Tiny Tribe and Its Babies!
Tiny Tribe is an inclusive playgroup for families (and nannies) with children aged 0-5 years. We welcome everyone in the community from 10 am to 12 noon every Wednesday morning during term time. We are based at Mint Street Adventure Playground in SE1, and you are warmly invited to join us!
What Parents Say:
- "My daughter is always asking if we’re going to the party today – she means Tiny Tribe!" – M
- "Thank you so much for Tiny Tribe. I feel so welcomed, and I always know I’ll meet nice people when I come." – F
- "Thank you for your help with my son’s speech worries. I went to the GP as you advised, and he got a referral to a speech and language therapist." – C
A Big Playroom for Free Exploration
The playgroup is divided into two segments:
1. Free Play and Connection Time
For the first hour and a half, we focus on making connections - with your child, other parents, and the local community. During this time, you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor play.
Our spacious room is well-equipped for babies and older children alike. Babies will enjoy sensory toys on the play mat, while three-year-olds can play with cars, a pretend kitchen, or explore the small outdoor area with hula hoops. Parents can choose to join in and play or give their children the opportunity to explore independently.
We also have mindful drawing and wordsearches available for parents who prefer some quiet time. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions or share concerns. For example, this week a parent asked about registering her 2-year-old for nursery, and we were able to assist on the spot. Another parent, concerned about her child’s delayed speech, was advised to consult her GP for the 2-year check-up.
2. Parental Tips and Learning
After free play, we offer a structured time for parents and children:
- Parental Tips (2 minutes): Every week, we share a quick parenting tip. For instance, this week's tip was about Encouraging Exploration:
- Why: Young children are naturally curious. Exploration supports cognitive and motor development.
- Tip: Create safe spaces at home where they can explore and discover without too many restrictions. For example, create a "discovery box" filled with safe objects like different textured fabrics, wooden toys, and simple puzzles. Let your child explore these items at their own pace, learning through touch and sight.
- Learning a Makaton Sign: As an inclusive group run by a neurodiverse organisation, we introduce one Makaton sign each week. Makaton is a great tool for aiding communication and reducing frustration in pre-verbal children. This week, we learned the sign for "help." Learn the sign here.
We End with Read & Rhyme
We conclude each session with "Read & Rhyme," where we gather to enjoy stories, lively rhymes, and play with a few musical instruments. Here are just a few of the benefits of rhymes and songs for early childhood development: language development, cognitive growth, social and emotional skills, cultural awareness, and enhanced creativity.
Join Us at Tiny Tribe Next Wednesday Morning
You’re welcome to drop in, but we recommend booking in advance.
Book your spot here.
Credit: Image by fabrikasimf on Freepik