AFTER two years of intermittent lockdowns, many young children have missed out on crucial socialisation opportunities with their peers. Playgroups are a great way for families to reconnect with their community and enjoy some fun activities.
Playgroups are informal, low cost and give families and carers the chance to meet other people going through similar experiences and break down the isolation that can come with caring for young children.
By attending playgroup, babies and children get to play and participate in lots of fun activities. Play is how children learn important skills.
Painting, using playdough, singing nursery rhymes, digging in the sandpit, building towers out of blocks and running around outside foster the development of important social, emotional, language and physical skills that will see them through kinder, school and life.
Playgroup also benefits parents or carers who get to meet other adults and socialise, make new friendships, share a cuppa and have a chat.
Greater Shepparton City Council currently runs 10 supported playgroups across the municipality, including playgroups specifically for babies under 12 months and those for ages 0 to 5 years. They operate throughout several towns including Shepparton, Kialla, Mooroopna and Tatura. There are also lots of other playgroups operating across the region run by various organisations, agencies and primary schools.
“Playgroup is lots of fun, and we would really encourage all parents and carers with babies and young children to visit a playgroup to see for themselves the benefits,” said Greater Shepparton City Council playgroup facilitator, Jenny Wileman.
“They are a welcoming and inclusive environment and provide great support to all families. It is such an important program within the early years’ service system. Children will love their time at playgroup, as will the adults.
“There is lots of information shared at playgroup that parents find out about such as events or activities happening in the area, information about services like Maternal and Child Health or kindergarten registration, parenting programs, as well as being a great opportunity to get out of the house for a couple of hours and have some fun with your child.”
For further information on playgroups, please visit greatershepparton.com.au/playgroups.
