Does anyone do Jo Jingles/ Didi Dance/ Tumbletots - any good?

[TheCountessOlenska]

I could do with something else to do with DD aged 2 - I did baby Tumbletots with her when she was a baby and wasn't that impressed really (not for the price).

We already do all the free things in my area but I'm a bit limited as I don't have a car, I could get to any of the above 3 on foot.

Thanks!

Like you I thought Tumbletots was over priced for what it was. I haven't done the other two so can't help you there.

Not very helpful am I?

I've just discovered that a local gymnastics place does pre-school sessions. Is there anything like that you could walk to?

Thanks anyway Gargula

Yes will have a look for other local things - have seen a pre-school ballet class which I am tempted by but it is £££ and you have to buy all the kit too

All this is to give me something to do really - DD is quite happy staying at home

Jo Jingles was great for both my two, I did it with both from about 6m - school, and they both really enjoyed it. I had to keep swapping venues to fit in with nursery/ school pickups, but it was worth it. Both keen singers and musicians now ( may be innate, but JJ definitely helped musical confidence.

woops, missed ) at end of post, sorry

We have enjoyed both Jo Jingles and Tumbletots.

Both pricey so didn't do them both at the same time.

Currently DS2 is doing tumbletots which he loves but he is a climber. He use to run around a lot at Jo so we stopped that. It tended to be all the girls that were really into Jo if that helps!

Don't know if you could get to one but I think Waterbabies is worth the £££. DS didn't really like swimming as a tiny but LOVES it now (18mo) and I put down to swimming in a lovely warm hydro pool and the confidence building activities at WB.

Oh, scratch that. I forgot you can only start WB before they are 12mo (because of the reflex to hold their breath wearing off or something).

Out of the 3, I found Didi Dance the best

My 2 year old DS loves Jo Jingles but the guy who leads our sessions is very lively which helps. I've been to another 1 which wasn't so good so gues it depends on the person leading it! What about seeing if they will give you an introductory session before you sign up and see which you like best?

Mine loved Tumbletots but that was very much down to the no-nonsense leader and her team, and it really did help with dcs co-ordination and ability to follow instructions. Also a good place to go and get active during a cold/wet winter. I dipped into JoJingles but dcs supremely disinterested.

To a major degree, I do think it's down to the people who run it.

££wise Diddidance was cheaper (could also pay per class rather than termly) Music with Mummy despite the name is great and comparable money wise.

I've tried tumbletots and Monkey music and something else that had an annual joining fee and I think the extra £££ on top tempered my enjoyment somewhat

Did Jojingles with DS from 3 months - 6 months (we moved house) so a bit younger than your DC but it was very good. I've just started doing Pre-School Music Association (PRESMA) classes and they are very good and cheaper than JoJingles. Might be worth seeing if there are any classes in your area??

Puddle ducks v good cheaper than water babies but taught lots and can join at any age. Friend stopped and did cheaper ones at leisure centre but came back as said got what paid for so better 'value' overall

Thanks all!

We already do swimming. I think I will try the free trials of Jo Jingles and Didi Dance and see which she likes - and which is cheaper!!

Sounds great - and I'm all for cheaper!! :-)

Why not ask for a free trial at Tumble Tots in the 2-3 yrs age group - its very different from GymBabes (baby Tumble Tots) - all 3 of mine have been including DD3 who is currently 2.5 yrs. Its more structured - mini-circuits set to stories, with songs at the beginning and end. I personally look forward to the co-ordination section. Tumble Tots has definitely helped with playground ability and confidence. It does depend on what your child likes starting from around this stage, I agree. x

I really agree that it's the leader that makes these things and one branch of a franchise can differ vastly from another. I didn't like Jo jingles, but it was clear that the leader was into music but not babies. You need to love your activity and children to make it work and so often the latter is what's missing. It's why dd didn't like ballet.

I don't know why but I really took against tumbletots! When they told me it would do this and that for child, when the child is naturally learning all that anyway at home or anywhere, I didn't like the way it was sold, ie if she doesn't do it - she may not develop. I thought it was very pricey and some of my toddler groups i found, had alot of the same equipment.
There was alot of much cheaper stuff I missed out on when DD was younger that I just didn't discover, like a fab music thing all mums have raved about and its pay as you go. Also of course lots of toddler groups around, again sometimes hard to track down.

My DS -2- goes to Jo Jingles with his CM - he loves it -and I think its not to expensive - I have to say he also loves the very cheap toddler groups he goes to just a much so if you don't go to any do try and track some down -

I didn't like Jo Jingles. I sat there feeling a complete idiot singing badly whilst my DD around the room periodically changing her hat etc. She wasn't that into it and I was glad to stop.

My DDs started ballet at 2 1/2. The first class we went to was awful as it was very strict and the children were expected to stand in lines etc at 2. My DD lasted one lesson. Instead, I put her into another dance school where they don't really do the more formal ballet until 4/5. At 2 it was a lot of prancing around pretending to be fairies and the like whilst learning a bit of skipping at the same time. The class for that was £3 for half an hour.

Then I did gymnastics. Didn't bother with tumble tots because of the age thing, so i just signed my DD up for a preschool class at the local gym club. Both girls loved it and still go, and I have made several good friends with the mothers of some of the other children. Would definitely recommend doing it via a proper gym as my DDs have found that to be their best hobby.