the Assistance League program.
Physical therapist Cayley MacDonald, of the Intervention Center for Early Childhood, mothering a baby while parents receive parenting advice at the Assistance League program.

Holding and feeding a baby is a pleasure to most people.

Every Wednesday morning, Assistance League volunteers experience this special pleasure, settling into rocking chairs where they hold babies and often feed them their bottles while their parents receive counseling. Beginning at 9 a.m., mothers and fathers bring their infants to the Assistance League playroom, equipped with brightly colored toys. Led by professional therapists, they start with Circle Time when the families sing, play and celebrate milestones such as a baby’s first time turning over.

Parents of developmentally delayed children observe other families, which helps their understanding of their own child’s progress and of the differences in each one. For 15 minutes periods, children and parents are divided into groups, devoted to topics such as feeding, communication, fine and gross motor skills, sensory, social and emotional development.

Parents then go upstairs for professional counseling, while volunteers care for their babies.

Children with developmental delays are entitled to come for their first year. Some are six weeks old when they start.

This free Early Intervention Program is one of the Assistance League’s many philanthropic programs, funded by its Thrift Shop at 526 Glenneyre St.

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