A great way for parents to make the most of spending time with their new child is by attending local baby & toddler groups. This article explains why you should join a toddler group and how to find the best groups near you.
The Benefits of Baby & Toddler Groups
Being a new parent means managing all of your time differently, and prioritising. There’s less time for housework but even more to do, so it’s important to make time for yourself and your baby too. Getting out once a day to a toddler group makes an ideal, low-cost break.
Benefits for You:
• Cheap and Welcoming
Most towns have several groups running on any one weekday. Some are free and others cost around £1. You can attend on a drop-in basis and with a newborn through to a toddler.
• Structure and Routine
Attending a selection of baby groups can provide an essential structure to your days. This can be really helpful in getting used to life with a baby.
• Exercise and Fresh Air
Most groups are a just short walk away, giving you enough daily exercise to make for a healthy habit without overdoing it.
• Social Interactions
It’s a good feeling to have a coffee made for you, and a place to sit and chat while your baby can play. You can choose to make friends with other parents, or to purely have fun with your baby instead.
Benefits for your Baby or Toddler:
• A Happier Alert Baby
A frustrated or crying baby will usually cheer up when they reach a baby group and see the other children, no matter how young they are. There is so much to see and hear at a group that even if your baby only watches, they will go home more contented, and often ready for a nap.
• Confidence and New Skills
Spending time with other children can help a shy baby gain confidence or a toddler share and play with others. It also gives you a safe environment to play and bond with your child, surrounded by lots of different toys.
How to Find Baby & Toddler Groups
There are many ways to find out about your local baby groups, but online message boards are not one of them. Forums online are often full of parents searching for groups but very rarely are answers shared. Also, unless you know where to look online, it is sometimes quicker to ask around.
Finding Toddler Groups Quickly Online
• FindToddlerGroups.co.uk is the first and only UK site exclusively for finding local baby or toddler groups.
• Using a search engine, type in your local churches name and ‘baby group’. Most groups are held in church halls
• Visit your local council’s website and search their site
Best Offline Ways of Finding a Baby Group
• Check local church signs where service times are listed. They usually list any toddler groups and their details on this sign.
• Find out if your local council has a family newsletter containing baby group details
• Word of Mouth: Ask any parents you come across if they can recommend any baby groups
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michelle Crofts is a young mother and university student who works online creating useful websites. She believes that baby and toddler groups can be lifesavers for lonely new parents, yet are often hard to find. She is creating a simple search site for mother and baby groups in the UK at http://www.FindToddlerGroups.co.uk.
