Activities and Resources

About Play 2 Grow

Play 2 Grow offers 50 minute parent and caregiver-assisted play classes once per week for infants, toddlers, and children ages two months to six years. If that sounds like the same thing you've seen elsewhere, you'd be wise to read on. Simply put, these classes are in a class by themselves.

The premise for the curriculum - backed by recent research - is that play stimulates brain and physical development, and provides great bonding opportunities for caregivers and kids. The director, Marc Castelo, based his programs on years of experience in pediatric physical therapy and awareness of the positive impact certain physical stimuli have on growing minds. How does that translate to the class experience? Caregivers get to know not only what to do with their kids, but also why. Moving from one class element to another, with the knowledge of why it's important and what it does for each child, helps makes the experience that much richer. As for the kids, whether they're getting rubbed down with warm oil in a softly lit room, wading through warm cooked noodles for a sensory experience, or bouncing on a big ball to develop muscle coordination, they're just plain having a blast.

The popular Baby Spa classes include hands-on infant massage instruction and tummy time activities. Slightly older babies experience developmental play activities. At each class, parents get to learn new words in sign language, practice them with the group, and then take home sheets for a language binder.

SmartPlay classes, divided by age, cover multi-sensory experiences, physical skills development, conceptual learning skills, and relationship building and teamwork.

Birthday parties are offered for children turning ages one to five, and include guided activities, games, pizza, and a photo CD.

The second Saturday of each month, is Saturday Night Fever, a drop-off evening for the kids with staff-supervised fun and games 6pm-9:30pm. Call to reserve space.

Tips

Free trial classes are available - call to schedule. A sitting service offered three days a week helps siblings stay entertained while baby brother or sister is in class. Call for details.

Getting There

Located in the Howell Mill Village Shopping Center. Take I-75 to Howell Mill Road. Turn north toward Collier Road and turn left. The shopping center is on the right.

Parent Reviews (82 reviews)
Average Parent Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Rated by 150 parents

  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Our 11 month old son loves Play-2-grow! Since joining, he has developed so much. Being that I am a stay at home Mom, we wanted our baby to interact with other kids his age. Play-2-grow has provided that and more. The staff is great and the activities are amazing. We look forward to going every week. I recommend this program to every parent.
    [Submitted by Sheria R9/01/09
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    We strongly recommend Play 2 Grow to all families for learning and parties as well. Our son Joshua loves it. The staff is absolutely delightful and very engaging with Joshua and all the children. Play 2 Grow is an absoulte must especially if your child stays home with a parent or a nanny and does not otherwise have an opportunity to interact with other kids. Marc and the staff make the whole experience fun. They do a great job with parties as well. Very cute indeed! In short, P2G is great!!!!!!!

    [Submitted by Anonymous6/23/09
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    I would highly recommend Play2Grow! It's a wonderful environment for little ones to play and learn! And in addition, it also presented me with the opportunity to bond and share with other new moms like myself!
    [Submitted by Summer5/07/09

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