What is Playgroup

What is Playgroup?

Playgroup is a gathering of women and children where both adult and child interact with their peers whilst keeping an eye on each other. It is also a setting inducive to learning more about your child and yourself. For example, a mum may be surprised to learn that a normally boisterous child at home may be timid at playgroup (well, until he/she is familiar with the people and place) or vice versa. And the child learns many things such as sharing, gross motor skills, fine motor skills and a bit of independence with the security of mum, aunt or grandma around. Dr. Christopher Green says that "although the child is too young to play with other children, he plays happily alongside them and generally enjoys their company."

This goes to say that playgroup is for babies, infants and preschoolers. Even though a preschooler will be able to be more independent in their activities, an infant still learns skills enabling him/her to progress. Furthermore, "by attending playgroup the isolated mum avoids becoming entombed in her own home. She hears what problems other mothers are experiencing. Then sees she is normal and not alone" (Green:1990).

This is true so far as you are able to attend a playgroup where a majority of other women are of common ground. A Muslim woman attending a council run playgroup for example, with majority of non-Muslims can find it to be an isolating experience. If your city, town or suburb has a Muslim playgroup, it will be a more fulfilling experience and well worth the effort to get there. If, however, your city, town or suburb does not have a playgroup then here is a case-study of how As-Salam playgroup began. Insha'Allah, this may help or inspire other Muslim women to start a playgroup which will have far reaching rewards in this life and the next.

As-Salam Playgroup formally began in June of 1995. Previous to this there was an unstructured weekly gathering of mothers and children in one of the sisters backyard. This eventually lead to a more structured programme and the use of an Islamic centre. Alhamdulillah, everything fell into place after a meeting of five sisters to decide the programme, delegation of work, advertising and liaising with the Islamic centre for its' use.

To start off, the structure of the playgroup varied with whoever was doing the lesson. Along the way, it was decided that mothers who were willing should take turns in leading the playgroup activity. This is so that no single busy mum or aunty was overloaded with all the work.

Eventually a routine developed where in the first half hour the children played with each other or the toys. This is followed by packing up of the toys (here, it is a good idea to encourage the children to help with the packing up). Then the formal lesson starts with reading of short surahs which children eventually pick up especially with incentives like stamps or stickers.

Next, was collectively singing of Islamic songs; children are very enthusiastic in learning these, particularly if it has actions to go with it. Followed by an Islamic story and then an Islamic activity involving colouring in, cut and paste or sometimes a wonderful craft activity involving the mothers' skills as well as the children's.

We finish playgroup with sharing lunch where each family brings a plate (picky eater sometimes eat better with other children around). Once lunch is over, we all share in the cleaning up and Alhamdulillah, it's over for another week.

This may sound smooth and hassle free but the truth is that with full commitment and with the will of Allah, it eventually runs smoothly. Resources for Islamic songs and books are abundant once you start searching. Crayons, texters, pencils, scissors and glue can be brought from money donated by participants. Toys can be bought cheaply at garage sales or donations from people whose children have out grown them.

Playgroup may start small but with time and the will of Allah it grows, even if it's sporadic. Some close friendships can ensue from playgroup and it's a wonderful feeling of mum/aunty/grandma sharing a learning experience with their little one.

Just a brief mention of childcare and preschools as they are often confused with playgroup. Essentially, they are different because of the presence or absence of the mother or other close relative. Also the ratio of child to adult in childcare is often 6:1. According to Biddulph (1994), "In your child's first year, do not use institutional childcare at all. Organize for your baby to be with one of you all the time. By far the largest form of childcare is still that provided by family, aunts, grandparents, trusted friends or neighbours. By and large children are loved and cared for because they are family, and this timeless way of sharing the joy and work of child-rearing has a lot going for it."

The sentiments of Biddulph are similar to that of Islam where first family and trusted friends should be called upon in case of need such as work or study commitments. Additionally, presumed educational advantage of sending children to preschool are little compared to educational advantages one can achieve at home with commitment and intelligence that Allah (swt) has bestowed on us

References:
Biddulph, S., More Secrets of Happy Children, Bay Books Publication, Sydney, 1994.
Green, C.,Toddler Taming,Doubleday, Sydney, 1990.