This group is currently full; however, you may be placed on our wait list by signing up using the link.
This developmental, homeschool &/ or school readiness program was developed & is facilitated by occupational therapy professionals. A grown-up attends with their child, unless other arrangements have been made to better customize a child's participation. It is primarily play-based with a sprinkle of structure to help your child learn skills necessary to participate in social activities, such as remaining with the group, following a group plan, following a schedule or routine, etc. These skills are important in being successful in an array of organized social activities, such as Sunday School, Extracurricular Activities (i.e. Scouts, Gymnastics, Ballet), Preschool, Homeschool Co-Ops, and School. Having said this, we understand this is difficult for some children and provide understanding, flexibility, and accommodations that come naturally as occupational therapists! We follow a schedule starting with gross motor play in our indoor play gym typically ending with a "proprioceptive" or heavy work activity, such as playdoh, push-in art, dot art, or hole punching to provide calming input to our bodies after all of that stimulating movement! We make it a point to greet one another and learn one another's names as part of our welcoming routine. We then transition to child-led play in our indoor play environment. Toys and activities in this setting change to coincide with our weekly theme, providing a new play experience each week. Children are exposed to developmentally rich and stimulating materials, including, but definitely not limited to, toys, puzzles, dress-up, make-believe, and books, to naturally elicit developmental skills. This includes cognitive, fine motor, social, and communication skills, to name a few! Children practice the important skill of cleaning up and making that sometimes non-preferred transition from playtime, to participate in a restroom break and snack time. This time allows us to organically incorporate self-help skills required to use the restroom, wash hands, open snack packages and containers, and feeding. Not to forget to mention that our facility is socks-only, so we also practice donning and doffing shoes! They practice listening skills and enjoy a story while eating. Books are carefully chosen to highlight our weekly theme, as well as to encourage some natural group discussion for more learning, communication, and social interaction opportunities. We close this time with a theme-related art project. This gives us an opportunity to practice some visual motor and school readiness skills through cutting, coloring, painting, folding, tracing, writing, etc. Our group ends with some outdoor play and sensory exploration. We feel being outside is so important and beneficial and do our best to go outside all year long, while adhering to any safety recommendations! All of the snow last Winter provided the BEST sensory play! This group is suitable for children around the age of 2.5 years to 5 years old. Many participants of our infant & toddler play groups transition to Playschool when showing signs of readiness! School-Aged children may transition to our Homeschooler's Club or After-School Social Club. Caregivers are expected to be active participants in this program, unless other arrangements are agreed upon. We love working with families to meet children where they are and help them achieve their full potential!
"Play is the work of the child." -M. Montessori
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