What you learn in the virtual group—comes to life in the playgroup…
Once you are registered in a virtual parent education/support group, you are invited to join an in-person playgroup in Mar Vista (Los Angeles 90066). Â Playgroups are 50 minutes in length…more details are below.
To view the playgroup schedule, please click HERE, input the password that was emailed to you, and then follow the directions to register.
I am Donna Holloran and I lead all of the BBG in-person playgroups…where you and your child can spend some quality time together in a safe space, while meeting other parents and little ones.
Everyone learns something in the playgroups, including me 🙂 Some of this learning will be…
- via information shared by me
- via observation of your own child at play with others
- modeled by me, as I Interact with the older babies/toddlers
- via questions/ideas shared among those in the group
I can assure you that the little ones will surprise us every time with how capable & resilient they are!
Below is an age by age description of what will happen in the playgroups…some activities might overlap a bit depending on the exact age of the little ones, as well as group interest/questions…
2-3 months…playgroups for the littlest one
- Variations on tummy time and some very gentle sensory play
- Let’s find that “burp button!”
- Key reminders about this early stage of development and the importance of respecting your baby’s engagement and disengagement cues
3-5 months…another playgroup for the littlest one
- Babies are starting to wake up to the world with smiles, coos, wiggles and giggles
- Tummy time practice, and gentle sensory play engaging the babies in various activities
6-10 months…the playgroup is getting even more fun for the little one
- Babies are rolling, scooting, crawling, and pulling to stand…
- Babies are beginning to notice other babies—watching them, moving towards them, reaching out to grab toys around them, as well as toys being held by other babies 😳
- Some separation/stranger anxiety might be present as well
- I will talk about this next stage in your baby’s development and how you can best respond to all of this new activity
- I will encourage you to sit back and observe, while you offer just the right amount of support as we let them figure out how to get in/out, under/over, up/down…this all feeds into their growing self esteem
- It is your child’s own problem solving skills that best shapes their brain!
11-17 months…the little ones are now on their way to toddlerhood
- Young toddlers are crawling, pulling to stand, walking…
- You will notice different temperaments as some little ones will be a bit more cautious (wanting to stay close to you) and others will be expressing their curiosity by exploring the play area, and interacting with each other. There will be a great deal of activity as the little ones reach out to touch/take toys/crawl on top of—one another!
- We might observe some big feelings, a little toy conflict, and a tumble or two…
- I will talk about this early toddler stage and how you can best respond to all of this new activity and new emotion by using some of the BBG toddler reminder phrases such as “I’m coming in close to keep everyone safe.”
- I will continue to encourage you to sit back and observe, while you offer the just-right-amount of encouragement, as your child figures out how to get in/out, under/over, up/down…this continues to fuel their self esteem and guide them towards more independent play
17-27 months…the little ones are full on TODDLERS
- Older toddlers are walking, running, climbing…
- You will continue to notice different temperaments as children test out the play area
- We will most likely observe some solo and interactive play, some big feelings, more toy conflict, and some aggression 😳
- And, yes, we will continue to sit back and observe, while you offer the just-right-amount of support. Toddlers are very capable, and it’s fascinating to watch them figure out how to safely move their own body, manipulate a toy, and solve a conflict (with our support). I will encourage you to use some of the BBG toddler reminder phrases such as “you can sit with me or take a turn climbing on the slide” and “I’m watching you” and “you are taking a turn and now your friend wants a turn.”
