“Off the screen, into the GREEN!” In a park or in a green space, making social connections with same age peers is the goal. Our Play Pods promote socialization as children work their way through the different levels of play: solitary, functional, relational, parallel, and cooperative play. In joining our series classes, this creates opportunities for children to see each other regularly making it more likely for rapport to be established and friendships to be developed. Mommies, Daddies, and caregivers, also enjoy as relationships are formed and strengthened.

Private Pods aka “Backyard Buddies”: our themed lessons take place in the comfort of your patio, yard, or any green space you desire. Minimum of 5 children per pod required. Single Pop into Play sessions can be reserved or Play Pod Series can take place 1-2 times a week based on the children/families you select.

Public Play Pods: Join a one time pod and enjoy our themed lessons at a park or green space. Limited spots available to ensure quality.

Play Pod Series: 6 week series offered at parks in the same vicinity or set park locations. Sign up required prior to the start date. Late comers will not receive a discount.

Enriching the play experience with parent and or caregiver participation allows for bonding, memorable moments, language expansion, and carryover of concepts practiced during play activities. Providing support for your child in any area such communication, behavior, and confidence helps build a solid foundation for social and emotional development.

Parent/caregiver participation is required for most pods: infants (Sprouts), toddlers (Seedlings), and Buds (preschoolers). Tree Huggers (5- 8 year olds) not required but welcomed, unless instructors deem otherwise.

Redirection and adult/child interaction must mimic PARKS N PLAY Philosophies including:

• Use of positive language, praise, encouragement, and pleasant experiences

• Adults must practice patience and serve as models during play experiences

• Gentle redirection and prompting to rejoin the group if wanders off or moves off task

• Breaks and check ins with your child are welcomed to help your child regain focus or aid with any behaviors

• Learning through play looks different for each child and accepting your child’s developmental needs at each stage is to be expected

• Physical discipline nor inappropriate verbal exchanges are NOT permitted during play pod classes

Providing developmentally appropriate play activities in a variety of parks around Miami (for now…) highlighting playgrounds, open spaces, amenities, and fostering a love for the Parks and Recreation department. Building a movement towards reducing screen time for young children and instilling the love to explore the outdoors.

Each park district and municipality have their own rules and regulations, thus PARKS N PLAY reserves the right to alter prices based on location, including for Private Play Pods.

During Park Explorations, parents/caregivers are responsible for their child and will serve as facilitators during the variety of play experiences. Each park and green space may be used differently.

Play Pods may engage in the following experiences:

• Scavenger Hunts

• Scooter and bike riding

• Stroller riding

• Use of the playground equipment

• Insect and wildlife investigations

• Plant and tree observations

• Active interactions with nature

• Sensory play with natural artifacts

• Use of basketball courts

• Access to pavilion and community center

Teaching our youngest generation the importance of caring for Mother Nature and their impact on protecting the planet. Fostering a love for nature while teaching how to recycle, reuse, preserve, and repurpose.

We plant, explore nature, help pick up litter, and care for our parks. Our activities lend themselves for open ended concepts, creativity, imagination, and repurposing plastic, cardboard, and recyclable items.

Sharing how all living things need love and attention, experiences with plants, animals, and our green surroundings include scavengers hunts, science exploration, sensory play, and appreciation for the outdoors.

Earth Day is everyday at Parks N Play!

Making our words count! Helping promote kindness and serving as models in our verbal exchanges amongst one another. Helping model using positive language - redirecting without having to use negation terms such as “no”, “don’t”, “shouldn’t”…rather we ensure to help bring awareness to positivity, affirming ideas, and increasing confidence. We want to share messages such as “walk” instead of “stop running”! We praise, create a sense of pride, and teach practice makes progress! In helping with kind words towards others, we also apply how to use polite words and social markers when requesting using “please”, showing gratitude with “thank you”, asking for assistance, and using language for a variety of purposes. Helping foster empathy, good sportsmanship, encouragement, and assistance with engaging in conflict resolution are also put into practice during our play pods.

A mood intended to spread to all… With today’s screen life and instant gratification, we strive to teach young children how to wait. Offering sensory integration, language activities, and functional solutions while waiting for a turn, practicing patience is another way in increase mindfulness. During our play pods, communicating at each level and respecting each individual’s intentions, abilities, and desires, we help children understand how listening and turn taking also require patience. Active listening, following directions, and showing gratitude with a smile, high five, or a thumbs up are integrated as we play!

“Think OUTSIDE the box”…yes, as in outdoors! Our play activities feature themed lessons, dress up opportunities, thematic vocabulary, and opportunities for the imagination to run wild! With our musical moments, puppet plays, and open ended activities, pretend play comes to life!

Creating moments to think on the spot, use the imagination, and embrace silliness are ways we strive to allow our kids to be kids! Often today’s busy schedules, technological advances, and fast paced life diminishes the time a child can find the time or ability to simply play with others. Some children no longer have “Centers” in school or have extremely limited recess. We faciliate play striving for smiles, laughter, learning, and enjoyment.

Enjoy a snack, lunch, or even an early dinner during our “Park in the Dark” with your Play Pod.

Picnic Pals engage in social routines when sharing a meal. We hold conversations, play language games, tell riddles, and functionally work on fine motor skills to self-feed, open containers, and manipulate food.

Picky eater? No problem! Exposure and having other children model consumption or exploration of new food is made possible following a sensory and hierarchal approach. As PARKS N PLAY is led by speech language pathologists with experience in feeding therapy, strategies are available for parents/caregivers.

Incorporating milestones into all play plans, Parks N Play Play Makers provide insight on typical development as speech language pathologists implementing holistic practices.

Parent resources, evidence based practices, and developmental milestones are provided to maximize optimal learning during our play pods.

Typical acquisition of concepts and skills are discussed and professional consultations, home extensions, screenings, referrals, and evaluations are available upon request. Speech and feeding therapy is also available.

Individual play sessions or smaller pods are offered for parents/caregivers desiring a more focused play session to aid with development in any area.