It’s hard to think of things to do with little babies. They do a lot of feeding, sleeping, crying and I do feel bad sometimes for my six month old that the biggest excitement of the day is lying on his play mat.
This is where Baby Sensory classes fit in.
They’re a new thing in Melbourne and weren’t around a few years ago when I had my first baby but have been running for ten years overseas. Ellie Dodd, who runs Baby Sensory classes in Melbourne, says they are based on scientific and educational research with activities promoting visual, social and physical development.
I went along to check out the Richmond class which is in a dance studio. Classes start by sitting around in a circle and singing the same song each time called “Say Hello to The Sun” which comes with actions which the babies all seem to enjoy. Classes are an hour long and are split into three sections (activities together, then a play break and then activities together again).
Ellie then passes around bags with different things inside for the babies to look at, listen to, play with and smell.
For example, there are spices to sniff and soft toys to cuddle.
The class then moves through a range of different activities including dancing with the babies in a darkened room and a “free play” time where Ellie sets up activity stations like a ball pit and a mat full of ribbons. You can work your way around each one.
The highlight for my baby is probably the big parachute at the end and the bubble machine.
Classes go for an hour and apparently no two classes are the same so your baby (and you!) won’t get bored. I was impressed by the amount of time and effort Ellie has gone into in setting up all the activities so I feel like even though the classes are not cheap, they do offer value for money.
To be honest I’m a bit of a lazy Mum and am happy enough with my little one getting his sensory experiences just in everyday life such as a walk around the block in the pram or a visit to the supermarket. So I think the benefits of Baby Sensory classes are if you are keen to do an activity with your baby and to get out of the house and meet some other new parents.
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Cara Waters is a journalist and mum of two. She also blogs about food and travel at Gourmet Chick and you can follow her adventures on Instagram at @carawaters.
HOT Tips:
- Classes currently run in Richmond, Port Melbourne, Brunswick, Blackburn, Mount Waverley, Kensington and Thornbury.
- $12 trials are available at all classes.
- Classes are run specifically for babies aged 0-6 months and 6-13 months.
- half and full term options and gift vouchers are available.
- You can bring your pram (there’s room to park it) or a baby carrier. It’s also fine to feed, change nappies etc during the class.
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