Big Little Mornings is Early Childhood Education at Kidspace

Becoming a parent is full of joyful moments, but the transition to parenthood can also be overwhelming and isolating. New parents need support and community as they move into this life phase.

To support healthy and happy families, Kidspace launched Big Little Mornings, a monthly program for new families with children ages 0-3 that celebrates and enhances the bond between caregivers and children through open-ended play, parent workshops, art and music, and access to community resources.

“Parenting a young child can be joyful, exhausting, and exhilarating,” said Lisa Clements, Kidspace CEO. “We created a program especially for new parents that offers a fun and friendly way to build community with other parents, learn new parenting skills, and connect with resources to help their children thrive.”

Kidspace is a hub site for the Pasadena Early Learning program through the City of Pasadena’s Office of the Young Child. The program brings together early childhood educators, child development service providers, and city employees to support families of young children. Admission to Big Little Mornings is free and offers priority registration to city services and nonprofit organizations that serve vulnerable families.

Parents are encouraged to connect with each other to share in the joys, and challenges, of navigating new parenthood with guided conversations from organizations such as the Pasadena Public Health Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health program to share experiences, explore ways to strengthen families, and connect with local resources in our community.

One parent reflected on the program, “I loved the comfort of knowing every child was a little one, so my kiddo was safe, and the programming was developmentally appropriate. I felt like I was IN that ‘village’ we’re supposed to have! Thank you for the day of community and support my postpartum heart needed!”

During Big Little Mornings, play spaces are adapted for the “littles,” which means younger-skewing activities like a toddler take-over the Trike Track or Baby Olympics obstacle cha

llenge. Kidspace always prioritizes play as the driver for early learning and connection, and Big Little Mornings is an opportunity to help new parents connect with the power of play.

“Play is a joyful way children build healthy brains and bodies,” said Clements. “Learning to tap into playful parenting is one of the ways parents and caregivers can form secure attachments and communicate with their children.”

The newly renovated Early Childhood Learning Center hosts child development specialists and trained Kidspace staff for infant and baby play and parent connection.

Big Little Mornings will explore new themes each month offering diverse workshops and featuring various community partners. For more information on the program and how to reserve free tickets visit kidspace.org/BigLittleMornings.