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Just For Kids

Student Quotes

"The kids are incredible. Each child has a unique talent but what they have in common are incredible imaginations. When coming to Playgroup you have to be ready to be a dinosaur, a lemur, a Zombie, or a turkey with big muscles. The kids at Playgroup brought me a lot of joy and gave meaning to my Dartmouth experience."

"The kids are always so full of energy and excited to see each other and the volunteers. I found a real sense of community there. I've been coming to Playgroup for two years now and spending time with the kids is so much fun, but more than that, it's been amazing and wonderful watching them grow and become more self-assured."

Program Description

Just For Kids serves three main purposes:

1. Because of their disabilities, many of the kids who come to playgroup feel left out and don't fit in with their peers. Just For Kids is a time for them to interact with other children in a supportive environment and to work on important skills such as how to share, how to follow the rules of a game, and how to make friends.
2. Just For Kids is a respite program, providing a needed break for the families of children with disabilities.
3. Just For Kids provides an opportunity for the children to grow and mature while forming trusting relationships with the volunteers as well as with each other. By recognizing the kids' individual needs and their awesome talents, and by simply being there to care about and listen to the kids, Dartmouth students can inspire the kids to be confident and to feel good about themselves.

 Each playgroup usually involves a craft, a lunchtime in the middle, and a snack and storytime at the end. In between, volunteers engage in a variety of activities with the kids. They do board games, play tag, go on the swings, and play all sorts of other games. Just For Kids also takes the kids on field trips such as apple picking, magic shows, and storytellers.

 As a volunteer, you will be working with the children in a group. Your first priority is SAFE FUN. In other words, you finger paint with the kids but are also supervising the fun.

Volunteers are also expected to uphold the rules of Just For Kids (i.e. take turns, stay seated while eating, etc.) and, most importantly, HAVE LOTS OF FUN!

Community Partners

United Developmental Services (U.D.S.)

Time Commitment

Just For Kids meets Saturday mornings 10-2 in fall, winter, and spring (Wednesday 12-4 in the summer). Volunteers should come to at least half the playgroups each term, but they are encouraged to attend as many as they can.

Contact Information

Blitz 'Just for Kids' with any questions, for more information, or to get involved.

Transportation

Transportation is not required. Playgroup is located at the Hanover Recreation Center, only a five-minute walk from campus, so we meet before each Playgroup at the Hinman Boxes and walk there together.

The content of this page was last updated by Matt Nowak and Jyothi Ravindra, July 2002.