The Importance of the Early Years

Research on brain development has revealed how crucial the first years of a child's life are to healthy development. The 2000 report From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development released by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine of the National Acadamies, states that the relationship formed in the earliest years are the "basic structure within which all meaningful development unfolds."


KFRC is a local, nonprofit organization providing early childhood programming, including playgroups, which are group experiences (socializations) for infants and toddlers under 3 years of age. Young infants need experience that promote trust. Having a safe, warm environment, their parents' arms, is an appropriate experience for an infant. Socializations for mobile infants continue to support the parent/child relationship by offering activities that keep the parent close to and engaged with their child. It gives parents the opportunity to observe their infants and their emerging abilities. Experiences for toddlers include time spent looking at books, and fingerplays. This is not preschool, as toddlers play alone or with adults, rather than each other. Planned activities allow toddlers the opportunity to learn to do things by themselves, be independent yet closely supervised.

At KFRC, each playgroup meets weekly for 2.5 hours. In addition to the points mentioned above, parents learn from each other, plus resources (parenting information is available through books and videos, plus there is a toy-lending library) are available for parents to take home. In addition, parents can participate in any parenting classes offered during the year, gaining information on child development, health and safety, parenting skills, and community resources. Each playgroup session has a specific schedule, which includes free play, dress up, time for looking at books, an experimental activity, (such as finger-painting), opportunities for fine motor and gross motor development, a time for music and movement and a nutritious snack. The playgroup coordinators are there to facilitate the sessions, model appropriate adult behavior, interact with children in ways which will assist children in their learning and the development of their social skills. Coordinators manage the sessions so that everyone can have a positive experience. Playgroups are open to all area families, including Early Head Start families.


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