Spring 2026 Grow Together with MNPS Newsletter

Grow Together with MNPS

Grow Together with MNPS is a birth to three initiative that provides information, strategies, and tips for parents/caregivers to provide the ultimate early development experience for each child.

We hope you enjoy the Grow Together with MNPS Spring newsletter! Click here to visit the Grow Together with MNPS website.

Toddler Friendly Spring Sensory Play

Spring is the perfect time to invite toddlers into hands-on sensory play. Warmer weather, new colors, and fresh textures give little ones endless opportunities to explore, learn, and build important early skills.

Here are a few easy, toddler friendly ideas families can try at home—with materials they already have.

• Flower Petal “Soup”: Toddlers love pretending to cook! Fill a small bowl or bin with water, then add flower petals, leaves, or herbs. Offer a spoon or cup for pouring and stirring.  Supports: fine motor skills, imaginative play, describing colors and textures.
• Nature Treasure Basket: Take a short walk and collect “treasures” like pinecones, rocks, sticks, or large leaves. Place them in a basket for toddlers to explore safely indoors.  Supports: sensory exploration, vocabulary (“smooth,” “bumpy,” “soft”), curiosity
• Nature Paintbrushes: Bundle twigs, leaves, or grass with a rubber band to make a homemade paintbrush. Dip in washable paint and let your toddler make spring‑inspired art.  Supports: creativity, hand‑eye coordination, early writing skills
•  Water Scooping Station: Set out cups, bowls, spoons, and a small amount of water—inside or outside. Add a few floating objects (corks, leaves, silicone toys).  Supports: cause and effect, problem‑solving, independent pla.
• Spring Color Hunt: Create a simple color chart and invite toddlers to find natural items that match—yellow dandelions, green grass, brown sticks.  Supports: early math concepts, sorting, color recognition

Remember, toddler sensory play doesn’t need to be fancy or messy. Even a few minutes of exploring spring’s sights, textures, and colors can inspire joy, spark language, and build early learning skills—all through play.

Family Resources

ParentPowered for Families: Free Tips & Information to Support Your Baby

Metro Nashville Public Schools is providing ParentPowered to Davidson County families with children 0-3 years old to help support their baby’s development. ParentPowered is research-based text messaging program* for families. Each week, families will receive free weekly fun facts and tips on ways to help your child learn and grow. Families will also receive information on local community resources. The texts are available in multiple languages. Register Now: Text MNPS to 70138

*While there is absolutely no cost for enrolling in ParentPowered, data & message rates may apply

Regional Intervention Program

The Regional Intervention Program (RIP) is a parent-implemented, professionally-supported program for young children — under the age of 6 years — and their families who are experiencing challenging behaviors. The program is FREE for Tennessee families.

This unique, internationally recognized program guides parents in learning the skills to work directly with their own children while they receive training and support from experienced RIP families.

For more information visit: www.tn.gov/parenting-that-works.

Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS)

Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS) provides services to infants and young children with disabilities or other developmental delays (ages birth - 2 years, 11 months). For more information, visit the TEIS website.

Sign-Up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Davidson County Families with children ages 0-5 can receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Register your child today! FREE to children ages 0-5 through funding shared by Dolly Parton and their incredible local community partners, which include United Way of Greater Nashville and Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation.

To register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, visit: https://bit.ly/2BwMs8D.

Community Events

2026 MNPS Countdown to Kindergarten Fair

The 2026 MNPS Countdown to Kindergarten Fair is Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at Lentz Public Health Center (2500 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville). The free fair provides onsite MNPS kindergarten registration, Metro Public Health Department services to support kindergarten registration and information to support a family's transition to kindergarten. Free Car Seat Safety Checks at this site - stop by to check your child's car seat or booster seat!

Plus, fun activities for the whole family - School Bus Read Aloud, Nashville Zoo Animal Encounter, Children's Activity Area, and much more! For more information visit: earlylearning.mnps.org/fair.

Regional Intervention Program (RIP) Spring Festival

Celebrate Children’s Mental Health Action Week Annual Spring Festival, hosted by the Regional Intervention Program (RIP) on Saturday, May 9 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at the RIP office (5020 Darlington Drive, Nashville). This free, family friendly event is packed with activities, entertainment, and resources for all ages.

Activities include Nashville Public Library Puppet Truck, Nashville ZooVentures, Touch-a-Truck, and more. For more information visit: https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/children-youth-young-adults-families/rip.html.

Tennessee Justice Center Summer Resource Fair

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) will be hosting a Summer Resource Fair at the TJC building on 155 Lafayette Street on Friday, May 22nd, from 10am to 12pm. Free groceries, clothing, TennCare & SNAP assistance, and other vital resources will be available thanks to our generous partner organizations. All are welcome! No RSVP is necessary! For more information visit: https://www.tnjustice.org/events.

Nashville Public Library - Southeast Branch Annual Little Formal

Children ages 0-10 and their caregivers are invited to join the Nashville Public Library - Southeast Branch's 2nd Annual Little Formal on May 28 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm! Bring your dancing shoes for an afternoon of music, refreshments, photo opportunities, sensory activities and more. Formal wear is welcome but not required to attend. No registration required!
For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/27wu5zv5

Nashville Public Library Story Times

Many Nashville Public Library branches have baby, toddler and preschool story times. Some branches even have weekly programming during the week or on weekends. Visit the NPL website for more information, including story time information, activity calendars and book recommendations based on your child's age.

Metro Nashville Public Schools: Kindergarten Registration & Pre-K Information

Get Ready for the 2026-27 School Year!

It's an exciting time for many families as they start getting ready for prekindergarten (Pre-K) and kindergarten. Below are a few updates to help families get ready for school.

2026-27 MNPS PRE-K APPLICATION: Application now open!

Families can begin to apply online for MNPS Pre-K for the 2026-27 school year. Families will need a student ID number to apply online. To apply for Pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before August 15, 2026. Some classrooms accept 3-year-olds with birthdays on or before August 15, 2026. For more information, families can visit the MNPS Early Learning website

2026-27 MNPS KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration is open!

Families can register online for kindergarten. Families can visit the MNPS Online Registration Portal to register for kindergarten. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before August 15, 2026. For information on registration documents needed, please visit the MNPS Early Learning website. If families need assistance, they can contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or FamilyInfo@mnps.org.