A&FRC offers new 'Busy Hands, Growing Minds' playgroup Published Jan. 20, 2015 By Kendahl Johnson 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Parents looking for an enriching activity for them and their children should look no further than "Busy Hands, Growing Minds," a new monthly playgroup sponsored by the Airman & Family Readiness Center. Ericka Wallace, community readiness consultant with the A&FRC, is hosting the event as another opportunity for parents to not only have a bonding activity to do with their children, but also gain beneficial information or knowledge. "It's a structured playgroup. We're trying to offer something that will be both fun and informative," Wallace said. "We know you can only go to the museum or to the zoo so many times, so we wanted to provide something different, but helpful." The first session is Jan. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Base Chapel. The session is 90 minutes, with the first 30 minutes being a planned activity or craft for the children and parents. Following the activity, they will have other toys or activities to occupy the children, while the parents listen to instruction and have discussions on a specific topic. The topic for the inaugural session is stress management. The group will meet the last Friday of each month, with a different topic of discussion each month, such as effective discipline or communication, as well as a different activity for the children. Wallace said they have a list of topics, but are open to suggestions from the group. "We don't want the fit the participants to the program, we want to fit the program to the participants," Wallace said. "We want to talk about the things others feel will be most beneficial, and provide a forum where people can share experiences and learn from each other." For more information about the playgroup, or to sign up, call the A&FRC at 846-0741.