Having a baby opens up a whole new world for you in many ways; the good, the bad, the ugly and of course the totally weird. We will leave it up to you where you would place Gymboree classes in that lineup, but you will probably end up partaking in one at some point in your parenthood journey. All joking aside, these classes can be a really awesome place of learning and fun for your little one and a good one to bond as well.
7 things to know about Gymboree Classes for your little one
What is a Gymboree Class?
There are many different Gymboree programs, but they all come down to a few important features. They are classes that encourage learning, creativity and friendship for both you and your kiddo. The class options are play & learn, art, music, and sports. Most classes are specialized by age, but there are some offerings the whole family can attend together. All locations offer different pricing and schedules, so make sure to check your local area out!
7 things to know about Gymboree Classes for your little one
Meeting Other Mamas is Sweet
Sure, going to the park or the library is great for both you and baby but it might not quite provide the opportunity to make easy friends. Looking for fellow mom friends (and baby friends) can be pretty tough, and we all know how hard it can be to go through motherhood without having someone around who can relate. Attending Gymboree classes for your little one might turn out to be the place where you meet some new best friends.
They are a great place to do so because you can take comfort that everyone there is in a fairly similar spot in parenthood. It is meant to be a safe space, not one where parents judge and compare, making it easy to just let your baby play freely. Whether these fellow parents just become familiar faces at classes or you end up planning play dates of your own, it is so very nice to have parents to chat with and relate to.
Things are Always Changing
The Gymboree class isn’t some stagnant indoor playground, instead it is a place of constant change always providing new ways to have some fun and learn. While you might find building blocks and play mats one week, the next week could be slides and opportunities to climb. The same goes for music or sports, with new songs and skills learned every time you visit.
A Truly Stimulating Environment
Gymboree obviously wants play time to be fun, but they are great at embedding little lessons into their classes and truly engaging your baby. All Gymboree programs are designed by child development experts who know the importance of developing cognitive, physical, and social skills. In a Gymboree class, your baby will gain all these skills simply through different forms of play. It is so beneficial for your little one to be in an environment where they can learn from someone other than mom and dad and also see how other babies behave.
Forced Bonding Time
We definitely are not saying that bonding time should be something you have to force or even plan out. We know that bonding with your child happens day in and day out, but not many of us can say that we take time to do absolutely nothing else besides play with our kiddos. There’s always a phone around or a spouse who needs something or things that need to get done around the house, but setting aside time for a Gymboree class means setting aside time for just you and your baby.
Preschool Prep
Gymboree classes don’t really resemble a preschool classroom, but they are still a great way to prep your child for preschool. This is especially true if they haven’t spent much time taking commands from other adults or interacting with other children. These classes may be their only introduction to a structured learning environment before leaping into the real deal.
Boredom Cure Year Round
All parents become stir crazy at some point. Whether you’re in typically sunny California or always rainy Washington, it is nice to know you have a space to get out of the house and go play indoors. This is especially nice for stay at home moms who can easily get stuck in a routine that leaves them feeling cooped up in the house all the time. These classes give you the chance for a little adult interaction, but of course, this set of adults will totally understand when you use words like potty time.
How to Get Free and Discounted Classes
You know we couldn’t tell you all the benefits of taking your little one to a Gymboree class without giving you some tips to make it affordable. First of all, Gymboree wants you to try out their classes so badly that they will actually offer a free trial to you. Print out a free class pass from their website and call your local Gymboree to chat with them about their schedule. Gymboree class discounts are also frequently on Groupon, so make sure to watch out for those! Check for Discounts Here!
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