Baby Classes
What are "baby classes"?
Baby classes start off being mainly for the parents and then it becomes more fun for the children. There's many different types of baby classes. There's "Mommy and Me" classes where groups of parents sit together and talk about baby issues. You can bring your infant or you can go without your infant. Then as children get older there are "Mommy and Me" classes where the kids can play together. There are gymboree classes where the kids go to gym together, playgroups where the kids can play together and be involved, which are often very similar to daycares as they are being around and exposed to other kids. It's also really nice at these baby classes for parents to see what other parents are going through and know they're going through it too. Baby classes also helps with the milestones to see what other kids are doing and it helps the children sort of move along with that as well. So parenting classes are a lot of fun and they are very educational. But I think the one thing I would say about all parenting classes is you have to take everything with a grain of salt. With pediatrics, probably more than any other field, you're going to hear 15 different ways of doing something, and its because often there are fifteen right ways of doing something. So whether its your doctor, your neighbor, your parents, your masseuse, or whoever, just take it with a grain of salt. Read things on the internet and in books, and assimilate that information, talk to your doctor about it, and just do what works best in your household.
Are there specific classes that will help my baby develop or learn faster?
I think the classes that will help your baby develop, it really just involves interaction. This can be one-on-one interaction that you have with your child at home, or interaction that they have in a group setting with other children and other parents. And I really think as long as you are trying to do things like reading stories and interacting with your child, that's the most important thing for them.
What is "baby sign language"?
Baby sign language is a class that can be really fun for you to take with your infant. A lot of infants take it around 8-12 moths of age and this really just helps them teach a form of sign language that helps them interact with you a little better. It may help them interact with you a little better, and not get as frustrated because their verbal and expressive language may not come for a little while longer. I really think it’s a personal preference. Have I seen it be helpful? Yes. I have seen some kids take it and it does decrease their temper tantrums and their fussiness in trying to express themselves. Do you lose something if you don’t take it? No, not necessarily. Again, I think it has to do with the interactions you have with your child and this may be a fun way for your child to learn how to express themselves in a different way other than speaking, and it’s up to you.
