//Programs // Accomplished // Playgroups

The Playgroup Programme is the Comenius Foundation’s innovative effort to introduce in Poland a new type of education service to help mothers of young children to develop and to stimulate the development of their children. Playgroups – or regular meetings of mothers with children – provide opportunities for women to improve their organisational and social skills while simultaneously creating a conducive environment for the all-round development of their children. In the European Union, playgroups are a very popular form of  family support.

→    This is a pilot project involving 10 Playgroups for about 80 mothers and 80 children aged 0-5 years.
→    The Playgroups meet twice a week for three or four hours.
→    The programme is implemented in six location in various parts of Poland.

What are Playgroups?

The first playgroups were created in Britain 40 years ago by parents and other local community members. At present some 20,000 playgroups are in operation in Britain.

Playgroups operate in different ways. Sometimes it is parents who plan and conduct activities, and from time to time they invite teachers, psychologists or speech therapists. In other cases, activities are provided by qualified pre-school teachers, while parents watch and learn new methods and types of play.
 
Playgroups are not expensive. They can be organised everywhere, provided that the site is safe, e.g. a parent’s house, a community centre, a parish room, NGO premises, an arts centre or a library.


Partners: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Institute for Young Children in Poznań; “Dorośli Dzieciom” [Adults for Children] Association in Sępólno Krajeńskie; “Edukacja Inaczej” [Education with a Difference] Association in Aptynty; Friends of Jastków Society; Żyrzyn Municipal Office; ”Klub Otwartych Serc” [Open Hearts Club] Integration Association in Wieruszów.

Media patron: Dziecko monthly