classes for my toddler
Thank you to everyone. I signed my son up for preschool and during the next summer I will sign him up for some of the other suggestions you provided. Thank you so much to everyone... you gave me great ideas for not only my son but my younger twins. I appreciate all the responses. :-)
Lakshore as the best gymnastics for both boys/girls (with male instructors!)
Jump Ahead teaches sports and how to be a "team player" which is also done in small groups so there's plenty of attention. Little Kickers, soccer and they do indoors, a lot of running. And then there's Karate. Boys LOVE that. Good luck.
Try Little Gym on Lincoln or My Gym on Fullerton. They may have classes going on now that you can sit in on to try it out. How far North are you? If Evanston isn't too far then I have a lot more suggestions for you.
Have you tried Bubbles Academy? A friend of mine loves it.
Hey D.,
You could try the Toddler's Playhouse http://www.toddlersplayhouse.org/tplmembership.html or Music Together http://www.musictogether.com/
All of the park districts are different in terms of what is taught and how. If you didn't like the gymnastics class you took last time, try it at another park. It makes a difference as some parks are truly better and have better teachers than others.
We took tumbling at River Park and that was awesome. The teacher was great and while she did have them do some of the same things (repetition is good at this age), she did throw in something new every week. And she was cool with us dropping off, too which was nice.
I hope that helps!
blessings,
J.
D.,
Sign up your child for one of the Evanston Park District's classes.
They have plenty for everyone to enjoy.
Your children can play at the Robert Crown Center, Chandler-Newberg Community Center and Levy Center.
Google the names and the information will appear.
Have fun!
Try soccer! A couple of people below recommended Little Kickers, through Chicago Futbol. My 2 year-old was enrolled in this in the spring and loved it!! He was so worn out when it was over he'd fall asleep in the car on the way home. He never does that anymore. We went to the Menomenee center location, near Clybourn & North. We are definitely going to enroll in the fall again.
What about karate? We looked at a martial arts place in Lincoln Square on Lincoln that looked prett cool but we ended up moving so we didn't sign my daughter up. I can't remember the name of the place but it was near the Potbelly's & Cold Stone Creamery.
Try My Gym Children's Fitness Center. There's one in Lincoln Park, Skokie, Buffalo Grove, Aurora, Wheaton and River Forrest. Try a free Guest Class. I think you'll both have a blast! The whole program and the gym layout change weekly so it's never boring. I am biased since my almost 7 year-old has been going to the Buffalo Grove location since he was 20-months old. It's his favorite place to go to, including Birthday Parties since his 3rd.
As a teacher, you probably know that it's not only WHAT is being presented but HOW and by WHO and it's the best! Don't confuse "My Gym" with "the Little Gym". There is a difference, and not only price-wise.
Good luck!
D., is Lake Shore School any good to you? My sons are adults now so all I know is that the school is around Bryn Mawr and Clark and seems to offer daycare as well as school. Good luck.
My Gym is GREAT!!!! I started my daughter at 2.5(she is now 3) and she adores it and has grown so much. The instructors are really great! I cannot say enough good things. The Director at the Fullerton location is Ann(blanking on last name) she is so positive and will really make you feel welcomed! good luck! oh, and the class is great, a mix of structured and unstructured activities...definitely well organized!
My Daughter has been going to the Little Gym on Lincoln Ave, she started at 3, she loves it and can not wait for Thursdays to go. They are really great, I love the insructors. She is thriving they even invited her for the advanced classes (she will be 5 in 2 weeks). Look into them they have the fall schedule out now.
Good Luck
V.
Little Kickers is great, and they have indoor classes. You can go through Chitown Futbol, or Niles Sports Zone (which I prefer- their outdoor classes were at Peterson Park). If you are looking to be up North, then I would go with Niles because Chitown futbol has you mostly towards Humbolt Park, or North Ave, or further. I found the travel time to be too much. They play lots of games that teach skills and the kids have fun. It's very developmentally appropriate, which I am picky about as well as a person who has been in the field of ECE since I was 15. We do gymnastics at the Peterson Park Gymnastic Center, and while they are around the equipment, I have NEVER seen a child get hurt. In fact I think it is the exposure to the equiptment in such a safe way (absolutely everything has triple pads) for them to learn about it. We have done gymnastics at other CPD sites and we were seriously bored after the first three weeks. Not enough movement, too little activity repeated too often. Peterson Park is the ONLY park district program that ranks in state and national competitions. I think once they get past twinkle stars and rising stars they start actual training. It's hard as a teacher to let go of some control... but if your child is enjoying it and he's safe sometimes it's worth being flexible.
What about swim classes or other classes at your local YMCA? The Niles Leaning Tower Y has some nice classes, it seems. I am considering signing up my 2 for swim classes this fall.
You may want to check out www.kidwinks.com. They have a lot of classes and camps for kids. You can read and write reviews too. That way you can share all of your experiences with other parents.
We have enjoyed classes at bubbles academy, check them out on line!
