Would anyone recommend (or not) Gymboree sessions for toddlers?...

[jumbly]

DS is nearly 14 months. I've a trial session booked but I was wondering if anyone has any particularly positive or negative experience of Gymboree for children of this age? The cost seems quite steep but in principle the sessions - and the option to pop in during the week as well - look good. Any thoughts gratefully received!

Hi Jumbly, I've not used Gymboree but go to Tumble Tots which I think is essentially the same! My ds loves it and it has done wonders for his coordination and confidence - so much so that he now climbs the big slides etc in the park!

I would at least go for the trial session and see what you think, I think you can usually tell from that whether or not its good. Just remember that ds might be a bit unsure at first and not do so much and he might also get very tired afterwards but this passes as they go more and get used to it.

hth

oh yes ds loved it at this age and it wore him out for nap time!!

Hi,

DS1 loved it at that age! We went to the music and the general play sessions.

I'd definitely recommend you at least go to a trial session, see what he thinks!

I've got as trial session on Monday for my 13 month old!

When's yours?

this afternoon...i'll let you know how it goes...

That would be good

dh went to these with dd1. i thought they were expensive and faintly ridiculous.

ridiculous 'cause they're trying to be too educative for their own good? or just 'cause of the way they're run?

age group/type of activity was just wrong for the children, so that parents ended up doing all the singing/encouraging completely disinterested toddlers to do what the teacher wanted them to do.

BOOndle, do you think that was because it was poorly targeted and run? I've found when things are aimed at the wrong age then it never works!

difficult to say, but we didn't go back. have had really good experiences before/since then with music groups, ballet, tap etc. personally I don't really like all the corporate nonsense too.

Jumbly, I've done Gymboree and Tumble Tots and they're not the same but I would recommend them both.

Gymboree is maddening cos they have their litle songs that they have to sing (as in normal nursery rhymes that have been doctored to contain the word Gymboree) but that's as bad as it gets.

I did Gymboree for a year and a half with my daughters (then our local one closed for a time so we had to stop. They loved it, I loved seeing them develop and (now that our local Gymboree has reopened) I will definately be attendeing with my wee one to be as soon as she's near to one (I think they get the most out of it then given that it's quite an expensive activity).

DD also did Tumble Tots and Gymboree. I thought Gymboree was much better than TT, not sure why but it did just should seem nicer, the staff more experienced and the equipment better. DD liked the fact that the parachute was a weekly thing, not once in a while like at TT. However it was more expensive.

As well as the classes you also get drop in times where you can go in - at no further cost - to sue the equipment.

DD did Gymboree from about 18 months and loved it. We mainly did the Play sessions, and she would join in, have fun, loved the singing and circle time, the parachute and the music. We also had a go at the music sessions which she also enjoyed a lot.

Yes, it has Gymboree linked songs, etc. but didn't make any difference to DD's enjoyment!

Was definitely worht it for DD. Depends on time of child yours is I guess though. DD loved joining in and getting involved, and was really good at following what the instructors said, and doing things at the times stated (like circle time etc).

I meant the linked songs drove me mad, the girls LOVED it!

ah. I guess i'll see it in action later.... ta

hmmm, well, I've been and seen... and, yes, the songs are shockingly banal and corporate....but I guess more irritating to us rather than the littl'uns. till they grow up into "gymbo"-monsters, of course.... The set-up and equipment seemed well thought-out and in good nick and the organisers seemed to have their heads screwed on...Unless DS gets hooked, i can't see any harm in giving it a try for a month of sessions and seeing how it goes, how consistently good (or not) it is.... I'm imagining the drop-in sessions might be a boon with winter weather coming on....thanks everyone. Just trying to get my head around the kind of things that are out there and what's worthwhile and what isn't for children so young, when they're pretty much up for free play all of the time...

Have tried Tumble Tots a few times and each time it was terrible - filthy equipment, rather boring and not much fun for kiddies.

Have also done Gymboree - yes lots of "gymboree" in pracically every song - but children really are engaged and absolutely loving it. Plus equipment is lovely, clean (a nice change) and most importantly, the children adore it and really seem to get a lot from the activities.

I used to be one of those "I hate barney" mums too. But then I realised that my children loved barney, so I got over it.

Same with Gymboree. I used to think it was OTT, then saw the excitement and sparkle in my DD's face and got over it. In fact, I began singing along and guess what, she loved it even more!

I highly recommend the lightening up strategy ... life gets a lot more fun.

Went to the 930am class last saturday (November 2013) with our 16 month boy - they had forgotten to turn the heating on, it was freezing over night - just 3 degrees. My sons hands and feet were freezing after the class, is this responsible ? It was not the first time it had happened this year I was told.

It was also a bit dull as there was only 1 other person in the class.

Will not be going back