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Welcome Back To The Play Lab Blog
The Play Lab was intentionally designed to support the development of children aged 6 and under as well as foster a strong community that values diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. We’re excited to share what we have to offer and the benefits of low-stimulation Montessori-based play.
Why Low-Stimulation?
Even for adults, New York City can be an incredibly overstimulating place. We’re all constantly surrounded by unpredictable noise, bright lights and the electric energy of a city home to 8 million people. It can be overwhelming.
Our low-stimulation environment is designed to provide a calm and soothing space where young children can explore and play at their own pace. This approach helps reduce anxiety and sensory overload for kids of all different needs levels, allowing kids to regulate, focus better and enjoy their time more fully.
A calm place to play is more than just beneficial for kids—it’s also a haven for parents and caregivers.
Montessori Principles In Play- Just what IS Montessori anyway?
The Play Lab came as a clear idea and a perfect solution to founder Magda Lahiti. She saw a need for a warm and nurturing low-stimulation environment where kids could explore and grow both at their own pace and alongside one another in her own community of Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
An educator with more than a decade of experience teaching young ones with varying needs and diverse backgrounds around the globe as well as a serial entrepreneur and a mother herself, Magda had spent nearly a decade building spaces that emphasize diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in Brooklyn before opening The Play Lab. Rooted in the Montessori education model that came to life in 1907 through physician, educator and scientist Dr. Maria Montessori.
Dr. Montessori had just judged an international competition on the subjects of scientific pedagogy and experimental psychology, and was invited to create a childcare center in San Lorenzo, Rome.
Through her research and findings Dr. Montessori created a model for a childcare center which supported learning for all. It was structured around hands-on learning, self-directed play in every-day environments and interdependence on one's community.
Upon opening her center Dr. Montessori and her team worked with children who were previously unschooled in an under-resourced community and the children- even the ones who had previously been deemed unable to learn, flourished.
It is ultimately an education rooted in peace and social justice.
By offering carefully selected toys and activities that promote fine motor skills, problem-solving, and creativity, we encourage children to play and learn naturally through exploration and discovery while growing alongside their friends and neighbors in an intentionally mellow environment.
Benefits for Parents and Caregivers
A calm place to play is more than just beneficial for kids—it’s also a haven for parents and caregivers. It’s a space where the grown-ups can also relax, knowing that children are in a safe and warm space designed just for them. It’s also the perfect setting in which the grown-ups can connect with other families in the community.
We’re So Happy to Welcome You
We believe in the unique power and beauty in the diversity of folks who make up The Play Lab community and we’re excited to welcome you to The Play Lab. Each week on this blog, we’ll be sharing posts about information and ideas on child development, parenting insights, as well as all of the information you need to further connect through classes and workshops for children and adults as well as community events.
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