Early On of Barry County

03/20/2026

Get ready to giggle, clap, stomp, and dance at Rockin' Tots on Saturday, March 28 at 10:30am! Through music and movement, littles will develop rhythm and make connections in their minds and bodies that are precursors for reading. This program welcomes littles ages 0-5 and their caregivers to move and groove together. We can't wait to see you there!

03/18/2026

Looking to connect with other families?

Register today for Play & Learn: https://www.theabilitycollective.org/play-learn

👶Who: Children 6 mo-7y old who might benefit from extra developmental support or who have a disability, and their caregiver(s)
📍Location: The Ability Collective of Barry County office, 118 W. State St, Hastings, MI
⏰When: Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 am
📋Registration helps our team prepare for the best experience possible.

Email maggie@theabilitycollective.org for questions.

This program is made possible by the generous support of Barry Community Foundation and our community.

03/11/2026

Understanding Sensory Seeking in Children

Some children experience the world through their senses more intensely and actively seek out certain sensations. Sensory seeking happens when a child craves extra input like movement, touch, sound, or pressure to help their body and brain feel regulated. These children are not “misbehaving”—their nervous system is simply asking for more sensory information.

You might notice a sensory-seeking child constantly jumping, spinning, or climbing on furniture. Some children crave deep pressure and may enjoy tight hugs, being wrapped in blankets, or piling pillows on themselves. Others seek tactile input by touching everything around them, running their hands along walls, or playing with textures like sand, slime, or water.

Some sensory seekers love loud sounds, music, or making noises just to hear the feedback. They may crash into cushions, wrestle during play, or stomp heavily when they walk. These behaviors help their brain organize sensory information and regulate their body.

When parents recognize sensory seeking as a need rather than a problem, they can offer healthy outlets. Activities like trampoline jumping, obstacle courses, swinging, or heavy work (pushing, pulling, carrying) can help meet these needs.

Understanding sensory seeking allows us to support children in ways that help their bodies feel calm, balanced, and ready to learn.

03/06/2026

Coming up in a couple weeks is our FIRST Diaper Drive in Barry County!
March 26, 2026
4pm-6pm

03/01/2026

02/26/2026

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun at play at Hastings Public Library for Family Game Night on Friday, March 13 from 4pm-6pm. The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force will be providing free parent packs and prizes designed to support families and promote healthy choices. Games and activities will be provided for families with kids of all ages. All children/minors must be accompanied by an adult. This is an afternoon that you won't want to miss!

02/26/2026

02/25/2026

The LEAD program is accepting applications for our Spanish speaking parents. This program is completely in Spanish and it is designed to help Spanish speaking families learn about advocacy and supporting their children with disabilities. Below are the links to the application. We have the application in both English and Spanish but the program will be conducted completely in Spanish.

Here are a few key details about the program:

Dates: Saturday, April 11th and Sunday April 12th (in-person sessions) and 4 virtual sessions (dates to be determined).
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Meals will be provided and A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request.
Spanish Application: www.tinyurl.com/LEADPadres26
English Application: www.tinyurl.com/LeadParents26

[Image Description: Program for spanish speaking parents
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is accepting applications for their Program
for Spanish Speaking Parents. This program is for Spanish speaking parents of children with disabilities.
LEAD is a leadership and advocacy development program with a goal to build power within communities of color with disabilities.
The parent cohort begins with a 2 day in person session in Kalamazoo, MI. Followed by FOUR Virtual learning sessions.
Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, 2026
Meals will be provided.
A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request
Parents will learn about:
Disability pride, history, culture, & inclusion
Supporting their child with disabilities
Navigating the special education system
Self-Advocacy & Advocating for their child
To Apply:
Web: https://tinyurl.com/LEADPARENTS26
Email: LEAD@MyMDRC.org
Ph: 517-333-2477
The LEAD Program is funded by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. End of Image Description]

02/24/2026

We’re hiring! Barry ISD is looking for an Early On Intake Coordinator to support our Special Education team. This role helps connect families with early intervention services by coordinating referrals, scheduling, communication, and data systems. If you’re organized, people-focused, and love meaningful work, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1069/opening/154096

02/21/2026

When the Nervous System Is Overloaded

An overloaded nervous system happens when stress, demands, and emotions pile up without enough time to reset.

It can look like irritability, overwhelm, emotional outbursts, shutdown, or constant exhaustion.

Thoughts may feel loud, racing, or stuck in worry and urgency.

The body often carries this load through tight shoulders, headaches, shallow breathing, or a racing heart.

For children and adults alike, this state makes it harder to listen, problem-solve, or regulate emotions.

Regulation begins with slowing down and noticing the signals your body is sending.

Simple practices like deep breathing, warmth, hydration, and gentle movement help bring the nervous system back to safety.

Creating predictable routines and reducing sensory input can ease overload.

Connection also plays a powerful role—being seen, heard, and supported calms the body.

Rest is not optional when the nervous system is overwhelmed; it is essential.

When we learn to regulate, we teach ourselves and our children that balance can be restored.

02/21/2026

Teaching Little Lungs Big Calm

Breathing exercises give young children a simple, powerful tool to calm their bodies.

Slow, intentional breaths help shift a child’s nervous system from stress into safety.

When children practice breathing, they learn how to pause instead of react.

These exercises support emotional regulation by lowering heart rate and easing muscle tension.

Breathing together also builds connection and co-regulation between parent and child.

For young children, playful breathing—like blowing bubbles or pretending to smell flowers—makes the skill accessible.

Over time, these practices strengthen self-awareness and coping skills.

Children who learn breathing techniques early are better equipped to handle frustration and anxiety.

Breathing exercises can be used anywhere: at home, in the car, or before bedtime.

This skill helps children feel empowered and in control of their emotions.

Teaching breathing early lays the foundation for lifelong emotional resilience.

02/19/2026

“Am I Safe?” — The Question Beneath the Behavior

Underneath a child’s behavior is often a quiet question: Am I safe?

Children ask this through their actions, emotions, and reactions, not always with words.

Big feelings, clinginess, defiance, or withdrawal are often signals of uncertainty.

Safety for a child means feeling protected emotionally, physically, and relationally.

We reassure them by staying calm, predictable, and present during hard moments.

Getting down to their level, using a steady voice, and offering gentle eye contact sends powerful cues of safety.

Consistent routines and clear boundaries help children know what to expect.

Repairing after mistakes—apologizing, reconnecting, and reassuring—builds trust.

Validation matters, even when we can’t fix the feeling right away.

When children feel safe, their nervous system can relax and learning can happen.

Repeated moments of reassurance teach children they are not alone and never have to face big feelings by themselves.