I often get asked about the different classes that we offer. So thought it would be a good idea to put some details here about them. So here goes, I hope I answer some of your questions. But please as always, do get in touch if anything is unclear.
The main thing abut all my classes is that they are limited to small numbers so that you ad your baby feel comfortable and at home. I know myself how daunting it can be to go to a new environment with a young baby - just be reassured a warm welcome awaits you both. And worry not, if your baby sleeps through the whole class, or feeds through the whole class, or even cries (it’s what they do) , I don't even mind if you stand and rock your baby for the whole session. The main thing is - you get out for your own sanity and talk to other mothers. And as most of those who come - make new friends that meet up between classes too!
Baby Development Course - This is a course for babies from birth to 4 months (eve though have had some older) A Strong Foundation for Growth and Development
Tots Play’s Baby Development course is designed especially for our youngest babies, and provides new parents with a range of skills and activity ideas to give your baby a head start in life. Running over six weeks the course includes; ·
-Baby Massage – a simple routine to help you calm, connect and communicate with your baby. Includes specific strokes to help relieve colic and digestive problems.
· Baby Yoga – stretches, poses and movements to both stimulate and soothe baby, and a great way to have fun together.
· Baby Sign Language – how to start using signs to aid communication with your baby.
· Effective Ways To Use Songs and Rhymes – introducing the benefits of music and movement.
· Play Activities to Boost Sensory and Body Awareness – using a variety of everyday items to aid learning.
· Tummy Time Techniques – why tummy time is important and how to make it more effective and fun.
· Cuddles, Smiles, Bubbles and Lots of Fun!
Classes run for around 50 minutes and are friendly and relaxed, with a maximum of ten babies (plus mum or dad!) per course. To ensure you get the most out of the course you will receive a full colour workbook, giving details of all the techniques and activity ideas covered at each session, plus background information on each of the topics.
You will also receive a Free Music Download containing a selection of the songs used during the course and a bottle of massage oil so that you can practice both massage and yoga at home with your little one, and get other family members involved.
The course is also a great way to meet other mums and babies, and sets the foundation for the ongoing Tots Play Baby and Toddler Play Programme.
For more on this course please visit http://www.totsplay.co.uk/baby-development-course
Discovery Tots - a more structured session for babies 2 months to active crawling
“For Babies who Love to Learn using their Whole Body and all their Senses” For a fun, interactive play session that you and your baby will both enjoy come and join us at Discovery Tots. Here, we introduce a whole range of activities and techniques to help you and your baby get more out of your play times in ways that are not only beneficial for baby’s development, but also lots of fun.
The programme recognises that babies learn with their whole body and all their senses, and each 40 minute class is filled with lots of different experiences to stimulate, delight and encourage development in a relaxed, loving and fun environment. Even at such a young age a structured playtime, which the classes provide, helps a child to feel secure, giving the confidence to explore, learn and grow, making development more rapid and learning more fun. It is also a great place to start building social skills, first by watching and later through interaction with the other babies. Through the classes babies will develop and improve; Body awareness and gross motor skills. The functions of the brain through a wide range of stimulus for all the senses. Social awareness through the group environment. Communication skills through the use of sign language, songs and rhymes Bonding between parent and child. Plus you will be introduced to simple songs and activities that can be carried on at home to continue the learning and development process.
Each class consists of a number of activities including:
Baby Yoga, Movement and Music Combining stretches, postures and movement to provide stimulation for baby’s body and mind, yoga based movement is a great way to connect and have fun together. Nursery rhymes and simple action songs help to add to the enjoyment and further stimulate the senses. Music also helps to introduce rhythm and rhyme to your baby, an important part of speech development.
Multi Sensory Play Watch your baby’s delight as we play with a wide variety of fun objects, from ribbons to rice, lights to lemons, bubbles to beach balls and lots more, allowing your baby to use all his or her senses to explore the world.
Baby Sign Language Babies have the desire to communicate with you long before they develop the ability to speak, and learning to use sign language is one way in which they can let you know what is on their mind from just a few months old. We will introduce a few simple signs which you and your baby can use to communicate with each other.
Wind Down Time Lullaby massage and the wonder of bubbles help you and your baby to relax as we bring the class to a close.
Each week brings something new, while including elements that are repeated, which your baby will come to recognise and respond to. A whole world of love, laughter and learning. Come and join us at Discovery Tots for Physical, Social and Sensory Development Through Play
For more on this class please visit http://www.totsplay.co.uk/discovery-tots.
Social Tots - Crawling to 2 and a half years old.
“Exploring Early Movement and loving Social Interaction” If this describes your little one then bring them along to the fun-filled world of Social Tots. Once your little one is sitting confidently or just on the move they will want to explore, make friends, and play, play, play! At Social Tots they will find all this and more. With a range of activities on offer at each session, classes help build sensory awareness, encourage movement and build physical and cognitive skills. Each child’s personality is encouraged to shine through, as we bring out their love of play and exploration in ways which will stimulate the development of little bodies and minds. During the 40 minute weekly class, crawlers, early walkers and toddlers will benefit from a structured, but fast paced play environment which builds confidence and concentration, while still allowing plenty of opportunity for them to develop their own creativity, independence and early social skills.
What's in a Class Classes include: Movement Activities At Social Tots our developmental movement activities continue to be insired by yoga, but adapted for older babies and toddlers, who will now being able to do some of the movements independently. Benefits of the more dynamic stretches, postures and actions include building strength, co-ordination and gross motor skills as well as providing stimulation for your child's senses and whole body.
Circle Time Simple structured activities and songs, including parachute games and bubbles to encourage interaction with other children, explore different concepts, develop early social skills – and to have fun!
Multi Sensory Play and Exploration Social Tots love to explore the wide range of sensory play items we bring along each week, and as tunnels, hoops, balls and all sorts of other play equipment are introduced, they get to practise their physical and creative skills too.
Baby Sign Language Using songs, rhymes and instruments, we learn and practice simple signs and gestures that will help give your baby the means to communicate before and as language emerges. Come and join us at Social Tots for Physical, Social and Creative Development Through Play.
For more on this class please visit http://www.totsplay.co.uk/social-tots
Hope this helps.
Hope to see you all very soon!
Angharad
****For my Discovery Tots and Social Tots Classes I offer 3 weeks trial for £15. With the Babdy Developmet Course - as it is a six week course I canot offer a trial - but cant recommend this course enough.
Education A regular class is a great way to spend focused time playing together, learning new things and enjoying each other’s company. A Music Class? Massage?
