A playgroup with purpose

Our mission is to inspire and equip families with skills and tools to grow sustainably strong and happy families 

The group is for families with children ages 2 through 7

Each meet up will focus on a different topic about the constantly evolving world of holistic parenting. 

We are looking to connect with like-minded families that share common parenting ideals like teaching manners, not littering and instilling our children with virtue. 

We will meet at a different location every other Saturday for a playgroup, possibly starting with brunch somewhere. 

Things we like to do

• Hike and explore

• Biking

• Dave and Busters

• Ceramics at Paint by me

• Take the kids to a fire station to teach safety

• Clean up a park together

While our children enjoy the benefits of consistent play buddies, the parents will share tips and stories surrounding the creation and maintenance of a more empowered and resilient family/community. 

Together we can do so much more

Our discussions will be casual and open, spanning everything from basic stuff like discipline and nutrition.

Creates a bond with a healthy future

Infant massage is a great support to optimum growth of all babies.

Establish foundations of health that will last a lifetime

It can be especially great for

• Creating a strong bond with parent/caregiver

• Reliving indigestion

• Promoting better Sleep

• Strengthening the Immune System

• Providing relief from Teething pain

• Helping Motor Development

• Teaching Safe and Healthy Touch

Touch is vital for the development of your baby at every level.

It is as necessary as air, water and nutrients. Let us show you some fun, effective, and easy ways to help your baby grow strong and smart.

What to bring

• Special blanket

• Pillow to lay or sit baby on

• Natural, hypoallergenic oil (only if allergic to provided coconut oil)

• Yoga mat (optional)

We will provide organic coconut oil, music and a handout to bring home

About the instructor

Joshuah “Shu” Shumelda

A father himself, Shu has been teaching and providing infant massage for over 15yrs.

Creator of “Zen Remedy” he loves helping families and teams create the most effective and harmonious environments and relationships.

Reduce Violence

The compassionate connection programs' purpose is to teach preschool through grade school students an appropriate use of our senses.

           The program fosters a greater sense of belonging and connection to others. The process generates a positive and caring attitude towards peers, thereby increasing measurable pro-social behaviors in decreasing problem behaviors.

The goals of the program include

• Increasing positive, caring behaviors (cooperation. sharing, helpfulness. responsibility. kindness, empathy and independence),

• Decreasing negative, aggressive, problem behaviors (self-centeredness, aggression. temper control, attention problems and hyperactivity).

• Enhancing overall self-esteem. self-worth and self-image.

• Importance of language

• Basic nutrition

• Using our senses to create healthy growth

Compassionate Connections Program Outline

Unit 1 Who am I (Self-discovery primer)

• Hearing

• Touch

• Smell

• Taste

• Vision

Unit 3 Healthy Confidence Building

• Appearance

• Respect

• Problem Solving / adaptability

• Patience / Self regulation

• Resourcefulness, Reuse, Reduce Waste

Connecting Compassion

In Anchorage, Alaska 1999, Joshuah Shumelda oversaw the first compassionate touch program at Hillcrest preschool. He was the ambassador and lead preschool teacher. Facilitating both roles gave him a unique perspective that has allowed him to recognize the power of the program first hand and be the perfect person to help innovate and move the project forward.

After working with Dr. John Upledger and the compassionate touch program, Joshuah made a failed attempt at bringing the program into Alaska Public school System. The social climate at the time did not like the idea of teachers touching children or children touching each other.

As a necessity is the mother of invention, Joshuah removed the word touch and replaced it with connections creating the “Compassionate Connections Program.”

He recognized that children needed to learn about more than just touch they also needed to learn about what language was and about what food they put in their bodies. About how they connected to the outside world and their own thoughts.

He has since expanded the Compassionate Touch Program to the Compassionate Connections Program encompassing the healthy use of touch, speech, use of resources (sharing), and knowledge.

Over the past decade+ Joshuah has taught the program to Moms, nannies, and day schools. We invite you to schedule a workshop for your neighborhood, school or join us for our next class.