Time to Play

September 24, 2007

As a parent, you look forward to the many experiences your child will have. Developing friendships is one such experience. From an early age, the friendships she creates will have lasting impacts on her. Playgroups may be one way to start building these relationships early in your child’s life.

Below are a few examples of the many things that playgroups can offer both your child.

Regular Entertainment

For free or low-cost entertainment on a regular basis, the playgroup is unmatched! Weekly playgroups provide an enjoyable change where children can play with friends while their parents talk or where all the members enjoy a planned mom-child activity. Even babies enjoy watching older children play.

Friendship

Friendship alone is a good reason for joining a playgroup. Playgroups provide children with the opportunity to play with others besides their own moms, dads or siblings. In addition, many of the children in playgroup will likely be in their classes when school starts, especially if the group is composed of neighborhood residents. Many children make lifelong friends in playgroup!

Socialization

During play, children learn valuable skills, such as how to share, take turns and role-play. They can also engage in crafts or other structured activities.

Parents benefit from play groups as well. Playgroups offer the opportunity to have regular contact with other parents. These meetings and activities are low-stress and allow mom or dad to enjoy themselves during the outing as well. While children are participating in free play or structured activities, parents may be getting that adult conversation they’re looking for. While your child is forming new friendships, you may be forming many of your own.

Many times, parents from play groups form babysitting "co-ops". These co-ops give moms and dads the opportunity to run some needed errands or possibly go to a doctor’s appointment. A perk of the babysitting co-op is that babysitting time is traded and no money is exchanged. Parents of the co-op work out the best scenarios for their schedules. On occasion, parents may even be able to coordinate a "date night". Often times, parents feel more comfortable leaving their child(ren) with someone they know and trust.

Don’t delay joining or starting a playgroup just because you think your child is too young. Whether an infant, toddler or preschooler, your child will enjoy going to playgroup. Indeed, you’ll be surprised how much you both will get out of it!

For more information on playgroups, go to www.onlineplaygroup.com.

These examples were printed with permission of Carren W. Joye, author of A Stay-at-Home Mom's Complete Guide to Playgroups and Homeschooling More Than One Child: A Practical Guide for Families.

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