What we do

Our Focus

Parents are the most important people in a child’s life. In order to develop emotionally, children need strong and secure attachments with their parents and the adults caring for them.This attachment begins as soon as a baby is born providing an emotional base in preparation for life. We can observe this bond when parents make eye contact, touch, speak and sing in a special way that conveys love and care, and in the way that the baby or young child responds positively back. Playing with your child rather than being an instructor is a way to really deepen this special bond. Your child will love spending time with you enjoying your undivided attention. Even a small amount of time each day being a play-partner with your child, will have a big impact on his or her learning, behaviour and emotional development.
The Play Partners method is an easy and fun way for parents to play with their children.

Health

It is important for children to be healthy on all levels. Emotionally and physically.

Education

A solid foundation in education is key to success later in life. Your support to teachers, books and extracurricular activities help get youngsters off to the right start. 

Community

Community is the family that goes beyond family. It is the people and places that we come in contact with each and every day. When we strengthen communities, we strengthen individuals.

Our
Programme

It is essential to remove plastic and commercial toys from
the space that you are going to use to play together (this
could be inside and or outside). Such toys frequently restrict
play opportunities and even put a barrier between the child and the adult. 
Children can become overwhelmed, flitting from one
thing to the next resorting to banging, isolated or destructive play.

Important to know

Children are also able to learn language more easily without
constant background noise. When playing with your child switch
off items such as the phone, TV or computer and give him or her
your FULL attention

Young children love repetition; this is an essential part of
learning. For example, your child may like to build bricks into a
tower, knock it down, and then build it over and over again. You
may receive requests for the same story or rhyme no matter how
many times it has been heard before.
When you are playing with your child, join in the repetition until
your child is ready to move on.

How can I play?

Avoid asking closed questions e.g. “What colour is this? How
many sides has a square?

Comment about what you and your child are doing and follow
your child’s lead. For example, if your child is using a teapot and
cups to make tea, join in asking if you can have more milk etc.
Use your spoon to pretend to stir your tea and show how much
you are enjoying your pretend drink.

“Thank you, this is a lovely cup of tea. Please can I have some
more milk? Where is the sugar? Ah, two teaspoons of sugar,
one, two. I’m stirring round and round. ”
As soon as you child says something – repeat and extend the
language. For example:
Child hands pretend biscuit and says, “Biscuit.”
Parent, “A biscuit. Thank you, this will be lovely with my cup of
tea. Is there a plate for my biscuit?”

You could make some real biscuits later helping your child to
weigh the ingredients, mix them and cut out the shapes.