“PLAYTIME PALS” HELPS TODDLERS GEAR UP FOR PRE-SCHOOL!

Child Success Center is pleased to be launching “Playtime Pals” this fall – an early intervention and enrichment program that utilizes a play-based approach to hands on learning. Designed to aid parents as their little ones gear up for entry into pre-school, Playtime Pals combines a variety of therapeutic approaches to foster the overall growth and development of children.

This enriched program is designed for children ages 24-30 months (Playtime Pals 1) and 30- 36 months (Playtime Pals 2), whose development would benefit from a smaller group size and more individualized support by highly trained developmental experts.

Playtime Pals focuses on the whole child approach by facilitating three specialized areas of development, which include sensory motor, gross motor and pre-speech/oral motor. The group uses a multidisciplinary team of professional occupational and speech therapists. To mimic pre-school routines and help early learners acclimate into a semi-structured environment, often for the first time, children will participate in circle time (hello and goodbye), structured play and snack time.

Each group will consist of a ratio of one therapist to three children and will run weekly on Mondays at 9 a.m. (Playtime Pals 1) and Thursdays at 10:15am (Playtime Pals 2).

The goals of Playtime Pals include:

–          Adjust to being in a group setting.

–          Adjust to arousal levels that group settings present.

–          Increase attention span and persistence at tasks.

–          Engage in imaginary play.

–          Participate in parallel and interactive play.

–          Practice listening and language skills.

–          Improve sound production and utterance length.

–          Improve ability to follow one-and-two step verbal directions

–          Experience a variety of touch, smell and taste experiences.

–          Develop specific gross motor skills such as jumping, walking up/down steps, etc.

–          Practice perceptual motor and fine motor skills.

–          Parent Consultation

Playtime Pals is a year-round program.  Children may begin participation at any point in the year and end participation when they have reached their developmental skills.

Activities and Descriptions

9:00-9:15

TIME TO EXPLORE

Emphasis on cognition, language, and social interaction.

9:15-9:30

CIRCLE TIME

Emphasis on language, social interaction, cognition, body gestures/imitation, and posture.

9:30-9:45

CLIMB & TUMBLE

Emphasis on strengthening, endurance, coordination, balance, motor planning, body/space awareness, and sensory processing.

9:45-9:55

MESSY PLAY

Emphasis on hand manipulation, tactile processing, bilateral motor coordination, and self-help skills.

9:55-10:00

CIRCLE TIME & GOODBYE

For more information on this light-hearted, yet developmentally robust early learning immersion program, parents can call 310-899-9597 for details and registration specifics.