Social Butterflies program in Macon helps young kids meet milestones while playing with peers

The weekly program provides structured activities to help boost social skills, as well as language and motor skills.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent marked the one-year anniversary Friday of a program designed to help kids learn and grow.

For parents of young children, it can be hard to find the resources they need to help their kids reach developmental milestones.

That’s where Social Butterflies comes in.

It’s a free program in Macon for kids between the ages of one and three, and it’s open to children of all ability levels.

Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist at Atrium, Katelyn Zhang, says Social Butterflies is about reaching members of the community whose children may not have the opportunity to play with peers.

“We did see the need for a resource for that early intervention age children that don’t attend daycare or aren’t eligible to go to school because they are too young,” Zhang said.

The weekly program provides children with structured activities and a space to play where they can boost their language and motor skills with activities like music therapy, arts and crafts, sensory exercises and an obstacle course.

It also provides parents like Mercy Fluker with resources they can use at home.

“I know one in particular is the sensory box,” Fluker said. “It’s like you’re so terrified to do it, but then doing it, Social Butterflies make you more confident as a parent to go home and deal with it.”

Fluker is a mom of two one-year-olds. She says she travels to Macon from Eatonton with her twins to attend Social Butterflies.

Both her children were recommended for speech therapy, and after only two sessions, Fluker says she’s already seen progress.

“I noticed a big increase in my daughter especially, and she can count to ten,” she said. “She knows all the colors and shapes.”

For Fluker, Social Butterflies is a win-win. She says it’s the extra spark her kids need to learn and play with other kids.

“Oh, they love it,” she said. “They’re worn out. They usually will fall asleep on the way home, and so that’s just one extra bonus point.”

Social Butterflies happens twice a week and is currently accepting new members until January 12.

You can enroll your child in the program by visiting the Atrium Health Navicent Pediatric Developmental and Behavioral Health Facebook page.