Hartbeeps really is like no other baby class I have ever been to. At first I really didn’t think I was going to like it. All the ‘goo-goos’, ‘gaa-gaas’ and ‘maaaa, ma ma’ sing songs grated on me just a little because they weren’t me. It seemed really dumbed down and super immature and childish. But that’s EXACTLY what a baby class should be. We are entertaining the babies here, not the adults! And I love it.
The multi-sensory, musical classes offer such a new experience for children of any age. They have their own songs and my personal favourite is the ‘Change Time Rap’. If you want to hear a snippet of any of their songs, you can do so on their website and it wouldn’t be complete without being able to buy your own CD.
The use of songs, sound effects come together with puppetry, props and lights to get your baby engaged in the world of Hartbeeps’ ‘Baby Land’.
Our weekly class here in Norfolk was in a village hall, standard baby class venue of course, and we all sat round in a circle. In the middle there was usually a set up depending on what the theme of the day was. Shoes are off and babies are usually laid down in front of you as the class begins. I loved that the songs incorporated lots of close time with Teddy. I could kiss his head, tickle him, pick him up and stroke him all to music and it just creates this mega amazing bond because he just loves it. He loves that we’re connecting, but he’s also very musical and likes to clap along and bum shuffle and wiggle so it was almost like his two favourite things coming together.
Hartbeeps are basically mini productions that get you and the babies involved, even if you look like a total idiot doing it. Hey, it makes the babies smile right? I really love that the Baby Beeps class starts incorporating signs into the mix. Obviously Toby has a hearing problem and speech delay and so we’ve now resorted to signing with him, and now I know how useful it can be, I think it’s great that they can do it from such a young age.
I always took Ted in a baby grow as I didn’t want his movements to be restricted if we were doing something a little more physical and I thought it was perfect for the calming down period after we’d been through all of our songs and activities for the session. This was actually one of my favourite parts. The curtains are drawn, the light up stars are handed out along with pillows and a blanket. Feathers are scattered around and whoever is taking the class would spray this amazing scent and it made me want to go to sleep, let alone Ted! The cymbals would chime and the air around would just be so still and I just found that a really lovely end to a class because most baby classes finish with the kids being totally wound up!
I grew to love these classes, and we’re unfortunately unable to attend any more due to the change of time which is such a shame as it’s a class that Ted really loved and enjoyed. I really enjoyed that it was our little hour together of just he and I doing something because I had all that time with Toby, and Ted seems to get no time on his own with either of us so it was nice to just have our own little thing.
Without a doubt, I can’t recommend these enough. They seriously might not seem like ‘your thing’ at the time, but I grew to love these classes and take Hartbeeps for what it is; an amazing experience for Ted both socially and developmentally. And for me it was nice to get out of the house and bond with him in a different way and in a different environment.
The ladies who run the Hartbeeps classes in Norfolk are just so incredible. They are uber enthusiastic and are genuinely in love with the whole programme and what it can bring for the babies and their parents. You can find if there are classes in your area, and I think you might even be able to get a little taster session before you sign up. Speaking of which, you can even pay as you go if you preferred to, rather than paying for a full term in one go! How awesome are Hartbeeps?
*I attended a few Hartbeep classes in return for this review. All views and opinions are my own.