How to Organize a Playgroup

Organizing regular playgroup sessions helps your child develop socially.

As your child enters preschool age, playgroups become an important part of his social development. Family schedules can be complicated, however. If you want to organize a playgroup, make sure time is used as effectively as possible. In turn, both parents and children will benefit from the regular interactions.

Things You'll Need

• Email addresses of participants' families
• Fliers
• Calendar

Instructions

1. Identify who you would like to include in your child's playgroup. Include children who are of a similar age as your child as well as children from your local neighborhood.

2. Use fliers to encourage other parents to join your playgroup. Ask current members if they know other parents who would like to join.

3. Make sure you have everyone's email address. It's often easier to schedule playgroups through email than in person or by making lots of phone calls.

4. Set a day each week when everyone can play. Make this your regular playgroup day so that everyone can pencil it in on their calendar.

5. Send email reminders to the group to remind them of the day and location. Remind them of any rainy-day backup locations. Identify hosts for each week to provide snacks, games and a rainy-day activity.

6. Rotate the playgroup meeting site occasionally among local parks to increase interest in different activities, but stick to a single location most weeks to promote group stability.

7. Schedule other activities for the playgroup as time and schedules permit. An outing to the local museum, children's theater or dinner out can be a way to strengthen the bonds created on the playground.

References

• FHI 360: Playgroup Resource Group
• ActiveKidsClub.com: Tips About How to Organize an Outdoor Playgroup