Parent-Child Playgroups

Parent-Child Playgroups are designed for parents and caregivers to interact and build skills with their children through play, while allowing families to connect with one another and with valuable resources.

Playgroups are offered at welcoming community spaces, like libraries, schools, and community centers.  Playgroups are staffed by Early Childhood Specialists who know the community well and offer information and support to parents as they navigate the early years and the often daunting job of raising a young child.

Playgroup spaces contain toys, books, and other materials to help strengthen each child’s cognitive, physical, and creative selves, and to help promote social-emotional skill-building. Through play, transitions, circle time songs and activities, as well as informal conversations, parents learn about developmental ages and stages, gain information to help understand their child’s behavior, and become empowered to prepare their child to enter school ‘ready to learn’.

Playgroups are available for children ages 11 months to 4 years, and Parent-Baby Groups are offered for families with infants.  During the summer months, Playgroups are offered in community parks so families can play, connect, and explore with each other outdoors.

See the listing below for details about Parent-Baby and Parent-Child Playgroups offered in multiple neighborhoods. Please note that some may require advance registration.

 

Allston-Brighton – Preschool Playgroup

Engage, Explore, experiment & enjoy! Ages 2-4 years old.

Every Tuesday at Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp Street

For more information, contact Elayne: ebaskin@familynurturing.org.

Staff Member: Elayne Baskin
Location: Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp Street
Age: 2-4 years old
Languages Spoken: English
Start Time: 10:30 - 12:00 pm
Weekly?:
 Yes
Advanced registration is required: Link
Day of the Week: Tuesdays

Allston-Brighton - Tot Gym: Busy Buddies On the Go!

Activities to build growing minds, bodies, and social-emotional awareness. Ages 12-24 months old

Every Thursday at Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Avenue, Allston

For more information, contact Elayne: ebaskin@familynurturing.org.

Staff Member: Elayne Baskin
Location: Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Avenue, Allston

Age: 12-24 months
Languages Spoken: English
Start Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Weekly?:
 Yes
Advanced registration is required: Link
Day of the Week: Thursdays

Allston-Brighton - Bilingual Baby Playgroup (English/Spanish)

Join us for a playgroup designed to foster brain development and social-emotional and gross motor skills in infants while building community among caregivers.

Staff Member: Sandra McCarthy
Location: 
PSF Building, 640 Washington St, Brighton
Age: 0-12 months (or not walking yet)
Languages Spoken: English/Spanish
Start Time: 
10:30 am
Weekly?: 
Yes
Starting?: September 23
Advanced registration is required: Link
Day of the Week: Fridays

Dorchester - 1-4 Year Old Playgroup

This session is for parents and their children 1 – 4 years old (infant siblings are welcome). Come for songs, games, and activities to support your young child's development.

For more information, contact Tyisha Blidgen: 617-474-1143 ×327 or tblidgen@familynurturing.org 

Staff Member: Tyisha Blidgen 
Location:
200 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester 
Languages Spoken: 
English
Start Time: 
10:00 am
End Time: 
12:00 pm
Weekly?: 
Yes
Day of the Week: 
Wednesday

Dorchester - 1-4 Year Old Playgroup in Spanish/en Español

Aprenderamos canciones, juegos y actividades para apoyar el desarrollo de su hijo pequeño. 

This session is for parents and their children 1 – 4 years old (infant siblings are welcome). Come for songs, games, and activities to support your young child's development.

For more information, contact Marisela Blanco: 617-474-1143 ×335 or mblanco@familynurturing.org

Staff Member: Marisela Blanco
Location:
200 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester 
Languages Spoken:
Spanish and English
Start Time: 
10:00 am
End Time: 
12:00 pm
Weekly?: 
Yes
Day of the Week: 
Mondays, beginning April 3rd, 2023

Hyde Park - 1-4 Year Old Playgroups

This session is for parents and their children 1 – 4 years old (infant siblings are welcome). Come for songs, games, and activities to support your young child's development.

For more information please email Nora Arara: narara@familynurturing.org.

Staff Member: Nora Arara
Location:
215-217 Garfield Avenue, Hyde Park 
Languages Spoken:
English
Start Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Weekly?: Yes
Day of the Week:
Mondays & Fridays

Hyde Park - 1-4 Year Old Playgroup (Circle time on Zoom)

Join Playgroup Leader Nora Arara for circle time games and songs for parents and their children ages 1-4.  Set aside time to laugh and play with your child and meet other families from your neighborhood!

For more information or to receive the Zoom link, please email Nora Arara: narara@familynurturing.org.

Staff Member: Nora Arara
Location:
Zoom/Virtual
Languages Spoken:
English
Start Time:
11:00 am
Weekly?: Yes
Day of the Week:
Thursdays

Main FNC Address: 
200 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 (617) 474-1143