Join a Playgroup
Playgroups provide infants with early socialization skills, and they give parents a chance to interact with others and share ideas. They also provide parents with an opportunity to combat the isolation that so many of them feel when their alone with their infant. Playgroups provide time to reflect on parents’ expectation for their baby, vent about problems, commiserate with others, and receive tips and assistance on rearing their child. The Virginia Beach Department of Health hosts a Playgroup every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call (757) 518-2620.
Playgroup Benefit #1: Your child will have opportunities to learn to share.
This is particularly a great benefit for children without any siblings yet. At playgroup meetings, children will have ample opportunities to learn to share with others. It could be with a new toy, a ball on the playground, sand shovel, etc. Understand, though, that the concept of sharing can be overwhelming for some little ones. Therefore, its a good idea to try to have several toy options available, so you can easily point out an alternative before the melt down occurs. But overall, organized play dates will encourage kids to share.
Playgroup Benefit #2: Your child will learn basic social skills.
In addition to learning the share, playgroups provide numerous chances to develop simple social skills. The kids will learn how to appropriately interact with one another. It offers times for parallel play (where they play side to side) and eventually interactive play. Your child might develop manners, become more empathetic to other's needs and more.
Playgroup Benefit #3: Your child's vocabulary might grow.
The best way for toddlers to learn new words is to interact with others. Playgroups are the perfect opportunity for your little one's vocabulary to be enhanced. He/she might mimic others, and just increase his vocabulary. Unfortunately, this is not always a good thing. My little boy learned the word "mine" after just one short play date. But overall, playgroups will help them build their vocabulary and enhance cognitive development.
Playgroup Benefit #4: You will be able to network with other moms.
Friendship and support through motherhood can make a tremendous difference. Playgroups are an excellent time to make friends with other moms, get advice, and just encourage one another. You also might be able to help one another out in tough situations. It's also a great way to get advice, such as recommendations for the best children's dentist, etc. Read the article "How to be an Excellent Mommy Friend" for more tips.
Playgroup Benefit #5: Your child will learn about different families.
This benefit is more for older children. Since they will be around different children, they might get a chance to learn more about families and backgrounds. They might be exposed to children of different ethnicities, and unique family situations. They might meet only children, children with many siblings, children with single parents, etc.
Playgroup Benefit #6: Your child will get to play with more toys.
Instead of spending lots of money on more toys for your tot, just join a playgroup where he/she should have lots of chances to play with more toys. In some ways playgroups (particularly playgroups hosted at homes) will be like Christmas and Birthdays combined. Okay, maybe not that good, but they will get to play with more toys for free basically. (Just be sure you host play dates and share your kid's toys too!)
Playgroup Benefit #7: It gets both you and your child out of the house.
This is primarily helpful for kids with stay at home moms. Playgroups provide opportunities to get out of the home and have a little variety in their lives. It will give them something to look forward to and to talk about. It isn't really structured, but still something that will add spice to your lives.
Playgroup Benefit #8: It will prepare your child for school.
Playgroups, in some ways, offer the "best of both worlds", in that they get to socialize but at the same time they don't leave their mommy's side. Therefore they are perfect to help them transition to the time when they will go to school or preschool.
Playgroup Benefit #9: Your child will be stimulated in many ways.
Overall, playgroup participation will stimulate your child's overall development. His/her cognitive thinking skills will be enhanced, his/her imagination will be tickled and more. Your child will grow mentally (i.e. learn new words) and physically (i.e. improve gross motor skills.)
Playgroup Benefit #10: It's just plain fun!
Playgroups are very entertaining and can be quite amusing for children. He/she might have opportunities to attend fun birthday parties, celebrate holidays, and just laugh, grow and play together. Although it might take some getting used to for shy children, most will have a blast at play dates.