Playgroup began in 2008 with eight families. I was contacted by the local child care centre who had the families using the centre while they attended English classes. We invited the families (who arrived in their traditional dress) to an open morning with our room set up for playgroup. We had an interpreter present and provided fruit and slices for the families.
The following week the families arrived again. With not a lot of English among the group there was a lot of smiles, head nodding and hand gestures. Two dads come on a regular basis and asked for a guitar; they now involve the children in a music session.
Most of the mums participate in the activities themselves and get a lot of laughs from doing hand prints or making fish. A lot of learning takes place during storytime as parents listen intently and practice the English words they hear. We use lots of books about our native animals and our fruit and vegetables and again it is a joy to watch the parents learning alongside their children.
The family centre where we operate has received a grant to build a vegetable garden for the families to plant out and maintain. We have spent several weeks deciding which vegetables to plant alongside all the chillies they requested!
Our group is growing in size and with four of our mums pregnant again there is no shortage of children to come along.
Working with these families, who have faced so many challenges in their lifetime, is a real joy and privilege. We look forward to continuing to work with this community and assisting them in their transition to life in Australia.
Sue Ellis
Supported Playgroup Officer
Family Services
City of Greater Geelong
Source: Playgrouper, February 2009. Published by Playgroup Victoria.