Playtime is vitally important to a child’s overall growth and development. It’s where they learn how to learn and prepare for school, friendships and life. The Child Care Action Council is introducing Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups as gathering places for kids and their caregivers within our community. CCAC is partnering with groups like Timberland Regional Library to create these safe, welcoming spaces for child development, socialization and good old-fashioned fun.
Child Care Action Council Promotes Early Learning Communities Where Children and Families Thrive
Since 1987, the Child Care Action Council has worked to build a child-focused community geared towards working together in support of early learning. They facilitate childcare, educate parents, train working childcare professionals and advocate for our kids on a local, state and federal level.
Tovi McClellan, CCAC’s family services program manager, says that these unique Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups are development-centered playgroups for children ages birth to five and their caregivers or parents. “Our trained playgroup facilitators lead engaging circle-time activities including story time, songs, interactive games and art activities,” she adds.
Kaleidoscope sessions are a gathering space. Family, friends, and neighbor caregivers and their young charges meet with others in the community to learn about fostering healthy child development and school readiness. They’re a place where everyone – children and adults – can learn through play. “I think one of our community partners put it best when they described our playgroups as Pop-Up Preschool,” McClellan says.
Local Play Groups Offer a Range of Activities in Thurston, Mason and Grays Counties
Get-togethers incorporate different learning stations that focus on things like gross motor skills, fine motor skills, dramatic play and STEM activities, says McClellan. They offer a craft activity each week; have circle time with a story and songs; and create space for caregivers and their children to play, learn and have fun together. It’s also a supportive group where caregivers can share experiences and create community bonds with others who know exactly what they’re going through. (Terrible twos, anyone?)
Sessions are free and pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Drop-ins are welcome, simply sign in at the start of each class and fill out the registration form once you arrive. There are currently two Kaleidoscope playgroups in Mason County (Shelton Timberland Regional Library and North Mason Timberland Library), two playgroups in Grays Harbor County (Elma Timberland Library and Hoquiam Timberland Library), and three playgroups in Thurston County (the RAC in Lacey, Providence St. Peter Family Medicine and Lacey Timberland Library).
Kaleidoscope play facilitators Patricia Granison and Jess Merritt have many years of experience between them and are excited for this low-key, fun, educational programming. “I have a great passion for supporting children’s learning and development through play and providing resources for families in need,” says Merritt. “I’m so thankful and excited to have the opportunity to provide these services through CCAC to the members of the community.”
Co-leader Granison agrees. “It is wonderful to me to see a child grow up and develop in all major domains of development,” she says. “To be part in helping a child be successful is a blessing.”
Rebuilding Healthy Learning Routines for Our Kids
Then National Association for the Education of Young Children explains that: “Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet…Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.” They show that regular, unstructured play builds cognitive, physical, vocabulary, social and literacy skills as well as combating stress, obesity and socio-economic issues.
McClellan and the entire CCAC team are working extra hard to help today’s post-COVID kiddos. “We are emerging from a pandemic that was an isolating experience for many of us,” she says. “Our youngest children didn’t have the opportunity to play alongside their peers. Play groups present an opportunity for this essential growth development to take place. We offer an environment for children to build their social skills while in proximity to their caring adult. Children can direct their own play knowing that their person is nearby to support them when invited. Research shows us that child-directed play develops emotional, social, and physical skills leading to success in school as well as a child’s overall well-being. Play allows children to problem solve with others or on their own.”
To learn more about the Child Care Action Council, sign up for their E-Newsletter or become a regular volunteer. You can also follow their advocacy work and action center updates. Submit questions online or send them to info@ccacwa.org and keep up with their latest activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Then take a screen break and head outside to explore, build a blanket fort in the living room or just read your little one’s favorite book snuggled up together on the couch.
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