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Playgroups Are Not Only For The Child
By: Jodi Van Lom
As a new parent, you will soon see that there is an incalculable amount of events and appointments to race off to by the time your children can understand punctuality. This reality will cause unwelcome duress as you fish for shoes, socks, coats and car keys at the garage door while trying to be somewhere in the realm of ‘on time’ for the next stop. You’ll ask yourself, as I did, when does a child start to understand that being late means missing out on many things that will start with our without them? Take a deep breath…there is a little secret that just might give a little kick start to your day.
I remember the first time my son rushed me out the door because we were running late. What caused him to do this? He had simply been waiting all week to go to playgroup! Our little cure for the common lateness was solved because he learned that going to playgroup late meant that he got less time to play with his friends. I felt the same way as he did about missing valuable playgroup time because I equally looked forward to weekly meetings with the parents/caregivers who attended. This was something we both wanted not to be late for. This became our first example and activity that we worked on together successfully on understanding how if we work together we could get somewhere on time and the outcome would make us both happy.
So, if I could pass on some advice to a new parent or caregiver caring for a small child it would be for them to consider joining a playgroup. As a playgroup mom with two toddlers, I’ve experienced how a playgroup can be educational for both participating parent/caregiver and child. Playgroups offer fun times and learning for the adult and child. In fact, playgroups can deliver invaluable benefits that will last a lifetime.
For the children, a playgroup will enable them to learn to socialize and interact with other children which helps them to better prepare for school. For the parents and caregivers, a playgroup can provide much needed time to help build friendship and support with other parents and caregivers.
If you do chose to join a playgroup, I hope that your experience leads to something you will look back on and treasure. And, you just might find yourself being pushed out the door by your little one on playgroup day as a start to less and less times of lateness for many of your future events including school.
Article by Jodi Van Lom, Mom of 2 and Co-founder of Playgroups USA. Playgroups USA can be reached by visiting www.playgroupsusa.com where users can build a profile and join a playgroup with no cost to the member. All site services including access to the playgroup matching system and calendar community space are at no charge. Playgroups USA is funded by site sponsorships from local and national supporters that believe in the importance of playgroups.
If you would like more information on Playgroups USA and its services, please email info@playgroupsusa.com or jodi@playgroupsusa.com.
