children developing social skills through play

The Role Of Playgroups In Developing Social Skills Through Play

The Role Of Playgroups In Developing Social Skills Through Play

Play is an essential part of a child’s life, especially for those under five years old. Through play, children get to learn and explore the world around them, acquire new skills, and develop social and emotional stability. Social skills through play also helps young children improve their communication skills, learn to share and get to realise the value of teamwork.

Playgroup is an excellent way to provide young children with such opportunities to acquire and develop social skills through play and interact with others. The right playgroup offers a very supportive environment for children to develop important life skills, such as problem-solving skills, and creativity, and grow their imagination.

However, It’s very important for you to choose a playgroup that aligns with your child’s interests and needs and is led by expert facilitators who understand child development and are experienced in designing, creating and providing age-appropriate activities and guidance.

Why enrolling a young child in a playgroup is important

group of children playing together

By Enrolling your child in an ideal playgroup, you get to expose your child to innumerable playgroup activities for toddlers aimed at stimulating and promoting physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth. It is also a secure, safe and healthy space, a critical factor, especially when your child is too young to venture out into public spaces on her own.

Playgroup activities for toddlers offer numerous benefits. Here are some ways in which your toddler can directly benefit from attending a playgroup:

Socialising:

Playgroup activities for toddlers provide an opportunity to interact with other children of the same age. This helps in developing social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and communicating with others.

Emotional development:

Playgroup activities for toddlers help them learn how to express emotions, such as happiness, sadness, and anger, in a healthy way. They can also learn empathy by observing and responding to the emotions of their peers.

Language development:

Interacting with other children in a playgroup setting can help your child develop language skills, such as listening, speaking, and understanding.

Cognitive development:

Playgroup activities for toddlers provide a stimulating environment that can help promote cognitive development. Children can learn through play, which can help develop problem-solving skills and encourage creativity.

Physical development:

Playgroup activities for toddlers provide an opportunity to engage in physical activities, such as running, jumping, and climbing. This helps promote gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Apart from these, playgroup activities for toddlers provide benefits for first-time parents and those who are new to the city. A playgroup creates opportunities for such parents to connect with other parents who are going through similar experiences and situations. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and can turn playgroups into a support system for them. Parents can also learn from each other and share parenting tips and strategies.

Playgroups provide a routine

child learning through playing

Putting in place a routine is essential for your child’s development as it helps her feel secure, reduces anxiety, and promotes a sense of control and independence. Routines provide a predictable structure to a child’s day. Learning through playing can be especially beneficial for children who may struggle with transitions or have difficulty adapting to changes in their environments.

Establishing a routine can also help children develop good habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in regular physical activity. Additionally, routines can provide opportunities for socialization and learning through playing, as children participate in group activities and interact with their peers.

Children who have consistent routines and structured schedules tend to have better emotional regulation, cognitive development, and academic performance capabilities. Routines also promote a sense of responsibility and accountability, as children learn to take ownership of their daily tasks.

Routines play a crucial role in a child’s development, providing a sense of security, stability, and predictability. By establishing consistent learning through playing routines in a child’s day, parents can support their child’s healthy development and well-being.

Playgroups nurture social skills

toddler social skills development

As children grow older, they can continue to develop their social skills through various activities such as team sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities. These activities provide opportunities for toddler social skills development and to learn how to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships with others.

Playgroups support toddler social skills development by providing them with opportunities to interact with others of the same age, encouraging them to express their thoughts and feelings and model positive social behaviours. Young children develop and acquire empathy and perspective-taking skills as playgroups encourage them to consider other people’s feelings and perspectives.

Parents can supplement toddler social skills development by teaching their children social skills through role-playing and practising social scenarios at home. For example, parents can role-play how to introduce themselves to a new person or how to politely decline an invitation. This can help children feel more confident and prepared for social situations.

Developing social skills is a lifelong process that requires practice and support. Toddler social skills development models positive social behaviours, and by teaching social skills, parents can help their children build positive relationships and navigate social situations throughout their lives.

Playgroup activities to build self-confidence in a child

activities to build self confidence in child

When children interact with other children in a safe and supportive environment, they can practice social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and communicating effectively. Through activities to build self-confidence in a child, children develop a sense of competence and mastery in their social interactions, which can help build their self-esteem and confidence.

In addition, activities to build self-confidence in a child provide children with opportunities to explore new interests and develop new skills. As children engage in play with their peers, they discover their own strengths and interests, which can further boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Another important factor is as children will be away from their parents and outside of their homes, they  work to complete tasks independently, which can help them develop a sense of self-efficacy and competence. They participate in different activities, interact with diverse groups of children and adults, and explore new environments, they also learn to adapt and become more comfortable when in unfamiliar situations.

The social interactions and relationships formed in a playgroup help children develop their social skills further. They also learn to express themselves more effectively, share their opinions and ideas freely, and develop a sense of belonging to a community.

Attending a playgroup is a valuable experience for children in terms of their cognitive and social development and in helping them foster their self-confidence and readiness for the world outside of their family unit.

