Play is a natural process that helps children learn, explore, and grow Play Research Shows: Play helps develop Social Development : it helps children learn how to work in groups, share, negotiate, and solve conflicts  Emotional Development : Play helps children learn how to identify & express their emotions Exploration : Play is how children explore the world & experiment with new ideas  Learning : Play is how children learn & develop skills. It helps them understand the world, their emotions, and how to navigate social situations  "In nature, children learn to take risks, overcome fears, make new friends, regulate emotions, and create imaginary worlds"  "Play allows children opportunities to get creative, to practice regulating emotions, to enhance social development, and to learn about themselves in the process."  - Angela Hanscom  Balanced & Barefoot author and Pediatric Occupational Therapist  PLAY BASED  CHILD LEAD CLASS TIME  DRESS FOR THE WEATHER IN LAYERS THE KIDS WILL RUN AND EXPLORE & WILL NEED TO PUT ON OR TAKE OFF A LAYER DEPENDING ON THEIR ACTIVITY & AS THE WEATHER OFTEN CHANGES. WINTER GEAR INCLUDES BEANIE, SNOW SHOES, INSULATED PANTS, LAYERS OF SHIRTS, WARM JACKET: DO NOT RELY ON THE HOOD, JACKETS COME OFF & CAN BE BREEZY, WATER RESISTANT GLOVES BACKPACK BRING A LARGE FILLED WATER BOTTLE : LABELED LARGE SNACK AND OR LUNCH IN A CONTAINER (BAGS BLOW AROUND ) PLEASE SEND FOOD IN A CLOSEABLE HARD CONTAINER DO NOT BRING OUTSIDE TOYS OR ITEMS TO CLASS  ALL ITEMS AT THE SCHOOL STAY HERE INCLUDING: STICKS, ROCKS, FEATHERS, ACORNS, FLOWERS ETC UNLESS IT IS SPECIFLY A A TAKE HOME PROJECT ​ YOUR REGISTRATION & PAYMENT IS YOUR RECIEPT, MARK ON PAYMENT TO SEND EMAIL, THAT IS YOUR RECIEPT, WE DO NOT CONTACT YOU BEFORE CLASS ​ PAYMENT HOLDS YOUR CHILD'S SPOT IN CLASS  REGISTRATION IS NEEDED, THE WAIVER IS NEEDED. PAYMENT IS HOW YOU RESERVE AND ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN CLASS.  PAYMENTS ARE MADE ONLINE UNLESS OTHERWISE DISCUSSED.  WE DO NOT REFUND OR HAVE MAKEUPS FOR YOUR MISSED DAYS.  CALENDAR OF CLASSES IS BELOW.  ​ PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO TALK TO THE ADULT IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS, OR ISSUES IN CLASS, SO THEY CAN BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY. WE WANT ALL CHILDREN TO BE AND FEEL SAFE, LEARN TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES & OTHERS AND BE AWARE OF THE NEEDS FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. WE WORK ON POSITIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION REGULARLY IN CLASS, AS CHILDREN LEARN TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD AROUND THEM. PLEASE HELP THEM KNOW TO TALK TO THE ADULT SO THEY CAN QUICKLY SUPPORT ALL OF THE CHILDREN AND THEIR NEEDS. CHILDREN CAN MAKE MISTAKES, WE CAN HELP THEM NAVIGATE MISTAKES, WORKING THINGS OUT, UNDERSTANDING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, AWARNESS AND THEIR FEELINGS. PLEASE REACH OUT TO CRISTA IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS.  THANK YOU!