Classes for Toddler (18mo) & Preschooler (3.5yo) at the same time?
Mamas, this question came in via our Facebook page. Do you have any suggestions for juggling a consolidating classes/activities for two children of different ages?
I know there is a lot of knowledge in the uM community regarding classes and activities for kids. I'm looking for something quite specific, and I'm hoping someone might have some leads. I have a toddler (18m) and a pre-schooler (3.5). I am looking for some type of group class situation where there would be simultaneous classes appropriate for both. I'm not picky about the content (art, music, dance, sports, etc), but I would like to be able to go to one place at one time and have my daughter in a class with other preschoolers while I attend a parent-involvement type class with the toddler. We've done classes where we all attend together (exhausting!), or back-to-back classes (time-consuming!), but what I really want are two classes run at the same place at the same time. Any ideas?
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A lot of swim centers offer a mommy and me class at the same time that your older child is in swim class with an instructor.
Posted by: Heather | April 27, 2009 at 01:56 PM
I have often, often, often wished this with a 5, 3, 2, and 1-year-old! The only ones we've seen are also the swimming classes. It would be great if the community centers scheduled some of their classes this way, but I haven't seen it.
Posted by: alpidarkomama | April 27, 2009 at 02:21 PM
The Children's Gym in Hollywood has this option, it's great!
Posted by: Nic | April 27, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Second for the Children's Gym. They have a few morning classes that run both at the same time. Tuesday mornings for sure; I think Thursdays as well.
Posted by: mom22 | April 27, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Our parks and rec often has a schedule that can accommodate this. Sometimes it doesn't work and there is a 15 minute time differential, but I place the older kid in "child watch" and they walk him to his class. Good luck.
Posted by: Betsy | April 27, 2009 at 05:28 PM
We have two girls (22 ms and 3.5 years) that both love the same ballet class at parks+rec. Its technically not for such young ones, but the teacher is awesome and let's her jump around in leotard.
Posted by: katrina | April 27, 2009 at 08:06 PM
music together is great for this too. it's a little expensive, but the classes and teachers are wonderful!
Posted by: k | April 27, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I second the Music Together suggestion...really great. The only challenge comes when the oldest ages out...but our teacher was great about allowing our oldest to come even when he was a tad too old just because our youngest was still there...there are also other great families in the group...
Posted by: Kristin | April 27, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Some of the "messy art" classes at the SWCC (and likely others) include both ages.
Posted by: Stacie Beckerman | April 27, 2009 at 10:41 PM
The Multnomah Arts Center run by Portland Parks and Rec has some family classes that allow kids up to age 8 I think.
Posted by: catmom | April 28, 2009 at 12:36 AM
Sound Roots Music has classes that would accomodate both ages. (And they're really fun classes with Tyleena!)
Posted by: c. | April 28, 2009 at 07:50 AM
I agree with Kristin (as long as you pay for both kids), that the Music Together classes are great for all ages, and often they are flexible with this.
Posted by: k | April 28, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Just to clarify, I don't think this mama is looking for a single class that she can attend with both kids -- rather a place that has two classes at the same time, one for each kid, and where the 3.5-year-old could attend on his/her own. So Music Together (which I agree is very fun) isn't quite what she's seeking.
(Sorry, I don't have an actual answer, though -- good luck!)
Posted by: Lisa | April 28, 2009 at 04:29 PM
I also agree that Music Together is an excellent option. The classes are mixed age so you would have both in the same class at the same time, but it is SO fun, I bet you will not leave exhausted. Instead, I leave feeling really great about sharing the experience I just had with my kids. Plus all of us know the same songs and chants. We use them all day long.
Posted by: Julia | April 29, 2010 at 12:34 PM
If you are looking for something year long, the Portland Waldorf School has a preschool and mixed-age kindergartens with 3 to 5 year olds, 3 or 5 days per week, with a parent/child class operating on one day per week. I know a mom who has her 5 year old in one class 5 days, her 3 year old in another 3 days, and attends the Parent/child 1 day per week. The Parent/Child classes, besides offering singing, movement, etc. activities, give a great in-depth understanding of brain and overall child development.
Posted by: Cyndia Ashkar | May 19, 2010 at 07:26 PM