Baby gym/Baby music classes ...What do YOU think about them?

[Plonker]

Please give me your HONEST opinion on the following ...

1. Structured baby gym/tumble tots type class. Do you think that:

a) They enhance development in babies and children

b) They're fun to do but don't particularly enhance development

c) They're ok, but not for me

d) They're a total waste of money

_______________________

1. Structured music class/jo jingles type class.

Do you think that:

a) They enhance development in babies and children

b) They're fun to do but don't particularly enhance development

c) They're ok, but not for me

d) They're a total waste of money

_______________________

1. Do you think that children who don't attend the above are somehow missing out?

________________________

[stealthsquiggle]

..oh and both are heavily subsidised by nursery/associated government grants, so they cost me about £1 each - If I were paying 'full' price I would possibly still do tumble tots because she does love it so much, but not the music class.

[Sorrento]

Ah not upset but I feel generally that expecting toddlers to sit still and follow instructions at 18 months to 2 years and then being made to feel your child is "wrong" if they don't is too much to inflict on you and the child.
I guess for some children they are great and others not, mine fell into the not catergory which doesn't mean they are destined to fail at music or dance or gym.
I just think going back in time I wish i'd paced myself more and spent more days chillin in the garden than wasting money on structured activities.

[EldonAve]

1 d
2 b
3 no

[Gateau]

I have not taken DS (23 months) to any structured activities/classes. I think they're all a pile of overhyped, commercialised, contrived nonsense.
DH and I were just remarking on this the other day when DS was struggling up a climbing frame in an adventure playground at the weekend:
Why, oh why, do people pay to take their LOs to the likes of Tumbletots to be restricted and regimented indoors when they can play freely and have far more adventures in the great outdoors?

[francagoestohollywood]

b)
c)
no!

I took dd to some kind of tumble tot thingy when we lived in the UK, mainly because the weather was to shite for me to take her to the park.

[francagoestohollywood]

too

[Gateau]

Justification tow people I know use for forking out to send their toddlers to classes:
Socatots: "It teaches my son how to kick a ball."

Tumbletots: "It teaches my daughter how to go up and down stairs."

[TotalChaos]

1 d) and 2 b). Because Ds had language and social skills delays, one of the recommendations was to take him to tumbletots. . can't think of anything worse for a kid with receptive language delay than making them comply with arbitrary instructions they may not understand [hmmm]. By the time I tried TT, DS language had improved, but still found it dire. Too much pointless regimentation, not enough time for physical exercise/exploration.

[mrsbabookaloo]

1. a to a certain extent, not massively
   
2. a to a certain extent, not massively
   
3. No, depends what else you are doing with them.
   
   If you do a lot or even a bit of physical activity and singing songs at home and with friends and other kids, then your child is not missing out if you don't go.
   
   I've done a structured music class, with my 2 year old, but it was on the unstructured end of the scale, kids joined in or didn't and it was no big deal, just lots of noise and fun.
   
   I take dd to a tiny gym which she loves and is great exercise, but it's completely unstructured, it's just a room with a load od equipment for them to rampage about on. She has developed some physical confidence from this, I am sure, in climbling, balancing and jumping off things.
   
   The worst thing about structured classes and especially music classes is that you have to commit for a whole term, there are very few drop in ones. In London it' £6-7 for a class which may only be half an hour! Big rip-off.

[mrsbabookaloo]

I do think that any kind of structured class for the under ones is a complete waste of time and money though.

[trubytrio]

Shame this thread quite old now and all the hullabaloo calmed down because i'd like to add.....
1 a.
2 a.
3 NO of course they're not missing out if they don't do them, kids advance wonderfully with the love, care and attention parent(s) should give them and that's free.
But does that mean you shouldn't do one?... Of course not. We take our 2 pre schoolers to Jo Jingles and Socatots in Bath. We don't care if they're not the next x-craptor winner or ronal-fallover-o. Point is,we all (other parents included) have fun, the kids love it (and the women who run them) too. There is a structure (a message, if you will)but it's not a bad one. Enjoy it, if you want, if not.....no drama!

[Portofino]

Haven't read all the thread,but I think classes for babies are a complete waste of money, UNLESS Mum gets something out of going. If the parent enjoys it, can afford it, and gets something from the socialising, hey why not. Just don't kid yourself it's doing great things for the baby.