About Marin Play Group
My Program
My teaching philosophy is to meet the child where they are at. Every child learns differently and communicates in their own way. Children need loving, compassionate, positive relationships to succeed. I am there to guide play, offer support (or scaffolding) when children are stuck in situations, organize age appropriate activities and to observe children in a responsive, caring and safe environment.
We do arts and crafts, dress-up and imaginative play, Legos and Duplos, kinetic sand and slime. We spend a lot of time outside, in my atrium playing in the sandbox and in my backyard gardening, mud kitchen, digging in the hillside, giant bubbles, Jumparoo and lazing in the hammock. In the summer I pull out the water toys. Anytime of year, I especially enjoy taking the children on walks around the neighborhood. The open space, a half block away, is a magical place to explore.
Experience
During Covid I had a sales job that was starting to wane on me. I’d been selling wine for 12yrs and was ready for a lifestyle change. I knew I wanted to spend more time with my child and thought hard about what my ideal job would look like. My progression was mostly linear. At a Mommy’s group, the book Simplicity Parenting was recommended reading. I really loved the book, and the author, Kim John Payne. I ended up taking the Group Leader Training for Soul of Discipline (his second book) and Care Professionals Training. KJP was a Waldorf teacher for part of his career and references Waldorf learning style often in his books; which led me to Marin Waldorf School in Lucas Valley. My daughter and I did the parent/toddler classes until she was old enough to start preschool there. The campus and classrooms and rhythm and staff were so wonderful, I wanted to work there. In order to do so, I took ECE classes and became a substitute teacher and a part-time aftercare teacher for the Early Childhood classrooms. Being there regularly made me realize I prefer smaller groups of children and more one-on-one interactions.
On the days I wasn’t at Waldorf, I was nannying at my home. Having children at my home has been a really enjoyable experience.
About our Family
A little about myself: My name is Tina Marin. I've lived in Marin for eight years. I’m a mother to a First Grader at Vallecito Elementary, in Terra Linda. I have two middle aged dogs named Jewel and Adele (litter mates). My husband works from home a few days a week, so you might see him at drop-off / pick-up.
Growing up, I loved being around children. During the summers, I was a camp counselor, Vacation Bible School teacher and a babysitter throughout high-school and college. I am CPR/First Aid Certified and have a Small Family Home Day Care License #214005562.