Rhythm Time

A Mum Chum had taken her (then) baby to Rhythm Time classes at Whiteinch Community Centre.  As a "something new to do", my Monday Club decided to book into the Toddler class at Hillhead Sports Club on a Monday morning.  I think we initially did a term and a half, took a couple of terms off and returned for one final term before the boys turned three.

The classes are led by one member of staff, Helen and then Amelia, who are very friendly and whom the children adore.  Each session is very formulaic but babies and toddlers love that!  Overall, I thought each session was well-thought out and includes: action songs, pitch, tempo, dynamics, rhythm and beat activities, listening activities (with a tickling rabbit in a hat!) and lots of instruments.  There is a "What's in the box today?" segment, which introduces new things.   The pace could have been quicker for the boys, as they easily got distracted (especially when the tractor was out mowing the lawn) and started to run around the large space.

I do feel the boys gained some musical skills over their Rhythm Time journey but the classes are definitely age-appropriate and when they were three they had got everything out of the Toddler classes they were going to.  I haven't been to any other franchise music classes, so I can't compare to Music Bugs etc. but I think the programme provides lots of fun and good basic skills.

I can't quite remember how much the classes were, about £4.50 per session and you do have to book a block.  I'm sure when we started each session was about 45 minutes but this seemed to shrink and shrink.  The session was very busy and popular.

One of the absolute highlights for Angus is the CD you get each term with all the songs and music.  It is a firm favourite in the car.

The venue at Hillhead Sports Club is quite posh.  There is lots of on-street parking.  We usually stopped for a fancy coffee at Cafe Source Too downstairs.  The toilets and baby change facilities are excellent.  There is a lift upstairs to the space but most people left their buggies downstairs (space for about 10 indoors and sheltered space for lots more outdoors).

I can see that Helen, the Glasgow West franchisee has lots and lots of sessions elsewhere too: Funworld in Greenock, Partick Burgh Hall, Strathgryffe Squash Club in Houston, Whiteinch Community Centre and Kilmacolm Community Centre.  I am considering taking the New One (when they arrive) to the Young Baby classes.  There are also franchisees for Glasgow South (Giffnock, Busby and Newton Mearns) and Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Bonnybridge.