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Baby gym/Baby music classes ...What do YOU think about them?

37 replies

Plonker · 13/03/2009 09:44

Please give me your HONEST opinion on the following ...

  1. Structured baby gym/tumble tots type class. Do you think that:


a) They enhance development in babies and children

b) They're fun to do but don't particularly enhance development

c) They're ok, but not for me

d) They're a total waste of money

_______________________

  1. Structured music class/jo jingles type class.

Do you think that:

a) They enhance development in babies and children

b) They're fun to do but don't particularly enhance development

c) They're ok, but not for me

d) They're a total waste of money

_______________________

  1. Do you think that children who don't attend the above are somehow missing out?


________________________
OP posts:
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Plonker · 13/03/2009 09:57

This isn't a survey btw, I'm just trying to gauge people's opinions without putting my own opinion in the question first iykwim ...

OP posts:
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theowlwhowasafraidofthedark · 13/03/2009 09:59

1(b)
2(b)
3 no

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nickytwotimes · 13/03/2009 10:00

1 They're a total waste of money
2 They're a total waste of money
3 NO!

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MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 13/03/2009 10:56

Um I have a bit mixed feelings. I think I would probably say b, b and No, but I do think that singing and music is really good for kids so think it would be good to take them to something like this IF they don't get any other opportunities at home/toddler groups/nursery.

We used to go to a really good music group, it wasn't that expensive, DS loved it and I really miss it but now it clashes with work

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Habbibu · 13/03/2009 11:00

Not sure what you mean by structured - dd (2) goes to a gym class, but although there's advice and help on hand should we want it, we're mostly left to our own devices. So it's good fun, and I have noticed dd develop in confidence with things like climbing, jumping etc. Would this have developed in its own time? Probably, so for me b with a bit of a!

And ours is quite cheap!

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heather1980 · 13/03/2009 23:41

dd aged 2 goes to a music group, not jojingles, run by a local lady and she loves it, they do singing, dancing and sign language. she had met lots of little friends there.

we just started baby ballet too, we have only been to 1 so far but she seemed to enjoy herself.
i think they can have a place but we also go to the library, the park and the local duck pond.

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diedandgonetodevon · 13/03/2009 23:42
  1. B
  2. B
  3. Yes but only because they are fun
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Pruners · 13/03/2009 23:43

Message withdrawn

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NotAnOtter · 13/03/2009 23:50

a no
b but are they fun for babies?
c yes
4 yes

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elkiedee · 14/03/2009 00:03

a, a and not necessarily. What I mean by that is that they can enhance development but the same sort of development can also be enhanced by other things. I paid for swimming lessons for ds1, and also took him to a baby massage class, and may well do both again with ds2 in the next few months, but structured groups including playing in the swimming pool, music and other activities are also available in my area for free to parents, funded through our local children's centres. I live on the poorer side of a London borough with a very pronounced east/west divide, which is an advantage in the sense that our council provides lots of the free stuff on this side of the borough whereas Monkey Music and the expensive things are all in the more affluent western bit.

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BlueJellie · 14/03/2009 07:05

all these classes are available for free by me? therefore can't say a waste of money! I think they are more for the parents than the babies but for free so why not?!

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littleducks · 14/03/2009 07:45

I think they do enhance development somewhat but are far from ncessary, i took ds to music 'classes' (half hour singing bit of action songs to a woman playing a guitar and some playing kids instruments) from a few weeks old

at about 8 months he got hold of a drum and banged it brilliantly with two drumsticks one in each hand in turn, obviously he had absorbed something!

but he only went so much because i was taking my toddler dd, im ure he would have learnt to bang a drum just fine later as dd did!

dd goes to tumble tots and has learnt to do forward rolls from quite young

however im not mad enough to see drum playing or forward rolls as essential life skills!

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SueW · 14/03/2009 09:45

They are fun to do but IMO/E better if there is free time to allow the mums/dads to chat to each other. I did Gymboree with DD when we were in the US when she was 9mo and it was a fantastic way to meet other families. Mostly because it started with a facilitated chat session then free play where you could continue chat, then a parachute session and song.

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thirdname · 14/03/2009 09:50

I think it also depends on what age you maaen, 1 month or 3 years...(ok, not really classified as baby I suppose)

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frazzledgirl · 14/03/2009 20:01

DS is 19 months and we do a semi-structured class - start off with a couple of songs and a ball game or something (which he mostly ignores in favour of running round and round and ROUND), then they get out loads of soft play equipment and let the kids riot for half an hour.

