The Parent Toddler Programme

In the Parent Toddler Programme children, each with a parent/carer, attend for 2 hours, once a week, in an environment especially set up to respond to the child’s growing need for independence. The Parent Toddler Programme differs from a playgroup because of this emphasis on catering for the child’s urge towards independence and faith in the child’s capabilities. The room contains only child-sized furniture and activities that match the children’s physical proportions and their stage of development. The age range of the children is from 18 months (provided they are walking independently) to three years of age.

The range of activities offered includes language enrichment exercises, exercises to refine eye-hand co-ordination and visual discrimination, practical life exercises, art activities and group music activity. All work is set out in such a way that children can use the materials with the minimum of adult assistance and parents are made aware of the importance of allowing their children to complete and repeat tasks without interruption or interference. In this way children build up their concentration span.