Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center Parenting

07/16/2025

Doing fun things together as a family builds connections, creates fond memories, and gives opportunities to learn social skills like cooperation - all good stuff!

Participate in a poster contest! Break out the art supplies and design a poster based on this year's Summer Reading theme, "Color Our World." Individuals of all ages and families/groups are invited to enter. Pick up a poster board from any RPL location, design your poster, and return it to RPL by Saturday, July 26 for a chance to win. To learn more, call 980-432-8670.

07/01/2025

Another awesome program from our libraries!

On Monday, July 7 at 10:30 am and noon, visit RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) for Rowan County Parks and Recreation’s Rowan Wild animal presentation! Learn about each animal’s habits, habitat, and journey to Rowan Wild. To learn more about Rowan Wild, visit bit.ly/RowanWild.

The Big Show is a School Age Summer Reading program designed for rising 1st through 5th graders, though all are welcome. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by a responsible caretaker (age 16+).

To learn more, visit bit.ly/RPLSRP25.

06/25/2025

06/24/2025

Now is a good time to scour your cabinets and drawers for unneeded and expired medications. If the children are spending time with relatives, ask them to do the same and take them to one of these locations. For meds you're keeping, put them where curious little hands can't get to them, or invest in a lock box large enough to hold them.

06/13/2025

The lovely folks at Life Choices Rowan will gladly support families with littles by providing free diapers to all in need, no judgment.

06/11/2025

Just in time - take advantage of this resource to involve your kiddos in activities away from devices!

MOBILE RECREATION

Salisbury Parks and Recreation is coming to a park near you! This summer come out on Wednesdays in June and July from 12-2pm for games and activities for all ages. This is a free event and no preregistration is needed.

Schedule for Mobile Recreation:
June 11 - Long Street Park (1515 N. Long St.)
June 18 - American Legion (1433 Old Wilkesboro Rd.)
*June 21 - Bell Tower Green (120 S. Church St.) - Juneteenth Celebration (noon-7pm)
June 25 - Salisbury Community Park (935 Hurley School Rd.)
July 2 - Town Creek Park (702 E. Monroe St.)
July 9 - Oakland Heights Park (1301 Longview Ave.)
July 16 - Cannon Park (601 Park Ave.)
July 23 - JC Optimist Sports Complex (1113 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)
July 30 - City Park (355 W. Miller St.)

For more information, call (704) 638-5297.

06/11/2025

This organization has really helpful animated videos you can watch with your child and use to start conversations about online safety, so important for today's families!

School’s out for summer and kids are logging more gaming hours. Parents and caregivers, your involvement is key to keeping play safe.

Get gaming safety tips from NCMEC: ncmec.org/netsmartz/resources

06/11/2025

Summertime gives children a lot more free time. Try to find activities for them that limit their time on devices. Time online is one of the biggest predictors of the likelihood that a child will be exposed to inappropriate content and predators. Teach your child to respond either "No" or "Stop" if asked something personal or told a sexual story or joke. The Social Institute has great resources for having conversations about technology!

The Social Institute provides a variety of parent resources, including app playbooks, discussion topics, and positive social media advice.

06/05/2025

Positive human interaction is what helps babies and toddlers thrive. "People need people to learn, at least when they're young." (Dr. Patricia Kuhl, language specialist)

06/05/2025

: Portable Hook-on Chairs recalled due to risk of serious injury or death from fall hazard; violation of federal regulations for portable hook-on chairs; sold exclusively on Amazon.com by Ravmix.

The recalled portable hook-on chair poses a deadly fall hazard because the crotch restraint can be removed without the use of a tool and infants can fall through an opening which is a violation of the federal regulations for portable hook-on chairs. Get a refund. CONTACT: Email at [email protected].

https://cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Portable-Hook-On-Chairs-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fall-Hazard-Violation-of-the-Federal-Standard-for-Portable-Hook-On-Chairs-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Ravmix

06/05/2025

Children learn by watching the actions of adults in their life. It's okay to tell them about kindness, caring, and generosity - but it'll sink in if you SHOW them these things in action. Next time you're at the grocery store, let your child pick an item to get for a food pantry. Let them put it in the buggy, and take them with you to drop it off.

☀️ Our June Wish List is here! ☀️

🛒 Shop our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3J10WTVDG6XQI
📦 Prefer to drop off in person? Visit our receiving dock at 226 N. Long Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM.
💻 Explore more ways to give: https://rowanhelpingministries.org/donate/.

06/02/2025

Great tips, especially for toddlers! This requires adults to think: what would we feel if (that) happened to us at that age? Also, body signals give clues about what emotions we're feeling. Help your child pay attention to what happens to their body as they feel different emotions.

Emotional intelligence starts developing in childhood, helping children name their feelings, allowing them to express themselves, and explaining the nuances of emotions is a great start to building a high EQ!