Social emotional learning play groups
for children ages 2 - 5
Social Skills
Modeling and facilitating strategies that encourage the use of social language, cooperative play, turn taking, and sharing of materials.
Sensory Play
Gross and fine motor sensory integration activities helping children navigate heightened and diminished responses to stimuli in their environments.
Self-Regulation
Providing structure and consistency throughout the session, modeling calming strategies to help reduce stressors and help children better navigate social interactions.
The program.
Our social skills groups emphasize the development of key competencies in social emotional learning (SEL), including self- awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These skills are fundamental to a child's overall growth and development. The program is thoughtfully designed to integrate SEL competencies into every session, with each session focusing on a specific competency. Through a combination of modeling, social stories, positive self-talk and play language, SEL-focused read-alouds, and self-regulation strategies such as breathing and movement exercises, children are equipped with practical tools to navigate these essential life skills. This comprehensive approach provides children with a roadmap for understanding and applying SEL principles, fostering their ability to navigate social situations and challenges with confidence and resilience.
About me.
Hello there!
Welcome to Pre-K Prep and Play, a safe supportive social emotional learning program for early learners.
I’m Aja Washington, a veteran early childhood special educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. I am wife to a wonderful husband and mom to a fabulous daughter! Working with young children is my passion, and nothing is more exciting than to see them build relationships and confidence that serve them in and outside of an educational setting. Prep and Play will give children the tools to guide their social interactions through modeling and support from a trained special educator.
I am a proud graduate of Howard University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development, followed by a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from The George Washington University. Over the course of my career I’ve worked in a range classroom settings with General and Special Education populations. In every setting the most meaningful milestones were seen through the connections and relationships that students were able to build. Social emotional learning enables children to further access all aspects of their education, allowing them to be more present and engaged in their learning.
I so look forward to helping children and families facilitate emotional growth while providing a tool box full of strategies to help navigate relationships with themselves and others.
FAQs
How does Social Emotional Learning benefit young children, what does it look like for this age group?
Social emotional learning (SEL) gives children the tools and confidence to engage in positive lasting play with their peers. In addition, it provides them with strategies to navigate more challenging interactions using self regulation and problem solving.
For younger learners most SEL is facilitated through play. Play allows them to practice scenarios that have been modeled for them in a safe supportive setting.
What is the rate per session?
$50 per 30-minute session
For classroom services, a minimum of 2 sessions per visit are required
What is the Pre-K Prep & Play setting?
Social skills groups are provided in 30-minute classroom sessions. The services are offered for children ages 2 - 5 with one facilitator and all materials provided.
Private or small group sessions are also available upon request within Essex County, NJ.
Sessions include sensory manipulative toys, SEL focused reading materials, and breathing/movement self regulation strategies.
How long is each session and how many children are in each session?
Available Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm.
Each session is 30-minutes
Offered weekly, twice monthly, or monthly
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be done no later than 48 hours before your scheduled time in order to reschedule.
Book a session.
Email me at NJprepandplay@gmail.com