JOYFUL BEGINNINGS Parent Child Playgroups
for parent and baby

Dates: New Parent-Child Groups begin the week of September 5th on Monday morning, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and afternoons. Families are warmly invited to join at any time when space is available. Full Autumn schedule is:

Location: 36 Carpenter Street, Keene

Cost: For each 8 week session - $85 for babies under 8 months and $115 for children older than 7 months. Tuition assistance is available.

Description: Groups for infants from six weeks of age, crawling babies,
young walking babies, and toddlers meet once weekly for an hour and a half. Eight-week sessions begin in September, November, January, and April, and families are welcome to join at any time when space is available.

Living with young infants and toddlers can be wonderful ­ and also lonely, isolating, challenging, and tiring. Our facilitated play groups give parents an opportunity to share their journeys with others so that the most joyful possible beginning can be created.

"Joyful Beginnings" meets in an inspiring and nurturing setting where
support and friendship grow out of weekly conversations with other parents and our facilitating teacher, while the babies and toddlers explore their world. Each week, some time is created to give our loving focused attention to observing our children, learning about each child¹s unique development and gifts. Special attention is given to support the unfolding of children¹s interests, motor abilities, social interactions, and problem solving skills.

Lap games, nursery rhymes, songs and games are part of each playgroup and bring an intimate moment for parent and child together. A simple snack is offered to the toddler groups. Each group is especially designed for a particular developmental stage so that parents can explore themes of common interest and children can meet others who share a similar time in their development.

Playgroups are facilitated by Sophia¹s Hearth director, Susan Weber, and by Nancy Macalaster, graduate of Sophia¹s Hearth¹s Training Program. Susan has developed our playgroup program over the past six years. She is a trained Waldorf early childhood teacher and has completed the RIE™ Level I training in Los Angeles with its focus on infant motor development. In addition, she completed a two week course at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary in July 2005 on the development of the very young child. She has worked with children and families for thirty years and is co-director of Sophia's Hearth's training program for professionals, "The Child in the First Three Years".

Nancy Macalaster has many years of experience with young children and families. She presently teaches a playgroup in her Hancock home for toddlers and preschoolers. She holds a degree in Child Development from Connecticut College and a master's degree from Antioch New England Graduate School in counseling psychology. She is also a graduate of Sophia¹s Hearth¹s training program for early childhood professionals.

In our playgroups, Children come and . . .

• Explore a child friendly environment with simple toys made of natural materials
• Try out new physical skills‹ rolling, crawling, climbing‹ with age
  appropriate play equipment and the peaceful support of adults
• Meet other children in their stage of development and gain new social capacities, appropriate to their ages
  

Mothers and fathers come and . . .

• Strengthen their self-confidence as parents
• Gain new security about the abilities of their children
• Meet other parents and find a community of sharing and support
• Discover new tips for care giving‹diapering, dressing, feeding
• Learn songs and games to share with their children at home

For more information about specific days and times for your child, and to register, please call 603-357-3755.

Sophia¹s Hearth Family Center¹s programs receive support provided by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Monadnock Community Foundation.

Our scholarship funding is available thanks to a gift from the Ella Anderson Trust. Please call our office for more information.