Toddlers who attend playgroups are not only having a great amount of fun, they are also quite stimulated and learning many skills. Running a playgroup myself for children 18 to 36 months, I can see these wonderful benefits first-hand. Some benefits of a toddler playgroup are as follows:
Social Stimulation.
Toddler playgroups provide a lot of social stimulation, especially for those children that are not often around other children their own age. Children understand when there are other children around and they take to this. They watch and learn what these other children are doing. Younger toddlers will engage in parallel play, basically playing next to another child. They very well could be playing with the same toy (i.e. painting on an easel), but not entirely interacting with one another. Yet, even being this close to another child has it’s benefits. They are learning to share that space with this other child, and may observe what this other child is doing to play. Parallel play eventually gives way to children actually interacting with one another (more around two and a half to three years of age). Perhaps they are playing with this same painting easel, but instead of being more independent, they are talking to one another and telling each other what they are painting, using their imaginations to give one another ideas.
Language Stimulation.
Toddler playgroups also stimulate language. Children observe what other children are doing, and this includes how they communicate. If it’s snack time, for example, one child may say “more crackers!” They get another cracker, so your child may then attempt to tell the teacher that they would also like another cracker. Children learn from other children. If it’s time for bubble play and your child observes another child popping the bubbles with enthusiasm, saying “pop” each time they do so, then perhaps your child will join in the fun and say “pop” when they pop a bubble as well.
Expectations.
Toddler playgroups are a great environment to learn about expectations. The markings of a great toddler playgroup will have time for both free-play activities and structured activities. Toddlers learn quickly, especially when there is consistency in their environment. They will learn that there is a time for such activities as circle time, snack time, and craft time. They will learn that you put a smock on when you are going to paint. They will learn that you wash your hands before you are going to eat. They will learn to put sunscreen on before going outdoors to play. Toddlers love to try and control their environment and they love to see what they can get away with and which person they can manipulate. They will learn the consistent expectations of their particular classroom, which will most definitely get them ready for the expectations of a preschool environment.
Learning to Separate From Caregivers.
If the toddler playgroup you have chosen is a playgroup where you leave your child and then come back to pick them up, this will undoubtedly help your child to separate from you or another caregiver. Oftentimes toddlers can have separation anxiety, not wanting to leave your side. With the help of your child’s teachers, your child will eventually learn to separate from you. This will allow your child to form a bond with other adults in their life (i.e. their playgroup teachers), and as with the expectations discussed above, when your child has learned to separate from you or another primary caregiver, you are working on preschool readiness, and allowing them to learn to be a bit more independent.
Novelty.
Great toddler playgroups have a variety of toys and activities for your child to explore, from a sensory table filled with water one day and sand the next, to puppets and dress-up clothes for your child to imagine with. They would have craft time where they can explore with such things as paint, markers, and beads. They may have some large toys that help develop gross motor skills such as tunnels, balance beams, and bikes. With all these wonderful toys around, toddlers will undoubtedly want to play with a toy that another child has. With help from the teachers, this is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn how to share, and simply to learn that it is not their turn for a toy whenever they feel they would like it. Very hard concepts for toddlers.
Fun.
Last but definitely not least, toddler playgroups are a great deal of fun! Your child will probably love it!
