Article on the importance of play

If you have the time and interest, I would highly recommend this article: http://www2.aap.org/pressroom/playfinal.pdf
You will have to copy and paste it into your browser.

Updates

I am so excited to announce that Natural Wonders Playgroup is now Natural Wonders Play Studio, LLC. I am in the process of planning for summer classes and I have lots of new ideas and materials to work with. I can't wait to see what the children will do with it all!


I have been working with the children at Hawthorne Lane Preschool recently, and am enjoying every moment of it. The teachers have been reporting to me that they feel calm and relaxed during the class, which is exactly what I wanted for them! They deserve it! I like to whisper to the children while I talk to them, in order to make things even more soothing. Lots of them even whisper back!


I hope to see LOTS of you beginning in June! Please "like" me on Facebook: Natural Wonders Playgroup

Class at The Speech Garden!

Click here to see what The Speech Garden Preschool had to say about my class.

You can also click here to view a slideshow they created of the class!

Why I Started the Playgroup:

"Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue. Ideally, much of play involves adults, but when play is controlled by adults, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them, particularly in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills. In contrast to passive entertainment, play builds active, healthy bodies. In fact, it has been suggested that encouraging unstructured play may be an exceptional way to increase physical activity levels in children, which is one important strategy in the resolution of the obesity epidemic. Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood."

By Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd

From PEDIATRICS Vol. 119 No. 1 January 2007

Drop-In Classes Oct. 11th and 25th

On Tuesday, October 11th and Tuesday, October 25th, I will be having drop-in classes at 10:30 a.m. These classes will be open to anyone and donations will be accepted, but not required. Please stay tuned for the location at Freedom Park. I'm hoping to get our old spot back when Festival in the Park is over.

Try out a class for free!

If you are unsure of whether or not this playgroup is right for your child, come try out a class for free! Check the post below for days and times. We would love to have you!

Fall classes

Fall classes will run for 8 weeks, beginning on September 6th and running through October 27th.

-I will have 3 class times per week to choose from:

1. Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30
2. Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30
3. Thursdays from 2:30-3:30

-The cost will be $90 for 8 weeks (one class per week), with a 10% discount for siblings. The cost will include:

*A new sensory item each week (something messy that you may not want to do at home).
*A few new items to play with each week.
*A new setup each week that encourages open-ended play.
*Frequent handouts about activities you can do at home.
*A magnet with a picture of your child playing on the last day of class.
*A 25% discount if you schedule a birthday party with me.

Please email me if you would like to sign up. Class size will be limited to 10, so in order to reserve your spot I will need $20 by the end of August, and the remaining amount by the first day of class. If you would like to send it to me by mail, let me know and I will send you my address.

Thanks! Tell your friends!