Tumble Tots

I have decided to review the children's activity group called Tumbletots as I have never really been able to find many online opinions of htis group, and I thought that my opinion might be of value to some other mums on Ciao!

*What is Tumbletots?*
Tumble tots is a franchise which provides fun and safe activities for children of all ages, from 6 months old right through to 7 years old, and maybe older. Equipment is provided at each session, and you are shown how to use it with your child, allowing them to be independant as much as possible.

*Will my child be with kids their own age?*
The answer is yes. Tumbletots is split into 3 different sections, which are sometimes split into more sub groups to allow for different stages of childhood development. The 3 main groups are Gymbabes, Tumbletots and Gymbobs. Gymbabes caters for babies from 6 months old through to when you child is walking, roughly 12-15 months old. Tumbletots is split into 2 groups, walking to 2 years old, and 2 years to school age.

The reason for the split is because parents are more actively involved in the first part of Tumbletots, supporting their child, but in the later part, children are more encouraged to do the equipment on their own and converse with other children independently.

*How much is it?*
Annual membership to Tumbletots is £20. For this, your child gets Tumbletots T-Shirt (or Gymbabes/Gymbobs according to their stage), a gym bag, inflatable toy, membership card, booklet which contains a few vouchers and for us mummies (and daddies!) a magazine every 2 months called Right Start.

You do however have to pay class fees each week as well, something which has a put off a few people I know. Class fees range from £4 to £5, and they usually request a term's fees in advance. The terms are the same as school terms, so usually you only have to pay for 6 weeks at the moest.

*What happens at each session?*
The tumbletots have to remove their shoes and socks to ensure that they can properly use the equipment. Make sure you dress your child comfortably too, jeans are often too restrictive so joggers and a loose t shirt will do. One of the staff memebers then walks around the equipment circuit and explains what the toddlers have to do on the equipment.

Then they are given about 20 minutes of free play, where the children can use all of the equipment. The they are usually drawn together for a song in the group circle, which my son now loves!! Then they allowed another 10 minutes of play, where more equipment such a ribbons, sticks and bean bags are put out for the children. One more song follows, and then they are each given a sticker and off we go home!

I find Tumbletots great for my son. I have seen a vast improvement in his concentrations and co-ordination, and he loves socialising with other children, especially because he is an only cild. It is nice for me to get out and meet some other mums too.

Tumbletots has a website where you can find out about local classes, book a trial session which is usually half the price of a usual session, and buy Tumbletots goodies such as CD's and DVD's.

www.tumbletots.com

A great idea for young children, can be expensive but in my opinion if you can afford it it is worth it.