Many children attend playgroup before they start a more formal preschool such as kindergarten. Playgroups are sometimes organised by the maternal and child health or community nurse, or the local council or community. Sometimes they are organised on a more informal basis by neighbours or friends, usually in someone’s house.
Generally playgroups are a good idea. They allow youngsters the opportunity to play together and provide them with important socialisation experiences. Parents can benefit too from talking, swapping notes, and generally supporting each other. Many parents find that talking to other parents who have children the same age gives them confidence, as they realise that there are child-rearing issues and difficulties that seem common to all parents. Sometimes playgroups are organised to give the parents in turn a few hours to themselves. This can also be invaluable.
Parents must also be prepared for the hassles that are inevitable in playgroups. Often the children are at an age where they are still learning to play with other children. Some may resent no longer being the centre of attention, while many have not yet learned the idea of sharing. There will usually be arguments about possessions.
Some parents are competitive about the achievements of their offspring, and this can undermine the confidence of other parents. Be aware of this, and do not hesitate to seek the reassurance of your nurse or doctor if you have any concerns. It is important to remember that all young children are individuals and unique in their superior intelligence or accelerated development — it often just indicates a bragging parent. If you cannot tone down a parent’s boastful comments by discussion and gentle feedback, and if this continues to undermine your confidence, you may wish to switch to a different playgroup.
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