January 2022
Charlotte and her Mini Mumbler recently went along to try out Pyjama Drama; a class providing drama and imaginative play for pre-school children in and around Leeds. Find out what they thought here…
A firm believer in make-believe, I was keen to see what Pyjama Drama had to offer. We were warmly welcomed by Sara, who runs the Leeds classes, and got ourselves comfortable while we waited for the session to begin. With such a large room, and just Sara in the middle with a box and a speaker, I was curious to see how the session would go.
The session began with some warm-up exercises to be ‘performance’ ready; brushing our hair; our arms; wiggling our fingers, stretching our arms up high, then dropping them down. We also warmed up our vocal cords with some ‘me, me, me’s’; followed by the pyjama drama theme tune.
Each class has a weekly theme and this week it was birds; more specifically ducks. We initially sung an action song about birds, which sticks in my head even now; ‘With a cluck, cluck, cluck and a cock-a-doodle-doo, a tweet, tweet, tweet and a twit-a-woo!’ First with actions and then adding instruments.
We spent the rest of the session in a make-believe world; from waking up, to looking out the window to check the weather, to getting ourselves dressed for the park, to deciding what food to feed the ducks, to venturing off to the park and pond to feed them – Robin got a little wet as he wandered into the pond, and Sara even got bitten by a duck – so we had to get a plaster and towel!
Robin really enjoyed moving about the room, following the quack sounds to find the ‘ducks’; although he was a little bamboozled when we ‘found’ them, rounded them up and then mummy started ‘stroking’ one. He happily played with the other children and everyone had their own thoughts on what to wear, what to feed the ducks and how best to look after them.
The session was rounded off with a warm-down, mirroring the warm-up; a bow; and a stamp – which proved very popular with all those involved.
It’s worth noting that Pyjama Drama is not a stage school or an ‘acting’ class – it is so much more than that! It’s a class that brings children out of their shell, helping them to develop their communication skills and confidence through singing, dancing, make-believe and play. Robin was initially very shy and unsure what to think, but as the session went on, he got more involved in the pretend play and really enjoyed himself; submerging himself in the make-believe.
Pyjama Drama is aimed at children up to 7 years, but these classes are specifically tailored towards 2-4 years, and last 40 minutes. Sara has a great imagination, and sparks some serious thought in the children giving them a fun platform for problem-solving, communication and building confidence.
Locations and times:
Mondays (2-4 yrs) 1:30-2:10pm at The Queens Hall, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Harrogate Road, LS17 6LE
Tuesdays (2-4 yrs) 1:50-2:30pm at Oakwood Methodist Church, Oakwood, LS8 2QA
N.B. Monday classes currently have a waiting list but there’s space on Tuesday.
Costs:
A 3-week trial costs £15 and includes a FREE t-shirt. Classes are then £5.50 per week, consecutively.
Contact:
To get in touch, contact Sara on 0113 834 6522 or email sara@pyjamadrama.com or for more information visit their Website or Facebook page.
*Mumbler received a complimentary session for this review. However, all of the comments in this review are our open and honest opinion.
We were invited along by diddi dance North & Central Leeds owner Julia Grantham, to experience a taster class. Find out what we thought here.
(*Reviewed March 2018)
Our guest reviewer Charlotte and her Mini Mumbler recently went along to the Tots and Pots session at Jackrabbits Pottery. Find out what they thought here…
(Reviewed March 2019)
My 4.5 year old Mini Mumbler has always struggled with confidence on his balance bike and ‘big boy’bike. Whenever I talked to him about taking his stabilisers off he was adamant he couldn’t do it and he is also one very stubborn little boy, so when I saw all the Mumbler recommendations for the Magic Hour with Dave at ‘I Want to Ride my Bike’ I thought it was definitely help I could do with. Find out more here.
(Reviewed April 2018)
Mini-Mumbler and I were invited to try out a Moo Music class together. We attended the Friday class at Adel War Memorial Hall and what a great time we had! Moo Music classes take place at venues across North Leeds Monday – Friday. Classes are suitable for children from birth – 5 years and they are split age appropriately. Find out more here.
(*Reviewed June 2018)
Sarah runs Dancing Tots classes for children between 18 months and 5 years old. In addition to lots of funky dancing, the classes involve a lot of movement, games and sport, jumping, throwing, catching and kicking a ball.
The Monday class that we attended was at Alwoodley Community Hall. The class was held outside (which was a novelty itself), but this is weather permitting, and Sarah can hold the classes indoors if needed. There was a good range of ages at the class as well as a mix of genders.
