Silvi Foundation Funds The Toddler Learning Collaborative

Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and play. Yet for many families of toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, those opportunities can be hard to find. For a variety of reasons, families discover that traditional story times, playgroups, and community activities are not always accessible.

That is where Strawberry Fields’ Toddler Learning Collaborative (TLC) steps in. Created through our Early Intervention program and in partnership with Schlow Library and Bellefonte Library, TLC offers inclusive, community-based play experiences for toddlers and their caregivers.

Each TLC session is led by our special instructor, Chris Orndorff, who holds a master’s degree. She guides toddlers’ learning through play and models strategies parents can use at home to encourage communication, social interaction, and early problem-solving. Chris also helps families understand not only what their child is learning, but how everyday play builds critical skills for the preschool years and beyond.

The program is intentionally inclusive. While some slots are reserved for children already receiving Early Intervention services, the rest are open to the broader community. This design means children with developmental delays can learn alongside typically developing peers, building skills and confidence, while their peers build empathy, inclusion, and comfort with diversity.

One parent shares: “TLC made it possible for me to send my child to preschool knowing he could thrive in a similar environment.”

Another parent reflects: “The TLC sessions have been so amazing in getting my child excited about preschool in the fall and exposing him to what the setting/expectations will be like!”

In just the past year, TLC welcomed more than 600 visits from toddlers, siblings, and caregivers. These experiences reduce isolation, strengthen family connections, and help children take confident steps into school and community life.

This work would not be possible without generous community support. We are grateful to the Louis E Silvi Foundation, whose one-time bridge funding will sustain this program for the 2025–2026 school year. Their investment ensures that toddlers with disabilities and their families do not miss out on critical learning opportunities.

TLC is more than a playgroup. It is a bridge that connects children to peers, families to one another, and our community to a vision where every child belongs. With the continued support of partners like the Silvi Foundation and donors, we can ensure toddlers of all abilities have the chance to play, learn, and shine.

Fall sessions will launch soon at our partner libraries, continuing to bring families together in the heart of our community. For schedules and registration information, visit www.sfionline.org/news.