Anybody NOT join any paying playgroups and doing great?

[somebodyfamous]

My mum tells me when I was a baby, there was no such a thing as playgroups and i turned out fine! hahahaha

however i can see the appeal of them but in our case with twins, it's double the cost as well as double the hassle of getting from A to B and back again.

Any advice or general thoughts?

 

[hkaussie]

We won't be paying for anything before compulsory school! In my own opinion, those things are OPTIONAL and not necessary. If you want to go to an expensive playgroup or centre to do something different with your child, to get out of the house, meet other Mums and watch your kids have fun with new toys and equipment etc, then that's great, you'll enjoy it.

But if you keep your child home they are not going to be disadvantaged, (based on my studies into child development for a Masters.. and common sense!). Education in Hong Kong is a money making extravaganza!

There is plenty you can do to stimulate your children's imagination at home and to meet up with other Mums and toddlers casually.

Somehow I don't think Einstein and Galileo went to playgroups. I even suspect they never watched Baby Einstein DVDs! They turned out ok.

 

[fee]

I agree!!! HK is one great money making babysitting service. In saying that our mums didn't have as much need for things like playgroups because they had back yards and neighbours with kids. If you are up for some social time for yourself and your child/children why not just invite some friends/neighbours over for a coffee or take your kids to the local playground.

 

[bekyboo44]

I have to agree with the other posts. I recently took my son to a few trial lessons at paying playgroups in HK and I was not impressed! The resources weren't great, the teachers weren't great and everything we did I have already done or can do with him at home!
I was more interested in going to let my son socialise with other babies but have learnt you don't need to go to paying playgrps to do that- just head down to the playground, or the swimming pool, or meet up with friends with babies, or people from geobaby!
The paying playgrps are overpriced and not worth it!

 

[somebodyfamous]

phew! And I thought I was being cheap! Yes meeting up with others is easily done! Thanks for everyone's opinions!

 

[LittlePumpkins]

Hahaha...they didn't just turn out ok, but brilliant...LoL...:banana:

 

[carmenwong]

LOL, totally agree with hkaussie! :agree:

 

[Linda&Hanley]

But when it comes to learning a second/third language to which the home environment doesn't provide exposure, playgroup could be an easy way out.

Linda

 

[cemily]

depends how old your child is.
playgroups for 3 yo+ on music, art, language, gymnastics are great and can be good value for money.

rgds

e

 

[somebodyfamous]

I get confused, isn't there pre-school at 3+ to go to? Our babies are only 7 months old but I feel the pressure to pay for them to attend something! hahahaha