To think that I can go to this baby class?

Go for it. These things often lose funding if they don't get enough participants/interest. You are interested and it's offered, so go.

I would recommend you go for the course you might learn something you don't know which your baby can benefit from.
Why should you miss out, why should these oppertunities only be for sahm and people on benefits. You are entitled to attend as any other new parent, grab that oppertunity as once you return to work you won't have a chance to attend these sessions.

Would mums want to go to a class just for deprived babies? I dont think many people view themselves that way.

Personally id support a sliding scale/ means tested fee. So everyone can go and the classes can be funded.

You can’t win OP!! I’m in a highly regarded profession. I did a few courses when on mat leave and there was definitely no ‘middle class divide’ in classes as mentioned earlier in this thread! I benefited just as much as people on lower incomes- It wasn’t a case of I now know all the topics being taught just because I no longer live on a council estate! They were hugely beneficial! You absolutely have the right to attend just as others do. The group of friends I’ve made from a class we attended are completely mixed in terms of wealth and education.

Also completely understand the worry of an August baby! Worried more about my August born since the day he arrived early!

I wonder if this is for those who don't have English as their first language?

We don’t have surestart because of the Tory government, not because of middle class mums.

As a speech and language therapist who supports the running of classes like this; please go if you want to and are able to. They really should be open to anyone who is wanting to explore communicating with their baby!

Pp said a linguistics professor might learn something from a council-run weekly class about child language development. Which they wouldn’t, given they will have studied child language acquisition in great depth. That’s what I was replying to.

If you’re going to comment, at least know what you’re commenting on.

No it’s not. I am sure the class will cover what you can do now (and from what you say actually baby will be 5 months old) to support language development and what you can do as he gets older. First words (which may not be clearly articulated) are only a few months away. There are ways of talking to babies and toddlers that are specially helpful for supporting and encouraging language development. And absolutely you should attend if you want to, not leave it for the ‘less fortunate’. None of us know everything about parenting!

There might be a big long waiting list when classes start.

Well said. I found myself in a very similar situation with my firstborn.

The comment from someone that 'middle class mums' shouldn't go as it'll 'alienate working class mums' is one of the funniest things I've seen on Mumsnet! The notion that middle class mothers are automatically knowledgeable about the topic this class is aimed at, and already will know everything the facilitator might be teaching, and that working class mums will not know any of this, is deeply, DEEPLY classist and offensive. I'd love to know where this comes from, other than a chip on the shoulder of someone who considers themselves working class and resents 'middle class mums'? Or worse, a 'middle class mum' that feels comfortable viewing themselves as superior to working class mums? Neither is a good look!

Go OP, I would. There have been times in my life I've assumed something has very little to teach me, and I've been proven happily wrong. Plus it shows demand, so it'll be more likely to continue running. Anyone who needs more intensive support than this course offers, whose child is experiencing delays, or whose parenting raises concerns, will have more support than a voluntary class available.

These topics really do bring out some deeply weird perspectives.

In my experience, things like that tend to be 'invite only' and you get referred by health professionals if your child is obviously struggling with speech and language.

Do teachers learn about development of babies?

Yes, I'm in that situation also. I wouldn't begrudge a mother and baby a little once weekly group though.

Not all parents do know how or feel comfortable talking to baby. Communication development starts prenatally. I’m not sure I’d LOL at being ignorant.

You’re welcome!

Yeah, welcome to parenting 😂
The judgment never ends, so just make your decisions with the best intentions.

I found having ADHD and just constantly wittering away to my child helps. Only now they constantly witter away too.

Right then. Thank you.

If you were an expert in something, to the point where you’d studied the subject beyond degree level and now taught that subject at degree level, what exactly do you think you might learn at a course covering the fundamentals?

It’s like saying a maths professor might learn something at a class covering basic maths such as percentages, ratios and fractions, ie ridiculous.

They might do?!

The parents it is aimed at won't go. Many of the free activities for children on low incomes don't get much interest from that group so I don't see why you can't go?