Taking your child out into the world for the first time toattend a toddler playgroup in Singapore is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking!
As much as you’d rather keep your little one at home, sendingthem to a playgroup gives them a chance to interact with other kids, explore
their interests and skills, and prepare for formal education.
Let’s take a closer at how toddler playgroups in Singapore canimpact your child’s early development and learning!
1. Playgroups developsocial skills
According to early childhood education experts, children develop their social skills between the ages of one to three.
As a parent, it’s necessary that you expose your child tosituations that allow them to interact with kids their age and others! This is how they learn how to communicate their needs, take turns, negotiate with other people, and resolve conflicts.
By attending playgroups, children participate in all sorts ofactivities that help them build and strengthen their social skills at their own pace.
2. Playgroups promotephysical activity
Physically inclined or not, children get to join in funactivities in playgroups that keep them physically active and healthy!
Toddler playgroups in Singapore offer a wide range ofage-appropriate activities and games that support gross and fine motor skill development and teach the value of sportsmanship. Running, jumping, and swinging are a few examples.
Don’t worry if your child isn't into physical activitiesbecause there are other equally exciting activities that they can do, such as solving puzzles and painting. These keep their bodies (and minds) moving too!
3. Playgroups teach theimportance of following routines
Give your little one something to do every day if you want themto thrive!
Daily routines give children a sense of security and somethingto look forward to every day, so they tend to find comfort in doing the same set of activities.
By following a certain routine, children learn the importanceof healthy habits and eventually understand the responsibilities that are expected of them, such as washing their hands before and after eating and cleaning up after themselves.
4. Playgroups fostercritical thinking and imagination
Children’s minds at this age are ripe for learning and justwaiting to be nurtured.
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to expose them tostimulating activities that allow them to practise (and strengthen) their logic and creativity.
The comforting environment at toddler playgroups in Singapore encourages children to exploreindependently, trust in their own ideas, and not be afraid to make mistakes in the process.
Additionally, it’s early childhood educators who know how toproperly engage a young learner’s mind and engage their curiosity.
5. Playgroups preparethem for primary school
One of the primary benefits of playgroups is preparing childrenfor primary school and lifelong learning.
The transition to Singapore’s formal education will not be easyfor any child, but attending a playgroup is a huge help. It teaches them how to cope with new situations and adapt to changes, so adjusting to primary school will be relatively smooth.Additionally, in a playgroup setting, children are encouragedto learn and explore in ways that best interest them. This helps build a positive association with learning that makes children more driven to learn.
A positive attitude towards learning is a skill that will servethem well through school, as well as in their professional career.