![]() ![]() “It’s that socialization that was missing for so many families during covid, not only for the kids but for the parents as well,” she said. Wilson added that Kaleidoscope Play and Learn serves a vital function for children and their families, especially in the wake of the pandemic. …The essence of the program is to have parents interact and connect with their children and I just kind of go around to facilitate what’s going on and provide the activities.” “It’s working out really well and as you can tell by looking at it the parents are a key part to this program. “I’m overjoyed I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Wilson, who is on hand to facilitate the meetings at TES. Talent Elementary’s first KPG meeting was held on March 2 and included only four little girls, Wilson said. Each site follows Kaleidoscope Play & Learn guidelines that are based on that research, and on widely recognized and accepted theories and best practices in the fields of child development, early learning, parent education, community development, cultural competency and family friend and neighbor care. The Kaleidoscope Play & Learn model was developed in Seattle using information gathered through five years of outcomes evaluation, as well as experience in the field. …So now it’s like how do we reconnect? So this gives families the opportunity to come – totally free – and just have a playgroup where they can reconnect with their kids, and then, also these parents can connect with each other before their kids come to kindergarten.” That is something we’re hearing a lot – during the pandemic, when everything was shut down, everybody was in survival mode. “I thought it was a good fit for us, especially after covid,” she said, “because when Randy explained to me that it was about parents coming and giving them the space to interact with their kids. ![]() It didn't take long for Medina to be sold on the concept, too. Barry loved the idea and connected Wilson with Medina. ![]() Wilson met PTS superintendent Brent Barry when the two were in the same professional development class years ago and reached out to him while trying to add a hub in the Kaleidoscope dead zone between Medford and Ashland. The opportunity to host a Kaleidoscope Play and Learn group was brought to Medina’s attention a few months ago when she was contacted by KPL facilitator Randy Wilson, a representative of the Southern Oregon Early Learning Hub. The concept couldn’t be simpler: they look around, play, read, talk, and when the time’s up every family leaves with a new book. Referred to as Kaleidoscope Play Group for short, the program is held at Talent Elementary every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m., and is open free of charge for children ages 0-5 and their parents or guardians to play. “It’s OK,” says mom, “momma’s sharing her seat.”Ĭolorful, organized, but not overtly so, and somewhat melodious with the cacophony of tiny voices, the scene is exactly what Phoenix-Talent School District community care specialist Rosario Medina had hoped for when she first considered adding a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Center at Talent Elementary. “Bunny,” she says.Īcross the room a little boy sitting next to his mom fiddles with a red U magnet, attempting to suck up metal objects through a plastic barrier.Īnd at an adjacent table, a girl in blonde pigtails cries out for her “mama” as a toddler crawls onto the chair next to her. TALENT – A curious girl in a long black ponytail and pink T-shirt opens a coaster-sized lock-and-key door to reveal a rabbit drawing and turns to the woman next to her. ![]()
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