Baby group to bring children and Knaresborough care home residents together

A baby group is being held at a Knaresborough care home in a bid to build community links between generations and combat loneliness.

Tiny Tots and Tea Cups will see elderly residents at The Manor House encouraged to sing and play with babies and toddlers.

Activities co-ordinator Katie Pickering is organising the free event with her colleague Joanne Meredith.

She was inspired after talking to a friend who had a lockdown baby, and also witnessing the positive effect of taking her children to visit her grandparents.

She said:

“We have been looking to get more involved in the local community now covid restrictions are lifting.
“I had a friend who had a baby in lockdown, who said it was one of the loneliest experiences she’s had. So I thought it would be a good idea to run a parent and baby group here. People from all generations can suffer from loneliness.

“Children can sometimes connect to people on a level that adults can’t. I took my daughters to see my grandparents and my grandad later told me it had been such a boost for my grandmother.”

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Katie put out a post on the Harrogate Mumbler Facebook page asking if anyone would be interested in attending.

Following a huge response, the first Tiny Tots and Tea Cups session will take place at The Manor House, Hambleton Grove, on Thursday, June 16, from 11am until 2pm.

Refreshments will be provided and there will also be baby toys and sensory items for the children, which have been cleaned and sterilised. Children up to pre-school age can attend and there is no need to book.

Katie added:

“Our only request is that parents wear a face mask, as we are a care home setting and it is still a legal requirement for us.
“If the response is good and people like it, we can look to make this a regular group. So far it has all been really positive.”
Activities to do with your toddler in the Harrogate district when older siblings go back to school

As the summer holidays draw to a close and older siblings return to school, it can often be more of a challenge entertaining toddlers.

The Harrogate district boasts a wealth of activities for babies, but what is there to do with preschoolers, particularly now the cooler weather is approaching?

Here are four classes to do with your toddler in the Harrogate district to keep the little ones entertained.

Little Gym Harrogate

Little Gym in Harrogate is a firm favourite on the parent-scene in Harrogate, offering progressively structured gym classes for babies from four months to children up to six-years-old.

Toddler classes include Beasts and Super Beasts for children aged 19 to 36 months, which see little ones attend sessions with parents and a class teacher, helping them to develop new physical and social skills.

Karen Dalby, from Little Gym Harrogate, said:

“We do get a lot busier when the kids are back at school, it’s so important to have something for toddlers where they can explore, take part in a semi-structured class and build confidence physically, socially and emotionally.

“Parents play a really active role in these sessions – the more fun they have, the more fun their children have. Our sessions are all based around movement – or assisted movement – for the younger children.

“At The Little Gym we use non-competitive activities like gymnastics to help children develop physically and mentally. Helping improve their confidence, aid their sleeping patterns, as well as developing vital motor and social skills. It’s time to get moving again. Let’s help them feel good about it.”

Toddler Sense

Run by Clair Miller in Harrogate, Wetherby and Staveley, near Karesborough, Toddler Sense offers sessions for children aged 13 months to five years.

Sessions are in two parts and involve a free play section and have an ever-changing set of equipment to explore – from bouncy castles, to tunnels, soft play to tents and balance beams.

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There are then led activities for parents and toddlers to do together – all based on  a weekly theme – these include games, bubbles, songs, dances and puppet shows.

Owner Claire, who was a primary school teacher for 11 years, said:

“I do find these classes are always busier in September once the older siblings return to school and families can give their toddlers some extra one-to-one time but classes are popular all year around.

“Our families have loved coming back to venue-based class again and seeing their toddlers begin to socialise.

“Toddlers have not had the same opportunities in recent times, so it is so lovely – and important developmentally – to see them learning new skills and meeting new friends.

“Something the grown-ups have appreciated too – I have seen many grown-up friendships forged in class which is so important. We all need that support.”

Moo Music

Moo Music, which holds classes in Harrogate, Ripon, Thirsk and Boroughbridge, offers interactive music sessions for children up to the age of five, where they can sing, dance and play alongside their parents, grandparents or carers.

The sessions are aimed at helping children gain confidence and develop memory, language and coordination skills in a multi-sensory way.

Owner Chantelle Riddle said:

“My sessions mainly operate during term time because of older siblings being off school, however I do run some summer holiday events in which older siblings are welcome to join in.

“This summer we’ve had special summer-themed classes, mobile soft play, messy play events and a visit from my mascot, Maggie Moo. However, these do seem to lend themselves to the younger audience up to the age of about six, which can be difficult for families with older children.

“Once we return to term-time – September especially – our numbers increase dramatically. The interest since Covid has had a massive effect on my business as parents are desperate to socialise and meet other mums. It’s actually been quite sad seeing so many new parents who haven’t been able to make the most of their maternity leave

“Moo Music is tailored for both babies and toddlers.

“I do love teaching the toddlers. I come from a teaching background and taught in primary for 10 years, so I love being able to adapt my sessions to suit their developmental needs. The progress is instant with toddlers right up to pre-school age.

“The aspect of development that I find the most rewarding is the little one’s self confidence. I’ve had many parents concerned with their little ones shyness, especially since Covid, so to see them thrive at Moo is amazing.

“As for mums – or dads – I think toddler groups are such an important part of their day. A great chance to socialise with other mums, share advice or any worries they have. I’ve seen many friendships blossom at Moo Music including some of my own.

“It’s been lovely to see parents bonding with their child at class too, having that time to really focus on enjoying their time together – one of the best parts of my job.”

Urban Circus

Based in Harrogate and Ripon, Urban Circus started life as a single pole fitness class in January 2013, appealing to ladies who wanted to get more active and see results without being bored at the gym.

It has now expanded across two venues, offering more than 40 classes including, pole, aerial hoop and children’s circus classes.

TwinkleTops and TumbleTots are instructor-led classes for children aged 12 months to four-years-old and are for both mum and little one to enjoy together.

The non-traditional mum group combined with baby cirque-gymnastics is aimed at helping improve motor skills, balance, coordination and more.

The class includes a fun warm-up, lots of action games, a circus or gymnastics circuit, including playing on all the apparatus, and learning skills such as forward rolls and handstand fundamentals, and provides an opportunity to make new friends and for parents to chat too.

The circus apparatus includes custom-made mini aerial hoops an aerial hammock and a pole.