Our Community Playgroup

Last year when we moved here, my daughter was about one year old. Soon, I realized she was getting bored playing with only both of us and now its time she need some new faces or may be some kids or friends with whom she can mingle with. But being early winter, kids were hardly seen in the play area of our community. And as we just moved into the community we hardly knew any families with kids except for two newly wed couples.
I was looking for a group where I could share some information about parenting and my kid could also get some company. I could not take her to the playgroups organized in the public libraries or other places regularly outside our community as I did not drive car at that time.
But, with all these constraints I did not give up. Just like any other mom I was also playing with my kid, reading stories, showing books with different pictures and trying other fun activities for her. I was also acting and singing rhymes to her. And that rewarded me later.
Early this year, some families with kids moved into our community. Some of the kids were around my daughter’s age. Slowly we were acquainted with some of them. As spring came in we could see some kids even in the play area and that was a time even my daughter was enjoying the play area. She then entered the “toddler “age.

That was when the concept of ‘playgroup” came into my mind. I knew that a playgroup is for young children to learn and play in small groups, often close to their homes.
More information about play group can be found here.
When I told this my thought about playgroup, other mom’s were also happy and delighted. Almost everyone readily wanted to start this. Everybody was looking for some regular informative company and a fun place for their kids. That is when our Playgroup started.
Before starting playgroup we assigned ourselves some easy to follow rules like
Each of us we’ll have turns in hosting
Concept is fun and interactive place for kids so no force and pressure if one cannot host under any circumstances.
Flexible kid friendly hours (afternoon time after they finish their nap)
Not to take kids when they are sick
More playgroup tips can be found here

To start with, it was my turn .and then there were 5 kids.2 of them were little older but other three kids were around my daughter’s age.
Initially we had only playtime where majority of the time was dedicated as playtime. That was a time when all of our kids were loners and they just needed some other kids of their age to mingle along with. Initially they were sticking to their mommy. But slowly, they started mingling and sharing their toys.
Then, we introduced rhyme time in which we moms acted and sung rhymes along with kids. That was the time when we started fun game for them like ring –around the Rosie.
Now that was the beginning. Slowly seeing how the kids were doing we were increasing the rhyme time. We were acting and singing about 5 rhymes. Initially only the moms and older kids were doing it. But we did not give up. Most of us knew kids learn by seeing others.so, we kept on doing and after 1 month my daughter learned 2 rhymes. The older kids were singing and acting along. But our young toddlers were watching us do .after few weeks even they started doing. They cannot sing but they act when we sing. My daughter will be two late this month and she now acts 4-5 rhymes if I sing.
Then we introduced story time. For the older kids we read out stories of their choice in an interactive way. For the toddlers we used books with pictures like fruits, vegetables, shapes and animals. Now they are able to recognize the pictures and tell what it is.
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Sometimes, we have birthday parties of kids in the playgroup. Sometimes, we take the kids out mostly during weekend evenings to a park, zoo or beach.
The basic idea behind our play group was a place or way for healthy and safe fun for our kids.So, we never force them to take part in any of the above things. Some kids just prefer playing while some want to have fun doing rhymes. There are some kids who stick to mommies watching other kids doing. Its OK too. Because they are watching other kids and some kids show back in homes what they learnt in playgroups earlier. Every child is unique so every child has their own way to express what they have in their mind. I believe repeating with hope helps. It can be any thing from saying ‘please and thank you’ or any learning sources
In my opinion, playgroups are fun way of learning for toddlers and young kids. In these days when safety is a concern for most of the moms, this is one option to let kids mingle in a safe environment.

So,if any of you moms also attend palygroups plz come forward and share your experiences with us and let us know your opinions and thoughts
Madhavi