The Thom Marlboro Area Program currently has a total of 16 Community Playgroups held at our Marlboro Center. Groups offered change periodically based on the families' and children’s needs and interests. If you are interested in learning more about our groups, please feel free to ask your child’s service coordinator for options available for your family. If further information is needed, please feel free to call the Center at 508-624-0304.

All groups are open to children receiving Early Intervention Services along with community children who are not enrolled in Early Intervention. The majority of groups offer a concurrent parent component facilitated by a Social Worker or Certified Early Intervention Specialist.

▸ Chatty Children

Meeting on Fridays from 12:00-2:00, is a group for children who have developed some language. The group will focus on learning to produce sounds accurately, use language to communicate with peers, and improve overall language ability. Each week will emphasize a specific theme and/or sound. This group is facilitated by both a Developmental Specialist and a Speech-Language Pathologist.

▸ Baby & Me Group

Held at the Marlboro Center on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:00 and is facilitated by a Developmental Specialist and Physical Therapist. Parents/caregivers attend this group with their babies and have the opportunity to realize their value as their child’s first and most important teacher. Parents discover new ways to interact with their child as well as informally socialize, find and provide support with other parents. Group parent infant massage sessions as well as presentations from EI specialists of various disciplines are available on an ongoing basis.

▸ Toddler Times

Groups meet from 9:15-11:15 on Wednesday and Thursday and are led by experienced Early Childhood specialists. A wide variety of developmentally appropriate activities are offered based on the needs/interests of children and are structured to follow a consistent routine. Groups incorporate free playtime, circle time, fine and gross motor activities as well as a snack. These groups promote language skills, imitation, learning to follow directions, socialization, independence with self-care skills and stimulating motor experiences.

Parents are present with their children during the beginning and ending circle times. There are parent groups available during all of these morning groups.

▸ Positive Play

Group meets on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30 and is designed to help children engage with adults and peers in positive ways and to develop age-appropriate play skills. This group’s primary focus is to develop social and play skills. A parent group designed to provide support and information is available simultaneously with this group.

▸ Music Monday

Meets on Mondays from 2:15-4:15. Following a familiar, predictable schedule, young toddlers are provided with a safe environment for having fun exploring large motor equipment, a variety of small motor manipulatives, sensory play, tabletop directed activities (art/craft project), music, and circle time activities. Each child is encouraged to begin to follow the classroom routine, at his/her own pace, with support provided as needed. Each child is invited to join in singing, dancing, instrument play, and book/song experiences that encourage musical, social, physical, and emotional growth.

▸ Lunch Bunch

Meets on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00.   The group incorporates many of the general objectives of our toddler groups, while including the additional benefit of a full lunch experience.

▸ Let's Talk Lunch

Meets on Fridays from 12:15-2:15.   The group incorporates many of the general objectives of our toddler groups, while including the additional benefit of a full lunch experience.