NEW parents are learning valuable parenting skills, making new friends and getting expert advice at Kingston Council’s Smalltalk Supported Playgroups.
Seven groups meet across the city each week to help families and new arrivals develop parenting skills and confidence.
Carrum group member young mum Corissa had just moved to the area when she heard about the Smalltalk Supported playgroup and took her three-year-old Madison along.
“Madison absolutely loves going to play group to see her new friends and I’ve made some great long-lasting friends there too,” Corissa said.
“The sessions are delivered in a fun and friendly way, all of the children join in plus it gives us mums a chance to catch up. The educational aspects of the sessions are most important to me, the information we are given is really helpful, especially as I’m new to the area and wasn’t familiar with local immunisation or dental health services.”
Families taking part in a Smalltalk Supported Playgroup have access to free playgroups delivered by a trained early childhood professional. They receive tips and strategies to support their child’s learning and language development and interact with others in fun and engaging activities.
The playgroups are also a good way to meet other families with young children who live in the local area, and receive access to one-on-one support through optional home coaching visits for eligible families.
The groups are open to eligible families with a child aged up to four who is accompanied by a parent, grandparent or carer.
The Smalltalk Supported Playgroups also work closely with other services on special projects, including free dental health checks from Central Bayside Community Health Service, and promoting Healthy Eating through a range of activities, including a puppet show and Healthy Eating Plate project.
Kingston Smalltalk playgroup sessions are held in Carrum, Chelsea Heights, Edithvale, Clarinda, Clayton South and Cheltenham.
Smalltalk Supported Playgroups are free of charge to eligible families. See kingston.vic.gov.au or call Kingston Council on 9581 4863 or email smalltalk@kingston.vic.gov.au for details.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 June 2016