13 Reasons why Organizing Playgroups for Toddlers is a Good Idea

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.
– Plato

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What is Playgroup?

What do children do at Playgroups/Preschools?

Why are Playgroups good for children?

Criteria for Choosing the right Playgroup for your Toddler

How can you help your child adjust to his Playgroup?

Author

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That is so true!! When one is at play, defenses are down and he plays with his whole heart. That is why play is considered so important for children, because at that age, play and learning are closely interconnected. And this is especially true of young children, which is why playgroups for toddlers are becoming so popular.

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What is Playgroup?

Preschools or playgroups for toddlers form an intermediate step between home and ‘big’ school. There are two types: preschool playgroups and nurseries. Playgroup, an informal setup, caters to children between the ages of 2 or 3 and school age, typically for 2-3 hours a day. It provides a relaxed and friendly environment where children learn basic skills and get prepared for further schooling.

What do children do at Playgroups/Preschools?

Playgroups for toddlers provide children with a range of enriching preschool experiences such as arts & crafts, construction activities, music and movement, books and stories, and different kinds of play like sand play, water play, adventure play, etc. They create a stable, secure, and relaxed environment where parents feel comfortable to leave their kids for a short time.

Why are Playgroups good for children?

Here’s a short answer to this question: Playgroups are great fun!

But seriously, while your child is busy scribbling, playing in the sandpit or painting a masterpiece,he is also picking up valuable new skills and experiences. These include the following:

• This is the first time that the child is away from home and family even if it’s for a short period of time. This helps develop coping skills and prepares the child for staying away from home and family for formal school eventually.
• Helps the child deal with separation anxiety before entering school
• Some children may suffer from some amount of stranger anxiety. Attending a play group is a good way to help the child overcome this.
• Helps develop new relationships with other children and make friends with them
• Helps children develop new relationships with adults other than their family members
• Accepting instructions from adults other than the family members
• Experience new play and art opportunities
• Experiencing books and music
• Learn new skills including conflict resolution, problem solving, co-operation and sharing
• They learn more about themselves and others through play
• They learn to have fun through small and simple activities conducted in the play group
• Builds resilience to enable them to cope with new situations and manage stress and adapt to change

Criteria for Choosing the right Playgroup for your Toddler

While playgroups for toddlers in general have the benefits listed above, each playgroup will have its own style of instruction and its own unique environment. Here’re the things to consider before choosing the perfect fit for your toddler:

• The reputation of the school
• Curriculum followed by the school
• School timings
• Distance between the home and the play group
• Age criteria of the child for the admission
• Fee structure
• Teacher to student ratio
• Toilet facilities; whether each classroom has an attached toilet/wc
• Whether there are other children from your residential complex attending the same playgroup
• Facilities provided by the play group: pick up drop van, refreshments, etc
• Other requirements: the child should be toilet trained, etc
• If the playgroup has a tie up with a formal school to ease the child’s admission to mainstream school

How can you help your child adjust to his Playgroup?

Preparing your child for playgroups for toddlers well in advance can help avoid a disastrous transition for both mom and child. Instead of sudden changes, follow these pointers to ensure a smoother experience:

• Start talking to the child about the playgroup about a month or two before the school starts to get her used to the idea of school.
• Once you have decided on the school, take your child to the school to familiarize her with the premises.
• Talk about the mode of transport with the child in case you are planning to use school transportation.
• If there are other children who are attending the same play group as your child, get your child introduced to them. A familiar face in a new place will make your child feel more comfortable and positive about the new playgroup.
• It is recommended to accompany your child to her playgroup for the first few days of school. This will ease her (and your) separation anxiety; you can gradually shorten the time you spend there and stop going altogether.

Embarking on the journey of sending your child to playgroups for toddlers can stir up feelings of guilt and uncertainty initially. As a stay-at-home mom, if this is the first time your child will be away from you, you might experience a sense of loneliness. However, rest assured that most children adapt quickly to their new school and make friends sooner than you anticipate.

Once your child settles in and starts enjoying their new playgroup, you’ll notice that you suddenly have some free time on your hands. This is the perfect opportunity to prioritize self-care and indulge in activities you’ve been longing for, whether it’s booking a parlor appointment or signing up for that long-awaited yoga class. Remember, the initial challenges and feelings will gradually fade away, and both you and your child will benefit from the enriching experiences provided by playgroups for toddlers.

Author

Deepali has a BA in sociology from Pune University; Masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai); PG Diploma in School Psychology from Janana Prabodhini Institute of Psychology. She has 15 years of experience in the field of Family & Child Welfare. She is currently a freelancer with 3 different adoption agencies. She is an adoptive parent herself.