More importantly, activities to build self-confidence in a child promotes the combination of strong family relationships and opportunities for social interaction and exploration. By providing children with these experiences, parents get to nurture a growing sense of emotional confidence and resilience that will serve children well throughout their lives. Besides, strong family bonding gives a sense of stability and deep attachment.

Playgroups stimulate imagination & creativity

playgroup activities for toddler

Playgroup activities for toddlers create opportunities for frequent interactions which stimulate imagination and creativity as they share ideas and learn new perspectives. Playgroup activities for toddlers also allow them to experiment with different ways of solving problems and develop critical thinking skills.

While in playgroups, children get to engage in activities that encourage exploration and discovery, such as building with blocks, drawing, and exploring sensory materials like playdough or sand. Such playgroup activities for toddlers activities stimulate curiosity and help them develop a love of learning.

Playgroup activities for toddlers engage your little one in imaginative play, learn to express herself and begin to understand the emotional dynamics of others, gaining the ability to improve communication and hone relationship-building skills.

Furthermore, playgroups provide a safe, social environment where your toddler can engage in activities that stimulate her mind and encourage exploration and discovery. By participating in playgroups, children can develop essential skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Research confirms that around 80% of all brain development occurs during early childhood, and giving your child exposure to creative experiences helps play games according to your child’s level of imagination and creativity. During playgroup activities for toddlers, your child gets to focus on creating stories through dolls, playing dress-up games, roleplay and more. More importantly, your child plays by her own rules, helping her discover new ideas using her own mind.

Playgroups help your child adapt & cope with change

interpersonal relationship skills

Today or tomorrow, your child will have to go to a school for the first time. This is a scary and overwhelming experience for any toddler. To help your child adapt to these drastic changes and altogether new experiences easily, make it a point to enrol her in the right playgroup.

When your child attends a playgroup, she will be exposed to a new environment, new people, and new activities. This can be a challenging experience for some children, but it is an important one that helps them learn how to adapt to new situations. As they become more comfortable in this setting, they will gain confidence and become better equipped to handle other new experiences, such as starting school.

Enrolling your child in a playgroup can be an excellent way to teach her to adapt and cope with changes.. Playgroups offer young children the opportunity to develop strong interpersonal relationship skills, helping them to interact with other kids their age, develop their social skills, and gain independence from their parents.

Playgroup also helps your child develop coping skills. When she faces challenging situations, such as conflicts with other children or difficulty with a new activity, she learns to work through those challenges with the support of her peers and adult around her. This can help your child build resilience and learn how to manage her emotions, which can be valuable skills throughout her life.

Enrolling your child in a playgroup can be a helpful way to prepare her for the transition to school and to teach her valuable skills for adapting and coping with changes.

Playgroups promote physical activity

physical activity for toddler

Playgroups provide a safe and structured environment where children can engage in physical play, develop their motor skills, and burn off excess energy. Through activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing with balls or other toys, children can improve their coordination, balance, and overall physical fitness. In addition to physical play, playgroups also offer less vigorous activities such as arts and crafts, working on puzzles, and other quiet games.

When young children engage in play, they develop their fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. They also enhance their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and imagination, which helps them to excel in academic subjects such as math and science.

Playgroups also offer opportunities for outdoor play and experiences, which is essential for children’s health and well-being. Spending time outside allows young children to get fresh air and sunshine, which boosts their mood and energy levels. They are also exposed to nature, which helps them develop an appreciation for the natural world and learn about the environment.

Finally, playgroups are a great way for children to not only learn but also to socialize with their peers and gain important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with others. By interacting with other children in a safe and supervised environment, children can develop their communication and problem-solving skills, which can be valuable later in life.

Playgroups also help parents to get to know their children better. Parents can learn more about their child’s personality, interests, and strengths by observing her interactions with other children outside of the home. This can help parents to make more informed decisions about their child’s future, such as which activities or educational opportunities to pursue.

However, it is important to remember that every child is different, and not all children may benefit from a playgroup environment. It is up to parents to decide whether a particular playgroup is the right choice for their child or not. So check them all out one by one, and then settle for the one that you feel provides the widest range of activities and programs that benefit your child the most.

Happy hunting for the right Singapore-based playgroup for toddlers!

About My Gym

My Gym involves children in dynamic games, physical activity and movement that help in building neural networks in the brain. Customizing its enrichment programs and workshops makes it easier for children to acquire intellectual skills, navigate complex social situations, and nurture emotional development.

Please visit any of our centres to learn more about how My Gym supports “whole-child development” through bespoke physical activities. Choose a day when you will be relatively free and come over with your child in tow. Your child could be an infant (as young as 6 months), a toddler or a preschooler, age is not a bar for enrolling.

My Gym has perfected the art of physical development in early childhood, help a child improve her gross and fine motor skills. It has specially designed programs that will lay a firm foundation for personal, academic and future growth by involving your child in age-appropriate structured and unstructured physical activities and developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

Please note: My Gym classrooms are thoroughly sanitized every day — the tables, the chairs, the children’s activity stations and everything else the child might touch is made safe and clean. Please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing.

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