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Program dispenses hints to new moms
By JULIANNE WU, Times Staff Writer SEMINOLE -- As the eight moms and their squirming babies found spots on the nursery room floor at Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church Wednesday, Dana Callahan tried to put everyone at ease. "Don't worry about your babies," she told the women, mostly first-time mothers. "Let them roam. And don't worry about the toys on the floor. They are sanitized before the babies play with them and will be sanitized again after you leave." As she has been doing for the past several years, Callahan presented a structured program for the mothers and babies, including songs, play time and helpful hints. "Let's start with the Good Morning Song and say hello to all the babies," she said. She incorporated the names of all the infants into the song, while the beaming moms clapped along. As the singing continued, the babies -- even those who fussed a little at first -- got quiet. Their eyes were fixed on their mothers. Before another song, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Callahan explained why it was so important to sing with the infants and to touch them, too, such as rubbing their tummies. "This song helps them with small motor skills," she said. "They also learn self-awareness. And, they get used to the physicalness of you touching them." On this particular day, Marion Chamberlain, children's library associate at the Seminole Community Library, spoke about a program called "Born to Read." Through it, mothers in groups such as Learn N Play can sign their babies up for a library card and get coupons for brand new books, free. "I think this (Learn N Play) is a wonderful program," said Heather Smith, who is actually a second-time mom. "I have a 3-year-old, Nichole, but I forgot so much stuff. I needed to come and brush up on it. Dana (Callahan) has such a wonderful style." Smith, 32, of Largo, was there with her 6-week-old baby girl, Lauren. Little Lauren, the youngest baby in the room, slept through most of the session. "I like how this class is more about the babies' development, not just play time," said Melissa McAvaddy, 20, of Seminole. She was there with her son, Declan, who will be 11 months old on March 21. Callahan, 40, of Seminole said she got the idea for the Learn N Play sessions in February 1999 after her daughter, Angel, was born. Angel is now 31/2 years old. "I had a house and a good job," Callahan said. "But, when it came to being a mom, I was absolutely clueless. I figured there were other first-time moms out there just like me." Callahan, who said she is a stay-at-home mom, has a degree in elementary education. Also, she was very involved on the board of the Healthy Start Coalition, sponsored by the Florida Healthy Start Program, until recently. She still volunteers for the coalition. Some of the things Callahan tries to include on a monthly basis: first birthday celebrations; guest speakers; trips to baby-safe places such as parks, zoos and gardens; lots of singing and off-the-cuff discussions about anything a mom might need to discuss such as postpartum depression, teething, breastfeeding concerns, developmental stages and sleeplessness. Usually, the babies and moms graduate from the group when the babies are 18 months old. They are directed to play groups for older children offered throughout Pinellas County. For first-time attendee Marla Padags, Callahan's program fits the bill for her and her daughter, 8-month-old Lauren, she said. She attended Wednesday with a friend. "I like it. This is something I can do with my daughter where she won't be handled by older kids," said Padags, 29, of Clearwater. "Lauren has leukemia and has weekly treatments at All Children's Hospital. She is in remission now, but we have to be watchful. "I can't do a lot of things, but this class will provide an outlet for me, too." If you goLearn N Play sessions are open to first-time mothers with children from newborn to 18 months. Women in their 35th week or later of pregnancy are welcome, too. Sessions are from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church, 8505 113th St. N, Seminole. The first class is free; the rest are $5 each. To register, contact Dana Callahan at rikidog@yahoo.com or call the church, 391-5509. Give your name, baby's name and age and a telephone number.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
