SITE VISIT CHART

For First 5 funded Programs

Name of Program/Site: / Redwood Play Center
Date of Visit: / September 10, 2014
Name of Visitor: / Meg Walkley
Family Contacts:
I was able to connect with several of my long term families, including a mom who continues to struggle with Post-Partum Depression. We discussed her treatment plan and what was working and what wasn’t. We strategized some other ideas that she thought might be helpful. We also discussed the differences in her children’s temperaments and how that meant they needed different supports.
Temperament was the topic for a discussion with a parent new to the area who has two children ages 1 and 3. The children are very different from one another, one very compliant and the other far more spirited. We also discussed Brazelton’s Touchpoints as the spirited child is at the cusp of the next development step.
A caregiver for a child who just has a new sibling was at the playgroup and she filled me in that the mom and baby are both doing well and the toddler and dad seem to be adjusting well too. The caregiver has her own toddler and she shared with me how she was struggling to balance the needs of both children. We discussed ways to lessen the impact on her child by insuring he has his own space and reserving special mommy time for him when she is not providing child care.
I provided direct support to three children playing on the boat/slide structure. One of the three year olds was telling a toddler that he was too little to play on the structure. The brother of the toddler was upset about this and pushing was about to ensue. I modeled for the parents how to validate the feelings of each three year olds i.e. “You are really worried that he is too little to play on the slide. You think he might get hurt”. I also modeled how to provide choices for the child who was trying to block the slide “You may slide down or come back down the stairs- what is your choice?”. I touched base with the parents after the three began to play smoothly together regarding the strategies I had been using.
Site Support:
I introduced the playgroup leaders to the new WIC worker who will be visiting playgroups this year. I brainstormed with the circle time leader what books they had had the Play Center that could be utilized during circle to encourage movement and dramatic play during circle. I told the leaders about the new Parenting Counts series that was starting up at a neighboring playgroup. I will get them the flyer to post on their Facebook page.
Follow up:
I will bring information about Temperament next visit for the parents who expressed interest. I will bring some more book ideas for the leader to consider using in group. My next visit to this site will be on September 22nd.