On arrival we were all assigned a cone to stand next to. Children were encouraged to stay next to their cones to ensure social distancing. They all stuck to this for the duration of the class and even after activities when we moved in circles, the children happily returned to where they needed to be. Hand santiser was available, and everyone was encouraged to help themselves whenever they wanted to during the class.
The class started with a welcome dance and warm up. The music was fun and Jess loved it from the start. Sarah keeps the tone light and movements fun, and all the children enjoyed joining in. We soon moved onto our first Disney dance- to Moana. A great start, it’s one of Jess’s favourites! Sarah’s simple explanations meant even the smallest of children were able to follow.
We used scarfs for the next dance, and included throwing and catching , and playing peek-a-boo with tiger ROOOAAAARRRRRSSSSS. Unsurprisingly, this was something the children loved to do, and we were all deafened by their enthusiasm! The next routine used shakers and was to Frozen, and Jess loved singing along. I feel this one will be repeated A LOT at home (thanks Sarah ha). In September classes, Sarah will be selling props bags for £12.50 that will include bells, shakers, coloured scarf, an animal bean bag and a dance ribbon (although the bags are not compulsory).
The movement section of the class saw Sarah setting out hoops and mats for the children to practice their jumping skills. They honestly couldn’t get enough of it! The class ended with some firm favourites (including a socially distanced hokey-cokey where it was me who got a little over-enthusiastic and yanked my daughter over aggghhhh!!!) and a goodbye. If you sign up to a course of classes you would also get a certificate of achievement at the end of each half term.
So a great class where there really is something for everyone! There are still places left for another Disney special class on Friday 28th August, as well as availability in the September classes. Please contact Sarah to book on dancingtotsleeds@sky.com or 07796 135199.
Class Reviewed 1.7.22
Hop aboard the Number Train- a great preschool maths class designed by experienced Primary School teacher, Annette Peterson!
Last week we went to a trial session with Number Train. We’ve heard LOTS of great things about the class and so were really excited to see what it was all about. Each week there is a different theme to explore, and we were lucky enough to get a journey to the seaside!
Each activity in the class has an underlying focus on maths and the early years curriculum, starting with the children getting a ‘ticket’ when they enter and finding their place on the Number Train! The start of the class follows the same routine each week, revisiting numbers and singing the Number Train song. There were children in the group who were regulars and it was great to see their engagement with the activities. There was so much energy in the class, with smiles from both children and parents.
The main activities in the class all involved elements of the week’s seaside theme, from fishing (and counting the fish), to hiding beach balls, to building sandcastles, parachute games and painting by numbers. I loved the variety of the activities, all with an underling focus on maths and the early years curriculum. There was A LOT packed into the hour session, it was non-stop! The whole session was beautifully planned and I liked the explanations that were given throughout of the purpose of the various tasks, it helps to know things that we can be doing at home to support the children too.
Speaking to other adults in the group was great- there was so much positivity. It was clear that all the children enjoyed their time at Number Train and that the parents believed that it really supported them in preparation for school and had benefitted their child. A few who were there were with their second children, and had previously attended with their elder children.
Thank you Number Train for having us along! My Mini Mumbler asked to come back as soon as we left so I’m sure we’ll be seeing you very soon!
The classes are designed for pre-school children, from around the age of three (although it’s up to parents to decide when’s the best time for their child to start). More details about classes, times and locations here.
Pat-A-Cake Music classes consist of singing and making music together to aid children’s development at an early age, as well as to develop other key skills such as confidence, language skills, communication, gross motor skills and more. We recently tried out a class, find out what they thought here.
(*Reviewed September 2018)
My youngest Mini Mumbler is now 5 and he has been an avid attendee of Rugby Tots since the age of 2. Other classes have come and gone over this time but its the only one that he has always loved and has continued to give him the right amount of challenge and enjoyment no matter his age. Find out more here.
(*Reviewed November 2018)
Our guest reviewer Charlotte and her Mini Mumbler recently went along to Shake, Rattle and Boogie; a dance and music class for 0-5 year olds. Find out what they thought here.
(*Reviewed February 2019)
Tiny Tetley is a monthly creative and messy play for under 5’s at The Tetley.
We went along and would highly recommend a visit! Find out more here.
(*Reviewed March 2019)
Our guest reviewer Charlotte and her Mini Mumbler recently went along to Toddler Sense, the next step from national award-winning Baby Sensory, offering multi-sensory and developmental adventures. Find out more here.
*Reviewed September 2019
