mommy and me class for 18 month old who isn't walking?

[marieangela]

My dd is almost 18 months old. She has a genetic disorder and is doing great, although she is a bit behind on walking and talking. She is cruising and seems to be getting close to walking on her own. She has three therapists- physical, developmental and speech. I think it would be nice, though, for her to spend some time around other babies/toddlers once her brothers are in school.

Our local community college has two classes that I'm considering. They don't start until the end of Sept or beginning of Nov. One is a Mommy and Me Exercise and Creative Movement class for 15-24 month olds. I wonder, though, how well she'll be able to participate if she's not walking yet or is still fairly unsteady, as opposed to the typical children in the class who will have been walking for a while already. The fact that she is not talking will be fairly obvious, too, I'm sure. The other class option is a Music and Movement for Infants and Toddlers class for 6-18 month olds. She will be 19 months old by the time it starts, but is more developmentally on par with this group.

I'm trying to decide which class would be better. I may actually be working on Wednesdays and that is the day for the class for the 6-18 month olds. The other class is on Fridays and I shouldn't have any conflicts with that. I wonder, though, if it will just make me feel a little sad and force me to compare my beautiful, wonderful and sweet little girl to other children that are her age and younger, but are so far beyond her developmentally...

[luv-my-boys]

Well me and my deaf DS went to a baby music class and we LOVED it. Is there any way you can speak to the instructor and find out first hand exactly what the classs entails by explaining your situation. For us I was really hestitant but after speaking to the instructor I was reassured that even my deaf son could find some enjoyment from the class, which he did. For instance it may mean some modifications for you depending on what kinds of equipment they may use but at that age if your willing to help her physically (like holding and carrying) during the class i would think that she could get involved. For us even though some activities clearly my son couldnt hear (like music and then freeze when the music stopped) he was still able to join in and really did feel apart of the group participating how he could.

[devon]

I'm in the same situation with my 16 month old (genetic disorder, army crawling (not 4 point), cruising but not walking). I signed him up for a Kindermusik class for 0-18m old. I talked to the instructor and she said he should be fine but that she often has families in this kind of situation and that she's had kids that were almost 2 in the 0-18m class because of the gross motor movement (the next class is 18m+ and there is a lot more of gross motor movement).

I've been thrilled with all of the music classes I've attended with my various kids and find they get a lot out of them.

I'd be hesitant to put my kiddo in a Mommy and Me Movement and Exercise class because I think I'd be stressed about the gross motor aspect of it being so prevalent.

[LaughingHyena]

do you have any swimming classes. DD wasn't walking at that age and I think we would have found a gym class hard going. There was a noticeable difference in what she and several of her peers were able to do when we went to indoor playgrounds. I found swimming much less of an issue.

[marieangela]

Thanks for the responses. I have to figure out my work schedule for when the boys go back to school. I'm definitely leaning towards the music and movement class for the slightly younger age group. They do offer a swim class, too, but it is from 3pm-4pm and the boys will be out of school by then. I may look into ymca swim classes for her. She loves the water and would surely enjoy it.

[mommatj]

my DD is 29 months, and we were in the same type of situation this summer with Kindermusik.

When she was 19 months I quit Kindermusik because I didn't want to keep her in the "baby" class 0-18 months. But I also didn't want to send her to the toddler class 18-36 months if she couldn't participate in the same way as the other kids.

Fast forward to this summer. I spoke to the Kindermusik instructors, and asked if she could return to the baby class this year. They were happy to let her come in the "baby" class again, which is more developmentally at her level. Even though she was technically about 10 months "too old." But they said, "Moms know which class is best for their child."

She LOVED IT!! And no one questioned why we were there (and if they gave us strange looks, I didn't even notice!!) She had fun playing the instruments, had fun hugging and kissing the babies, and she was able to participate in a similar way to the other kids. Besides dogs, her 2 favourite things are babies and music, so she had a blast.

I am so glad we made the decision because although I was nervous at first (I hate having to answer questions, particularly when DD still has no diagnosis) she loved it.

I hope you find an option that works well for you!!

[mommatj]

Originally Posted by marieangela

I wonder, though, if it will just make me feel a little sad and force me to compare my beautiful, wonderful and sweet little girl to other children that are her age and younger, but are so far beyond her developmentally...

I completely understand what you mean. I still go through that on a regular basis as DD is 29 months and still not walking or talking.

I don't have any answers with that one, just wanted to say I know what you mean.

[ThisCat]

Maybe you could check to see if there are any Music Together classes in your area. They have a mixed age class from 6 months to 5 years, so it's designed for a broad range of abilities. We started them before my daughter was even crawling and continued till she was three and really like them.

[Chantaljoy]

Don't have any answers for you either, but I do know what you're going thru. My son is 21 months and doesn't walk or talk. You're not alone!

[beachcomber]

I suggest you speak to the instructors and find out how much independent movement is expected. Also, music might be the way to go with your little one. My sister in-law who has a genetic disorder and didn't walk until 4 is very stimulated by music. She adores music and it really helps her get into a groove, so to speak.