Infancy to Independence
Infancy to Independence a cooperative playgroup for families with children
10:30-11:20 Free Play/Discussion
11:20-11:30 Clean Up and Goodbye
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Assistants A & B arrive to set up for the day. Every family
is an assistant (A,B,C or D) 5-6 times during the semester
Parent and child(ren) play together with provided activities including art materials (paints, chalk, etc.) cognitive skills toys, numbers and wonders (math & science) toys, pretend toys and the weekly project. This is a time meant for the parent and child(ren) to focus on each other without interruptions from home (telephone, TV., laundry, work, etc.). This is your family’s time and you choose how to spend it together. This time provides a wonderful opportunity to see your children as individuals.
The lights are flashed which signals it’s time to start cleaning up. Everyone sings the clean up song together while you initiate cleaning up. The songs we sing signal transitions for the children and gives order to the day. You will notice that singing this song at home will also make clean up time much easier. All activities from the One-on-One Time are put away at this time as we prepare for the rest of our morning.
We bring out small rugs for the children to sit on. The children and parents sit in a circle together and we participate in a variety of activities centered on the theme of the day. This usually includes, but is not limited to story telling, music (singing & dancing), a parachute, and use of props by the circle leader. Circle is a great time for children to learn how to interact with others, follow directions, and learn how to participate in a group. After circle time is over, we sing another transition song and get ready for snack time.
The children wash their hands prior to snack with parental assistance while other parents set up the snacks for the children. The non-perishable snack items are provided by I to I while a perishable snack item is brought by a different parent each week. Juice and water are also provided by I to I. During snack time, the assistants take a break to discuss plans for Free Play. This is also the time that announcements are made. When snack is ending, we begin to bring out the Free Play toys to start engaging the children prior to separating for Discussion time.
Assistants A, B, C & D supervise free play while the rest of the parents participate in a discussion located in another room. The free play toys are brought out (usually consisting of larger, more active toys) and the play dough is set up on an activity table. Free Play gives the children the opportunity to interact with children of various ages and to interact with parents who aren’t necessarily their own parents. Discussion allows parents to practice separating from their child(ren) as they’re comfortable and gives the opportunity for adult conversation. The parents take turns leading a discussion once during the semester.
Free play toys are put away and we gather in a circle to sing a goodbye song at 11:30am.
Assistants C & D stay to make sure all items are put away properly, lights are off and the space is clean before going home.