To think that I can go to this baby class?

[Gerbera55]

Background info:
A friend and I are both teachers so have an understanding of how language development works and how important it is. I am a mum to a 12 week old.
My council have released information about a language development focus baby class they are going to run at a local children’s centre. They haven’t announced cost yet, but based on other classes I have seen, it will likely be free or very low cost.
I saw my friend today and she asked about any classes I have been doing with baby. I told her about the baby massage and sensory classes I have been doing. I mentioned the language development class to her and she told me she thinks I shouldn’t go because I know how to support my baby’s language development, so I should leave the spaces for mums from low income families who can’t afford classes or for those parents who need support with language development.
In one sense I can see where she’s coming from, but equally my maternity pay won’t stretch to the more expensive classes for much longer and also I want to do as much as possible to support my child’s language development, especially with them being August born.

AIBU?

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

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!

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.

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!

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

But equally, there might not be and as others have said, it will be a use it or lose it scenario!

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

I’m sure it would be advertised as that if it was the case.

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!

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.

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.

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.

If your child is behind with language development then you can go. Have you had training in baby and toddler language development?

I do think it’s for children who need it though. Parents who have English as an additional language might need the support more than you if spaces are limited.

I look at things like this more as a use it or lose it kind of thing.

If classes are oversubscribed then they will keep running them and run more of the same if the demand is there. If people stay away because they think they're taking a place from someone else then the provision eventually stops.

I’m not sure it was the middle classes taking up the spaces of the lower income parents, more the centres didn’t appeal to the lower income parents so they didn’t attend (in general).

You should go to all the council run activities they are great! Baby massage is good for your baby age. However the children’s center language groups are often targeted to specific kids or families so double check that. If they’re open to all then do go!

What nonsense. It’s good for low income families to mingle with the more privileged educated professional families.

I agree

You should definitely go if you want to and if there’s space. These things are not normally oversubscribed. Enjoy your mat leave!

I am as expert as it gets on child development, but I loved baby classes on my mat leave, being in the moment and thinking about what they’re discussing with your own child in mind is totally different. And lots of these classes have a focus of some sort but the main goal in them is to build parents confidence, get them meeting each other and reducing their risk of postnatal depression etc

This is absolutely correct

Op, on a side note, if you’re looking to improve your babies language development the best things you can do are: no screens (them or you using phone wherever possible!) talking and interacting back and forth and chattering about what you and baby are doing and what you can see etc all day long, and BABY SIGNING - if sing and sign or makaton is on offer do this, so much research evidence for its benefits and it helps them communicate early

Definitely go to the class! My local council has a family centre in almost every town, not all in the deprived areas.

The only things all the mothers had in common at these groups was that they were able to take maternity leave- so could be on a very low wage/unemployed so might as well take as much time as possible, have savings, lower mortgage/rent or a job where it’s easier to go back no matter how much maternity leave.

Also, this group will most likely be first-time mothers with babies close in age to yours. Therefore you’ll be able to make more friends potentially. Mothers with other children would have to go to play groups or paid groups aimed at them.

I found that lots of the paid classes like Baby Sensory and Hartbeeps really packed in the activities so there was less time for socialising. And, playgroups are chaotic to go with a little baby.

Also, I’m a professional with a similar pay and education to teaching, as is my husband. I live in a working class area and our salaries combined are nothing special. There are lots of tradesmen, people in the military, people with no qualifications who have worked their way up in companies who earn way more than us. Often the male partner will be earning well and the female partner might work in a minimum wage job but have a Range Rover.

I disagree. I think having people from all walks of life at these groups is great for everyone.

Note that quite often the sharp elbowed middle class have paid a lot in tax etc, and should get to participate in this sort of thing too.

A teacher is not a particularly well paid job these days