Settlement Guide: Why playgroups are good for children and parents

Playgroups are amazing for children.

Mothers and children at play Source: AAP

They can have fun, make friends and develop social and language skills. But parents can get a lot from them too, especially if they're new to Australia. No matter the background or culture of a family, playgroups are known to have a positive impact on children. Carley Jones is Executive Officer at Playgroup South Australia, where she runs playgroups for culturally and linguistically diverse families and families newly arrived in Australia. "So our latest research project shows that children gain skills in term of socialisation. Their holistic development is affected, they have an opportunity to play with different toys, different challenges, to learn social norms and how to operate in a group environment. But also, you know, have role models off the other children and learn some language skills as well."