He absolutely loves it - we don't have room for big toys like that at home - and I do think it's teaching him something about climbing, jumping, etc. Not to mention sharing...

Mind you, we mostly do it because it's fun.

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Portofino · 14/03/2009 20:18

My dd (just 5) has been doing Little Gym for the last 6 months or so. She loves it and does get a real sense of achievement out learning new things. I can imagine that aged 3 + they get something from this. Younger than that though....? Probably not much. It's great for you though if it's achance to mix with other mums and the kids enjoy it.

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dinkystinky · 14/03/2009 20:51

When they're little, B B and probably on the whole no (though that said my DS1 has been doing very unstructured type music classes - think kiddie chaos with intruments for the kids while a guy plays songs the parents and kids sing to - for the past 2 years and loves it and as a result of it has a massive sense of confidence as a result I think in new situations with new kids around). When they're older, I think kids do much more out of structured gym type classes.

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BlueberryPancake · 14/03/2009 20:59

Tumbletot type : I don't like them because too structured. We go for some soft play areas, there's one at local gym, they just climb/slide/jump as they please, without someone telling them what to do. I really don't like Tumbletots promo stating that it is a "springboard to developing children skills" that is a very big promise which is not possible to prove and is rubbish, I think.

With DS1, who was a very shy little toddler, we went to a music/signing/dancing group from 1 yo to 2.5 and I am convinced that it helped him with coming out of his shell. He loved it. But that was free, and with an excellent teacher, and a very friendly group. if you find one of these I think it's great. He has really benefited from it.

Last question: no, but for some children, ikn some families, I think it's a good way fo socialising, meeting friends (for mum and child).

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FeelingLucky · 15/03/2009 10:14

DD (22months) doesn't go to baby gym or anything like that, so can't answer Q1
Though I did notice at the age of 11 months, on the odd occasion we went to soft play, it was the only place where she would stand unaided for ages, so maybe it did help her development?

RE: Structured music class. Depends on how structured. DD and I enjoy the ones where there is a structure, but if DD wants to opt out of that structure and run around in such a way that is not too disruptive, that;s fine. (If too disruptive, I tend to ask DD if she wants to leave and she generally calms down after that).
In general , I'm a fan of music classes as I think it;s important to learn the value of doing something communally, be that sitting in a circle and singing together, or sitting around a table and eating together. It's a real bonus when DD experiences live music as I don;t play a musical instrument myself. What I dislike is the way these classes are promoted - telling us parents that coming to the class enhances development, how classical music, esp. Mozart makes them more intelligent, etc. The implication being that if you can't afford to pay £6 for each class, your child will miss out and be thick

I suppose, yes I do think that a child would miss out if not taken to any music classes, but in the same way that I feel a child would miss out by not being taken to the park, or taken to the library to read a book (which is free!)

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Gateau · 16/03/2009 08:53

1 (d)
2 (d)
3 Not in any way. On the contrary, I think that, particularly in good weather, children miss out by being in these classes and not outside enjoying the fresh air in a non-structured environment.

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Sorrento · 16/03/2009 10:19

Complete waste of money, never again would i put me or my child thorough the "experience"

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Gateau · 16/03/2009 10:25

You seem quite upset by the whole thing, Sorrento?
What happened, if you don't mind elaborating??!

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stealthsquiggle · 16/03/2009 10:27
  1. (b)
  2. (b)
  3. No, not really, as long as they have other chances to see/play with other children. DD (2.5) does both with nursery (so I don't have to do them ). She loves them and clearly learns "stuff" (her forward rolls are fantastic!) but if I were a SAHM I am not convinced I would take her.
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etchasketch · 16/03/2009 10:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Horton · 16/03/2009 10:29

I think classes like this are pretty pointless for children under about two, tbh. At that point they get a lot more sociable and it's good to go somewhere where they can see and talk to other children but personally I'd rather take my daughter to something like a playgroup so she can play with sand and water and different toys and then maybe do a tiny bit of singing at the end. Also, all these classes seem so expensive!

If DD wants to do some kind of dancing or sport or music in the future when a structured activity is a bit easier for her, I'd love her to do anything she likes the idea of. For now we're quite happy with playgroup once a week.

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