Community Groups

Getting out into the community with your child often helps a child learn new skills, make friends and is just plain fun!

REACH provides a variety of facilitated playgroup opportunities. Some are at our REACH center sites in Greenfield and Northampton and others are in Family Centers and childcare programs and other community places such as the YMCA and fitness programs. We have a REACH staff person working with parents to facilitate play, and at some sites we also offer parent support groups.

Community Playgroups

Many of these sites also offer child/parent groups run by non-REACH staff or facilitated solely by parents. These may be either structured groups or "drop in" groups. REACH staff can accompany you and your child to these groups if you would like our support or you can attend on your own.

Playground and Swim Groups

These are great places to go with your child, to meet other families, to engage in gross motor play and just have fun! Go on your own or with a friend or ask your REACH staff member to go with you to practice gross motor skills and sensory play. We also have swim programs at the Hampshire Regional YMCA.

Speech Groups

Speech/Language Groups are held for children with speech delays. REACH Speech Language Pathologists consult and work with the children as they play with other children who are having the same type of problem.

Parent Support Groups

Parents of children with special needs require advocacy, support and the ability to interact with other parents with children with special needs.

Parenting Groups

Parenting can be hard at times, especially with children requiring much more than the average child. This group will help parents cope and understand why they feel such emotional outbursts or withdrawal at times. You are not alone

Story Hours and Music Hours

Many libraries and community groups are doing story and music times for very young children. If you and your child like to "read" or play music games, consider this a good way to get to meet other like-minded families.

Play Dates

Do you know 1 or 2 parents with children close in age to your child? Invite them to your home and then go the next week or two to theirs. This way you can build friendships that can last a lifetime for your and your child.