From Cross-Country Move to Community: How KPL Became a “Sanity Saver”
Moving across the country is daunting for anyone, but doing it with two toddlers in tow? That is a true feat of endurance. When one local mom, Gillian, moved her family to Hoquiam in mid-2023, she wasn’t just looking for a place to live—she was looking for a place to belong. She found that belonging at the library through our Kaleidoscope Play & Learn (KPL) groups.
For many, KPL is a weekly highlight, an opportunity to connect with other parents and kids ages 0-5 through structured activities set up by the KPL facilitator. For Gillian, this group evolved beyond a fun activity for her 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, becoming a lifeline as she adjusted to Washington.
“I am SO grateful for KPL – it really saved my sanity when I started attending… Knowing I am headed to a gathering where other moms and KPL staff have my back, and we are able to connect and support each other, is priceless,” said Gill.
In the transition to a new state, the “stresses of daily life” can feel heavy. KPL offers a safe, indoor space where those stresses are lifted. While consistently rotating a variety of toys is a huge hit with the kids, the biggest benefit of KPL for our families is the relationships the kids – and parents – develop. Through the guidance of facilitators like Miss Jess, this family found:
A Support System: Personal support during the “hard days” that come with toddlerhood.
Tangible Resources: Access to children’s museum passes, consistent information about local events for families, and vital community resources in times of need.
School Readiness: A space where children practice communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution—skills that are hard to replicate outside of a paid daycare setting.
The impact of KPL is perhaps most visible in the children themselves. Now, this mom’s boys measure their week not by the calendar, but by “days until play group.” On KPL days, they are dressed and ready to go hours early, eager for the educational crafts, story time, and snacks that await them.
At the Child Care Action Council, our mission is to connect families to the quality care and support they deserve. Stories like this remind us why providing free, high-quality programming is essential. It turns “rowdy” mornings into opportunities for growth and transforms “strangers in a new town” into a neighborhood of friends.
“My toddlers have grown smarter, stronger, and are working on skills that will greatly help them when it comes time for school. To Miss Jess and all our KPL facilitators: thank you for making our communities feel like home”.