EarlyON Facilitators are often asked, “Can babies come to any of the programs?” and the answer is “Yes!” In all our EarlyON playgroups, you can witness infants engaged in serious play. You can observe infants mastering skills such as reaching for objects, mouthing, and grasping at our Little Discoverers playgroups. You will see infants sitting up, crawling, or cruising around at Ready, Set, Move at the YMCA. As well as infants engaging in tummy time on a blanket at our Outdoor Adventures. You see infants exploring their world as they walk around at Stroller Walk and mimicking and mapping it all in their brains at Story Stretchers at the St Thomas Library. It is awesome!
Play and Learning Activities for All Ages
Learning activities and play invitations are designed by EarlyON Facilitators with much thought and intention. Families can also ask for certain toys to explore alongside the baby.
What EarlyON programs have to offer:
- A place for you and your infant to play together while making connections with other families. Along with support from Facilitators who are Registered Early Childhood Educators who can help you connect with Community Partners.
- Tummy time sensory exploration with mirrors, different textures, and musical instruments.
- Board books including indestructible books to grasp and mouth.
- Facilitators singing clap songs to teach rhythm and self-control along with other songs.
- Pull toys to encourage infants to grasp and pull objects.
- Furniture designed to encourage infants to move or stand. Toys and play invitations on the floor to inspire movement and crawling.
- A variety of play materials.
- Mobiles, beautiful art pieces around the room, children’s pictures, and lots of bubble play to attract their attention and eye movement.
- Cozy areas for when infants need to take a break or want quieter play.
Infants in EarlyON
Sometimes in our programs, infants are calm and ready to engage, and other times they are not, and they might fuss and cry. When they have had enough exploration, they show you. So, take it as a “cue” and give them a little break and head over to our calmer areas. We also welcome you to feed your infant in any of our playgroups. Also don’t forget our playgroups are drop in so feel welcome to arrive or leave at any time.
Hope to see you and your child soon, at an EarlyON Playgroup!