Pre School Groups

One of the best thing about becoming a parent through adoption is that you are never really alone. As well as two lovely children, we have also gained new friends and a wonderful support work that we access whenever we need help (much to the envy of some parents we know).

“We have shared the highs, lows and several glasses of wine with the friends we have made through our initial study and whenever we needed professional input Scottish Adoption have been on hand.”

Pre-School Groups

The pre-school toddler groups are a great example of this. These sessions offer a real opportunity for parent and toddler to bond in a safe, dedicated and loving environment. This means laughing together and playing games that are both gentle but stimulating for all participants. Bonding is often an initial “stumbling block” in many adoption placements and these sessions can help promote attachment between child and parent.

The sessions themselves are simple and small (about three or four children with their Mums or Dads and a couple of Scottish Adoption workers to support). We meet, play, sing and have tea and cake and play some more over the course of an hour or two. Of course there is loads of chit-chat and sharing experiences of parenting and adoption, which can be a real relief to talk with people who understand the additional dimension that adoption brings to being a parent.

Games

The games themselves include (my favourite) singing and acting the “Go-so-Fast” song, playing “peek-a-boo”, parent-and-child wrapping each other up in loo roll and then bursting free, drawing pictures, doing body outlines of parent and then drawing outline of child in the parent’s outline (our kids really loved this one), “Find the Cotton Wool Ball”, and many more. All of which help your child to develop and your attachment to grow.

During the group sessions not only did we get time to focus on our children in an appropriate and distraction-free environment (we have two children and finding one-on-one time is very important but quite hard to find – we always go with only one child and one parent), but there are numerous opportunities to network and swap stories with peers in adoption. This can put things in perspective and re-assures us. At the same time our children can play in a way that will reinforce adoption lessons and be creative in an unconditionally loving and familiar environment.

Adoption is a shared adventure for parents and children, and the toddler sessions are a really good way to start out with some fun, play and cake!