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Are you having a hard time finding peers for your child to play with over the summer? I recently came across a pamphlet for a playgroup in the area.

Rene Hackney is a graduate of the doctorate program at GMU. Before graduate school she worked as a preschool teacher at the Country Day School in McLean. Rene also completed an internship at the Developmental Clinic at Children’s National Medical Center. She is now the facilitator of Parenting Playgroups, Inc.

Parenting Playgroups, Inc. offers play groups, parenting classes, teacher trainings and a book club. Listed below are playgroups that meet during the summer months.

Drop-In Play
This program is available year-round, every Friday morning from 9:00am-12:00 noon. No reservations are needed.  Just bring your child and/or siblings to play in a preschool classroom for up to two hours with other children. The play space has a housekeeping area, science shelf, sand table, art area, reading corner, manipulatives, blocks and play-doh. Cost: $8 per single child per hour, $2 per hour for additional siblings over 16 months. Under 16 month siblings are free. Your initial hour in this program is a free trial.

Drop-Off Play
A weekly program for 3 and 4 year olds that is available over the summer on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 and Thursdays from 10:45-12:15. The class offers 90 minutes of play, an art project, story, snack and sing-along. Cost: $24 per class.

Location and Contact Information:

6161 Fuller Court
Alexandria, VA 22310
(703) 922-0044
e-mail: rene@parentingplaygroups.com

Directions:

495 South towards Richmond
95 South, exit 57A towards Richmond
Exit 169A towards Franconia
R on Grovedale
L on Fuller Court

Therapeutic horseback riding has been proven to be extremely beneficial for children with special needs. Children have an opportunity to improve their physical capabilities, cognition, social skills and emotional well-being. Participants even experience increased confidence and develop a better self-concept.

Horseback riding requires flexibility, balance and posture. The horses movement causes the rider to use their core muscles which often improves strength throughout the body and their upright position. Muscles that benefit from riding include the back, buttocks, ankles, knees and hips. This is beneficial for those who have low muscle-tone. Those with high muscle-tone work on relaxing their muscles and moving with the gait of the horse.

Horseback riding also provides a unique opportunity for children to communicate with the horse and those involved with instruction. The participant often forms a relationship with the horse. This is especially beneficial for those with emotional or social disabilities. The animal shows love, loyalty and trust in the rider. Children feel in control when riding a horse and it helps to empower them. They also learn how to care for a horse, giving them responsibility.

Riding requires attention, memory and reasoning skills. The child is asked to interpret sensory information that they receive from riding including the motion, smell, feel, sound and sight of the horse. They are also interpreting information from the surrounding environment and the instructor leading to intellectual stimulation.

If you are interested in more information, check out the web-page for The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

There is contact information for Therapeutic Horseback Riding in the area under Resources.

It’s the beginning of the summer. Are you and the kids getting restless at home? Take a trip to Frying Pan Park.  Kidwell Farm is Frying Pan Park’s 1930’s working farm. Visitors have a chance to meet animals including horses, chickens, peacocks, sheep, goats, cows and more. You and your family can also take a wagon ride or visit the Kidwell Farm House and see how farm families lived in the 30’s. The park has a Country Store that sells food, books, toys and gifts. There are several events that the farm hosts in the summer months including Dairy day, the Fairfax County 4H Fair and the Frying Pan Park Farm Show. Go check it out and be sure to wear your sunblock!

Hours:

Frying Pan Park: Seven days a week, dawn to dusk

Kidwell Farm: Seven days a week, 9am-5pm

Wagon Rides: Seven days a week, 10am-4pm

Country Store: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4:30pm and Sundays 1pm-4:30pm

Directions:

• 66 West to Fairfax County Parkway north
• Go six miles and turn left on West Ox Road
• Follow West Ox Road for two miles and the entrance is on the right

Address:

Fairfax County Parks
2709 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 437-9101

Some children have a difficult time playing with peers. A common problem that I see in the classroom is the child’s tendency to play alone. This tends to be “easier” for the child. They are not in a situtation where they have to communicate, which might be challenging for them if they have a speech delay or are simply shy. They get to be in control of the activitiy and do not have to face sharing with others or participate in turn taking. Others gravitate to adults. Adults tend let the child pick what to play with and are much more patient. Adults have creative ideas for play and are good at sharing (well usually)! Children who might lack confidence in their communication and/or play skills might play “around” other peers. There is a sense of desire but they are not willing to make the first move to join in play. Parents and teachers can help children learn ways to play.

Playing alone: Encourage interest in materials that support group play or building with blocks. Set up a play date with one or two other peers. In a smaller group the child will have an opportunitiy to get to know the other children and won’t be overwhelmed due to the amount of activity if the group was larger. Help the child play by assisting them taking turns and requesting toys. Set up contrived situations to assist in increasing the amount of opportunities that are provided.

Playing only with adults: Help shift the child’s attention to peers their age. Try and set up play opportunities with other children who have the same temperment, interests and behavior. Invite a peer to play who is slightly younger to boost your child’s confidence. Play with them at first and assist them exchange information. Fade your assistance as you see the child improve.

Playing “around” others: Draw the child’s attention to what children are playing with. Ask them if they want to play with you and the others. It might help talk about play ideas that relate to what the others are doing or hand them a prop they could use. This will help the child enter the area of play with an idea already in mind. Help them call a child’s name and suggest their idea.

Remember to keep it fun! Play should be an enjoyable time for both you and the child.