Apart from having parents that work, one of the most common reasons people decide to send their child to childcare is to help them develop socialization skills.

And it makes sense. Kids are happiest when they are playing with other kids. But children develop at different stages, and while some might be sociable as an infant, others might not be ready to play with others until the age of three or four.

Likewise, not all children settle into childcare easily.

So if you want to help your child learn to enjoy the company of others, but don’t think they are ready for childcare, there are a number of activities that you can do that don’t involve daycare.

Check out your local Maternal and Child Health Centre for information about playgroups in your area. While some groups will be organised by the council, other parent groups may also be advertised here, including father’s groups, foreign language playgroups and groups for kids with disabilities.

Check out your local library for story time sessions for toddlers. This is a great opportunity to get your child engaging with others in a comfortable setting, with mum or dad close at hand. Structured play like kindergym, swimming lessons and music lessons will help get you and your toddler out of the house and meeting new faces.  But perhaps the best way to socialize your child is to invite other parents and children over to your house to play.

Of course for many parents, “socialization” of their toddlers goes hand in hand with making new friends themselves. The connections parents forge in their child’s early years are a valuable way to share stories and experiences and get advice and support about parenting.

What’s more, giving your child lots of experiences in the security of your company, will help their social and mental development, and ensure they are ready to transition to childcare faster.