The benefits of play dates for parents and children
Play dates are wonderful things. They give children the opportunity to play and interact with other children the same age as them, or in some instances with children who are younger or older than them.
They also allow parents to make friends and help children increase their confidence in talking to adults other than their parents.
For some parents making friends comes easily, but for others like myself it can be a bit more challenging and stressful. Many mums and dads can be left feeling lonely and longing to make friends.
For me it was a pretty long road. I started going to a play group when my twins were around seven or eight months old. I’d chat to people, but I found it hard to strike up meaningful conversations.
I moved house and started to going to a different play group. After a year of going every week, I finally gave up. No-one talked to me. The same people would go each week, but they all had their circle of friends and it seemed no-one new was allowed in.
During the last two weeks of me going to that playgroup, I noticed a new face. A mum with two children that I hadn’t seen there before so I went over and started to talking to her. She was new to the area and we instantly got on with one another.
I told her about a different play group I’d heard of and asked if she wanted to go. We started going to the new play group and it was much better than any I’d ever been too.
Set in a small church hall run by a group of elderly ladies, the group is small and that makes it more friendly. Everyone talked to each other and I soon found myself making more friends.
I made a big step that I mustered all of my courage up to do and I invited another mum back to mine for a play date. I’ve written previously how successful our play dates have been and there are now a few of us who meet up regularly. I thought I’d focus this post on the benefits of play groups for both parents and children.
1. Children get the opportunity to play with other children – this helps children to build up their independence and work on their social skills such as sharing, developing friendships and making conversation. It’s also great for us in particular as it means our twins have the opportunity to play with other children and not just each other
2. Play dates give mums and dads the chance to make new friends which in turn can develop into long-lasting relationships
3. On a lighter note, play dates have meant that I’ve mastered the art of cleaning my house in 20 minutes – perfect for those last minute play dates!
4. Your child will have their own group of friends prior to starting nursery which can help make starting nursery a little less daunting for them and you
5. Playdates also mean that children get the chance to play with new toys and it’s a great way to have a change of scenery. Playdates work well because it doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside, you can stay indoors!
6. Going back to social skills, playdates help children to become problem solvers. Quite often you’ll experience children arguing and they can often find a resolution themselves. Skills such as sharing and empathising with others are also enhanced
7. Children enjoy playing with other children and their toys – it’s fun for both parents and children
8. Playdates help teach children how to play together which in turn can also improve team work skills
9. Children learn from each other. Before we had our playdates my girls had never walked across the chain bridge at our local park because they didn’t feel capable of doing so. When they saw their friend doing it, they watched her and copied her and within two trips to the park they had mastered it along with a small climbing wall!
10. When the children are in nursery you and your friends can have some much needed time out together!
Do you have play dates?
21 Comments
Coombe Mill
September 29, 2015 at 10:25 am
Play dates are essential on so many levels as you have identified and once you get used to it it is often easier than having just your own child at home. Popping by from Toddler Approved Tuesday
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Hi, they are aren't they! I wish I'd started them sooner! x
Baby Isabella
September 29, 2015 at 11:51 am
Play dates are great! It's lovely watching how my mummy interacts with new people 😉 hehe x Great for kiddies too! #LetKidsBeKids x
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Hello, I think they make a nice change from playgroups as I find play dates a bit more relaxed. I'm glad your mummy likes them too! xx
Jeremy Barnes
September 29, 2015 at 1:01 pm
we don't have organized play groups here in the States, but we've been lucky enough to find a few parents from preschool that we seem to get along pretty well with. We've gotten the kids together a few times and it is nice to have someone to talk to while the kids entertain each other
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Hi Jeremy, thanks for your comment. Play groups are a wonderful for parents to make new friends and their children too!
Kirsten Toyne
September 29, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Play groups were a life saver for me. Like you I found one to be unfriendly despite sparking up many conversations. But there were others that were my life line. I ended up running a few in my time because I could see how valuable they are. Kirsten
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Hi Kirsten, thanks for your comment. I go to one playgroup regularly. It's a small group, which is just the way I like it! It's great that you ran some yourself. I'd like to do that too when girls are in school full time, although that's not for a while yet! x
Karen Bell
September 29, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Play dates are really important for both parents and children. I think I would have been lost if I had not had friends to visit each week. You are right though, it can be so hard to make new friends.
Thanks for sharing #LetKidsBeKids
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Hi Karen, thanks for your comment. They are important aren't they! I found them to be a great way of making friends and being social x
Mellissa Williams
September 29, 2015 at 3:40 pm
My son wasn't getting on well with nursery when he was younger so I moved him to a playgroup and he was much happier, and so was I. They really understood him better. The parents were lovely too. Play dates are great as when your children first go to a new playgroup, many parents do not know others.
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Hi Mellissa, thanks for your comment. Play dates were a good way to help improve our girls social interaction with other children and also with other adults. Really improved their confidence x
Rebecca U
September 29, 2015 at 6:15 pm
So true, important for both. I'm a bit rubbish at them though as don't have many 'mummy' friends – must try harder! #toddlerapprovedtuesday
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Hi Rebecca, thanks for your comment. I was so nervous about approaching someone, but I'm so glad I did and I just wish I'd done it sooner! x
Harry’s Honest Mummy
September 29, 2015 at 6:55 pm
I am lucky that my ante-natal class group all still get together on a regular basis. The children regularly have play dates, whether that be at the pool, in the park, at one of our homes or in a playbarn. We mums also get together for our type of playdates, which is usually somewhere where we can dress up and drink alcohol. Both types of play dates are very important. #MyFavouritePost
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Hi, thanks for your comment. Totally agree both types of play dates are important x
Anna Robinson
September 29, 2015 at 7:04 pm
I've not really done many play dates with my eldest and think she might have missed out so I have resolved to do more with my youngest. #MyFavouritePost
Emily
September 29, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Hi Anna, thanks for your comment. Play dates are so good! Great way to make new mummy friends, but also great for kids to improve their social skills x
Camesha | Mama Motivator
September 30, 2015 at 4:34 am
Play dates are a wonderful thing. I agree with your points. It definitely helps me meet other moms and broadens my kids friend circle.
Zena’s Suitcase
October 4, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Play dates are fab aren't they. I think it does take a bit of courage though to bite the bullet and have one. Thanks for linking up with #myfavouritepost
Odd Socks and Lollipops
October 7, 2015 at 7:20 pm
I wish I had mastered the art of tidying my house in 20 minutes! I totally agree though they are a must! It's so nice to have adult conversation whilst your children play.