How Do We Build Early Social Skills? The Role of Mum and Baby Play Groups
They’re not just for the little ones, they’re for the adults too!
There’s something truly special about those early years with your little one, when everything is new, exciting and sometimes a little overwhelming too. Between the sleepless nights, feeding schedules and countless nappy changes, it’s easy to forget how much both you and your baby crave connection. That’s where mum and baby play groups come in, the perfect space to slow down, connect and grow together.
The first few years of a child’s life are a special, magical time when everything is new and exciting. Though, we won’t sit here and say it isn’t, at times, overwhelming as well! Between sleepless nights, strict feeding and sleeping routes and countless nappy changes, it’s easy to forget that both you and your baby crave and need connection with people! That’s where mum and baby play groups come in, they are a communal sharing of space and time where you can slow down, connect and grow together while you’re all in the same boat!
What is a Mum and Baby Play Group?
A mum and baby group come in many forms, but for the most part they remain the same at the core. They provide a relaxed, welcoming environment where parents and their babies or toddlers come together to play, explore and make connections with others! They are designed to encourage holistic learning through sensory play, gentle music and movement and group interaction.
Some classes have more structure than others, but for the most part, they are simply opportunities for your baby to discover the world through play while you meet other parents who are on the same exciting path as you!
At Kid’s Island Nursery, we know that the parent is their child’s primary teacher and are the most important connection of all. Our approach of learning through play carries through into our Stay & Play group, introducing the concept of learning with the whole child’s interests in mind. We know how important that first step can be, which is why we look forward to every new connection!
Why Does Dubai Need More Mum and Baby Groups?
Life in Dubai is full of opportunities and excitement, while at the same time being incredibly busy and fast-paced. People come here from all over the world to start a new life, and doing that during your early parenting months can be a real challenge. To avoid that isolation, play groups can be the perfect opportunity to slow down and simple be with your child; enjoy the quality time together in a supportive atmosphere without having to rush on to the next thing.
For many families, these groups can be a life-line for making new friends and becoming part of a community! They are a safe place where you can swap stories, share tips, laugh (or cry) about the sleepless nights and get that much needed reminder that you are not alone.
The Social Benefits for Both Children and Parents
Social skills might seem a little advance for your little one who can’t walk or talk yet, but children’s social and emotional learning begins in utero! By attending mum and baby groups, your child learns from an early age to observe, listen and eventually play with other children. Simple activities like sharing the same sensory tray, watching another child take a turn on the Pikler triangle or even singing along in a song together help your little ones to practice important skills…all while having fun!
It’s not just your child that benefits, but the mums (and dads) do too. These groups can be a wonderful way to meet like-minded parents who are seeking connections, just like you, and you could end up with a life-long friend at the end of it all. These support networks in a place like Dubai are the key to long-term happiness in such a bustling city. Social skills might seem a little advance for your little one who can’t walk or talk yet, but children’s social and emotional learning begins in utero! By attending mum and baby groups, your child learns from an early age to observe, listen and eventually play with other children. Simple activities like sharing the same sensory tray, watching another child take a turn on the Pikler triangle or even singing along in a song together help your little ones to practice important skills…all while having fun!
It’s not just your child that benefits, but the mums (and dads) do too. These groups can be a wonderful way to meet like-minded parents who are seeking connections, just like you and you could end up with a life long friend at the end of it all. These support networks in a place like Dubai are the key to long-term happiness in such a bustling city.
Stay and Play: A Gentle Start to Nursery Life
Some nurseries, like our own, offer Stay & Play sessions. It’s a lovely way for families to ease into nursery life together, utilizing these sessions to explore the nursery environment while still having their parent nearby for comfort and that all-important confidence. It’s a gentle introduction that helps reduce anxiety later on in the settling in process, as children begin to associate nursery with all the fun they have had in their play sessions.
At Kid’s Island, our Stay & Play sessions are designed to spark those first moments of curiosity and build a network of trust. They are open to the community and not just our enrolled parents because sometimes it’s just the first step that people need, or there’s other factors that mean they can’t enrol with us officially. It’s a wonderful way to prepare yourself, and your child, for the exciting step towards nursery education!
A Community That Grows Together
Parenting can sometimes feel like a solo adventure or a partner balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Mum and baby play groups remind us that we are all learning together; parents, children and communities alike, in the same way and at the same pace. They nurture early social kills, but also confidence, empathy and sense of belonging!
We are so proud to offer a group that fosters that journey for so many families, helping them to find connection, joy in the little moments and create a support network in those early years. So, whether you’re looking to meet other parents, introduce your child to the world of friendship or just enjoy a peaceful morning of play with your little one, a mum and baby group may be exactly what you need!
Because when we grow together, we grow strong!
Get in touch to book a tour of our nursery school, or book a stay-and-play nursery school session to see how your child experiences the nursery school. Or get in touch with Kid’s Island Nursery School, Dubai for any other questions you might have.