If money is tight for enrichment class(es)...

[Anonymous]

I have one baby boy, 14 months old. He is active and social. We can only afford $150 a month for enrichment classes. What would you recommend? Right now we are in Gymboree Music I.

I am debating among these since we can only afford one.
1) Gymboree Music I (we do not like Play and Learn because they do not wipe the equipment between classes and we caught so many colds and stomach bugs from that class)
2) Little Gym (My Gym is not conveniently for us)
3) Music class at the International School of Music
4) Mandarin classes at Language Stars (will be above $150 a month, I know)
5) Communikids language program

Anything else? I want my baby boy to enroll in some enrichment classes.

He has a very loving Spanish speaking nanny. The nanny sings for him, and they play simple instruments. However, there is no set schedule or curriculum. We have a book of games for toddlers, and the nanny just picks whatever game that interests him.

[Anonymous]

I would go with the music classes since the Little Gym is not as convenient. Unless kids that age are getting a heavy dose of consistent language instruction over a long period of time it just won't stick and ends up being a waste of money. My older child did a lot of enrichment classes at that age, and the experience taught me to choose classes that my second child would be most likely to enjoy and socialize in vs. classes chosen with the expectation that she would be learning long-lasting skills (eg. languages).

[Anonymous]

$150/month? Where do you live? I would wait a few months and most gymnastics places start toddler classes at around 18 months, and it will be about $150 for two months.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you're signing up for all the library programs you can attend! Once it gets warmer, make sure the nanny takes him regularly to the same parks at the same times. There's more continuity in the kids they play with that way.

[Anonymous]

Gymobree or Little Gym

The language classes are pretty much a waste as they won't learn the language and they don't involve enough movement.

[Anonymous]

I live in NW DC. Gymboree in Alexandira is over $80 a month. Language Stars is $198 a month. Another music class at Swathmore is like $150 a month.

$150/month for 2 classes? I wish!

[Anonymous]

Honestly if money is tight, I'd save it for something more useful. There is absolutely nothing that a 1yo gets out of baby music class or gym class that s/he can't get from the gazillion free story times, open gyms, etc. You can entertain a 14 month old with one hand tied behind your back - you reallly don't need to pay for it!! I think of baby enrichment classes as excuses for moms to meet (nothing wrong with that of course), ways to get the nanny out of the house or off the phone, or FTM guilt-trip exercises. Really, unless you're truly bored or made of money, you won't bother with this stuff for baby #2 until s/he hits at least 3 or 4yo when they actually can appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

I think you should try sports and that can trigger his interest in something that can discover his talents that he can use for life. The rest, you can simply do at home--make/listen to music with your child is the best bonding for you and your child, not for the teacher.
Playing sports like soccer is cheap, outdoors, fresh air, and social experience.

[Anonymous]

14 month old children are enriched by everyday activities - wandering, checking things out, as much freedom as he can get. Really, truly, that's the very best thing for him at that age. Not sitting in classes.

He can benefit more from free outdoor play than My Gym classes. I took my kids to things like that, too, sometimes, so I'm totally not knocking them, but with money tight, save it for when he's a bit older.

[Anonymous]

Yes, saving money is important.

My son cannot play any sports! He does not have the concept yet. 15:41, are you talking about a preschooler? How can a 14 month old play soccer? There is no soccer class for toddlers anywhere.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't take one. I don't think they're worth it until the child is at least 2.5.

[Anonymous]

We actually participated in parent & child soccer class when my son was a little over a year, e walked early so he was confident at that time. We had the best time--sometimes I or my husband would go with him and sometimes both and it was an amazing family time for all of us.
It was really cheap too, something like $130 for 8 weeks (8 Saturdays). We are in Bethesda and registered with kidsprosoccer.com

[Anonymous]

We have been doing Music Together since our kids were 6 months old. Inexpensive and wonderful for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been doing Music Together since our kids were 6 months old. Inexpensive and wonderful for the kids.

How inexpensive ? I thought it was about $175 ?

[Anonymous]

Yes, music together is expensive, we did it, and it was definitely not worth it.