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| Stay at Home Moms |
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| is just me playing with my daughter enough or should i get started in a play group or get her into daycare with other children i mean i do have friends with kids they play not everyday but everyone is telling me that she should go be with kids her own age. i almost feel like i am neglecting her or somthing! someone help |
| Posted by Crystal on 03/06/2008 02:23 PM
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Crystal
My son is a teenager now but I feel that the most important thing you can do is what you are doing - playing. It really depends on the age of your child as to if it is important for them to be with other kids. Children really can't play with others very well before the age of 3. Before that it is mostly side by side play. It is important for children to socialize with other kids to learn how to play with others and get along but the play dates you set up should be good enough for that. Play groups are not a bad idea as it gives both of you some much needed social contact. Unless you need to put your child in daycare I would not recomend it just for socialization. A year of preschool before kindergarten is a great idea as well so they can get used tothe struction of a school environment .
Hope this helps - keep doing what you are doing and play! |
| posted by Jane on 03/06/2008 02:36 PM
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| Crystal I think that you should get your child out to play with others. When we moved to north texas we knew no one so I just played with my son and then when we were around other kids his age he woudl not play like them he would play more like a baby. He gets along better with kids that are younger than him. Whn I did put him in with a babysitter there was no one his age they were younger. Now I feel that was bad cause he talks more like a baby and not a big boy. Now that he is in Pre K you can tell his social skills are diffrent than the ither kids. |
| posted by Jessica on 03/06/2008 03:09 PM
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Crystal,
I tend to agree with Jane. The most important thing you can do is play, play and more play and that of course, includes reading, singing, dancing, going for walks, exposing her to lots of people at the supermarket and other errands, etc. In addition to play, talking is very important as well. Describe everything you are doing, what you will be doing, colors, anything and everything. If you balance that with going to Childrens' Museums in your area, visiting playgrounds, attending an occasional playgroup or Kindermusik class you can both enjoy, she will be exposed to kids her age and older/younger ones. Like Jane said, they really don't start to "play" with one another until 3 or so. They need your full attention and presence early on. You aren't neglecting her. It sounds like you're building a strong, loving and supportive/nurturing environment. Go with your gut and do what feels right at the level that feels right for you and your daughter. Have fun playing! |
| posted by on 03/06/2008 04:07 PM
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| I have a 3.5 year old girl. She is in preschool 3 days a week for about 2.5 hours. Before that was just me and her and every once in a while a girlfriend of mine and her 2 kids. We don't really hang out any more and she still asks to go play with them. I definitely think that the kids should be around others there own age for their own developmental purposes. I actually am now in the process of trying to find more friends her age for her to play with. Not only for developmental purposes, but it also makes them feel better about themselves. Interaction between children these days is very important. Well, in my opinion. Good luck:) |
| posted by Trisha on 03/07/2008 06:06 AM
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No, you are not neglecting her by not having her in a regular play group. My son is 17 months old and goes to the library to play with other children about once a week, plus he has cousins that he sees sometimes. He doesn't interact much with the other children, which is normal for the age. He pretty much plays with me or by himself, the same as when we are at home.
I don't think a play group is necessary at this age, but it can be a good thing. It is really up to you. I think that your daughter learning to play alone is a very valuable thing too. It's great that you play with her, but she should also have time to play independently. I love watching my son. He is so into his play.
At this age, the benefits of playgroups, in my opinion, are more for the moms, and for the child to have a change of scenery, especially in the winter. There are times when we don't get out for 2 or 3 days, not even outside to play because it is so cold. So then we go out and enjoy just being somewhere else. |
| posted by Marcia on 03/07/2008 07:03 AM
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