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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Toddler arts/music activities - please help me choose

14 replies

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 06/04/2009 19:41

I work part-time and have Monday as my day off. I would like to take her to something "organised" on a Monday - because she's an only child I think it would be good for her to see and get to know the same other children each week. (We have local playgroups dh takes her to during the week and swimming at a weekend but they're a bit free-for-all so no consistency in the lo's who go). Also if I'm going to pay for a class I'd like it to be something that's going to help her developmentally.

Anyway, my choices are -

Gymboree Arts

Talkfirst Baby Signing

Jo Jingles

Does anybody have any experience as to which groups are best for development? DD isn't talking yet but is very expressive - we do a little bit of signing but not much - and she does enjoy music (loves action songs and dancing around). Some of the local playgroups do arts stuff but we don't do much at home tbh. Any thoughts?

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Original poster

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 06/04/2009 19:42

Sorry, by "her" I mean 18mo dd.

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Original poster

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 07/04/2009 20:12

bump

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Colonelcupcake · 08/04/2009 14:16

Jo Jingles imo expect high levels of compliancy, I was very much frowned upon as my two ds's wouldn't sit when they were meant to and we were encouraged to attend the younger class, the baby class was ok but still encouraged a level of self control to high for my ds's I left after a term

misscreosote · 08/04/2009 14:20

Erm - whatever she would enjoy the most? (and you, more importantly) IMHO that's the most important thing 'developmentally', as if they aren't enjoying it, they'll get nothing out of it and you'll hate it too.

ohdearwhatamess · 08/04/2009 14:37

I wouldn't give two hoots about which was developmentally best (and I don't think you can rank them in that way), but would think about which (if any) she would enjoy.

I've found these sort of groups didn't suit ds1 (or me) at all. We've done a music class (local variant on Jo Jingles) and and art class, and both were incredibly stressful. We left the music one after one term because ds1 couldn't sit still for 45 minutes and this was very much frowned upon. Did the art class for 2 terms, hoping he'd eventually start liking it, but he never did.
In my experience you don't really get to know other children or their mothers at these sort of groups. They're more a case of turn up, do improving activity, leave again.

Sorry, that all sounds very negative.

dontbitemytoes · 08/04/2009 18:26

i loved baby signing! lots of singing, dancing and playing at my sessions

acebaby · 08/04/2009 19:01

I was also going to suggest sing and sign (probably 'advanced' class for a mobile 18month old). I went for two terms with DS1, and we both had a lovely time. The children were allowed to wonder round and play with toys. They all loved the 'jessie cat' bit (when the cat comes out to say hello), and choosing a toy from a bag to sing about. Also, unlike at many classes, you stay back for about 20 minutes at the end and let the children play. It did give us a chance to meet other parents.

Also mumbaba is fun (everyone running around and singing and dancing). You pay per session for that.

Original poster

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 09/04/2009 20:50

Must admit I don't fancy something where dd would be required to behave - she's too nosy and would want to investigate what everybody else was doing or go and say hello to other parents - there's no way I could get her to sit and do what she was supposed to. Maybe I should ring each one and see what their reaction is at the prospect of having a disruptive influence .

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Original poster

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 09/04/2009 20:52

Can't find any mumbaba groups north of Birmingham (I'm in Manchester).

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dinkystinky · 09/04/2009 20:55

DS1 has been doing gymboree since he was 4 months old (now nearly 3) and he loves it. It became better when he hit 18 months as he was walking and could explore all the activities better - there is some imaginative play in all of the sessions and some singing, bubble popping etc. You can call up and do a free trial session to see if she likes it. It is expensive (works out at about £10 a session) but if you miss one, you can always do a make up session on another day during the term and also get to use the play areas on open gym days. DS1 will stop going when he starts pre-school in September and will miss it hugely I'm sure - I'm looking forward to sending DS2 (now 8 weeks) there once he starts crawling though...

blametheparents · 09/04/2009 21:08

My DD goes to Jo Jingles (and has done since he was abou 8 months) and loves it.
Their main rule is that children do not run around with the instruments, which is pretty fair as far as I am concerned. DD soon worked out that I would take the instrument away if she ran off with it, she had a couple of tantrums, but soon got over it!

Original poster

WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes · 09/04/2009 21:15

Blimey - £10 per session? I hadn't realised it was that much. How much is Jo Jingles?

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blametheparents · 09/04/2009 21:22

Our Jo Jingles is £4.80 per 45 minute session.

extremelychocolateymilkroll · 09/04/2009 23:09

Talking Tots is great. Don't know if they have classes near you but it's 30 minutes of dancing, being read stories, "throwing" ball to one another. Dd is 19 months and loves it. It's great for encouraging listening, taking turns and general communication skills. Classes are £7 per class in London - they last for about 30 minutes and there are a maximum of 12 in a group.

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