Hi Kals,

Wanted to ask u 1 ques, how did u form a play group?Meaning how it was initiated?Is this group solely ur friends or ppl living in your apts?
Coz i want Kaustubh to interact with other kids, so trying to get him into gymboree.But classes for that is only 2ice a week, so for the other days i want something in my apts.
I havent met anyone here in my apts , so i know it is going to be even more difficult.So maybe some of your ideas can be useful to me.

thanks
sumana

Thanks kals for the reply.Since the start of spring i am talking Kaustubh out for walks in the eve.He surely does enjoy that....we dont have a playground in our complex.
I feel Sas shld really enjoy ur play groups...it sounds real fun.
Thanks again kals.

take care
sumana

Hi sumana,

Our playgroup was started like 3 years back.I moved to this place when sas was 1 month old and iam taking her to the play group from the age of 4 months.So she does all the actions for the songs we sing.Its really a good idea to start one.
I am one of the organisers of this playgroup and i am ready to give u tips.First of all take ur son to the play ground in ur appt if u have one.Or else take him out for walk in the evening .U will definetly see some moms arround as its summer now.Then u can talk to them and if the srength of kids is less than 4-5 then u can make it like a play date.U can take turns to conduct the play date.as we have more than 25 kids in our appt we conduct it in the social room of the appt.The management asked us to use it for free (they use this play group as a marketing thing to the people who come in for asking house).So we conduct it every mon and friday frm 10-12.The schedule for the play group is as follows.

10-10:30 is circle time where we moms sit with the kids in a circle and sing all the rhymes with actions.First we sing a song to welcome all kids.By this everyone knows others name.Then each kid will get a turn and we sing the song what he wants to sing.
10:30-10:45 is snack time.where we make the kids only to sit in a circle and give them wipes and then give some snacks in the bowl and make them eat.It is done to make them learn how to eat and share(each mom gets turn to bring snack for the playgroup).
10:45-11:15 its the art and craft time where we do some art and craft work.Like painting,doing projects,oatmeal(we have a big box of oat meal and some cups and spoons.Kids play with it as they play in the sand in a beach),playdough etc etc
11:15-11:45 its the stand up songs time.where u stand in a circle and sing songs and dance and then play other games like choo choo train,flying like an airplane,running race,simon says,duck goose game,parachute,blowing bubbles etc.
11:45-12 story time.where one mom will read few stories to the kids or do a puppet show etc.By this time mom and kids will become tired.We interact with the kids in each activity.Once all are done with playing we ask kids to clean the area and put the toys in the basket and for that we sing a clean up song.Then again while they wipe their hands we sing song for that.so we have one song for every thing they do.Like if we do a plane in art and craft time we sing a plane song to them.We allow only 5 -6 kids for art and craft at a time as its easy to manage them when there are few.Others will be playing with the toys which some people donated to us.
After 12 we just sing few good bye songs and then say good bye to them.

So my idea is just go for walking arround ur appt.U will get more friends and u and ur son will have real fun once u start a play date or the play group.I also do play date with some of my close tamil friends in my appt.We are 4 of us.So on wed we take turns like this week my houes next week urs and we follow the same schedule of the play group like circle time etc etc.
We also have a play group yahoogroup and we share recipes and other imp info mom should know.
Its real fun and as we will be moving to our new house this year end iam worried that iam going to miss it.But still planning to come weekly once and join in the fun.We also celebrate all festivals in the playgroup.Like for halloween we dress the kids and then we make halloween projects for art and craft etc etc.We are getting ready for the mothers day.So try to start one and i can guide u if u want.okay sumana i have to go and cook.take care and all the best.If u have any ques feel free to ask.Take care.
love from
kals

Thanks Kals for the tips and recipes.It seems very yummy.
Kaustubh is suffering from cold and cough past 3 weeks....its off and on,started him on antiboitics couple of days back.So his appetite is absolutely nil...with great difficulty am able to give him milk, for anyother food he just cries and cries but wont have it.
so after he recovers i will try this recipes and see how he likes it.

love to sas
take care
sumana

hi guys

Check the following website
Looks like a yummy and healthy recipe for kids.....

The colors look so vibrant that they will have no choice but to eat

U could also make with carrot I suppose with the same recipe and make it tri colored


http:slash slash www dot massala dot com slash breads hyphen durangi dot htm