While talking about schooling in my earlier post, I realise that I haven’t mentioned the playgroup class that Noey has been attending since the start of the year.
Once a week, Noey and I head down to Playdays for a morning of songs, toys, and well, getting messy. I decided to try Playdays primarily because it’s a 5 min drive from my place, but also because I was looking for a programme that involved more play — not “learning through play” but actual playing you know, for FUN. I wanted something with a little less structure and more messing around, and they fit the bill. Also I was quite intrigued by the fact that every lesson involves some art work. I’m really bad at art myself and I thought it might be fun for Noey to get his hands dirty and get to know paint and glue while I pick up some art ideas myself.
We’ve been attending the Mini Bubbles sessions and we’ve liked it enough that we’re currently into our second term. Each session is 1.5 hours long and rotates through the following schedule:
- Free Play
- Circle Time
- Mystery Box
- Art & Craft
- Snack Time
- Free Play
- Music Time
The bits I personally like best are the free play sessions, and the mystery box which leads up to the art project of the day. Free play sessions might feel like a bit of a waste of money but I’ve come to appreciate them. For one, it’s definitely Noey’s favourite part. (Though snack time is a close second. Hur hur.) And I did say that I was looking for a programme with more playing and less learning! I like that different toys are brought out during 2 free play sessions and different ones are rotated every week so Noey gets to play with a whole lot more toys than he normally would. Some of the toys — like the slides, cars and trampolines — are also not toys that one would readily have at home. I’ve used this as an opportunity to assess how much Noey likes certain toys and some the ones he absolutely loved, I have bought for him. Occasionally the kids also do some water play (where paddling pools and toys are brought out) and outdoor play (at the outdoor playarea) during this time.
Free play is also the time when Noey gets the most interaction with the other kids, which is one of the primary reasons he’s there, isn’t it? And one critical life skill he’s learnt over the weeks is how to hang on to the toy you really want when someone is trying to snatch it from you. Haha. I always try to make him share, and he’d mostly shoot me a reproachful “do I have to??” look before offering up the toy. But sometimes he’d retract he’s hand when the child makes a move for it, and other times he’d whine at me to get the toy back immediately! This is obviously still work in progress. The good thing about Noey is that he doesn’t snatch toys from other children. He’d mostly just complain to me and try to make me go get the toy off the child for him. I don’t of course. But the minute they let go of it, he’s there.
He’s also slowly learning what it means to take turns, which can only be a good thing.
Noey’s introduction to art and craft has been interesting. Initially he’d stab at the paint with his fingers and hastily try to rub it off on the nearest surface (which would mostly be his own clothes or mine) and not go near it thereafter. However, he’s really into it now! It was like something just clicked and now you see paint everywhere!
In between, the circle time action songs and have also made a good addition to our playtime activites at home. I’d sometimes sing a song and ask Noey where we’d sung the song before and he’d answer “Klia!” (Class). Haha.
This would be our last term in this class and I haven’t yet decided if we will be continuing by moving up to the next level for older kids, or whether we’ll be going to try classes at other centres. I’m still thinking of whether to sign him up for a mandarin playgroup to up his mandarin exposure. Most of these sessions are twice a week and I’m only home with him twice a week, so I’m not sure I want to be attending classes on both days.
We’ve only just begun on this learning adventure. Still a long way ahead of us baby!
looks like sooooo much fun! <br /><br />I hate to say this, but the expat playgroups are the ones that REALLY play. The OWIS that K goes to is also all about messing around and really playing. Which is why I kenna a comment, "HAH?! You pay $20 just to let K go and play when she could do that at home?!" Zzzzzzzzzzz.
how old is noey? when does he turn 2?<br />sorry, i a bit blur.
Hehe, I think it helps them to be around other children, to learn how to take turns, share etc…basically learning social skills. So, I think it's great that he's going to a playgroup. 🙂
looking at these pics reminds me of edgar when he was at his playclub sessions last year. I think it so much better than to go to N1. We skipped N1 too! <br /><br />Getting dirty with paints with simple arts as well as doing dance and songs with parents motivate them and encourage them to miggle well with the other kids. <br /><br />I like this ideal.!!