Children's Institute

Advancing the social and emotional health of young children since 1957

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16 June 2025
Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth (Independence Day or Freedom Day) is the oldest known observance commemorating the end of slavery. Juneteenth is a deeply meaningful holiday for the Black community, representing not just freedom but also the ongoing struggle for equality, equity, and justice. 

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9 June 2025
RAPP Supports Play!

At the Rochester Area Parent Program (RAPP), we believe that play is more than just fun—it’s a powerful tool for connection, learning, and growth. Through our online parenting classes for caregivers of children ages 2–8, we introduce simple, effective strategies that make a big difference. One of the first and most impactful? Child-Centered Time.

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6 June 2025
Everyday Items, Extraordinary Imagination

As Antoinette Portis says in her classic book, Not a Box, “A box is just a box . . . unless it's not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.” It reminds us that sometimes, the most magical play begins with the simplest items.

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