Research shows that fathers connecting with other fathers in supportive environments, such as playgroups or social networks, is important for their mental and emotional wellbeing, increases their confidence as parents, and can support their children’s development.
The Infants’ Home’s free Fathers’, Male Carers’ and Children’s Playgroup is for children aged birth to school age, and their fathers, male carers, or other father-figures. It is held every second Saturday, 9:00am to 11:00am, at The Infants’ Home in Ashfield.
This is a supported playgroup, meaning that it is run by qualified early childhood educators who plan quality play-based learning experiences for children. They can provide fathers and other male carers with information about their child’s learning, development and wellbeing, and can help them to access other services and programs in the community
Children’s parents or carers stay at the playgroup to supervise their child as they take part in playgroup activities. While the children come together to play and have fun with other children, their parents and carers have opportunities to connect and socialise with each other. The playgroup is also a great environment where dads and male carers can play with their children in a relaxed, safe and welcoming setting that has been specifically set up to engage children’s interests and support their developing skills.
Benefits of the Fathers’, Male Carers’ and Children’s Playgroup
For fathers and male carers:
- Opportunities to share their experiences, challenges and emotions with others, and build a sense of community
- Reduced stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation
- Increased parenting confidence and opportunities to learn new parenting ideas and skills from other parents and the playgroup facilitator
- Increased understanding of their child’s learning, development and wellbeing
- Opportunities to build their bond with their child through active engagement in their child’s play and learning.
For children:
- Opportunities to participate in play-based learning experiences and to socialise with other children
- Improved bond with their father or male carer through co-participation in learning and social activities
- Opportunities to observe and learn from and model their father or male carer’s positive interactions with other adults in a social setting.
What Playgroup Participants Say:
“It is a safe and joyous place to come.”
“A great place to come and hang out with my children and meet with other dads and share our experiences.”
The Infants’ Home’s Fathers’, Male Carers’ and Children’s Playgroup helps foster strong emotional ties among male parents and carers, enhances father-child relationships, and contributes to the wellbeing of both fathers and their children.
Contact us
Contact us on 02 9799 4844, email mail@theinfantshome.org.au or visit our Playgroups page on our website here.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at childrensservices@theinfantshome.org.au
We thank the Holman Barnes Group for their kind support of this valuable program.