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Anybody NOT join any paying playgroups and doing great?

  1. #17
    mosmom is offline Registered User
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    hello there, maybe another interesting thing to mention is that lots of parents wish their babies to join playgroups to let them 'socialise' with other kids. i don't know all about pedagogy, but i know some: kids that young (less than 3 yrs old) simply do not/are not able to socialise with other kids as elder kids do. they're way too preoccupied with themselves! i taught several playgroups before, and in each one the child acted more as an 'individual' rather than a sociable being. developmentally, i think they're just not ready to socialise. maybe something to consider what are your observations?


  2. #18
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    well, to a certain extent you are right. a 6 month old has no idea that anyone that is not within their eyesight exists.

    however, my son has LOVED playing with other kids (especially older ones) since he was about 18 months. now that he's just over two, well he;s getting closer to 2.5, he loves playing with everyone. he even tries to get his 4 month old sister in on it, by giving her toys...

    i think that leaving it too late, might put the child at a slight disadvantage. but only slight and for a very short time. afterall, if you take your kids to the pool, park, playground etc, they ARE socialising...


  3. #19
    JoTs is offline Registered User
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    What I don't get here is that most of the playgroups seem to need you to sign up and pay for a whole term right at the beginning. Back home I am used to going to playgroups, but they are generally just drop in places where you might pay a couple of pounds on the door, more a chance for me to socialise rather than my son!

    My son is way too young for anything formal yet (19 months), but it's nice to go to meet other mums - but I don't want to have to commit to every week because I've paid for it...


  4. #20
    fly
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    There's no one-size-fits all answer, but our son has been in playgroup since 5 months (1-2 days a week, 2 hrs/day), and he wasn't the youngest one there either! Now he's 18 month, and I like to think that he's picked up some level of socialization skills, appreciation of a routine (playtime, storytime, etc.), and dealing with new faces, adults and kid variety. If you search around, you will find there are some very reasonable groups out there where the instructors aren't "in your face" or there is not a huge outlay financial commitment to begin with.


  5. #21
    somebodyfamous's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fly View Post
    There's no one-size-fits all answer, but our son has been in playgroup since 5 months (1-2 days a week, 2 hrs/day), and he wasn't the youngest one there either! Now he's 18 month, and I like to think that he's picked up some level of socialization skills, appreciation of a routine (playtime, storytime, etc.), and dealing with new faces, adults and kid variety. If you search around, you will find there are some very reasonable groups out there where the instructors aren't "in your face" or there is not a huge outlay financial commitment to begin with.
    Does this mean Fly, that the group your son attends is a huge financial commitment? If I misunderstood, perhaps you could recommend as 'searching' is hard to do :) THanks!

  6. #22
    fly
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    What I mean is the one my son attends is not a huge $ commitment. But like this whole topic, I realize that statement in itself is very subjective. It's not that hard to search, just try a few trial classes to see if you are comfortable with the class structure, instructor, and fees.


  7. #23
    Matty is offline Registered User
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    I've taken my son to a paid playgroup since 2 mths (when it was pretty much just infant massage) and he is still going at 8mths.
    He enjoys it, and I enjoy it so for us it's worthwhile.
    I certainly don't think it's going to make my child any smarter, but it's fun.

    It's just an additional activity to our week, as well as meeting up with other mums at their homes, which can be hard to do everyday.

    JoT, I asked the question to the woman who owns the centre that I go to, Why do we have to commit to a whole term?
    She said if she doesn't have guaratnteed bookings she won't make rent for the month.
    I guess thats why the Rumpus Rooms went broke.

    I've never found going each week a chore, and if I can't make it for some reason, we just make it up another time.

    All the groups let you do a trial class to see if you like it.


  8. #24
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    rumpus rooms didn't go broke. the owner relocatd and couldn't find a buyer for it.

    i wish i had the $$$$, i'd love to start something like rumpus again...i think it's a great idea, especially in this heat!


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