Play dates are informal, while playgroups tend to be more structured.
Play dates are often scheduled between parents. They're frequently planned in a home, at an event, or playspace with the hopes of just having fun. Playgroups tend to be led by early childhood specialists. Their goal is to make sure parents are introduced to early child development. For example, playgroup leaders often sing to help little ones transition between activities and snack times. They also designate a "clean-up time," a space where little ones learn that everything has a space to return to when play time is over. They also give helpful tips, for example helping parents recognize that their child may be naturally grouping toys by color instead of randomly picking different objects.
Play dates can last all day, while playgroups are usually two hours or less.
What's The Best Playgroup In Boston?
Our family LOVED Countdown to Kindergarten! We wish we knew about the Roslindale Library. We noticed Curtis Hall is frequently searched online. And the Roche Center is regularly waitlisted.
The best playgroup really depends on the leadership. Meaning, all playgroups are not the same (even if they are structured the same way and hosted by the same organization). Instead the enthusiasm, passion, and family engagement skills of the playgroup leader really makes a difference.
Different groups may practice different philosophies and serve different types of families. For example, one playgroup may focus on parent-child separation (disguised as school readiness), while other playgroups focus on whole family learning. Please also know that organizations evolve and their leaders change. So the programs we attended when our children were young may not be the same today. Now is the perfect time to hop around until you find a group you absolutely love!
What Are The Most Popular Days And Times For Playgroups?
Boston offers playgroups throughout the week, but Wednesdays and Fridays are definitely the most popular! Late mornings (around 10:00am) are another popular time probably because they are right before babies and toddlers typically nap.
How Often Should You Attend Play Groups?
That's totally up to you and your family! If you're like us, playgroups may become the highlight of your day or week. We hope to give you plenty of options so that you never run out of play experiences to have with your little one!
Do You Have Any Tips For Filling Out Online Forms?
Some groups require registration using online forms. We totally understand the convenience of having parents provide basic information online. This data can show how many parents are interested in a particular group and where they come from. Please know that these organizations sometimes are not tech-savvy or digitally informed. This means that they may not know how to handle personal data responsibly (for example, full names, dates of birth, and addresses). We recommend using privacy features like Apple's hide my email and using periods instead of full names (especially for your little ones).
What Should You Pack?
We're big believers in less is best. Diapers, wipes, snacks, water, and maybe a change of clothes should cover the essentials. Below are our picks:
Are There Any Toddler-Friendly Books About Play?
Absolutely! Playgroups tend to incorporate story time into their fun, but if you want to take some books home, most (if not all) of the following stories are free to borrow from the library. We also have a list of our favorite board books, and books about babies.
Are There Other Toddler-Friendly Activities In Boston?
There are tons! We have a calendar that focuses on baby and toddler-friendly events in the city -- you can check it out here.
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