I’ve spent the last 7 years attending various toddler groups. Some have been great, and I’ve attended ever since my eldest was a baby. Others have been good for a particular time and have filled a need, such as a children’s centre group which I attended when I had a newborn and two other pre-school children.
A good toddler group has several functions to it, the most obvious one being to provide a space for pre-school children to play. They learn valuable social skills while still having the safety net of their mum or carer nearby.
The second function from my point of view of toddler groups is probably less obvious, but perhaps more important. An hour or two out of the house, with adult conversation, is invaluable for many. Admittedly the conversation often is snatched in two minute chunks, but good friendships can be a lifeline when looking after young children. Being able to get advice about the latest challenge you are facing, or just to know that others are going through the same thing, can make everything manageable.
A good toddler group needs quite a few key elements. Fundamental to it is a good, safe space for the children to be. High quality toys (with batteries that work), that are age appropriate is an essential from the child’s point of view, and a cup of coffee is often an essential from a sleep deprived mums point of view. But once the fundamentals are covered what makes a toddler group great, rather than just good enough? My favourite group has several extra things which help it to be great. The space it is in is carpeted, large, and well maintained, which makes it a pleasant space to be in, and comfortable to sit on the floor to play with the kids. It also has some dedicated grandmothers who regularly give their morning up to come along, welcome people as they arrive, and serve good quality tea, filter coffee and biscuits, as well as a variety of snacks and drinks for the children. But the key thing that keeps me coming back is the other Mums. I’m slightly unusual in having so many children, so I’ve seen mums come and go as their children get too old, but throughout the time people have been ready to chat. A friendly group which will actively seek to speak to new mums and welcome people is a real blessing. Friendships which start by talking about children can easily develop into deeper relationships, and having some adult interaction during a day filled with nappies and toddler tantrums can make life so much better.