Smaller families and parents with lesser time on hand means children have to head to activity centres for their dose of play, observes RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA 

MAKING THE MOST OF IT Puppetry hour or a story telling session, children are just lapping up the attention given

Most couples will agree that anything can be child’s play except for parenting. Given today’s hectic life, it is quite a task for parents to line up activities that ensure children are engaged in occupations that stimulate both mental and physical growth.

Earlier these activities would be simple and implemented largely in homes or in schools. Today one finds that an increasing number of activity centres are coming up in cities, a trend that may not be new, but is steadily emerging as the need of the hour.

Recognising the need for children to spend time outside schools and home at a place where they can learn and have fun, a good number of centres have sprung up in the city.

It could be a beginner’s clay modelling session or a puppetry hour or even a story telling session — children are just lapping up the attention given, with specific pastimes that revolve around them. It is not just out-and-out children’s centres that believe in organising activities. Even well-known bookstores are conducting such activities for them.

Smitha Kamath, a working professional and parent of 11-year-old Shraddha says: “Initially we sent Shraddha to Hippocampus, a children’s activity centre, so that she can have easy accessibility to a large number of books but now the centre gives her the experience of more than just books. Whether it was joining gardening or the cooking club at the centre, each of these activities have been a bonus, and in a way, enriched her.”

Heena Vinchhi, mother of nine-year-old Aryamaan and four-year-old Agasthya, (both regulars at a child activity centre) says: “Activity spaces for children make a lot of difference. For one thing, the amount of books they get to read is enormous. Even if families are financially well off, it is quite impractical to have the kind and the number of books that these centres have.” Even if children are exposed to activities like story telling or drawing at home, meeting children their age (who aren’t from the neighbourhood or school) makes a huge difference to their personality, she adds.

Perhaps in the age of nuclear family set-ups in cities, dedicated child activity centres or books stores with a children’s hour give the space, and quality time that children and parents need to spend together.

A point that is stressed by Amit Roy, Operations Head, Oxford Book Store, Airport Road. “Gone are the days when grandmothers would narrate stories and plan stuff for children to do at home. Today parents who are working in high pressure jobs would like to unwind over the weekends at a mall or a space where children would also have something to occupy them. In our store we have a children’s hour every Sunday.”

Leaving a child at a safe place while you get that extra time on hand is also one of the reasons cited by some parents for sending children to specific centres. Others believe that their children get to interact with other likeminded children; which perhaps may not be the case if they interact only with youngsters in the neighbourhood.

According to Anupama S. of Hippocampus, “Parents are free for an hour or two while children are having fun, and so it is a win-win situation.

We don’t necessarily stress on education over here. The idea though is to sensitise children to things around them and let them have fun.”

Pointing out her reason to start Kiara Activity centre, Wendy Dickson says: “We wanted to start a space where children would spend their time creatively and have scope to express their individuality.

“Right from our story club that motivates children to read books to the busy bee club or children’s choir, we believe our activities enhance a child’s personality.”

Hassan, Manager of Crossword bookstore, says: “Our team co-ordinates with a group of teachers who specialise in various activities for children. Whether it is a card-making session or a puppetry hour, parents are quite keen to know what activities we have for children.”

Though one cannot deny that these sessions may translate into bigger business for book stores or children activity centres, yet parents and children seem to benefit from it too.