Play Group Environment & Activities
The Playgroup Environment
Our Playgroup environment provides a range of graduated activities that suit the unfolding developmental stages of children from confident walkers through to approximately 4 years. Children can pursue tasks at their own pace and independently with just a little help from Mum, Dad or other caregivers. Our Playgroup Facilitator, who is a qualified and experienced Montessori Educator, is available at sessions to guide and support individuals and the group though a range of fun and creative play opportunities.
Careful understanding of the development of infants enables us to create a place that meets their needs. It is a parent-infant community where young children can engage in activities that assist their psychomotor skills, language acquisition, growing independence, and their understanding of the world.
Two weekly sessions are available; Tuesday and Friday afternoons 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Playgroup Activities
As young children's attention span is relatively short, we adjust our activities on the day to ensure children enjoy them and gain a rewarding experience. Normal activities enjoyed at all playgroups such as free play, craft, singing and stories are readily available, however the program emphasizes the following:
We encourage self-directed learning through play. During the session, children can choose the materials they want to work with. Parents are encouraged to sit with their child while they explore the activities.
The activities are especially chosen to foster concentration, coordination and self-esteem. It is wonderful to see usually energetic toddlers sitting quietly with their parents concentrating hard on whatever activity they are trying to master. It might be pairing colourful buttons, sorting miniature animals into groups or using the practical life materials to wash, clean and dry tables. The children sit down for morning or afternoon tea during the session. Parents get a chance to have a chat with each other and a cuppa themselves. Everyone can enjoy shared activities like singing, music and story time. These help young children experience being part of a community.
Click here to download the Info Sheet for Parents/Guardians
See also:
Our Playgroup environment provides a range of graduated activities that suit the unfolding developmental stages of children from confident walkers through to approximately 4 years. Children can pursue tasks at their own pace and independently with just a little help from Mum, Dad or other caregivers. Our Playgroup Facilitator, who is a qualified and experienced Montessori Educator, is available at sessions to guide and support individuals and the group though a range of fun and creative play opportunities.
Careful understanding of the development of infants enables us to create a place that meets their needs. It is a parent-infant community where young children can engage in activities that assist their psychomotor skills, language acquisition, growing independence, and their understanding of the world.
Two weekly sessions are available; Tuesday and Friday afternoons 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Playgroup Activities
As young children's attention span is relatively short, we adjust our activities on the day to ensure children enjoy them and gain a rewarding experience. Normal activities enjoyed at all playgroups such as free play, craft, singing and stories are readily available, however the program emphasizes the following:
- Practical Life Activities, such as sweeping, pouring and scrubbing, are very popular with children and help foster their independence. Even though children in the playgroup are very young, they are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility for the environment by tidying away their work.
- Sensory Experiences: These activities allow exploration of the senses by isolating and focusing on one area at a time.
- Language: These experiences help to develop listening and speaking skills, prewriting and pre reading activities.
- Music and Movement: Song and dance, use of musical instruments.
- Cultural Studies: Learning about our world- biology, geography, history as well as art and craft.
We encourage self-directed learning through play. During the session, children can choose the materials they want to work with. Parents are encouraged to sit with their child while they explore the activities.
The activities are especially chosen to foster concentration, coordination and self-esteem. It is wonderful to see usually energetic toddlers sitting quietly with their parents concentrating hard on whatever activity they are trying to master. It might be pairing colourful buttons, sorting miniature animals into groups or using the practical life materials to wash, clean and dry tables. The children sit down for morning or afternoon tea during the session. Parents get a chance to have a chat with each other and a cuppa themselves. Everyone can enjoy shared activities like singing, music and story time. These help young children experience being part of a community.
Click here to download the Info Sheet for Parents/Guardians
See also:
