PEKiP, baby swimming or crawling group?
Baby courses are a wonderful way to get to know other parents and babies and to experience new things together with your child. Depending on the offer, the programs promote your baby's motor skills and various senses and at the same time give you the opportunity to exchange ideas intensively with other parents and the course leader. But what baby courses are there? And which course is right for you? How much program is actually good for the baby?
The most popular baby courses at a glance
From the playgroup to baby swimming to PEKiP or music education - the selection of baby courses is huge. It's easy to lose track. That's why we've put together the most popular baby courses for you:
baby massage (from 6 weeks)
In the baby massage course, you will receive professional instruction on how to massage your baby to calm and relax it. You will learn targeted massage techniques and special massage movements that can also help with stomach aches, for example. The loving caresses and physical contact strengthen your bond and have a harmonizing effect. It is also an ideal place to exchange ideas with other parents.
PEKiP (from 6 weeks)
At PEKiP (Prague Parent-Child Program), you meet with a total of 6 to 8 adults and their babies in a warmed-up room. The special thing: the children are stripped naked and laid on a soft surface where they can move freely and without restrictions. The children are specifically occupied and encouraged with play and movement suggestions, and the parents can exchange ideas with each other and with the group leader.
Baby Yoga (from 6 weeks)
Baby yoga combines gentle yoga exercises for the mother with a relaxing massage for the baby. This means that your baby is included in everything in a playful way and can enjoy the touch. This way, you can find more peace and relaxation together.
Baby swimming (from about 3 months)
Bathing fun that is good for mom and baby: Baby swimming primarily promotes your baby's motor skills, coordination and self-awareness and trains their sense of balance. Bathing and splashing together in direct physical contact also supports the parent-child bond. Important: Your baby should already be able to hold its head up independently.
crawling group (from about 6 months)
Crawling groups offer a pleasant setting to meet other children and parents - without any specific support for the children. The focus is on the babies' fun and joy of movement - just like the intensive exchange between the parents. A crawling course is suitable for all babies who can already crawl and can thus come into contact with one another and become active through play.
Music garden / early musical education (from birth)
If you want to introduce your child to music at an early age and in a playful way, the music garden is the place to be. Here, children sing, dance and make music together, for example with rattles or wooden chimes. This promotes creativity and language in the little ones.
How do I find the right baby course for my child?
Even if all of these baby courses sound exciting at first glance, the question is which course is right for you and your child. The following considerations can help you make your decision:
- What is your personal concern for a baby course?
- Do you want to specifically support your child or in which area?
- Are you primarily looking for personal exchange with other parents?
- Or are you looking for specific tips and guidance from outside?
- What might your baby particularly like?
This will certainly help you narrow down your selection quite well.
How much programming is good for my child?
There may still be various baby courses on your list that would be really exciting for you. But before the whole thing degenerates into “leisure stress”, think carefully about what is really realistic:
- How resilient are you yourself?
- How resilient is your baby?
- How many appointments can you easily plan into your daily routine without anyone being overwhelmed?
Practice shows quite clearly that less more Perhaps the different activities can be spread out over time: once the baby massage course is finished, baby swimming can begin after a short break, etc.
Baby classes in Corona times
During the Corona period, the range of baby courses has been greatly reduced or shifted to the online area. Even if this means there is still the chance to get together in some way, this is of course in no way comparable to personal contact - neither for the parents nor for the children. Therefore, we hope for ourselves and for all of you that "normality" will soon return and that you and your children can get together without any worries.
