5 * Rating 

​

​

Previous Blogs 

 

 

 

I first heard about the award winning sensory classes online whilst I was searching for baby classes for my newborn.  Whilst I was searching for classes I assumed as bubba was so young I would most probably only find a class that was more along the lines of a social tea morning for new mums to meet and babies to socialise.  As much as this is fine and gets mum and baby out the house I am glad I came across Baby Sensory as it is important to help baby with all their seneses from a young age and encourage them to remember items, routines, sounds, lights and the list goes on.  This is a perfect class for mums to socialise and meet other mums and for babies to meet other babies and I would highly reccomend this class which is also available in terms/courses.   Not only is it a lovely way to meet new people and educate the babies fom a young age but it is also infromative for the parents.  With each week focusing on a different theme there is always something new to learn.  I will be writing a weekly blog on my experience to encourage as many mums as possible to join the group as it really is worth the trip to the class and the bubbas love it.  

​

This weeks class was The Secret Garden.  

​

​

Before I begin just a reminder that you can purchase some of the props and music from the Baby Sensory.  I will add a link to the bottom of this blog.

​

We are now getting a little routine before the class and it is working perfectly and seems to let bubba enjoy every moment of the class.  The times of the class is perfect as we nap before the class and in the car on the way.  We now arrive 15 mins early to have a quick feed top up before we start the class.  Although others use this time to have a play on the toys and playmats before the class begins and have a little chat with the other mums.  

 

This week has been a little different from previous as the weather has been scorching and therefore my bubba has been a little unsettled and hot and bothered, so I was slightly worried she may not be her happy smiley self in the class.  But once we arrived she had a brilliant time and I shouldn't have worried at all.  This week Nana came with us to join in all the singalong songs and fun.  

 

We started with the weekly 'Say Hello' song.  This is a beautiful little song using sign language.  Using sign language captures the attention of the babies and gradually over time they should start assosicating the sounds and movements together.  For now it is a gentle happy song to start the class.  This song is later used to calm the baby after the painting but I will come back to that.  I have finally learnt the routine after practising at home and bubba is really starting to recognise the song.  The other day we sat out in the garden and I 'performed' the song and my baby watched the whole time (normally in the class she is looking at someone else haha)    

 

The lovely Carmen then spoke about the importance of smell and how a baby can recognise their mothers scent over anyone elses and the benefits of not wearing perfume and not using air freshner in the house as a baby can feel more content with smells they recognise.  I think this is lovely and can actually relate to this as if I was blind folded and given a cushion from each family members house I would be able to tell which cushion belonged to each house.  My grandparents house has the smell of cakes and cookies and I could recognise it anywhere as does my own home you always notice it when you have been to a hotel or on holiday and your first night back in your own house you feel more relaxed.  It was also outlined the imortance of not smoking and holding babies as clothes absorb the smell and harmful chemicals and can be dangerous for babies.

​

After the 'Say Hello' song we danced and moved about to a few garden theme nursery rhymes, which got all the babies attention and laughing as their arms and legs were moved to the beat of the music.

​

Props used in todays class were things you may find in the garden.  So this ranged from different smells, textures, objects, lights and sounds.  The next activity was feathers.  Each mummy/daddy and nana/papa had to hold a colourful feather and twas used gently stroke over the babies hands and legs...some found this very relaxing and some found it tickled or my bubba liked holding both feathers and investigating the colours and texture herself.  It is so cute to see her little face discovering new toys.  

​

It is important to let the bubbas discover new things using all their senses.  (please make sure the babies are supervised at all times and keep anything that is a choking hazard out of reach along with all medicines and household products).  Discovering and investigating new toys and props in the baby classes is a lovely way of teaching the babies new things and allows them to communicate in their own way with smiles, laughter etc.  

​

Keeping to the theme the next activiy was different frangrances you may find in the garden.  The parents were asked to take different bags from the box and rub them in their hands to activate the smells.  The frangranced included lavendar, rose, candy and the babies were given fresh flowers.  My bubba loved holding the stem and touching the soft silky petals she didnt want to give it back.  Carmen also informed us the Lilies are not just poisonous to animals they are also poisonous to children and the pollen can potentially cause blindness.  It is great to know that not only the babies learn something new every week but so do the parents.  All the facts Carmen presents in the class are ever so helpful. 

