
<p>After taking maternity leave in 2017, owner Kelly Owens Vincentini longed to reconnect with her community. She launched Play2Learn, an interactive, child-directed sensory and music program. Thriving in Skaneateles, the program uses emerging brain development research to build community, creativity and confidence.</p>


Kelly Vincentini and her kids Anyela, 11, Julianna, 9, Patrick, 6, and neighborhood kids, walk in the Skaneateles Halloween parade on October 25. Vincentini initially created Play2Learn to socially, cognitively, and physically engage her children in self-led activities where they can grow at their own pace outside of heavily structured programs.

Laura Oliverio

The children at Play2Learn have a weekly art project connected to the seasons. This week’s fall pumpkin art project helps strengthen their cognitive skills which they get to bring home to their parents.

Vincentini’s kids Patrick, Julianna, and Anyela play outside in the mud kitchen behind St. James Episcopal church. The kids have grown up in their mom’s sensory activities and continue to be involved because they are very proud of the work she does.

The sacristy room is seen inside the St. James Episcopal church a floor above where Play2Learn is located, in Skaneateles, NY.

A mother of two leaves the St. James Episcopal church on the last day of the Play2Learn fall session.

Joe Dwyer, his daughter Meghan, and his granddaughters, Ella and Marji keep their shoes outside of the sing-along room. They begin their session with a welcome song intended to keep the kids in a loosely structured environment.

Children play at the rainbow rice table, a designated space for a “lot of sensory activities that might be too messy at home” according to Vincentini. This program allows parents to take a step back and observe their children’s social connections in a relaxed setting.

Vincentini comforts her youngest daughter, Julianna, while other children at the Skaneateles Halloween parade look for candy.

A girl plays in a bucked filled with spiders, pumpkins, and skeletons in the basement at St. James Episcopal Church. “Sensory play is really important during the early childhood years” Vincentini says.

Children play with homemade playdough. While speaking about her program, Vincentini says “I can dream something but if no one shows up it’s just a dream. The response is so positive.”

The Alexia Fall Workshop

« Back to Stories

GROWING TOGETHER: THE PLAY2LEARN STORY

Produced by

Kamali Lewis

Coached by

Laura Oliverio