There comes a time when every parent must entertain the notion of sending their child to a Playgroup. Whether it is to enable them to have some time for themselves, or simply advance their little one’s development, Playgroups can be a godsend for busy mums and dads.
While for some, the thought of not having their pre-schooler for a couple of hours fills them with dread. Others fully buy into all the advantages of doing so. If you are still undecided as to what is best for you and your child, below is a list of 11 reasons why your child should join a playgroup.
What Is A Playgroup?
Essentially a playgroup is a regular gathering of babies, toddlers and preschool aged children, as well as the caregivers, or their parents.
Typically it takes place on a weekly basis and they meet to engage in a range of fun activities. This often involves playing with various toys and sporting equipment, partaking in arts and craft activities, playing with bubbles or sand, and usually some kind of morning tea.
Overseen by Playgroup Australia, there are over 8,000 playgroups in the country. With New South Wales alone having more than 800 of them, they often take features from pre-school and child care centres – including this one in Gowrie NSW, which has a reputation for being one of the best of them.
11 Reasons Why Your Child Should Join a Playgroup
Not sure whether playgroups are right for you? Here are 11 reasons why your child should join a playgroup.
#1: Develops social skills
One of the main benefits of your child attending a playgroup is that it undoubtedly improves their Social skills.
Interacting with people in a home-based environment is completely different from doing so in an unfamiliar venue.
Through a mix of socialising and play, children develop their social and emotional skills, as well as expand their social boundaries in a way they wouldn’t necessarily be able to do at home.
Part of this involves learning to share, empathise, manage their feelings and keep a rein on their emotions.
#2: Make new friends
Another key benefit of attending a playgroup is that you, and your child will invariably end up making new friends.
This is especially beneficial if the playgroup takes place at the kindy, or prep school, you eventually plan on sending your child too.
Also, it can be a real social lifeline, especially if you have recently moved into the area, are currently not working, or are the only person in your main friendship group that has a young child.
Often friendships made in playgroups lead to playdates and other social invitations like parties and BBQs, which further enhance your child’s social skills.
#3: Improves communication skills
By interacting with other children your preschooler will also improve their communication and language skills.
Each new person your child converses with will drop cues, speech nuances and even accents that they will have to try and interpret.
So, the more people they can talk to, the faster their language will develop.
#4: Boosts you child’s confidence
On your first day at a playgroup, it might take your child some time to warm up to their new surroundings. However, the more you take them there, the more confident they will become.
Especially when it comes to engaging with other children and adults, joining in on other activities and even tackling tasks like puzzles and craft activities.
They will also discover a lot more about themselves, and their capabilities through these interactions.
#5: Test themselves in new situations
Taking your child out of the comfort of their home and putting them in a new situation like a playgroup is a good test for them.
Inviting others to play, or joining in with other children, can be quite a daunting prospect for some little ones, who might otherwise choose to avoid interaction.
However, eventually, most kids who regularly go to playgroups will try and test their ability to communicate and interact with others. Which is a skill they will take into other new environments they might be introduced to.
#6: Fosters creativity
One thing a playgroup does for children is to foster their creativity.
Usually, a host of craft and design type activities are laid on at groups like this, which allows their imagination to run wild.
Whether it be drawing or painting, making slime, building sandcastles or role playing with dolls, figures or props, the opportunity to engage in games like this will give your child plenty of mental stimulation.
#7: Learn new skills
As playgroups welcome a sizable number of children, they tend to offer up a wide range of games and activities for them to become involved in.
Depending on what they have, a natural consequence of this is that your child may well learn a new skill which they might not otherwise have uncovered, at least for a few months or years.
The more activities you can expose your child to, the more likely they are to find something that stimulates their interest in the longer term, and initiates the start of a love for something.
#8: Builds support networks
For parents, especially those who spend most of their time looking after the children at home, playgroup offers an excellent way to build support networks with others.
Parenting can be hard, especially if you don’t know that many people who are current parents of young children themselves.
So, forming bonds and connections with others in the same situation as you, can really help you manage the tougher times.
#9: Teaches kids about diversity
Another benefit of playgroups is that it teaches your child about diversity from a young age.
Australia is a very multicultural country, and this is often represented at playgroups, where you might find people of all different nationalities and backgrounds.
Playgroup teaches your children that we are all the same, so the more they interact with people who do not look like them, the more tolerant they will become of others.
#10: Helps prepare your child for school
The more your child attends playgroups, the more their social, language, emotional and communication skills will develop.
This bodes very well for them, because it acts as an excellent preparation for when they go to school.
Many of the activities they do at playgroup, including story time, crafts, reading and art, will be things they will do at school in prep.
So, the more they get exposed to it before they start school, the more advanced their ability to explore, reason, create and problem solve is likely to be.
#11: There’s a playgroup for everyone
Playgroups are like any social situation. Some you will fit naturally into, while others you will struggle a bit more in.
As mentioned earlier there are over 800 playgroups in New South Wales alone. So, don’t be afraid to try out a few different venues in the surrounding suburbs to where you live, should you not really feel comfortable in the first couple you go to.
Overall, there are a huge range of different groups that cater to a wide range of needs and interests. So you should be able to eventually find one that you feel at home in.
Final Thought
So, there you have it, our take on 11 reasons why your child should join a playgroup. We hope these reasons have convinced you that sending your child to a social group like this has a number of benefits for both them and you.
At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you and your child. But if you are struggling to entertain them at home, you really don’t have anything to lose, by taking them to a playgroup at least a couple of times.
