What Are Parent/Toddler Workshops?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

When you have a baby, there is more to life than feedings and changing diapers. There are lots of fun activities that you can discover with your baby. Activities that you can do with your baby helps the two of you to bond, they also help you to monitor your baby's development and help them achieve higher levels. There are lots of things you can do - from simple interaction such as talking, cuddling, rocking and singing to the baby to actually doing things with your infant and toddler.

Take a Class Together

There are plenty of opportunities available in many communities for parent and toddler classes that incorporate everything from singing, musical instruments to dancing and infant massage. There are even just simple movement and gym classes that let you play together and explore different tactile sensations and objects.

Places such as Little Gym, Dance Schools, ASI Gymnastics and community centers as well as the YMCA also offers a variety of classes that let you and baby have a good time together. KinderMusik is another program that employs musical instruments, movement and parent/child bonding time to have fun. It's amazing what you and your baby can and will discover together while playing.

Fitness Classes

Fitness centers are also getting into the act of parent/baby and parent/toddler movement classes. Mom and baby fitness classes help mom work on her fitness while baby gets to enjoy the attention and experiences. When talking to your local fitness center about the possibility of the parent and baby fitness class ask about hours of availability and the types of fitness offered. Ask about the qualifications of the instructor - they should have experience in working with infants and at least certification in infant health and safety as well as their fitness credentials.

Class length should average between 30 and 45 minutes. A fitness class should offer you a workout that builds tone and shape. It may elevate your heart rate, but it won't be the same as doing an intense cardio workout. We'll talk more about parent/child fitness classes in the Fitness blog this week. A very popular class is yoga for Mother and Child yoga. There are plenty of yoga movements you can do while holding your baby that promote bonding as well as fitness.

Have you ever taken a mother and baby or parent/toddler workshop?

Related Articles:

Gifts for Toddlers

Post-Pregnancy Exercises

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger