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MHU Playgroup 101 You rejoiced when you found out you had conceived your wonderful baby. You eagerly crossed off the weeks during your pregnancy leading to the birth of your beautiful baby.
- Why Join a Playgroup?
You’ve survived the first couple of months with little sleep and no social life. Now baby needs a little more entertainment than you’re able to give.
Plus, you’re ready for a little more stimulation yourself!
But you don’t want to expose her to germs and you don’t want to be separated for hours at a time. What can a mom and baby do that will provide entertainment for both of them in a safe environment?
Playgroups are not just for children; they are just as important to the parents who participate too. Even if you think your baby is too young to benefit from participating in a playgroup, you may be surprised at how much she and you will gain from joining one!
- Ever think of joining a playgroup?
Take a look at some of the advantages to participating in a playgroup for children and adults.
For entertainment on a regular basis, the playgroup is unmatched! Weekly playgroups provide an enjoyable diversion where the children can play with friends or where all the members enjoy a structured mom-child activity. Even babies enjoy watching older children play.
- Regular Entertainment
Playgroups provide children with the opportunity to play with others besides their own moms 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. Children can make lifelong friends in playgroup!
- Friendship
Plus, playgroups give moms a chance to make new friends and network too. Indeed, friendship is perhaps the greatest reward of joining a playgroup. Many adults, too, find lifelong friends in their playgroups!
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. For families who don’t want to consider preschool or a Moms Day Out program, a playgroup is a viable solution.
- Socialization
A playgroup is not a babysitting service; parents stay with their children. That means no worries with separation anxiety! The children can play and have fun without having to worry about mom leaving.
- Low Stress Mom-Child Activity
It’s a very reassuring and confidence-building way to introduce children to socialization and to give them a little bit of independence at the same time.
Additionally, you don’t have the added stress of worrying about the safety of your child. Because parents stay with their children, they are assured of the care and safety of their precious little ones during playgroup.
Fees are nominal and they cover a variety of services and benefits.
- Low Cost
All moms need a break now and then, but many don't have the extra money to spend on a Moms Day Out program or on going out. Playgroups offer the opportunity for at-home parents to get that weekly break from home, and yet spend time with their children at the same time.
- A Therapeutic Time Out
Playgroups offer parents a chance to seek parenting advice and share experiences from others who are facing the same struggles. In today’s society many new mothers not only have postponed having children, but also have moved great distances from their families and friends. They no longer have that built-in support system that all new moms need. Playgroups and parents’ groups fill that gap. In addition, playgroups for working parents and at-home dads are increasing, so even working parents and at-home dads are getting the support they need from playgroups.
- Seek Advice and Share Experiences
Many playgroups offer various barter systems, where members exchange goods and/or services with other members. These can include coupons, maternity and children’s clothes, and other baby items as well as services such as mowing the lawn, painting a room, or sewing clothes.
- Sharing, Borrowing, Selling and Exchanging
Many parents’ groups and playgroups schedule field trips and other special events. The field trips can be “behind the scenes” tours of such places as fire stations, police stations. Members get a chance to see the local sites and learn more about the area in which they live. Some groups even become involved in the community through various service projects.
- Community Exploration
Don’t delay joining or starting a playgroup just because you think your child is too young. You’ll be surprised how much you both will get out of it!
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