I absolutely love Baby classes – no I really do! I’ve been going to so many over the past (nearly!) 8 years that I feel I’ve exhausted them all! However, there always seems to be new classes appearing here and there and I always love to give them a try. A few weeks ago, Baby K and I were invited along to one of our local TOT’s PLAY classes to offer our thoughts and a review. As always, I was super excited to trial a new class and as Baby K is crawling here there and everywhere, its great to get out the house and have a play.
Tots play describe their classes as a “unique, multi activity, development play class’. It is a class that incorporates many activities you may find in individual classes alone, such as singing, signing, musical play and sensory play. Launched in 2009 by Helen Gillies, Tots play was created for this purpose in offering parents the opportunity to experience many different elements within one class. Tots Play offer a varied program of age appropriate classes, parties and play resources for babies and toddlers.
Baby K enjoying the Welcome Song at Tots Play
The class began by parents and their children sitting on the soft mats in a row and singing the ‘Hello song’, welcoming each child individually to the class. We were given little cards with the words on so we could follow along. Some of the children seemed to know the words and were clapping along excited to start the class! We did some dancing and interactive movements with our little ones which they all found fun!
Following on from the Hello and Welcome Song, the class leader then did some sign, singing along to some popular nursery rhymes and some new songs too! The signs were easy to follow along and I know this is a great way for little ones to learn to communicate at an early stage. We then had 10 minutes play with some musical instruments that the children could help themselves too. Baby K was happy as he had the choice of shakers, bells and wooden sticks!
The colourful scarfs came out next and we sang some songs whilst the little ones played with the colourful scarfs. We played peekaboo which Baby K loved! Following on from this, the class leader then set up an area at the back of the room containing lots of safe sensory lighting. All the children seemed eager for this part of the class to begin and once all the items started to come out of the box, the children got stuck in exploring and having a good time!
Baby K explored most of the items and in particular, loved a flashing wand which he just wouldn’t let go of! After 25 minutes, the class finished off with some bubbles and a goodbye from Totsy The Monkey. All the children seemed to love him and they all got lots of kisses!
Overall Baby K had a really fun time and I am only observing as a parent (I am not baby class expert!) but the few improvements above are really just an idea to make the class structure flow better. I felt there was too much time for the sensory play and the children did start to wonder off and lose concentration and interest. I also feel it is important to sit in a circle so the children can all see each other, especially when doing the sign songs. This means that even if they are not watching the class leader or their parent, they’ll easily be able to see other parents sign too. It would have been lovely to have seen more of Totsy the Monkey too and the children seemed to adore him!
If your interested in checking out a local Tots Play class then check out their find a class section on their website.
*This is a collaborative post and I was invited along to trial a Tots play class for free in exchange for this review. All thought and opinions are my own *
Hi and welcome to The Willow Tree. I’m Michelle, also known as Shel and I am a mama to three beautiful crazy kids – I have two handsome boys and a wild and wonderful girl.
I really wanted a concrete place to share my love for travel, in particular Disney and offer my readers a chance to gain some knowledge around what we love to do as a family of 5.
I share our family adventures which include days out, travel advice and tips, holiday reviews, restaurant visits and of course, our love for Disney, including Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World.
Life is about creating memories, and here we are sharing them with you
xoxo
This look like a fab class! I loved doing baby classes with my first and am just starting them with my second in a few weeks and I can’t wait!
It’s great to go and get out the house isn’t it, its just finding a class that works for you and baby
This is a good review. I tried one baby class and just felt like an idiot so never went back!!! There’s a funny review if you want a laugh! http://backwithabump.co.uk/baby/duck-hats-baby-groups/
Thanks! I’ve checked out your review too 🙂
We have been to quite a few baby classes and this sounds like an interesting mix. The closest to this we have been to is Baby Sensory classes, but it sounds like they cram a lot more into each session, it sounds like a Tots Play class would suit quieter babies really well who like to explore at their own pace as Baby Sensory can be quite overwhelming.
I’ve also been to Baby sensory classes too – they’re so full to the brim of play – both my daughter and my youngest son loved it (so did I!)
This looks like a lot of fun, I would have loved something like this near us when my daughter was little. I do like you idea of sitting in a circle though!
Yes me too!
Oh I love baby classes! I miss baby sensory (he is far too old for that now) and our follow on music class has temporarily stopped which is such a shame. This looks like a good one although I do agree that a circle is much better. The babies love watching each other!
They LOVE watching each other its so cute!
I loved the Tots Play programme. I did the baby development programme and then went onto Discovery Tots, Social Tots and later on tried a few sessions of Action Tots. We even had one of their birthday parties for our sons first birthday which was brilliant.Our class leader is AMAZING! She runs a great local facebook group for mums to socialise and knows everything that’s going on locally. We did everything in a circle and there was lots of mixing up activities. It’s definitely worth trying and testing it out. I think sometimes it depends on who runs the classes. It definitely gets a thumbs up from me. Glad you enjoyed it. #ForTheLoveofBlog
That’s awesome you had such an amazing experience!!! Thanks for sharing!!
This looks just lovely. Anything to attend with babies is great- I love a class like this. #fortheloveBLOG
Yes I agree, its lovely to get out and about with the babes!
It does look fab, but I really didn’t get on with our local baby class, but we did dance around the kitchen to Cindy Lauper – great review tho’. #sharingthebloglovea
Sounds like fun! 🙂
We loved going to baby sensory classes when my daughter was younger, and this class sounds very similar. It looks like you had a fab time and I hope that your little one got lots of stimulation from the class. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
Yes he did have lots of fun! I love taking him to try new classes and go back to classes i tried with the other two kids. I will miss it!
I was never a fan of baby classes, that was just me, I know how good they are for the little ones – this one looks great. Thanks for joining us at #TriumphantTales, hope you’ll come back again on Tuesday!
Yes I suppose you have to do what works for you as a mum!
Aww I miss baby classes I used to love them. Seeing the delight on their little faces. This one looks really good too!
Yes its lovely to see them have so much fun isn’t it!
I love baby classes too! I’m a bit sad that I’ve not managed to go to any with my second – too difficult with timings when I have an older child with me. We did a music class which sounds like a very similar setup and we loved it – it was so lovely to see all the babies start to interact and enjoy it all. It sounds like you guys had a great time! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
It can be so hard to attend baby classes when their your 2nd/3rd child!
I loved doing classes like this with my eldest #ThursdayTeam
Its great spending that time together.
I love organised baby classes a lot more than just turning up to a group where it’s just coffee and a few toys. I find those intimidating. Where as organised ones are a great way for your baby to have fun, learn and you get to have a chat too. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Yes I agree!
This looks like a lovely class and the sensory toys look fantastic for the little ones. I love baby classes, they have been my lifeline for a conversation with other Mums! Thanks for linking this to #thursdayteam
They are a pretty good way of getting to know other mums and to just have a chat!
I love baby classes too. they are so much more chilled than toddler classes! this looks like great fun although my youngest is 11 months and just wants to crawl away now so not sure we can participate in such classes anymore! #fortheloveofBLOG
It can be difficult when they crawl off!! baby classes are defo easier!
This sounds like such a fab baby class! Thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG
Yes baby K did have fun!