At Giggles and Mess, every child has room to belong

Three women, Sueveena Shalni, Kaminee Mahalingam, and Nuha Damanhoori Hilal, are the founders of Giggles and Mess, a playgroup in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. The playgroup aims to bring together neurodivergent and neurotypical children for a safe and fun environment where they can learn to understand and appreciate each other.

Each session, held once a month on Saturdays at various locations across the Klang Valley, lasts for one and a half to two hours and consists of two or three activities, such as storytelling, arts and crafts, or sensory play. The teachers emphasize the importance of letting children play together without labels, explaining their conditions in a gentle manner.

Kaminee recalls a touching incident where a neurotypical child wanted to know why a child with non-verbal autism was different. The trio's sessions feature a different theme each time, such as "Winter Wonderland" or "Walking in the Jungle," and usually include a goodie bag for the children to take home.

The playgroup welcomes children aged three to nine years old, including those with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments. Activities during the sessions help children learn and practice skills like listening, communicating, following instructions, and problem-solving. The trio also organizes hands-on workshops, where children have made things like fruit juice, milkshakes, and pasta from scratch.

As the children grow more comfortable in the group, the teachers hope that this will contribute to a more inclusive community. Giggles and Mess has a presence on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, and more information can be obtained through their Instagram messages or a phone call to 019-505 1125.