“It literally changed my life. 100 per cent it changed my life. I would not be the person I am today without playgroups.”
This is Sarah Neumann, speaking from Kardinia Playgroup in Sebastopol, Ballarat. Her story, like many others, arises from the need to provide opportunities for her children, and in doing so, helped herself by finding a tribe to share parenthood alongside.
Sarah began going to playgroup more and more, inspired by the people that she met and the feeling they gave her. Part of it was the music they shared each week. That led to joy. Part of it was the welcoming nature of others. That brought a sense of belonging. Part of it was the activities and ideas, full of colour and creativity. That made her want to replicate the experience and be part of bringing a vision to life for the families to enjoy.
Soon Sarah became a playgroup helper and now she leads playgroup several times a week. Sarah said she felt her confidence grow.
“I was just a little seed that had potential and playgroup has blossomed that out and it has made me be a much more fun parent, I think. It’s given me ideas, crafts and toys and the way you can use resources.”
Kardinia playgroup thrives off weekly inspiration, in the form of different themes such as pirate week, teddy bears picnic, dinosaur week, musical garden, animals, celebrating different cultures and other such ideas, reminding the parents and carers of their own childhood, and sharing that nostalgia and cheer with their own children and grandchildren. Stories lead to more stories and together they talk, share, sing, play and create new memories.
The playgroup creates space for participants to engage with their own creativity and bring their ideas to light.
The saying that it’s not about the destination but the journey to get there rings true here, as many of the playgroup leaders talk about the joy of the process. They enjoy preparing and setting up the playgroup. They enjoy finding and unpacking the toys. They enjoy making the craft activities. They enjoy welcoming families and asking how they are. They enjoy having a hand in creating a community.
Playgroup Leader Amelia Weir exudes brightness and enthusiasm. You can tell that she enjoys the bringing families together, the uplifting nature of music and the joy of shared connections.
“I love performing, I love singing, I love music so playgroup was a great combination of that and then also my teaching background as well,” said Amelia.
“I am a primary teacher by trade and this was a great chance to share some of my passion and education background, wanting mums to help their child develop but also have fun and meet other parents as well. It’s a good mixture of all those things I just love.”
As soon as the music starts at the beginning of playgroup, the mood is elevated in the room, smiles broaden and everyone can’t help but join in. Such is the power of music and group singing. Much like a full-blown concert for kids, Kardinia Playgroup is fully energised and ready for fun.
It is a mix of old songs and new ones. Baby Shark crosses paths with traditional nursery rhymes.
Amelia has created music playlists on Spotify so that parents can access the familiar tunes at home. This way, there is always learning going on and sharing. The families are developing language skills, building their vocabulary, moving their bodies, expressing emotions, refining motor skills. The songs are familiar. Any barriers parents may be feeling can be lessened through the power of song.
“We use music with our playgroup and are modelling that to parents, so at home they can put on those same songs,” said Amelia.
Maureen Hatcher from Playgroup Victoria joined the session, quickly swept up in the music and amazed at the range of songs and delivery.
“Amelia had the families engaged from the minute they arrived and throughout the substantial, interactive music session. The program is slick and they are fortunate to have an array of incredible resources.”
Amelia said that found playgroup at the time when she most needed it.
“We started playgroup when I was a brand-new Mum myself. Parenting can be really isolating and playgroup was a chance for me to connect with other mums and feel very normal in the struggles I was having but having some time out of the day that was cup-filling, rather than exhausting parenting. It was a time to connect with other mums, have a coffee, the kids could play and we sing and dance together.”
Amelia said she loves the closeness, the silliness and sense of fun the kids bring. She loves when she is performing and feels a little person idle up and ask to sit beside her. She loves how natural the kids are, there, holding her hand, joining in, ready to interact and engage in a positive way.
The other part of playgroup that she loves is that it allows everyone to come as they are, be as they are, keeping real and honest, as life runs its course of feelings and happenings.
