Are Mommy and Me Classes Beneficial?

Attending mommy and me classes with your child is a great opportunity for both you and your little one. They provide a chance to connect and bond with your child, alongside others, in a safe, kid-friendly setting. Mommy and me classes — usually centered around an activity or theme — allow you and your child, typically newborn through preschool age, to participate in fun activities together like art, music and movement, yoga, gymnastics, and any number of additional age-appropriate social experiences. Interacting with other kids at an early age can also help build your child's confidence and make the transition to school easier.

What makes mommy and me classes different from typical neighborhood playdates, besides being centered on a theme, is that they're held at facilities rather than at a mom's home, meaning there is a cost to attend.

Mommy and me classes allow your child the opportunity to get used to being around other children, especially if they’re the only child at home and your home is typically quiet. And, if that is the case, don’t be surprised if at first your child seems a bit shy or reserved; for some children, it’s to be expected. Take it slow and let your child warm up to the situation.

"I work at giving my daughter time and permission to navigate the experience on her own terms," Emily Popek, a mom of one, told Child Mind Institute. "I’ll encourage her to take little steps out of her comfort zone, like starting out watching the other kids, then maybe moving closer, then playing nearby to the kids, then eventually actually playing with them."

Attending a mommy and me class with your child also allows you to see your child from a brand-new perspective; you'll likely learn a lot more about them and their abilities. And, it's never too early to join a mommy and me class — they're beneficial for all ages, even if your baby is just a few months old.

"This is a time that the little ones get to engage in what we call parallel play. So they're not old enough to play with each other yet, they're just kind of next to each other, if that makes sense," Annie Chambers, co-founder of Winston-Salem, NC-based mommy and me group The Mom League, told WXII News.

"Parallel play helps them to learn empathy. They learn different language skills by listening to the other kids and they learn teamwork and sharing. They're not very good at it yet, but they're kind of learning how to do it, and that's the point," Chambers explained.

Finally, of course, getting out and about and meeting other moms with children of the same age will do wonders for your mental health, especially if you’re missing your social life prior to becoming a mom. You’ll have stories to bond over, peers to learn and grow with, and in the process, you may come out of it with lifelong friendships.

If you're worried about how to find mommy and me classes near you, chances are a quick glance at your local library's bulletin board will yield a variety of resources. Apart from free resources like the library and bookstore chain storytimes, check with nearby gymnastics facilities and dance and yoga studios to see if they're offering classes. Music and movement mommy and me classes facilities like Kindermusik and Gymboree offer a wide-variety of options for all ages.

When out and about, be sure to grab your local parenting magazines when you see them. Often you can find them at the entrance to grocery stores or the post office. These magazines are centered around a specific geographical area and provide a wealth of knowledge for the new mom.

Another great way to find mommy and me classes near you is from other moms. This means you'll have to become part of local online groups on social media to begin networking and scoping out new mommy and me class locations.

It may take some initial legwork to find the right group for you and your child, and likely there will be some trial and error; not every class is right for every mom and child duo. But, in time, you'll settle into a groove and begin to reap the social benefits of mommy and me classes with your little one.