Playgroup

Am convinced I posted this a few days ago but can't seem to find the thread. Never mind, am trying again ...


Got a question - at the risk of sounding absolutely ignorant - what's a playgroup ?


What is its purpose ? To nurture spirit of sharing & socialising ? For babies as well as parents ?


How does it work ? Rotating the location ? BYOT (toys) instead of BYOB ?!


What happens if baby does not belong to any playgroup - will he be @ risk of being a loner/shy/anti-social ? My baby's 7.5mths old. Is it too late to go to one ?


I'm not posting this to the new playgroup site as it's HK specific & I'm based in Shanghai ...


Tks

yeah, I want to know too...with all these playgroup for babies and they are not cheap. Are they really necessary for baby? is there any research that backs this up?

I didn't know there's a "membership" fee... what does it (usually) cover ?

Playgroups in HK,also called mother and toddler groups are very cheap. Usually cost around $50 a session and you only pay when you go. They are usually held in private clubs or church halls etc. Toys and refreshments are provided. They are just a place for parents and young children to get together for a play and a chat, very informal. As the name suggests its a place for children to come together and play, and for the mums to make new friends.

Hello Asriah,


My baby has joined a playgroup since she was about 5 mths old. You may find those exercises or activities in the class very simple, or similar to most of the baby play books you can get. However, the best of it, it's also the reason I join, it's to developing my baby's social skill. I found it quite useful and effective.


Yes, we did pay one time membership fee on top of the tuition fee.


There're not many choices in China and it's quite expensive. My suggestion is to try trial class (free). I tried one very famous multinational playgroup, but very disaapointed. And end up very happy with the less famous one.

Hi -

as a specialist in early child development, play groups are NOT necessary nor do they provide any sort of additional brain development for children under the age of two. A child can develop excellently, on his or her own, without the use of a playgroup. A mother or father who spends his or her time, reading, singing, showing toys, and taking them for walks is providing more than enough stimulation to encourage their child's brain development.


HOWEVER, where a playgroup is beneficial, is to the mother. Oftentimes mothers need an outlet, a discussion place, a forum to discuss what is going on with their baby. Sometimes they just want to talk and check and compare notes with other parents about what milestones are ahead, and what milestones have been passed. In this regard, playgroups are beneficial for both the infant and the mother, in that if the mother has some outlet and some time to rejuvenate, she will in turn take that rejuvenation and focus it towards her child.


Most children are not aware of others in their very self centered world until they are 2 years old. Social development after 2 years old is actually when it happens - not much before.

Thank you all for the replies which have sufficiently eliminated this "playgroup" ignorance of mine, especially hkchoichoi.

Hi Asriah -


Might a suggest a book that might make interacting with your baby incredibly rewarding and rich? I find that this book is an excellent way to really get a rich rewarding relationship with your child. "Baby Signs" by Linda Acevedo is a GREAT book which offers some innovative ways for you to stimulate and interact with your baby. This seems to be some of your concern of why you're interested in a play group. A baby can communicate with you just as well and learn to not be antisocial. (there is some research evidence to suggest that this is also genetic and not able to be "taught") Here is a website that talks a bit about the baby signs

http://www.babysigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=aboutus.main

For the record, I am not at all affiliated with the Baby Signs people - I have emailed with the creator a bit, and have used baby signs with my own children and have found it immensely rewarding and an incredibly rich experience. The book can be ordered via amazon.com and shipped to Shanghai. Good luck!!

Thanks hkchoichoi, I often wonder whether it is necessary for my baby, now I know.

joshmomm - sent you a reply. hope it helped. Feel free to continue to use my in box if needed. :)

Here's another website re baby signs which might be of interest


http://www.signwithme.com/main_signs.asp

thanks josie jump

very interesting, will start teaching signs to my baby soon

CD,

Where are these playgroups / mother-toddler groups you are referring to? The only ones I can find cost around HK170 for 45 minutes! (My son is 7 months old)

Theres one at the United Services Recreation Club (USRC), no 1 Gascoigne Rd, Jordan, 5 mins walk from Jordan MTR station. Its a private club that allows mums (and dads) to use their garden room twice a week, tues and fri mornings. 9.30-11.30, $50 a session for 1st child for non members, $15 for each child after that. It also has a great outdoor play area. Its an informal group run by mums. Basically the mums chat and the children play (lots of nice toys), followed by 10 mins of singing at the end. And for special occasions like christmas, Chinese new year etc there is a craft table where the kids can do glueing and things. For more info call the club, sorry don't know the number off hand. The YMCA in TST also run one on mon and thurs mornings but personally I don't think its as nice or as friendly.

PPA also has parent & toddler groups.

http://hkppa.info/home.htm

PPA is cheap but I found if filthy dirty and the toys were all broken. The Matilda has a good mum and baby / Mum and toddler group which is not too expensive.


By the way, I have to disagree with the child psycologist. Babies may not need playgroups, but they really do enjoy being around other babies.


My 11 month old LOVES going on trips out to mother and baby groups.

If you look at the research which supports baby signs, there is ample evidence which supports the usage and benefits of baby signs FAR BEYOND the childhood years. From age 6, there is a significant gap in IQ scores of babies who have used baby signs and those who did not. (this is, if IQ scores are important to you.) Also, by age 12, there is a wide gap in the amount of vocabulary knowledge between those children who baby signed and those who did not. There is no research evidence to back up that baby signers are late talkers - late talkers implies that they start talking well beyond the "normal stage" which is not true. When baby signs are used well, thoughtfully, and in conjunction with the verbal word, there is no delay in verbalization.


I did NOT say that playgroups were not beneficial for the social aspect - I simply stated (and i'm not a child psychologist - I'm a masters holder in bilingual education and early childhood development - not psychology - to clarify) that in terms of BRAIN development, it was not necessary. Of course children benefit from being around one another, but in terms of true interaction and ability to interact with one another, it doesn't happen until around age 2. (there is more research to back this up - although true practitioners and teachers may argue that it happens early.)


Too much emphasis is put on "activities" for children outside the home - and there is plenty for mothers and caretakers to do within the home, without having to deal with the additional pressure of feeling like "play groups" are necessary for their infant. I'm not against playgroups - but I do feel as if too many parents feel that they "have" to do them in order for them to feel like they are "teaching" their children, and there is no evidence to back this up. Plenty of children who don't attend playgroups make the gradual adjustment to preschool and on to be successful in kindergarten. There is no research which supports that children who are involved in playgroup situations actually achieve MORE later in life than those who did not. The playing field is actually equal. There is no long term benefits in terms of learning, intellect and overall life skills. If it appeals to the mother and parents, and that is what they want to do - that is their choice. And there is no harm but no lasting benefit either. I am an advocate for doing what is best for both the caretaker and child - if it is helpful to the mother - then do it, but no one should feel PRESSURE that it is the "right" thing to do.