What would you like to do today?

[Jenie]

Ok I'm due to start up a mother and toddler group in my local area and I have no real ideas of what to do with the parents and the children. So what would you like to do at a mother and toddler group?

We'll be doing singing in a circle for sure but that's it.

All ideas would be appreciated.

How about having clothes swap or toys swap days? When mums bring in clothes they have grown out of or toys they don't like or use and swap them with other mums.

A painting and arts section for the toddlers to get messy and express their creative side?

cd that's a brilliant idea re swapping stuff. I would also say I like the chance to do something arty with ds, cutting and sticking and paints and crayons - it's not always easy to do that at home, setting stuff up and cleaning afterwards, not to mention protecting the furniture. Perhaps you could have a couple easels set up with paper and paints and lots of kitchen roll. Then ask mums to bring in old mags and cereal packets and foil and keep a big box for people to help themselves and make masterpieces.

ooops, posts crossed, handlemecarefully!

I'll be doing painting and crafts but what to paint? Should I just leave it at blank paper or put shapes on the paper, if shapes then what?

I'm starting to think that I've perhaps taken on more than I'd bargined for.

The clotes swap is a great idea, especially if none of us charge for the things.

Ah well Wilbur,

At least Jenie will see what a fantastically popular suggestion this would be

Jenie,

You could provide blank paper - or you could get pictures for them to colour in. Don't agonise too much, it will work itself out. You could charge a small fee to cover materials etc - my local group charges £1.50 per session.

Don't be put off from organising this - it doesn't need to be that much work, and once you are established other mums will chip in and help with suggestions about how to keep the toddlers occupied.

Toddlers seem to stimulate each other when thrown into a room with each other - so I don't know that you need to go overboard in making the group too focussed on structured activities.

Good luck with it all!

My toddler just loves running and jumping with other toddlers so perhaps you could have a big pile of cushions just in case? When you get funds, IKEA does a 5 foot square blow up floor cushion and cover - it's excellent!! Agree about toy and clothes swap - what a good idea. Perhaps a good way to look at is is to think what you do NOT want your toddler to do at home - like water play, anything that can stain carpets etc. Good luck - I'm sure you'll be fine!

It's quite nice to have a 'reading' time in the middle - all sit round in a circle, you read a story, while they have a drink and a biscuit.

I didn't realy want to charge very much, about 50p this should cover drinks, biscuites and things to do. I've been given the location free so I need not worry about that as an expence.

I guess that I feel bad for having left it so long befor organising anything to do and I only have a few days left to get everything in place....... arghh

Jenie, I reckon one of the main points of M&T is for mothers to meet other mothers and toddlers to meet other toddlers so I wouldn't worry overly about the activities you arrange. I'd think if there were a few toys to play with and some colouring stuff laid out then that'll occupy the toddlers while the mothers get a chance to have a coffee and chat. That's what I'd have liked anyway when ds was smaller. The mothers who don't want to chat can always get involved with the activities/colouring.

Ours has a beatician in sometimes and she does facials etc
Photographer too

WE have a free play time at the end when the hall is empty and we are going to get ribbons on sticks and foam balls to supplement the well worn parachute

agree re story time with Dinosaur although I (as the only one who will do singing) get well hacked off with mothers who yak all the way through the songs...

Our M&T is very laided back and relaxed a chance for mum/dads to feel and be normal (to talk to adults) and a cance for the kids to mix with others.

The organiser gets differnt toys out each week
i.e little people one week soft play the week -it depends on the diffrent age groups she trys to cater for all.
The main part is the space not all children have space to run about at home especially now winter is comming and they can't get out as much.

With regards to crafts try and differ it each week but keep it simple kids just love getting messy (plasterseen -water paints) and parents love it cause theres no mess at home for them.

But most of all relax you'll be surprised how quick it goes.

Our group cost £1.00 half goes to towards tea coffe juice biscuit etc the other half towards new toys and crafts.

Best of luck let us know how u get on.

If you go to the bbc cbeebies site you can print off pictures of tv characters (brum, tweeinies etc) for colouring in - you could just set up a colouring in corner and leave those that want to colour to get on with it while the others run around/play on larger toys. Maybe every so often you could do something a bit more adventurous which would require supervision - my ds loves it when they stick things on paper at playgroup (cut out bits of the Argos catalogue are very popular - decorated with glitter pens). I agree with the others who have said don't make it too structured - a nice short singing/story session during juice time is probably enough to tax their concentration. Good luck!

Thank you all for your input, if anyone else has anything to add I'd appreciate it. I'll let you know tomorrow what I've planned for the first group and hope that it will be a success.

Haven't had chance to update you on what I decided to do...... sticking on paper plates (as I have plenty) perhaps tissue paper but certainly stickers and straws for sticks so maybe masks for the more adventurous

Also have arranged for a toy swap for January when the parents can get rid of those unwanted xmas presents

Will also have a selection of toys on floor for parents who don't want to do sticking (also for the children)

Thank's again all of you and sorry it took so long to get back to you.