2 - 4 yr old PlayGroup of a Different Kind

[jkcy]

Let me elaborate further.


This playgroup is different from other commercial enrichment programmes in 3 major ways:

1) Parental involvement
I have some enquiries from some parents who are under the impression that they are expected to contribute by preparing some activities for the group. This is not the case. Preparation for a structured programme requires passion and time. This playgroup is reaching out to parents who may not have time or do not want/know how to prepare something. I will be doing all the the research and preparation along pre-determined themes to save parents from having to spend time on this.

Instead, what I require from parents is your enthusiasm and participation in the activities, not just sitting in during the session waiting for time to pass. This will be different from some commercial playgroups I know which require only adult accompaniment and where the adults may range from parents, grandparents to even maids.

Cultivating friendship
I intend to create an environment and opportunities for parents and children to interact among yourselves. While it is true that parents tend to be too caught up attending to their own kids, this is NOT just another playgroup where you only attend for the sake of your child and don't have to bother with other people around you.

I will be encouraging parents to take an active interest in the other kids in the same group as well. Once we cultivate the \"culture\" of looking out for one another, you will find yourselves easing up to enjoy the playgroup and socializing with other parents and children.

Developing an inquisitive mind
This playgroup will cover a wide range of topics instead of the usual fare like teaching alphabets, numbers etc.. The theme changes every week so that the kids can be exposed to different interests. Depending on the theme, the activities will also vary from stories to songs, games, dramatisation etc and the children will bring home a piece of art/craft after each session.

Also, like to highlight that in support of the good work of I Love Children (http://www.ilovechildren.org.sg), I plan to rent their premises as the venue to conduct my playgroup .

I encourage you to come for a trial which will be held around end Mar. It costs only $15 per parent-child pair which can be offset if you sign up after the session.

Please register your interest through [email protected] with your child's name and age, your own name and contact details. Or if you have further queries, please PM me with your contact number so that I can answer all your questions.

[ChiefKiasu]

jkcy:

Let me elaborate further...

Hi jkcy, while you are welcome to introduce your services to our community, please keep your messages to this thread instead of posting the same message across all our forums. It doesn't help the community or me. Thank you.

[jkcy]

:oops: sorry chief! Thanks for pointing this out, won't do it again.

[corrochan]

hi jkcy,


Referring to your clear explanation, now then I really know what you meant and the difference you try to make. Let me explain.

Recently, I started my kid at a music-focused playgroup. I pay abt $25 per session (45min) at a CC. That's the OK part.

But what I really notice is that after several sessions at that playgroup:

a. parental involvement - yes, plenty. all parents were very involved. In fact so involved were they that they were almost doing all the activities (for their kids), AND also forcing their kids to 'follow instructions' from the teacher. The whole setup looks like puppet masters and their puppets. And the teacher didn't really care much abt involving the kids as long as she ran thru the standard agenda in class

b. Cultivating friendship - In that playgroup, no socialising at all. I walked into class and try to establish eye contact and no parent bothered to reciprocate. I felt transparent. All parents eyes were trained on the teacher. It's OK to focus on the class and their kids. But my point is this - if we frequently ask our kids to be nice and sociable, I wonder what role model we set for our kids by behaving like those parents. BUT BUT BUT it's really not the fault of those parents. I have attended other playgrp and noticed the same. It's the 'teacher's fault' i think. She did not facilitate, and the whole set up is just so mechanical. Come for class -> run thru agenda -> times up -> vacate class so that next class can come in. What friendship?

c. Developing an inquisitive mind - ok this is the best part in that playgroup. All across the room, the kids looked bored really bored. Including mine. Need I say more?

I'm really looking fwd to start my kid in the new playgrp soon!

jkcy:

This playgroup is different from other commercial enrichment programmes in 3 major ways:

1) Parental involvement
I have some enquiries from some parents who are under the impression that they are expected to contribute by preparing some activities for the group. This is not the case. Preparation for a structured programme requires passion and time. This playgroup is reaching out to parents who may not have time or do not want/know how to prepare something. I will be doing all the the research and preparation along pre-determined themes to save parents from having to spend time on this.

Instead, what I require from parents is your enthusiasm and participation in the activities, not just sitting in during the session waiting for time to pass. This will be different from some commercial playgroups I know which require only adult accompaniment and where the adults may range from parents, grandparents to even maids.

Cultivating friendship
I intend to create an environment and opportunities for parents and children to interact among yourselves. While it is true that parents tend to be too caught up attending to their own kids, this is NOT just another playgroup where you only attend for the sake of your child and don't have to bother with other people around you.

I will be encouraging parents to take an active interest in the other kids in the same group as well. Once we cultivate the \"culture\" of looking out for one another, you will find yourselves easing up to enjoy the playgroup and socializing with other parents and children.

Developing an inquisitive mind
This playgroup will cover a wide range of topics instead of the usual fare like teaching alphabets, numbers etc.. The theme changes every week so that the kids can be exposed to different interests. Depending on the theme, the activities will also vary from stories to songs, games, dramatisation etc and the children will bring home a piece of art/craft after each session.

[jkcy]

Hi corrochan. I’m glad you could appreciate what I’m setting out to achieve. My attempts to set up Play Dates! actually stem out from my own disappointment with what I could not find in some of the programmes I have attended with my daughter. But of course, it all depends on what parents are looking for. Some are eager to be associated with a branded enrichment centre and not everyone may bother much about interactions. I am hoping that Play Dates! can draw together parents who want to enjoy attending the playgroup with their children and want to make some friends along the way.