What are Playgroups?
A playgroup is a small gathering of parents/caregivers and their
children, all of a similar age, who meet on a regular basis. The group may share schedules,
professions, backgrounds, hobbies and more; but they especially relate to wanting and
needing their kids to play with others in a comfortable setting, whether a park or home.
Playgroups also introduce children to social interaction outside of
their family--playing together, sharing, and learning from each other. It also provides
much-needed adult interaction for the parents and caregivers.
The Parent Circle offers two types of Playgroups to fit the needs of every family.
- Traditional Playgroup
The bulk of our new playgroups are formed in September/October
and again in January/February. However, as new families join the organization
all year long, we form new playgroups or add new families to existing groups
on an ongoing basis. Many playgroup relationships begin when children are infants.
Playgroups are formed by the playgroup chairperson. Parents
interested in a playgroup either indicate it on their registration form or can
contact the
playgroup chairperson, who does their best to connect parents that have
children of the same age. The parents then set up a date and time for a first
meeting. Although the parents in the group are responsible for maintaining it,
the chairperson will provide guidelines on things to discuss at the first playgroup
to make it successful. While the chairperson does the best to fit people in a
playgroup when they request it, playgroups are dynamic and dependent on many things,
including interested families and their schedules. < back
