My girl has spent almost every day of her life with only 3 people. My mother-in-law, my husband and myself. Every other people are just hi-bye. It got me really worried because I feel she started losing out on social life.
Her cousins are way back in Penang whom she only got to meet once. Lack of interaction with people has made my girl lose out a bit on social communication and that kept ringing alarms in my head every night.
I have heard a lot about baby playgroups and baby gyms. Most of these places take babies as young as 6 months old. Some even start out earlier - 3 months, or even earlier. I wasn't too keen enrolling my baby at such a young age given the fact she hardly has her immune built. I can't be spending every week taking care of a sick baby, can I? :P
As my baby approached her 9-month old birthday, I started scouting around for a good playgroup for her. Gymboree and Kindermusik were to choices that I had which was within my budget. I had my own reasons why I narrowed down to only 2 options. There are aplenty of options out there, which are either too expensive for me or too exhaustive for the baby. And I don't want to be the kiasu mother wanting her baby's right brain developed more than the left brain. I wanted normal development :)
So, after discussing with my husband, I scheduled for trial classes with Kindermusik and Gymboree.
Kindermusik trial was ok. I went to the centers's HQ at PJ, somewhat near the SS2 mall and not too far from my own office. Location wise, the place is within reach on weekends. For weekdays, forget it. I know how terrible the traffic is. The center was at triple-storey (I think) shop-lot. After registration, a lady escorted us to a room few floors up. Since Baby Ma is less than 18 months old, she can only enrol in a program called Kindermusik Village. There were 3 other registered babies and 2 babies on trial pass. The class concentrates on singing, dancing and playing with different instruments suitable for the babies.
My verdict, it was just ok. I did not enjoy the class. Although my baby was actively crawling around, she was just curious. There is nothing much that she can do. I sing quite badly, and my dance moves are equally terrible, so it wasn't really a good start for me. The choice of activities are just about music, and teacher guides parents on ways to bond with their child. The entire class duration was 45 minutes. What I liked about the class was the size - it was at a manageable size, closed environment. What I didn't like was how judgemental the teacher was towards my baby. She did not make an effort to find out how old she is and assumed she is a toddler - and was giving out comments or remarks that did not make me feel my baby was in right hands.
Kindermusik classes goes by semesters. Each semester consists of 8 classes, and you pay by semester. You can't replace missed classes. This was a setback for me, because sometime, I travel or have to attend some functions - if I can't replace missed classes, it's a big turnoff for me. Fees are around the region of 500++ per semester which includes some materials (book, CDs), course fee and registration fee.
Next was Gymboree trial class which we attended today at Bangsar Village. We eventually signed up for this. The classes consists of play, music and arts (they also have yoga and sports but not for my baby's age group). Each of the class are split into several levels based on the baby's age. For my baby's age (at 10 months old) she was enrolled in the Level 3 play class for the trial. I particularly liked this, because she gets to mingle with kids of her own age group. How do you expect a 10-month-old to talk to a 3-month-old? So the levels are really good to start with. The class size was quite big (around 9-10 kids were there). But I was told there is a limit to the size (15?)
There were lots of activities areas for babies in the play class, Every 2 weeks the theme changes so that the kids have something new to learn. I don't know yet whether the themes get repeated, but it's a good thing the environment gets a fresh boost every now and then. There were 2 packages available for us - Package A for 12 consecutive classes of one type of class which was worth RM1000 inclusive annual membership fees. Package B consists of 48 classes that cost us RM2.8k. We were given extra 4 classes for using HSBC card making the total number classes to 52 - which are valid for a year and we can mix and match play, music and arts classes. Additional 10 playgym vouchers were given as well. Honestly, this was much cheaper than Kindermusik option.
Class verdict, my baby loved it as much as I did. There were plenty of babies of the same age group, parents who are at the same boat as I am and there were good amount of activity areas for babies. The teachers are attentive, trying very best to spend time with all the kids. The environment seems to foster more active communication and even from day 1, I can see my baby trying to "communicate" tots around. It was amusing. :)
When I was a kid, I never really had these exposure. But I'm sure my parents would have given it to me if only it was available then. The amount of money spent is not cheap. I used to open my mouth wide when people tell me their kids daycare or kindergarten fees comes up to 300++ per month for their 4-year-olds. Well, I just invested into something worth 200++/month for my child - all in the hope it gives her a good childhood head start. Am I going over the board? Naah... this is the best that my husband and I can give...for now... :)
