Mountain States Early Head Start brought families together Thursday at Lakeview Park in Sandpoint for Bubble Palooza, a free community event designed to help residents reconnect after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit organization, which provides child development guidance and resources to families expecting a child or caring for children up to 36 months old, structured the gathering around playgroup activities including bubble play and story time. A playgroup coordinator read aloud from children’s books as part of the afternoon’s programming.
Building Community After Pandemic Isolation
The event underscored a significant shift in family dynamics since the pandemic. Mikayla Brown, community outreach specialist for Mountain States Early Head Start, noted that many families have emerged from the isolation with changed social circumstances. “After COVID, everybody went into their little hole. Now they’re coming out, and we have new moms who don’t have those same connections,” Brown said.
For young children, the gathering offered structured opportunities to develop foundational social skills. Activities were designed to teach children age-appropriate behavior such as sitting attentively, maintaining focus, and sharing physical space with peers—competencies that come naturally in typical playgroup settings but may have been limited during pandemic restrictions.
Parent-Child Development at the Core
Mountain States Early Head Start prioritizes parent-child attachment as a cornerstone of its programming. Brown emphasized the organization’s philosophy: “One of the big pillars of our program is building parent-child attachment. When we have events like this, we want to make sure that parents are having a good time with their families.”
The organization serves families across the region with free resources, making early childhood development support accessible regardless of income level. By hosting community events like Bubble Palooza, the nonprofit extends its reach beyond formal program participation, creating informal opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage with peers facing similar developmental stages.
The Thursday gathering at Lakeview Park demonstrated the role that grassroots community organizations play in restoring social fabric after extended disruption. For families navigating the transition back to normal community life, such events provide both practical learning opportunities for children and meaningful social connection for parents.
Mountain States Early Head Start continues to offer resources and guidance to eligible families in Bonner County and surrounding areas. The organization’s free services reflect a commitment to supporting early childhood development during a critical window of growth and parent-child bonding.