Little Bridges

Description

“Little Bridges” is a warm, connection-focused group for young children who are ready to explore peer play beyond parallel play — but still benefit from gentle guidance and practice in how to connect, share, and respond within real social interactions.

We designed this group to support authentic, childlike play in both structured and unstructured settings — always with the goal of helping each child build bridges toward others, not just toward teachers.

Rather than practicing how to follow classroom routines, this group gently encourages your child to:

Notice what their peers are doing
Join in and imitate others’ play
Make eye-to-eye requests to a peer
Listen and respond to what others say
Take turns, wait, offer help, and negotiate in real play

All of this happens in a relaxed, safe space where the group rotates activities but doesn’t rush, where snack time becomes a social moment, and where peer connections are the true focus.

This is not a school-prep group — it’s a real play group, helping children gently experience what a good playdate can feel like.

2 Routines

Each Little Bridges session includes a flexible rhythm of shared and independent moments, with plenty of space for curiosity, imagination, and connection:

Arrival & Free Exploration — gentle welcome, sensory or interest-based play zones
Opening Circle (short & warm) — greetings, simple songs or games that invite awareness of peers
Interactive Play Blocks — structured or semi-structured small group play (e.g. building together, pretend play, messy art)
Snack & Social Time — shared snack with turn-taking, peer interaction, and spontaneous conversation
Movement Play — large motor play, cooperative physical activities
Closing & Goodbye Circle — reflecting on what we did together and saying goodbye with intention

This routine is not rigid — it breathes with the children. Some days will involve more movement, others more creativity or quiet exploration.

[Example Activities]

Here are some of the playful experiences your child may enjoy during a session:

Pretend play stations (e.g. ice cream shop, pet clinic, birthday party, bus trip)
Partner building challenges using blocks, train tracks, or magnetic tiles
Crafts that invite cooperation, like making a group collage or shared storybook
Follow-the-leader movement games, with peer-led turns
Snack-making as a team, like assembling fruit kabobs or building sandwich faces
Treasure hunts that require asking peers for clues
Puppet shows and storytime with roles for children to take part in together

Each activity is chosen not just for fun, but because it naturally invites social intention — noticing others, responding, leading, and joining.

🤔 Is This the Right Group for Your Child?

Q: My child doesn’t really “play with” other children yet — just plays next to them. Is that okay?

A: Yes — this group is designed for that. We welcome children who are just beginning to notice others, even if they haven’t yet moved beyond parallel play. Little Bridges gently supports that next step: noticing, joining, and responding to peers in playful ways.

Q: My child speaks very little (or not at all). Can they still benefit?

A: Absolutely. Children in Little Bridges can communicate in many ways — through gestures, facial expressions, sounds, signs, or emerging words. Our focus is on meaningful connection, not perfect sentences. Peer relationships can grow beautifully without words.

Q: What if my child has big feelings — crying, getting stuck, or needing support to regulate?

A: That’s okay. Our facilitators are trained to support emotional moments with warmth and respect. We view every big feeling as part of learning how to be with others. We guide gently, with no shame and no pressure.

Q: Will this group prepare my child for kindergarten?

A: Not directly — and that’s intentional. Little Bridges is not an academic or classroom-prep group. Instead, it focuses on the foundational social and emotional skills children need to feel safe, curious, and engaged with peers — which supports all future learning.

Q: What kind of child does best in this group?

A: This group is ideal for children who are:

Between 3.5 and 5 years old
Curious about others but still learning how to interact
Not yet comfortable in large groups or formal routines
Needing practice in taking turns, joining play, or handling gentle social challenges
Better supported in small, flexible groups than in structured, school-like settings