Baby & Toddler ClassesEarly Language Playgroup

Grow baby & toddler early language and social skills with sensory-based play!

Led by a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, Early Language Playgroup's baby & toddler classes provide a language-rich play environment with parent coaching, themed sensory bins, pretend play & more!
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Play, Grow, Connect!

What is Early Language Playgroup?

Early Language Playgroup is a themed, small-group baby and toddler class in a language-rich social and play environment! Each class is centered around a theme to help children and families focus on related and repeated vocabulary for optimal growth.

Babies and toddlers learn best through play and sensory-based experiences— so we provide the language, sensory bins, and play environment, and even clean up the mess!

Babies, toddlers, AND caregivers learn early language development, play skills, and get social time with peers! Early Language Playgroup baby and toddler classes are open to children ~6 months through 3 years with any level of language development.

Early Language Playgroup Offers:

Connection with other caregivers
Socialization between baby & toddler peers
Language-rich play environment
Sensory-based play
Language learning strategies through parent coaching

It's Playtime!Upcoming Classes

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Water & Ice

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Cool down with colorful water and ice play! We’ll practice early language and science concepts through water & ice sensory bins and science experiments.

Meet Your Instructor

Kristen Bruce, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-language pathologist

Kristen is a nationally certified pediatric speech-language pathologist and parent in Sacramento, CA. With expertise in community building, program development, and speech therapy, she aims to develop a thriving parent-baby-toddler community through Early Language Playgroup, alongside growing parent groups in the Sacramento area. Her current obsessions are pretend play with her daughter, attempting to grow a cut flower garden, and learning to breathe through the chaos of parenthood!

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FAQYour questions, answered

WHAT DOES EARLY LANGUAGE PLAYGROUP LOOK LIKE?

Early Language Playgroup is a 60-minute small-group class that provides group language instruction followed by playtime inspired by the class theme.

We start with 10-15 minutes of whole-group Language Learning time where the speech-language pathologist coaches parents through the language strategy of the day. Then, we apply this strategy to open play alongside baby and toddler peers.

Play activities include sensory bins, pretend play, fine & gross motor activities, and/or arts and crafts. The speech therapist will work with the parents and children during open play to model and practice early language skills.

WHAT AGE IS PLAYGROUP FOR?

Early Language Playgroup is open to babies and toddlers ~6 months through 3 years old. This is a prime window for early language development and we want to provide as much play-based support as possible!

If you’re interested in attending and your child’s age is outside of this window, please send us a message and we’ll discuss!

IS PLAYGROUP THE SAME AS SPEECH THERAPY?

Early Language Playgroup provides a language-rich environment to practice early language skills in, led by a speech-language pathologist. However, it is not a replacement for 1:1 speech therapy that targets your child’s specific language development needs and goals.

Classes would be a great addition to individual speech therapy if you’re looking for a fun, social environment to practice functional language skills in! Playgroup is appropriate for all levels of language development.

ARE MY CHILD'S LANGUAGE SKILLS APPROPRIATE FOR PLAYGROUP?

Class activities are beneficial to all early language learners at any level of development. This includes families who currently receive speech therapy, have language development concerns but do not receive speech therapy, and children who have strong language skills.

All children benefit by expanding their current language skills and building social skills with their peers.

WILL CLASS THEMES REPEAT?

Yes! Repetition is extremely important to early learning. Themes will occasionally repeat to allow for repeated exposure to similar vocabulary and concepts. If you have a favorite class you want to see more often, or want to request a theme, send us a message!

CAN PLAYGROUP COME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD?

Send us a message to request Early Language Playgroup to expand to your area!

CAN WE SCHEDULE A PRIVATE PLAYGROUP CLASS FOR OUR GROUP?

Yes! We can set up a class reserved for your preschool, parent groups, birthday parties, and more! Send us a message so we can start planning out the details.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?

Your spot in a Playgroup class can be cancelled and refunded up to 24 hours before class start time. If you need to cancel within the 24-hour window, your payment will be credited towards a future class.

If class needs to be cancelled by us due to illness, inclement weather, etc., then class will be rescheduled. You can apply your class credit to the rescheduled date or another of your choosing.

If class is rescheduled or cancelled due to limited enrollment, then class may be cancelled or rescheduled. You can receive a refund or apply the credit to another class.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER POLICY FOR OUTDOOR CLASSES?

If class is rescheduled due to inclement weather, you have the option to keep your spot on the rescheduled date or apply the credit to a future class. In our area, inclement weather might include, but is not limited to, rain, unhealthy air quality, or a heat index 90 degrees or higher during class time.

GALLERYTake a Closer Look

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Ready to play?

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Find us here

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LOCATION
Throughout the Sacramento, CA area. Note class-specific location when booking.
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CONTACT
(916) 234-3992 (Call or text)
contact@stringofwordsspeech.com

Get in touch

If you are ready to book an Early Language Playgroup class, please click "Book a Class," above. If you have further questions, please send us a message below!

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    CONTACT DETAILS

    Serving all of California via teletherapy. Based out of Sacramento, CA.
    (916) 234-3992
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    No waitlist! Now accepting new clients.