Our spring playgroup meets on Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We being April 13th and end May 04.
Our approximate schedule:
8:45-9:00 Arrive & Settle In
9:00-9:15 Circle Greeting
9:15-10:15 Free Play/Planned Activites for Adults & Children/Circle Games
10:15-10:30 Clean Up/Wash hands for Snack
10:30-11:15 Blessing/Snack Time/Wash Dishes
11:15-12:00 Outdoor Play
Upon arrival, we will take off our shoes, hang any coats or accessories and gather together until everyone is present for our greeting at 9:00 a.m.
Circle Time
Circle time is full of movement, verses and music that foster brain development, parent-child attachment and budding social skills. It is important for parents to strive to be fully engaged in circle and to imitate the gestures as closely as possible. You may feel goofy sometimes, or weary of your singing voice but please fully participate. The children may or may not participate, depending on their age and temperament, but they certainly will be "taking in" all that we do. If your child decides to stay on the periphery and watch or play, that is fine. If your child is upset or feels compelled to be disruptive, it is best to go on a little walk or step outside with him/her and then come back and try again. Eventually, most children join in. We repeat verses several times to help everyone learn them. By the end of out time together, I will provide the lyrics of the songs we sing so you may continue them at home if you would like. I like to wait to do this, as I think they is real value in learning them by imitation, the way the children do.
After greeting and getting settled in we will flow into preparing food for snack and any other activities planned for our time together.
Activities or Adults & Children
Children learn by seeing and imitating. When they see us actively engaged in meaningful work, they learn the value of work and the wonder of transformation, and they are provided with ideas for imaginative play. To help parents participate in meaningful work during our mornings together, we will begin our day with preparing our snack. Then, we will have a handwork project or seasonal activity, or parents can bring work from home (knitting, mending, needlework, etc..) When parents create a mood of joyful, purposeful activity, then children will do their meaningful work, which is play. The children are always free to enter into our work as they choose.Please feel free to chat with the other adults and children as we work....this is the real value of our playgroup! But, please, always be mindful of the children present. The conversation should never be too heavy or too deep for the children.
After activities and play time, when all is cleared away, we will come together for a few interactive games with the children.
After circle time, we will take the children into the bathroom for washing up before snack. Families will also help set up tables, placemats, napkins, bowls, food, candles, etc....
One parent and child can prepare the warm face cloths for after eating.
Snack Time
As well as preparing our snack together, which will include bread, fresh fruit and vegetable, there will also be opportunities to iron place mats and sorting & folding napkins.
We always being snack time by joining hands and singing a blessing, after which we will enjoy the homemade snack and company of each other. After snack, each of the children will be given a warm wash cloth for washing face and hands. Then, each child and adult may take their dish and cup to the kitchen, where they can wash them and place them on the drying rack.
During this time I will set up a little story.
When everyone has put their dishes away, we will gather for story time - short and simple
Story Time
Whereas free play is the time for the children to explore freely, story time is the time for them to settle back and take it in. Parents should be aware of the needs of the group of children and not allow their child to disturb the other children as they listen to the story. If you find that your child is unable to sit quietly for the story, and quite a few young children do have difficulty with this at first), please don't feel badly or embarassed, but do take your child outside or to a different room until the story is over.
After story time we will dress appropriately and gather all of our things to go outside, where out day together will come to an end.
Outdoor Play
This is the time of day that seems to be treasured most by the adults and children alike. We will go outside in all weather, so please come prepared for rain or coolness(rain pants, boots, hats, etc...)as it is common in the spring. Also, please being a pair of shoes that you are okay with getting dirty as we will be exploring the land and also visiting the farm animals. Some things you can look forward to doing with your children at the farm include nature walks around the property, collecting treasures, feeding the animals, collecting eggs, filling water buckets and observing nature phenomena.
After we have spent time on the lovely land, we'll sing our good by song at 12:00, and see everyone next time.
