Discover the joy of play during National Playgroup Week
Published on 23 March 2015
Local parents and carers are being urged to discover the benefits of playgroup during a week-long celebration that gets underway today.
National Playgroup Week will run from March 23 to 29. More than 20 different playgroups currently operate across the Mildura Rural City Council area, including community-run and supported playgroups led by a paid facilitator.
Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said Playgroups were about much more than just play, with great outcomes for babies, children and their parents, carers and families.
“Babies and children are constantly learning and developing many new skills. Playing – be it creative play, active play or role playing, helps this process,” Cr Peart said.
“Playgroups are the perfect opportunity for children to interact and play together which helps develop social and communication skills and prepare them for more formalised education settings they will experience at kindergarten and school.”
Playgroups can be run by parents and caregivers or by paid facilitators in a supported environment, with a range of free or low cost activities set up for children and their caregivers to enjoy.
“Playgroup sessions are not just about the children. They’re a great social outlet for carers and parents to meet with other caregivers, which is really important, particularly if you are a first time parent or new to the region,” Cr Peart said.
No child is ever too young to join a playgroup. Newborns right through to five year olds can enjoy playgroup sessions. Sessions can be held in any number of locations, from halls and parks to kindergartens and schools.
Mildura father of two Michael Lindeman is a strong believer in the playgroup concept and currently attends three different sessions with his two children. He is also in the process of setting up a special playgroup session specifically targeted at Dads.
“There are lots of fathers out there who, like me, are the primary carer of their children, so it makes sense that they join in with playgroup too,” Michael said.
“Setting up a Dad’s Day at a playgroup will hopefully encourage more dads and male carers to get involved in playgroup.”
The Dad’s Playgroup currently meets every Wednesday from 9am – 12noon in Mildura’s Jaycee Park, but Michael said plans were in place to join an established community run playgroup and operate a Dad’s Day as part of that program.
“There are just so many benefits to playgroup, for both the kids and the carers, I would definitely recommend it.”
For more information about playgroup and local playgroups that operate visit www.playgroup.org.au or call Council on (03) 5018 8271.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au