Create a Playgroup for Your Toddler

Create a Playgroup for Your Toddler

Posted on 14. May, 2009 by anthony in Parenting, Toddlers

Are You Read to Playgroup? 4 Pointers To Get Started

Tips for finding or creating a playgroup for your toddler

By Mary Fetzer

‘Fess up… does your child need practice taking turns, sharing, and – let’s face it – detaching from your hip? If so, it’s time to playgroup, my friend! Get out there and connect with others, says Michele Borba, Ed.D., a renowned educational consultant and an advisory board member for Parents. “Playgroups are a wonderful chance for your child to be with other kids and participate in new activities, and develop social skills such as taking turns, sharing, cooperating and solving conflicts.”

Can’t find a playgroup in your area?  Here are some tips for creating your own:

Put the Word Out

  • Pitch the idea to friends who have kids about the same age.
  • Find at least one other mom who’s interested, and ask her to help spread the word. Mom-to-mom word of mouth spreads quickly!
  • Post flyers in community centers, grocery stores, libraries, pediatrician offices, preschools, and churches.
  • Place an ad in the newspaper.

Plan the Nuts and Bolts

  • Gather the interested parents – sans the kids – to discuss the goals of the playgroup.
  • Establish timing. How often will the group meet? For how long? What day(s) of the week? Morning or afternoon? Consider the age of the children, nap schedules, and other scheduled activities that may conflict.
  • Determine the location. Will parents take turns hosting at their homes, or will the group meet in a central location like a church or community hall?
  • What are the duties of the host? Does she plan and provide for the activities? Does the host provide the snacks, or do children bring their own? Is the host’s location safety-proofed for young children?

Be Sure to Cover the Tough Stuff

  • Each parent should have a contact sheet for all of the children. Include emergency contact numbers, doctor’s information, and allergies.
  • Agree that each child attend with a parent. The purpose of the playgroup is not to provide free babysitting time for everyone but the host.
  • Determine whether or not siblings outside the age group can tag along. While it may present a challenge to moms with more than one child, it’s most beneficial if the children within the playgroup are all about the same age.
  • Keep the group to a reasonable size. As a rule of thumb: the younger the children, the smaller the group. Break into smaller groups, if necessary.
  • Compare discipline philosophies. Who corrects the children? How will misbehavior be handled? You may find it difficult to actually finalize these issues until the moment arrives.
  • What is the sick kid policy? How does a parent determine whether or not a child is too sick to attend?

Keep Everyone Busy.

  • Determine what activities are acceptable. Will the kids be allowed to watch TV or play computerized games? Will parents allow their kids to get dirty with messy play or outdoor activities?
  • Toddlers have short attention spans. If playgroup meets for two hours, consider breaking up that time into segments: time for unstructured play, time for snacks, time for songs or stories, and time for a craft or hands-on activity.
  • Consider the occasional field trip. Maybe the group meets at the park or McDonald’s once a month. Or take the group to a museum or the zoo.
  • During the kids’ “free time,” moms get a chance to catch up. Consider reviewing a book, sharing a recipe, doing a craft, even exercising – all while keeping a close eye on the children, of course.

Bottom line: Make it fun. Playgroup should be something that both moms and toddlers look forward to.

Any playgroup pointers of your own to share?

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