How Class Sessions are Better (and more affordable) than Drop-Ins

​Back to school is stressful for parents of school-age children but it and can also raise many questions and concerns for parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers too. Let us help!

Should I sign my child up for something? It seems like a lot of money up front. Maybe I should just do drop-in. Would they get the same benefits from a play-date? How am I going to meet other moms and make friends? How do I get my child to share? My child is shy. I'm so stressed out and exhausted!

Should I sign my child up for something? Are they too young?

• Repetition: "Again, again!" Repetition is the way children learn. Their brains make neural connections when songs, activities, and routines are repeated week to week. A child is never too young or too old to learn. The first time they sing a song, they absorb the pattern of the song, the next week the tune, next the words, then the motions, and then putting all those pieces together at the same time. As children mature, they begin to speak up confidently with requests for certain songs, anticipate the next verse, make up some of their own moves, and ask questions about the concepts the song explores. Enrolling in and consistently attending classes is an easy way to consistently help kids develop along their learning path.

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Maybe I should just do drop-in.

• Consistency: When a child attends a class each week with the same teacher, children and routine, they know what to expect. They feel safety in the routine. From this place of safety, children feel free to explore that week's activity, learn new songs that have been added to the lineup, and explore the boundaries of their new friendships. Developing a bond with an adult in a teaching role is also an important developmental milestone. This prepares them for success in preschool and beyond! Children develop healthy self-esteem and confidence when they learn a routine and can then jump in to help out with the next activity, play different roles in games and activities, and anticipate the patterns of the class. Even the pattern of "Tuesday we eat breakfast, drive this path, park in this spot, and walk to class the same way" helps your child to feel control amidst the chaos of life.
• You're More Likely to Attend: With our modern lives, something always comes up. When you aren't enrolled and haven't prepaid for a class in advance, it's far easier to skip it. Making life consistent for your child helps them to be their best self and having a structure that helps you do that is invaluable! Even grown-ups benefit from routine! ​

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​Would they get the same benefits from a play-date?  How am I going to meet other moms and make friends?  How do I get my child to share?  My child is shy and doesn't make friends easily.  

• Familiar Faces:  Experimenting with new people and group activities is how we make friends!  Weekly classes include the same children week to week so that there are multiple friend-making opportunities and our small class sizes encourage bonding.  Developing new friendships for your child (and you!) takes time and consistency, learning (and singing!) their names, laughing with them as they do something that is "so them."  Exploring sharing, feelings, self-advocating, gentle touch, frustration, and empathy are all important parts of a "play-based learning" approach.  These special friendships teach our children lifelong skills for how to approach new social situations.

​It seems expensive.  I could hire a babysitter for less than that.  

• Incredible Value:  Our classes are discounted when you pay for the session.  Classes range in price $10-$18/class at the session rate and classes are between 45-60 minutes - the lowest prices and longest classes in town.   Marblehead Parenting offers high-quality classes at an affordable rate because we care deeply about children, family, AND community.
• Your Place is Reserved:  We keep our classes small, and they fill up!  When you enroll in a class, there's no fear of it being too full.
• Our Classes Will Be Here:  Having required enrollment means our classes are sustainable and will always be a resource for our community.  It helps our teachers to really know each child.  They can prepare the appropriate amount of materials as well as developmentally appropriate activities geared toward the kids in the class.  When we see kids on a weekly basis, we are better able to give professional advice.  Our teachers are all highly trained and knowledgeable professionals in their respective fields.  

I'm so stressed out and exhausted!

• Relax!  We've got this.  The best benefit of enrolling in classes with Marblehead Parenting is that you can sit back and enjoy your child while you let someone else do the hard work.  Your child feels safe and secure, the activities are planned, prepped, and cleaned up.  Songs are memorized and routine is taken care of.  Run out to the car, go to the restroom, sit back in your floor chair with your coffee.  Cuddle, sing, chat, and watch the magic happen.  
• Free Open Play:  Children who are registered in any class are able to attend open play during that class session.  We will release our open play schedule once the weather starts to turn cold.
• Unlimited Make-Ups:  We know that life DOES get in the way sometimes with sicknesses and travel.  You are welcome to attend any of our classes as a make-up for missed classes within the current class session.​

A Personal Relationship:  As a small, family run business, we are accessible.  A handful of local, consistent, and incredible teachers and owner Sara Timm-Bane - a local mom and Child Development specialist - make up the Marblehead Parenting team.  We love what we do and we care about our community and future generations.  We are happy to help you find the appropriate class for your child.  Sara wants you to have the best parenting experience possible and is happy to chat via phone, email, or even messenger!

Receive the full benefit of the class.

See our full schedule HERE and click on the links to register for our Fall classes.

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Contact Sara:

Email:  marbleheadparenting@gmail.com
Phone: 805-895-9131
Facebook:  facebook.com/marbleheadparenting
www.marbleheadparenting.com

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