​

Next was playtime...there was lots of toys and activities to choose from.  Tummy time props, animal cushions, rabbit ears, animal toys, an empty swimming pool with shimmer materials (my baby particularly liked the silver foil type material she loves the sound it makes she was kicking and moving her legs like a star fish and laughing away haha).  Chairs to help support the babies as they are learning how to sit up, playmats and tents.  Every single week there are different toy arrangements and the planning that goes into each class is apparent from the moment you walk through the door.  The theme is always expressed through the props and toys.  

​

We were then asked to join the group again and it begun with more garden themed nursery rhymes and Carmen walked around with the famous bubble machine and giant bubblebee puppet.  My daughter is facinated with the puppets which made the next activity even more exciting.  The TellyTubby puppet show.  All the babies were asked to gather round the small theatre and Carmen performs a singalong show with the TellyTubby hand puppets all the babies were just staring at the show having such a lovely time seeing toys move about to a very jolly song.  I do believe the uplifting happy music provides a positive atmosphere for the babies and helps with their creativity.

​

The babies love Carmen and she makes the effort to communicate with every baby and parent in the room and is always more than happy to provide advise or knowledge on baby developement.  She is just brilliant.

​

The final activity before the famous Goodbye Song was a whole floor of lights...we have been practising tummy time and this week my bubba was keen to get involved.  The changing floor lights of soft colours along with the plants encouraged the baies to reach out and grab things.  Each week I can see my baby get more involved with the class wanting to grab toys and look at things and most of all is actually starting to like tummy time.  I have the brilliant light shows to thank for that as they entertain the babies so much I think she forgets she is on her tummy. 

​

The class would not be complete without the beautiful Goodbye Song, this sweet, calming song again using sign is a lovely way to end the class and relaxes babies after their busy class.  I really like that every class starts and ends the same but each week the theme changes as well as the toys and activities.  I feel like I learn something new every week so I am almost certain the bubbas are too.

​​

My bubba and I love this class and the effort that Carmen goes into to make sure the theme is obvious from the word go.  She is fantastic with the babies keeping them entertained from the moment they walk through the door.  I can see my bubba progressing each week.  At the beginning we would need feeding and maybe a little nap during the class, wasn't keen on tummy time or the lights being turned off for the light show and now she is getting better and better wach week with tummy time, LOVES the lights off and the light show (we even watched the light show whilst she was on her tummy this week) and for the last couple of weeks she hasnt needing feeding or a nap for the whole duration of the class.  She really does have so much fun and she is so tired after the class she normally naps on the way home.

 

Carmen is a true professional and always puts the babies well being before anything else.  All the materials, props, toys and mats are all cleaned and sterilised after each class to provent any illnesses etc being passed round.  So you and your little one can enjoy all the toys and the class knowing they are in the best hands for health and safety.

​

I look forward to the weekly class, it is perfect as it does not have to fit in with baby's daily routine as if you need to feed, change nappy, have a walk around to settle baby or even if baby falls asleep that is fine it is about educating yourself as well as baby and as I mentioned above even if you baby isnt watching you I am sure another one is so it is still worth joining in the class.  I highly recommend this to all mummies and it is also a lovely way to meet other mums in your area.

​

That's it for now.  Once again a big thank you to Carmen.

 

You can review previous weeks reviews above.  

​

Look out for next weeks review.  We joined the classes in Colcheter and you can contact the lovely Carmen above.  If you are not from Colchester they have classes all over the UK so find your nearest class here.  

​

 

http://www.babysensory.com/en/findaclass

​

​

​

​

Baby Sensory Shop.

​

​

​

​

Holly x

​

(Please note I am not medically trained and cannot give medical advise - the information in the Baby Sensory Blogs are based on my personal experiences of the class.  If you require medical advise please contact your GP or Health Visitor).