Kid Trips Family Travel: Virginia, DC and Beyond
  • Our Blog
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Family Destinations >
      • California
      • Canada
      • Caribbean & Bahamas
      • Connecticut
      • Europe
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Japan
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • New Hampshire
      • New York
      • Pennsylvania
      • Vermont
      • Virginia
      • Washington DC
      • West Virginia
    • Family Travel Tips
    • Family Lifestyle
  • About Us
    • Connect
  • The Book
  • Press

Learning and Playing at Parenting Playgroups

6/16/2013

0 Comments

 

by Jessica Claire Haney

Picture
When my son and I first went to Parenting Playgroups’  Play and Workshop class – previously called the Toddler Program – he was a very attached little boy. The program was perfect for us; my son discovered his inner gregarious self while I learned a lot about how to be a good parent for him.
 
We spent the first half of the 90-minute class playing together with the other children in the adorable setting with engaging, thoughtful toys. Then, while several other moms and I sat down to a lecture and discussion with Dr. Rene Hackney, my toddler son got to have his first social experience with another adult. A preschool teacher served snack, read a story, led the children in songs and bubbles and watched them as they played while we moms learned about children’s language development or motor development or discussed steps to positive discipline. My son could come over to snuggle or nurse for comfort, but after the second week, he never did.


Picture
Now he’s a happy first-grader who shows no signs of the separation anxiety that plagued us until he began at Parenting Playgroups. And his little sister is enjoying Preschool Play at Parenting Playgroups while I’ve been helping Dr. Rene prepare for an updated version of the workbook that goes with her popular Positive Discipline course. The more I’ve been re-reading the material, the more I realize how profoundly my parenting has been influenced by all I’ve learned from Dr. Rene, an expert on child development and Northern Virginia’s go-to resource for all things parenting. If you haven’t attended one of her programs or workshops you’re missing out on some great conversations and food for thought.
 
The Play and Workshop class not only got my son comfortable in a social setting without being velcroed to his mom, but it also helped me connect with other moms and to get a tremendous education about what is appropriate to expect from children at what times and how to handle challenges when they arise. Of course, my second child has brought me a whole new set of learning experiences, so it’s been very helpful to review Dr. Rene’s materials! I’m still friends with many of the moms who were in the class with me, and we still muse “What would Rene say?” when considering our parenting challenges now five years later.
 
Dr. Rene opened Parenting Playgroups in 2003 when her daughters were just two and five years old. “It was important to start the business close to home when my girls were young,” Hackney explained. “We loved our Alexandria office and the fact that it was five minutes from our house.”
 
However, it wasn’t long after Dr. Rene opened the Falls Church location to great response that she knew she’d eventually need to focus her efforts there – or else clone herself. “People love the Falls Church location,” she said. “It was great when we moved in, and it’s only gotten better” with additions like The Local Market foods right below Parenting Playgroups and artsy Stifel and Capra right next door. Also in the same strip are Doodlehopper toys  and Clay Café Studios."
 
Whenever I hear about a homeschooler wanting a structured social experience that she doesn’t have to create or a parent of a shy child who wants a gentle introduction to preschool, I always point to Parenting Playgroups. All of the wonderful programs I initially enjoyed at the original Alexandria location have now been moved over to the Falls Church site at 246A West Broad Street. Located within blocks of dozens of eateries and within walking distance to the Falls Church library, Cherry Hill Park, and the Custis bike trail, Parenting Playgroups’s Falls Church location boasts loads of nearby opportunities for parents to take advantage of while their children are in Preschool Play and for enjoying as a family after class.
 
Summer Camp enrollment is open, as is registration for Preschool Play for the fall and for the Play and Workshop class. In addition to Preschool Play and the Play and Workshop classes, Parenting Playgroups also offers Boot Camps for children on topics like “Sharing and Turn-Taking” and “Managing Competition” as well as Social Skills groups.
 
Summer mornings starting June 24 will be full with camp, and Drop-In Play will return on Mondays in the fall. However, Parenting Playgroups will offer a limited number of free 90-minute open play times for moms groups on select summer afternoons. These fill up quickly, so anyone interested should contact Ms. Claire at claire (at) parentingplaygroups (dot) com to schedule. All other questions can be directed to programs (at) parentingplaygroups (dot) com



Jessica Claire Haney is a freelance writer and mother of two. A leader of the Arlington/Alexandria chapter of Holistic Moms Network , she blogs about living naturally – most of the time – at CrunchyChewyMama.com  and writes for The DC Moms.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Sponsored Ads  
    Picture

    Visit Kid Trips 's profile on Pinterest.

    Our Book

    Kid Trips Northern Virginia Edition

    Buy New $12.59
    Picture
    Amazon Button

    About The Blog

    Kid Trips' blogs profile fun events and cool family-friendly venues. We focus on regional and national family travel articles. 


    Blogs Via Email

    Blogs Via Email:


    RSS Feed

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    December 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    August 2009


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Links We Love

    Real Housewives of NoVA
    NoVA Outdoors
    Our-Kids DC
    Tiny Steps Mommy
    Kid Friendly DC
    Richmond Mom
    PWC Moms 

Contact Us | Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Press I Newsletter Archive

Kid Trips LLC © 2013-2020

Photos used under Creative Commons from Eddie Yip, schopie1, Mr.TinDC, bryansblog, NatalieMaynor, Aero Icarus, cam_rich345, cam_rich345, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, smilygrl, Jim, the Photographer, howcheng, cam_rich345, angela n., BarnImages.com, Numinosity (Gary J Wood), kirichkov, konradherrman, deek ay, gfpeck, Pink Sherbet Photography, USACE Europe District, 401(K) 2013, brownpau, dprevite, geopungo, Michael Bentley, thisgeekredes, Michael Bentley, jasonawhite, LizMarie_AK, C_osett, benagain_photos, freshtopia.net, Lars Plougmann, Aurimas Adomavicius, geopungo, Henning Grap, geopungo, karendotcom127, Adrian R. Tan, angela n., Alex1961, Ray Bouknight, PapaPiper (Travelling), patrickkuhl, epSos.de, edenpictures, karendotcom127, My Lil' Rotten, daniel.baker, Mr.TinDC, Pictures by Ann, bob194156, Rubbermaid Products, Rob Shenk, *_*, Mark Sadowski, mrpbps, ShardsOfBlue, pelican, TruffShuff, naql, karendotcom127, Bob P. B., TruffShuff, karendotcom127, archivesfoundation, Purple Sherbet Photography, Laurel_Kate, TownePost Network, gamene, hinebaugh.erin, bob194156, Michael Bentley, g-l-o-w, bengrey, D.L., Jim Larrison, jjandames, R'lyeh Imaging, Poetprince, HarshLight, Payton Chung, Sydney Treasures Photography, @cdharrison, Rictor Norton & David Allen, Tambako the Jaguar, campdarby, DBerry2006, brownpau, sidewalk flying, PetroleumJelliffe, Angelo González, wjarrettc, SPakhrin, Port of San Diego, Loren Javier, Trishhhh, sponselli, Steffy B., Vancouver Laser & Skincare Centre, D.B. Blas, jeri gloege, Last Hero, Los Amigos Del Fuego, jasonb42882
  • Our Blog
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Family Destinations >
      • California
      • Canada
      • Caribbean & Bahamas
      • Connecticut
      • Europe
      • Florida
      • Hawaii
      • Japan
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • New Hampshire
      • New York
      • Pennsylvania
      • Vermont
      • Virginia
      • Washington DC
      • West Virginia
    • Family Travel Tips
    • Family Lifestyle
  • About Us
    • Connect
  • The Book
  • Press