How to Socialize Your Toddler

As children develop a growing sense of the world around them, it is important to socialize them with other toddlers. They are taking in everything around them. Like little sponges, they soak up everything. Just as they learn the proper manners for the dinner table by eating dinner with a family, they learn the way to treat others by socializing with their peers. This happens somewhat naturally for children who go to daycare or preschool, but even if you are a stay at home mom, there are many ways that you can provide opportunities for your toddler to socialize and learn to play well with others.

Playgroups

Joining a playgroup is a great way to help your toddler build social skills. There are all kinds of playgroups out there, with all kinds of different focuses. Meetup.com allows you to search for "moms" groups or "playgroups" in your area. There are "Hip Mama" groups that offer a variety of activities, from playgroups to activities just for moms.

I have been involved in a Hip Mama Meetup group for about a year and a half and the benefits have been innumerable. Some months, there is something on the calendar everything single day. It doesn't mean that I have to go to everything, but it gives me some great options of variety for our schedule. My 2-year-old son gets excited about seeing his friends. He has learned what it is like to truly care about people outside of his family.

There are also other ways to find playgroups. You can try the MOMS Club or just do a Google search for toddler groups in your area.

Benefits of Playgroups:

- Long-term friends can be made, both for mom and for kids.

- Schedules often include lots of activities with variety and flexibility in scheduling

- Activities are often free or very cheap.

Downsides of Playgroups:

- Lack of structure sometimes leads to flakiness.

- Fights or arguments do sometimes happen.

- Children in your local playgroups may not be in the same exact age range as your child.

Classes

There are lots of companies that offer structured classes for children, most of which are divided by the age of the children. A variety of toddler classes are available. Your toddler can take everything from gymnastics, to music, to sports-type classes, to classes that are really just structured play. Your local parks and recreation department may offer classes, and this is usually the cheapest route to go. Some government organizations for early childhood education sponsor free or very cheap classes as well. In California, these are found through First 5. Other options include Gymboree, which offers classes for children from 0-5 years old, divided into 7 different levels to ensure that activities are age-appropriate. Some of the toddler level classes include music, art, yoga, and fitness. MyGym also offers classes for toddlers, as well as classes for older kids. All of the toddler classes at MyGym include parent participation and are focused on fitness. The facilities are usually very fun and colorful.

Benefits of Toddler Classes:

- Structured schedule means no wasted time.

- Structured lessons help prepare toddlers for school.

- You can choose from a wide variety of classes, usually taught by specialists.

Downsides of Toddler Classes:

- Places like MyGym and Gymboree cost a lot of money.

- The families that participate can vary from session to session.

- Classes are usually a once a week thing.

Part-Time Preschool

Probably the best way to socialize your toddler is in a preschool setting. Some schools start accepting children at 18 months. If you work full-time, there are many great preschools out there where the full-time routine and age-appropriate lessons will be a great substitute to your personal attention. However, if you do not work, this does not necessarily mean that your toddler cannot go to preschool. Many preschools have part-time rates that are very affordable. You can send your child for half days, just in the mornings, a few days a week, usually for a pretty decent price. If you are looking to be very involved in your child's schooling, you may want to look for a preschool co-op, where parents are encouraged (or even expected) to help several hours a month.

Benefits of Preschool:

- Structured routine is great for children this age.

- Your child will get used to seeing the same kids on a daily basis.

- Most preschools have playground equipment designed specifically for toddlers.

Downsides of Preschool:

- It is harder to make friends with parents because you are less involved.

- Good schools can be costly.

- Many of the good schools fill up with full-time students.