Meets at our Allen St. site, on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM – 12 noon. The group is for parents and their babies who are younger
than 15 months old. It provides time for parents and babies to
share and learn from each other and from Early Intervention staff
members.
The group supports parents in their role as their child’s
first and most important teacher and is open to both families
of babies who are enrolled in Early Intervention and community
families. Transportation is available, to and from group, for
those who are enrolled in Early Intervention. Please bring a
blanket for your baby.
During warm weather months our aquatic therapy swim group meets
once a week at the Scantic Valley YMCA. The group is led by
a Physical Therapist in a therapeutic pool (temperature set
at 92°) which provides the environment for warm water therapy.
Parents accompany their child in the pool and are guided through
individual activities for their child. Warm water therapy promotes
relaxation and comfort in movement in the water and supports
sensory and motor development in and out of the water.
Parent- Child Playgroups in Springfield and Wilbraham
Thom SITS offers two (2) groups for toddlers and their parents
that allow them to share a morning with other families. These
groups have a routine of free play time, circle time, snack
and activities. Parents experience new activities with their
child and have informal opportunities to connect with other
parents. Toddlers experience new activities, begin to enjoy
play with their peers and learn the routines of group.
The Colonial Estates Parent-Child Playgroup meets Wednesdays
from 9:30-11:00 AM in the Colonial Estates community room.
The Wilbraham Children’s Museum Playgroup meets Mondays
from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Museum. This group meets during
the school year, September to June and follows the school
vacation schedule.
All groups are open to families from Early Intervention as well
as community families. Transportation to and from the group is
only available to families with children who are enrolled in the
Early Intervention program.
While each group is somewhat different, based on the ages and
needs/interests of the children attending, there are some common
threads. All Toddler Times groups offer a language rich, nurturing
and safe environment where children have the opportunity to explore
and play with their peers. Early Intervention staff maintain a
consistent routine of activities including free play, motor play,
snack, circle time, pretend and manipulative play. The high staff
to child ratio, with at least one adult to every three children,
allows staff to assist toddlers to play and learn in all areas
of development.
Toddler Times groups are held at our Allen Street, Bicentennial
Plaza program site in Springfield on the following days and times: