A lifetime of learning begins with play...
About Us
About Play believes a lifetime of learning begins with a child's experiences of play. Our goal is to provide a quality Early Intervention program that nurtures families in meeting their child's developmental needs.
Early Intervention is designed to improve outcomes for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Services provide early, appropriate, and intensive interventions to families. Early Intervention is a range of services designed to assist families at the early stages of an infant or toddler’s developmental delay or disability.
Play is so much more important than you realize! Play is how children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play is beneficial to all children.
Click on the button below to learn about all of the benefits of Play.
About Us
About Play believes a lifetime of learning begins with a child's experiences of play. Our goal is to provide a quality Early Intervention program that nurtures families in meeting their child's developmental needs.
Early Intervention is designed to improve outcomes for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Services provide early, appropriate, and intensive interventions to families. Early Intervention is a range of services designed to assist families at the early stages of an infant or toddler’s developmental delay or disability.
Play is so much more important than you realize! Play is how children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play is beneficial to all children.
Click on the button below to learn about all of the benefits of Play.
Services
About Play provides Family Training and Service Coordination in the following counties: York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield, Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Greenwood, Laurens, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Cherokee, Kershaw, Chesterfield, Sumter, Lee, Darlington, Florence, Marion, Dillon, Clarendon, Williamsburg, Dorchester, Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, Horry, Orangeburg, Oconee, Anderson, and Marlboro.
We work with infants and children birth to six years of age that are eligible through BabyNet or DDSN.
Family Training is provided in the child's home or daycare with their Early Interventionist (EI).The EI works with the family through play and everyday routines. The Family Training visits promote the child to reach his developmental milestones.
Services
About Play provides Family Training and Service Coordination in the following counties: York, Chester, Lancaster, Fairfield, Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Greenwood, Laurens, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Cherokee, Kershaw, Chesterfield, Sumter, Lee, Darlington, Florence, Marion, Dillon, Clarendon, Williamsburg, Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston.
We work with infants and children birth to six years of age that are eligible through BabyNet or DDSN.
Family Training is provided in the child's home or daycare with their Early Interventionist (EI).The EI works with the family through play and everyday routines. The Family Training visits promote the child to reach his developmental milestones.
The About Play Team
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Laura McCrawDirector/Co-ownerI graduated from Winthrop University in 1996 with a double major in psychology and sociology. Shortly after graduating, I began my career as an Early Interventionist.…READ MORE >> -
Willie Jean StokesDirector/Co-ownerI graduated from Benedict College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development. While in college, I joined the Army Reserves. I served…READ MORE >>
Laura McCraw
Director/Co-owner
803.280.4696
lmccraw@aboutplaysc.com
lmccraw@aboutplaysc.comI graduated from Winthrop University in 1996 with a double major in psychology and sociology. Shortly after graduating, I began my career as an Early Interventionist. Very quickly, I realized that I had found my passion working with children with special needs. I LOVE working with families and helping children reach their potential. I have worked in several capacities including as an EI, Data Specialist, EI Supervisor, Assistant Director of EI, and Director of the Quality Assurance within the Early Intervention field. My background in the early childhood field lead me to an opportunity to help build and develop an ABA company to work with children with autism.
I felt like I learned so much from this experience that I wanted to better serve the needs of children with behavioral issues. So I began the journey of completing my Master's of Arts in Special Education at Ball State University and my coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of South Carolina. I passed my BCBA exam in February of 2019. I am excited to offer a higher level of support to our families and children here at About Play. I currently live in Rock Hill, SC with my husband and two children. I enjoy traveling, football season, and jogging when I have the time.
Our goal here at About Play early intervention is to provide a quality choice to families and provide every child the opportunity to develop to his/her full potential in life. We believe that play can provide any child with a foundation to help them master other skills later in life!
Willie Jean Stokes
Director/Co-owner
803.446.6538wstokes@aboutplaysc.com
wstokes@aboutplaysc.comI graduated from Benedict College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development. While in college, I joined the Army Reserves. I served for 8 years and learned valuable skills that I still use today such as never giving up on a goal. After graduating, I began teaching at a private school in Columbia. During my 8 years of teaching, I taught kindergarten through second grade. I REALLY enjoyed teaching! But when I researched the field of Early Intervention, I knew I found what I LOVED! I began working as an Early Interventionist (EI) in 2007 and quickly became an EI supervisor by 2009. I have worked as an Early Interventionist Supervisor for two different agencies before partnering with Laura to start About Play. We are passionate about helping children with developmental delays and their families so I knew About Play would be a perfect fit. Here at About Play early intervention, we believe children and their families need quality services while making learning fun through play. Although some children have disabilities or developmental delays, I believe ALL children CAN learn and strive to reach their developmental milestones.
In 2017, I became a Professional Crisis Management (PCM) Instructor. I am proud to teach crisis prevention and behavioral strategies to our staff in order to elevate the quality of our services to families. In 2019, I become a certified infant massage instructor. Obtaining this certification gave me the opportunity to learn different techniques to help babies feel nurtured and also help parents strengthen the bond between them and their baby. It is fulfilling knowing that I am able to teach parents how to help their baby feel relaxed which will help them sleep better.
My favorite quote from being a teacher to being an EI is:
“If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. But if you teach him how to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.” - Chinese Proverb
I reside in Columbia, S.C. with my family. My husband and I have two children and a granddaughter. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking, playing softball and Zumba classes! I am a positive person and so I try to turn every situation into having a positive outcome.
Join Our Team
We Have Open Positions Available for Early Interventionists
Do you enjoy working with children? Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families? About Play is looking to hire Early Interventionists throughout designated areas in South Carolina. We are looking for energetic, creative, motivated, and passion-driven professionals with great time management and organizational skills. Our team is hard-working, fun, creative, and committed to serving and supporting families & children ages birth to six years who have developmental delays or disabilities. Find out more about what we offer!
Recent Blog Posts
April 2023 Newsletter
We are Hiring! We need energetic, creative, motivated and passion driven professionals with great time and organizational skill managements. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in education, early childhood, social work, psychology, sociology, family & consumer science, or any related field At least one year of experience working with children birth to six years.
FAQs About Being an Early Intervention Specialist
When it comes to childhood development, early intervention specialists are essential players. Interventionists are trained to identify potential developmental delays and offer an array of services that can help young children learn and grow. If you’re considering an early intervention specialist career, these frequently asked questions can help you understand what to.
How To Do Infant Massage
Whether you’re a new or experienced parent, learning how to do infant massage can benefit your baby. Just like adults, infants find soothing massages very relaxing, and their small bodies have much to gain. Because touch is one of the most developed senses at birth, infant massage offers various techniques to aid.