Baby Song, Baby Sign, Baby SMART!

Ayden had his last Kindermusik class today in the Baby Sing, Baby Sign, Baby Smart! class (ages 0-18 months). Next week he moves up to the next age group (18 months - 3 1/2 yrs) which is called Kindermusik Our Time. Ayden loves going to Kindermusik. He has been in it since he was 6 months old, and it has been so much fun watching him change and gain confidence in himself. Ms. Judy is an excellent teacher and is always so happy and excited and just has a way with children. She always has a huge smile on her face, which sets the children at ease. Every Tuesday I take Ayden to class from 10:00-10:45. At the beginning of class there is usually something set out for the babies to explore or play with. Sometimes it is books, some type of instrument, a stuffed animal, or plastic cups, but today it was a little mat jungle gym for the babies to climb on and through. While the babies do this it gives the mommies time to chat with each other. Other things we do in class are different types of dances and songs, but Ayden especially loves the bouncing songs. It's even better if he gets to "fall over" or get tossed into the air. Today the babies got to play with little symbols, and an assortment of different musical instruments that Ms. Judy brought out in a big basket. Ms. Judy also let each baby take a turn hitting a big symbol with a mallot, and the babies loved the noise it made. Ayden did an especially good job hitting it multiple times. Relaxation time is a few minutes with the lights off listening to relaxing music. Ayden usually lays tummy down on me and is completely still the whole time while I rub his back. Yes, even I cannot believe he stays that still for a few minutes. I think it helps that I rock and sing to him for about 5-10 minutes before his nap and at bedtime. He is such a cuddle-bug!

The class ends with the "Goodbye" song. I like that we do different things every week in class, but the songs are done often enough that they have become familiar enough to sing when we are at home. Other things we have done in class are play with the parachute which is still one of my favorites still. It reminds me of when we did that in gym class in elementary school. Everyone gets a turn to sit under it while the other half of the class lifts it up and down on the mommies and babies. You should see how wide their little eyes get when it gets lifted all the way up. There are just too many fun songs, dances, and activities to name them all. I also like that Ms. Judy uses baby sign in class. I started teaching it to Ayden when he was 6 months old, and finally when he was about 1 he took off with signs. Now he knows probably 20-30 signs. It really is amazing and I can't believe how fast he catches on now. It has made him able to communicate with us which makes him much less frustrated. Now if only we could get him to talk more...



One of the best things about class this semester though was the great friends we made in class. There is a group of about 6-7 of us that started getting together for playdates. Someone different hosts it each time at their house. We love it! I get to talk with the other moms for a few hours and Ayden gets to play with his Kindermusik friends. We have so much fun together and it's nice to have other stay-a-home-moms to talk to. There are a couple others moving up to the next class too, but we are all still all planning on having our playdates. It's so nice to be able to get out of the house a few days a week to hang out with our friends:) We will miss seeing them on Tuesdays though when we start going to the Friday evening class next week.



Well, I have more to write but will save that for another night! I think I will go read my book for a few minutes before I head off to bed.