How to get the most out of Mommy and Me Classes

Many working moms and dads find "mommy and me" classes a great way to spend some quality time with their children, especially young children. There are many great programs out there including gymnastics, yoga, music, exercises, just to name a few.

The best reason to enroll your child in these classes is to spend more time with them one-on-one, which is essential for healthy development. Your child also gets to be in a room with other children to learn from and socialize with, which is another great benefit. Even at this young age, infants are learning social skills which are also essential to their development.

But before you sign up for one of these classes, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you get your money's worth:

• Try to do a trial-class if the program has one available (most do). Check out the safety and cleanliness of the space and equipment, heating and cooling, and lighting.
• Do they provide an area for diaper changes that's clean and convenient?
• How well does the teacher interact with the kids? Babies will respond to someone who's enthusiastic and seems to be enjoying him- or herself.  
• Don't be afraid to ask for references or speak with parents that are already participating in the class.
• Find out about the class size limit. From experience, we find that between 10 and 15 kids is ideal. This provides enough interaction to benefit from, but not too much to cause over-stimulation.
• Ask the teacher about make-up classes in case you miss a class due to illness or weather.
• Don't go by cost. More is not always better. Often, town parks or recreation departments will offer infant or toddler classes for less than private classes.
• Dress your child in something comfortable. Of course you want your child to look nice and cute at the class, but comfort is priority when your child is crawling and moving.
• When you pick the time slot, think about your child's nap and eating schedule. Ideally, pick a time one to two hours after your child's nap and provide your child with a snack before class to prevent fussiness due to hunger or being tired.
• Lastly, be prepared for your child to react shy or upset the first few times you participate in the class. This is normal as your child adapts to the new environment. Try to stick with it and your child will soon open up and get into the groove to reap all the benefits the class has to offer.