Classes for babies...

Nicole - posted on 02/01/2010

It's a great idea! I take my 13 month old daughter to a place called the Little Gym. They do all kinds of activities. It is kind of expensive but totally worth it. I am a stay at home mom also and I felt that she needed to socialize with other kids her own age and have some time when she can be independent from me.

Lisa - posted on 02/01/2010

That all sounds fantastic Darylann!! Enjoy!!

Darylann - posted on 01/31/2010

So, I have joined a Mommy-Baby class, and attended for the first time a few days ago. There were about 8 other babies, all around my son's age, and he loved it. I am taking him tomorrow morning to a gymnastics club where they offer free tumble time for babies 18 months and younger. My only concern about this is cleanliness (of mats, etc.) so I will see how it goes and then decide if we will be attending on a weekly basis or not. The library in our town offers baby story time as well, and it is free so that's a plus, we will be doing that as well! I found a swimming class as well, but that doesn't start until March...I am looking forward to it though! As for baby sign language class, I plan on looking into that a little bit more, but whether or not I decide to join, I will be teaching my son signs. Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

Lisa - posted on 01/28/2010

I also took my son (and now my daughter too) to Music Together class. He's been going for 3 years now and it's been great! Also, I think the library is an AWESOME place to take your child! It's FREE (always a bonus!) and you can join a weekly Storyhour... meet other mom's and give your child a chance to socialize. If your immediate local library doesn't offer one, look into the next town over. I also agree, sign language has been very helpful in our house! I never did a class, just taught some words i learned in a book, but a class would be great!

Theresa - posted on 01/28/2010

I didn't take my daughter to classes, but I have a book on sign language. I taught her just a few signs (milk, please, more and I love you). I have noticed while she'll try to say other words, if I ask her to say anytjhing she's learned a sign for she won't even try to say it, just sign it. She's 16 mos. I'm expecting again, and will still use those basics with this baby, but I won't get any more involved in it because I don't want every word to just be a sign. From what I read in the book babies who use sign on average will speak more words by age two than those who didn't. So I'm not saying that signing is bad, I just will only do a few words. That's just my experience.

Michael - posted on 01/28/2010

i have not tryed but both sound great i have a best friend that takes her 5 mo to parent baby classes and she and baby love them,that could b one of the best things that u could do to get u and baby happy and keep ur mind and body at ease! have a great day!

Renae - posted on 01/28/2010

Darylann, is there a playgroup in your area? My playgroup is fantastic, but we were really lucky to get a great group of mums in our group. Most of us were in various professions and all left work to be SAHMs, so we have a lot in common. Our suburb is very big and goes from one extreme to the other in terms of the types of people that live around here so I was hesitant as to who I would end up in a group with, but it turns out I was very lucky. Our playgroup/mums group is my saviour! We have all become friends and it makes such a difference to life with a baby.

Darylann - posted on 01/28/2010

Thank you all for all the great ideas! The thought of a swimming class didn't even cross my mind, but I will definitely be looking into that, as well as story time at our local library, and mommy and me yoga. Wow, how did I not think of these things on my own?! Thanks again!!! :]]]

Good Day! - posted on 01/27/2010

I agree with Heather about Music Together. Its amazing. Its not something that you *need* (as someone mentioned) but I can tell that my daughter is every engaged and is learning. I'm so not musical so this class helps us learn together...lol.

Julie - posted on 01/27/2010

We did Mommy and infant yoga, Music Together and my favorite, swim classes. The swimming was the most active and usually led to a nice long nap! Check your local YMCA or park district for classes that start with 6 month olds

Erika - posted on 01/27/2010

I tried Mommy & Me Yoga with my son. I absolutely loved it. I also tried baby sign language with my son. I didn't really care for it, but I think I just didn't like this particular class. I recently signed him up for another class, it's called My Buddy & Me. We go once a week for an hour and a half. We both really enjoy it. He's learning how to interact with his peers and I'm meeting Moms along the way. Mommy and Me classes are great!

Hope this helps a bit.

Erika
http://www.4MyFamilyandMe.com

Bethany - posted on 01/27/2010

You hit the nail on the head there. Classes for babies are really classes for Mummies. A child won't miss out on any developmental opportunities if his Mummy plays with him and speaks with him and involves him in everything she's doing.



Classes with other babies and Mummies are good for the baby because it is good for the Mummy. They give Mummy ideas, and give her a break from her workplace, which makes her a nicer, more sane person.



I do find it difficult, though, to base new friendships purely on the fact we've all given birth. I find after the first few meetings, that I really don't have alot in common with alot of people.



Around here, there are alot of ignorant, lazy, poorly educated people, and I find it a real challenge to find people with whom I have more than childbirth in common, so I still end up doing things with just Charlotte and me.



We are learning baby sign, but not through a group. We go to the shops, and to the library, and to the park and the pool. It's a bit lonely sometimes, but now that she is starting to communicate more effectively, it's great. I have my proper, firm friends, but they all live a bit of a drive away. I get together with my friend who has a baby around Charlotte's age about once a week, which is always nice.



I'm thinking of enrolling her in a baby swim class with her Daddy, to give him more time with her, and give me a morning to myself once a week. Our library had a Baby Rhyme Time month last year, but I could have done better myself, it was pretty useless.

Heather - posted on 01/27/2010

We attend a local Music Together class each week. Excellent program!! (You can see if there's a class in your area by checking the web site.) I also take our daughter to swim lessons each week. It's a good bonding time, and they're not afraid of water at this age. There are several places in our area that offer swim lessons for baby, but this one is a heated indoor pool. Also, Little Gym has classes for mommy and baby. You can usually try a class for free. (Again, go online to search for a local class.) Several of our libraries have "lap time" during the week too where they do stories, songs, etc.

Renae - posted on 01/27/2010

We go to baby gymbaroo, which is like movement and play to music. Probably a similar sort of thing. We also do baby swimming lessons and play group every week. Both are excellent fun and a great way to hang out with other mums.

Kaye - posted on 01/27/2010

I took my son to music glass, tumbling, swimming and story time (free at most local libraries) starting when he was 6 months old or so. I loved it and so did he. Eventually, he would outgrow certain activities, then we'd try something else. At story time, we did do some sign language and I practiced it quite a bit at home. I now also use some sign language with my 13 month old daughter. It's very effective in getting them to communicate with out squealing or crying or screaming. They can "ask" if they want something. It's great. Good luck. I live in Germany now and have not been able to find anything of this nature for my daughter. I use to live in Colorado and there were TONS of great things to do with my first baby, I miss it and would partake in a lot of it, if I were given the chance here in Germany.