HAMPTON — Hampton School District, in partnership with the Hampton Alliance for Thriving Children (HATCh), is proud to highlight the continued growth of its HATCh initiative.
HATCh supports young children and families through free, weekly Family Playgroup and the distribution of HATCh Connection Bags, filled with calming tools and learning resources.
Hosted at Centre School, the HATCh Family Playgroup serves children from birth to age five and their caregivers. The program offers outdoor and indoor play, sensory activities, stories, music, and calming strategies designed to promote social-emotional development and school readiness.
In addition to the playgroup, families receive HATCh Connection Bags that include tools to support self-regulation, early literacy, and healthy development. These goodie bags feature hands-on materials that help children manage big feelings and build early literacy skills at home.
HATCh is a school-community partnership that is comprised of a variety of local agencies and community partners, including Great Bay Kids, Seacoast Public Health Network, Child Care Aware of New Hampshire, Southern NH Services, SAU 21, Centre School, Lane Library, Waypoint, Core Physicians and Pediatrics, Head Start- Southern New Hampshire Services, New Hampshire Child Care Advisory Council, Hampton Selectperson, Southern District YMCA, six parents and two community members. Through this collaboration and ongoing work, HATCh has strengthern and supported community connections across the state.
“At SAU 90, we believe supporting young children means supporting their whole family,” said Superintendent Lois Costa. “By combining play-based learning with practical resources, we are helping caregivers nurture confidence, resilience, and overall well-being for their children.”
Parents have already seen impacts from the program. One local family shared that their children “love attending the Friday Playgroup,” and that the HATCh bag has become part of their everyday life at home. The family shared that an older sibling is showing her little sister self-soothing strategies, demonstrating how the strategies can be passed on naturally through play and connection.
Families also receive information about community resources, including programs at the Lane Library and early childhood services.
Additionally, HATCh, along with the Seabrook Reads Coalition, will host its second annual Literacy Fair this year, where special guest, Llama Llama, from the books by Anna Dewdney, will be available to meet children and families.
The event is open to all SAU 90 and SAU 21 families with children ages 10 and under and will take place at Winnacunnet High School on Saturday, May 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Fair will feature literacy activities and resources, free books to take home, family passes to the Children’s Museum of NH, photos with Llama Llama, and more.
Families can register for the event here.
For more information about the HATCh program, visit their website.
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