I had heard great reviews of Toddler Sense so mini mumbler and I were really excited when we got the opportunity to pop down to Monica’s class at St Edmunds Church Hall in Roundhay last Friday. As soon as we entered the hall my little boys face lit up as he saw the range of soft play, bouncy castle, ride-ons, and sensory toys to play with, his shoes came off very quickly !
Classes are split into two groups, the slightly younger ones (13 months – 2 years) and the slightly older ones (2-4 years) to suit their stages of development, etc. Each week the class has a different theme, it was a ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ when we visited and it certainly did not disappoint !
The next part of the class follows the same structure each week and once the children had collected sticks from Monica they sang the “Hello – How do you do” song banging the sticks in tune ! Monica then explains the theme of the week to the children and they all got given a teddy or a ‘Tod’ (highlight for George !) and we sang well-known nursery rhymes doing actions with Tod !
The activities that followed were all in keeping with the Teddy Bears Picnic theme. The children each got given a penny and bought a bun from the ‘bakers shop’, Monica was very good at encouraging the children to take turns. They then took their bears to a proper teddy bears picnic and the children enjoyed making them “cups of tea” and lunch with the vast selection of props available, brilliant for encouraging the use of their imaginations. Then the excitement levels increased as the bubbles came out ! The children used their cups to collect bubbles following Monica round the room which was fantastic for hand-eye co-ordination! They then all went on a ‘bear hunt’ to find ‘Tod’s’ hidden around the Adventure Play zone !
The upbeat ‘Say Goodbye’ action song was the perfect way to finish off a fantastic session ! George really enjoyed the class and what struck me was the attention to detail in the setting up of the theme, down to the props for the picnic– it certainly stimulates the children and aids the development, both physical and imaginatory. The music is fun, the songs recognisable (not annoying!) and the whole class meticulously planned. Monica is great with the children, friendly with lots of encouragement and praise which helped keep the children engaged throughout the class.
If you have limited time to fit in classes, I would say this class is for you as it includes ‘a bit of everything’ including free play with your child, singing/musical instruments, sensory play and stimulation of their imaginations and if you are lucky they will fall to sleep on the way home !
Toddler Sense North Leeds also offers fabulous, fun-filled birthday parties for children from 13 months to 4 years. Parties include 45 minutes of adventure play on bouncy castles, ride-ons and soft play plus 30 minutes of interactive and imaginative activities which can be themed to suit your little one.
Classes run on the following days:
MONDAY: Queen’s Hall, Immaculate Heart of Mary, 294 Harrogate Road, Moortown, LS17 6LE
WEDNESDAY: Robert Craven Hall, Old Lane Bramhope LS16 9AZ
FRIDAY: St Edmund’s Church Hall, Lidgett Park Road Roundhay ,LS8 1JN
To book your place on any of the classes, click here or get in touch with Monica to find out more! Email or call Monica on 07813 893090