“If a kid is having a bad day and they’re screaming, it doesn’t matter, we can still have fun and enjoy. If they’re joining in, or they’re not, that’s okay too. Normalising that we all have ups and downs in our parenting, just like we do in our own emotions, the kids have that too and at playgroup, it is a chance for kids to be themselves and for the parents to be okay with that.”
Sarah Neumann said that Amelia Weir played a big role in creating the space for her to grow. Sarah nominated Amelia as a Playgroup Champion.
“I started writing and started crying. When you sit down and reflect on those things, it’s when you realise just how much someone has impacted you.”
“I came [to playgroup] and I was terrified but Amelia is exactly like she is now- so welcoming and kind. I got sucked into this idea that I could be like that, too.”
Sarah talks about her confidence, how it has grown, how even when you may feel like you’re failing, a little encouragement and support can lift you right up.
“The people who walk in through those doors are so broken by parenting, it’s hard, being a parent to small children. All these parents walking through now have been through Covid.”
“This generation of parents have copped it hard and they are lonely and they are desperate for connection and being able to provide that- it fills my bucket to the top. Tuesday and Fridays are my best days of the week because it’s when I get to come to playgroup and fill the bucket for someone else, which fills my bucket. It’s so good!”
John O'Brien was a single father when he first came to Kardinia Playgroup with his 12-month-old son Josh. Like Sarah, the playgroup had a big impact on his life thereon. In the Village Journal Article, John said:
“Life had thrown me a bit of a curve ball and Kardinia provided me with the community of support I needed.”
“The music program was heaps of fun and great for Josh to develop his social skills. It provided us with great structure to our week and something to look forward to.”
Time rolled on, Josh is 11 years old and John is now a Pastor, as part of the Families and Children’s Ministry.
His colleague Justin talks about how the younger generations invigorate the community group.
“It brings so much life and vitality to our community here in Ballarat. We love the parents coming in and engaging with them and providing community. I think it’s really important, it’s really valuable for the community here in Ballarat, it also brings life to the community of the church as well. It’s amazing.”
Amelia said that being in a church can be quite daunting for some people, wondering what kind of playgroup it is, what we will be about: “For us, it’s about creating an atmosphere that is loving and accepting of everyone.”
Amelia has clearly had a huge impact on the playgroup and yet is quick to reiterate it is about the whole, the many parts that bring any community group together.
“Playgroup is a community and that’s done by a huge group of us. It’s a team. It’s an atmosphere and a culture that we have created where we are here to show love to everyone. We give out meals when we need to, we have a cuddle and a cry when we need to and we support- that’s what playgroup is all about I think, helping people find a community where they can join together and enjoy life.”
Playgroup Victoria CEO Danny Schwarz awarded Amelia with a certificate and a box of toys and crafts to inspire more play. He acknowledged her work, dedication and contribution.
"Amelia brings all of the positive attributes of a Playgroup Leader who understands what children and parents enjoy, sweeping them up in the moment of fun, singing and storytelling.”
“It is Amelia's capacity to create memories, that are filed in the bank of "remember when".
Sarah reflects of her time here and on the growth of her social circle, her strong connection to her kids.
“I’m a better Mum because of playgroup and obviously they are the reason for everything, they’re my reason for living my kids, I love them.”
One attendee with a laugh said that she wanted to have more children so that she could keep coming to playgroup.
Sarah looks around: “This playgroup is just so special.”
“I love that we create this space of safety and support for parents.”
“They are the real reason why I come, because I want other people to be able to grow the way I grew. If everyone has that opportunity, imagine how happy the world would be if we were all supported and loved like that, all the time.”
“Playgroups grew all that, like a garden.”
It was some months ago that Sarah sent in her Playgroup Champion nomination for Amelia. Together, alongside their children, they have grown. They continue to grow as a community and as individuals in ways that they may not even realise right now.
That’s the thing about growth, it happens over time, in small but significant ways.
“It really is a joy to run playgroup,” said Amelia and it is clear she means it.
Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday