Thom Pentucket Area Early Intervention

320 Main St., P.O. Box 956, West Newbury, MA  01985

Our Programs

Playgroups Offered

Groups offered change from time to time, based on families’ and children’s needs and interests. Please call Pentucket Area Early Intervention Program at (978) 363-5553 for up-to-date times and details about any of our playgroup opportunities.

Baby & Me is for children 3-12 months of age and their parent(s). Playgroup is held for 1 ½ hours each week. It is currently held at the Pentucket Area Early Intervention Program in West Newbury. The group helps parents to realize their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. Parents discover new ways to interact with their child during group time as well as at home. Baby and Me playgroup gives parents informal opportunities to socialize and find support for themselves with other parents.

The Young & the Restless groups are for children 12 -18 months of age and their parents. Groups are held for 1 ½ hours each week and currently take place at the Hope Church in Newburyport and the Family and Community Connections Program building in Haverhill. Young and the Restless groups provide an emotionally supportive place for parents to learn more about promoting their child’s development and children have the opportunity to interact with other children and improve their play and social skills. Emphasis is also placed on routines which foster children’s attention and communication skills. Young and the Restless groups are social and educational opportunities for parents and children alike.

Musical Moments a music-based group, is led by a Music Therapist for children 18-36 months of age and their parent(s). This group meets weekly for 2 hours at Newbury Elementary School. Parents separate from the children and are encouraged to participate in an optional parent group. In this group, children learn to enjoy songs, rhythm and music in a playful and relaxed setting that focuses on language development through music.

Little Explorers play groups are for children 18-36 months of age. They are held in community school settings including:

• Family and Community Connections Program
• Triton Regional Schools at the Newbury Elementary School
• Pentucket Regional Schools at the Page School

Little Explorers groups are held once each week for 2 hours and are led by members of Pentucket Area Early Intervention’s experienced staff. Parents are present during the beginning of the group while their child is transitioning into the group and then separate to attend an optional Parent Group. The groups include children from the community, as well as children receiving services from the Pentucket Area Early Intervention Program. Siblings, cousins or friends in this age range who have typically developing skills are welcome to join in as community peers when space is available. While each Little Explorers group is somewhat different based on the ages, needs and interests of participating children, there are some common threads. All groups offer a language rich, nurturing and safe environment where children have the opportunity to explore and play with their peers. Pentucket Area Early Intervention staff maintain consistent routines including free play, motor play, snack, circle time, music, and pretend and manipulative play activities. Little Explorers groups promote language skills, imitation, learning to follow directions, socialization, independence and self-care skills and stimulating large motor play. The high staff to child ratio, with at least one adult to every three children, allows staff to facilitate child to child peer interaction and learning in all areas of development.

Jump, Jiggle & Jive™ is for children ages 24 to 36 months of age. It is a 1 ½ hour music and movement-based group for parents and children to have fun in a safe and comfortable play space. The group incorporates different types of music and movement activities as well as a snack and craft project. Children are encouraged to work on and master new skills and concepts, such as developing a sense of rhythm, body awareness, communication, social skills and imitation, following directions, and learning to focus on simple tasks. Parents or caregivers stay and participate throughout the group.

For any non-EI enrolled child, there is a one time $25.00 Registration Fee.
 Transportation to and from group is available for children enrolled in Early Intervention.

Early Intervention professionals, who may include Developmental Educators, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Family Therapists and Educational Assistants provide staffing for all Pentucket Area Early Intervention Playgroups.

Other Program Services

Workshops for parents and other members of the community include:

• Child Growth and Development
• Speech and Language Development
• Red Flags – Identifying Developmental Concerns
• Behavior
• Sensory Integration – What is it?
• Simple Sign Language for Babies
• Motor Development
• The Value of Play
• Turning Three (Transitions from Early Intervention)

Also includes:

• Community Developmental Screenings
• Consultation and Technical Assistance to Child Care and Other Community Providers