The Red Hook Play Group is located in the heart of Red Hook:
183 Richards Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.797.4131

The RHP is accessible by the B61 and B77 buses, as well as the 9th Street subway stop on the F train (about a 10/15 minute walk).

Our beautiful ground floor 850 square foot space is an open environment that supports our child-centered curriculum through “work stations.”  These areas are well-organized and uncluttered sections that focus on a particular learning area. The space includes a comfortable, carpeted common meeting area where floor sitting (even for adults) is the norm. The space also includes a kitchen, nap/rest areas and a newly landscaped private and secure outdoor space.

These “work stations” divide the classroom—using shelves and designated work areas that group materials by subject, each child is given the freedom to choose the materials he/she is interested in working with at different periods of time throughout the day. There are seven shelves, a block area, a dramatic play area, a bookshelf and reading area, and a sand/water table:

Sensorial

Uses materials (Montessori materials in particular) to explore concepts that rely on the senses – gradations in color, texture, scent, size, shape and sound. Materials on the sensorial shelf also allow the child to do work that develops their ability to sort and organize according to property.

Math

Uses materials to explore mathematical concepts such as quantity, counting, number recognition, ordering, sequencing, the decimal system, shape recognition, patterning, one-to-one correspondence, measuring, adding, subtracting, dividing, identifying part/whole relationships, number recognition, fractions, and probability.

Language

Uses materials to explore language concepts such as letter recognition, sound symbol correspondence, symbol recognition, matching, vocabulary, story telling, sequencing, writing, initial sound recognition, spelling, and reading.

Practical Life

Uses everyday materials to help children develop fine-motor skills and sense of independence and ability to do “adult” work. Materials used include spoons, tongs, tweezers, chopsticks, clothespins, hand-beaters, plastic knives, apple corers, graters, peelers, juicers, pouring vessels such as pitchers and cups, needle and thread, and hammer and nails.

Science

Uses materials to learn about animals, plants, life sequences, geography, weight and measurement, and volume. Science projects are also done as a group every two weeks

Music

the music curriculum introduces children to the foundations of music through exploration of rhythm, movement, voice and instruments.  We value the joy of discovery and the natural musical abilities of children.  It is the role of the music teacher to pay close attention to the varied ages, strengths and interests within the group, and to encourage learning by crafting a creative and playful music environment.

Art

We see art as integral to children’s ability to synthesize and experiment with their experiences of the world around them. Through art children explore texture, color, and color mixing, as much as they explore size shape, proportion, positive and negative space, symbol making, representation, and interpretation.  Materials include: colored pencils, crayons, glue, colored masking tape, watercolors, tempera paint, collage materials, construction paper, scissors, chalk, and tissue paper.

Dramatic Play

Allows for social-emotional development and language development through interactive play based around common life experiences and environments such as the home and family life, the doctor’s office, the baby’s room and care of babies, the classroom and the office. 

Block Area

Children use unit blocks to build and explore mathematical, scientific, sensorial, language, and artistic concepts. Block constructions and the process of building (particularly with a group) is a formative experience for children that is fulfilling in a variety of ways. Children’s block constructions change over time and reflect the development of concepts such as patterning, symmetry, volume, scale, and part/whole relationships.

Sand/Water Table

Children explore concepts of size, volume, weight, and texture as well as develop social-emotional skills and concepts through work with the medium as well as with peers.

Bookshelf and Reading Area

Children can choose books to read alone, with friends, or with a teacher from our ever-expanding library of fiction and non-fiction children’s literature.