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!

Week 2

During this second week of the playgroup, I have met so many new and interesting people. I have gotten great ideas and help from friends and family, and everyone seems excited! I feel lots of momentum to move forward and grow.

The children have been very engaged in making flower bouquets, birthday cakes, spider webs, turtles, and much more! I love hearing them tell me about what they are doing. Part of my role as the facilitator is to be an active listener, and the children usually have lots to say about what they are doing after just a few questions are asked.

I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love.

Thank you.

Joy!

The first official week of the playgroup was, in my opinion, a great success. I say that because I was overwhelmed with joy! I saw the beginning of a dream coming true. Watching all of the children explore, create, build, and become entirely engaged made me happier than anyone can imagine.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you out there who brought, or will bring, your children to me. I love them all and their creativity amazes me! I want to thank those of you who have supported me, encouraged me, believed in me. It means more than you can imagine.

So...onto thinking about next week! Your donations allowed me to buy more items worth exploring and creating with. My children helped me pick them out, so they are kid-approved. We have a ball made out of twigs, colorful glass containers, tiny wood blocks, and dinosaur skulls ("for the boys," Jack said), to name a few.

I hope you will bring your children back and invite some friends!

Tomorrow's class- 8/2

Please note: I have changed the location of the class for tomorrow. We will meet at the end of Freedom Park near the black train engine (and playground). You will have to enter the park from East Blvd. From the parking lot, go across the creek on the bridge and immediately turn right. You will see us there.

Stone Soup

Yesterday, a group of us met at Freedom Park for a session to make "stone soup", and to explore some rice mixed with crystals, rocks, and a few geodes. The group was larger than I had expected. I was thrilled that so many children came. On the other hand, it made me realize that I need to set a cap on the number of children attending since I'm limited in the amount of materials I can bring to the park.

As always, the children fascinated me. They seemed to really enjoy dumping their soup ingredients into the pot and stirring it all up. They crowded around the rice bin and were quiet as they scooped and poured and discovered the hidden gems.

I am really looking forward to the next session on Tuesday the 2nd, when I will bring so much more for the children to discover, including butterflies, flowers, crystals, glass containers, wood, sparkling balls, and more!

Information about August classes

The first class in August will take place on Tuesday, August 2nd at 10:00 a.m. We will meet at the lake side of Freedom Park, closest to Princeton Ave. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children, but can simply observe and relax (or even go for a walk or jog around the lake for some free time)! You do not have to sign up for a particular number of classes. You can drop-in to any or all classes.

We will also be meeting in the same location on Tuesday, July 26th at 3:00 p.m. to make "Stone Soup." We will take a short hike down the nature trail to collect ingredients for the "soup." Anyone is welcome to join us! Please feel free to call me with any questions.

Please email me at kimaprill@hotmail.com if you plan to attend. I will need to know the age(s) and number of children attending, and also contact information for all parents, in case of rain or emergency.

Trial class

Yesterday a few of my children's friends were gathered together for a trial class. I made homemade play dough scented with cinnamon and brought the materials to make oobleck, a mixture of water and cornstarch that is both a liquid and a solid. Playing with oobleck is one of my children's favorite things to do. It is also great for children with sensory integration disorders, or texture issues. When squeezed, it becomes hard and feels manageable and satisfying. When released, it oozes over your hand slowly, as if massaging it. Okay, the point is, it is very therapeutic to play with. I provided cookie cutters, spoons, ladles, clear marbles, pine cones and tiny bowls for the children to use. They then decided on their own to mix the play dough in. That created a different type of substance that was also very appealing to touch. Some of the children dripped the substance all over their bodies. Luckily it washes off in seconds with just a little water! They were entranced. I loved watching it all!