Hi I’m Helen Dowdell and I run Sensory Fun.
I wanted to start these classes because I am passionate about young children’s development and I know how invaluable it is to attend a class or group with your child from a young age to encourage development and to meet with parents/carers with children the same age.
I have 20 years experience of working with children from birth to age 7 years old, in a variety of settings and an HND in Early Childhood Studies, I am qualified in paediatric first aid and resuscitation and have attended many trainings about learning and development during my career, including Attention Autism training, speech and language, behaviour and phonics.
In creating these classes I hope I am able to combine my knowledge and experience so that classes are engaging, stimulating, beneficial to development and above all fun.
Why Come to Sensory Fun?
Provides Sensory Stimulation: Sensory Fun classes provide sensory stimulation for babies and toddlers. Children learn best when using all their senses, so engaging in a class that provides visual, auditory, physical and tactile stimulation is extremely beneficial for overall growth. Research has shown that involving babies in sensory experiences helps to boost their brain structure. Sensory stimulation helps create new pathways in the brain. By the end of the first year, your baby's brain will have doubled in volume as a direct result of sensory learning from birth!
Fosters Language Development: As kids play and watch others, they are taking in language. This allows them to develop vocabulary and increase auditory skills. It also helps children understand how to follow directions.
Allows Parents/ Carers to Make Connections: Participating in classes allows parents to meet other parents. It allows you to learn from others and make new friends creating a vital support system.
Enhances Social Awareness: Sensory Fun classes allow children (and adults) to interact with others. It exposes babies to new people, sights and sounds. which will add their social development. Classes are a great bonding opportunity for babies and adults, and they’re fun!
You might think that sensory play is just a way of keeping children entertained and a chance for mums and dads to meet up, but it really has far more benefits than that. So book a class and come and see what it’s all about!
What happens in a Sensory Fun Class?
Sensory Fun Babies Class: 6m to 1yr/walking (1 hour)
Class structure: 'What's in the toybox?" to introduce today’s theme, sensory play, snack time, music and movement.
Sensory Fun: open session for babies and toddlers
Class structure: An informal sessions where themed sensory bins and messy crafts along with construction toys, small world and other sensory toys and books will be set out and children can explore through free play. There will be a break for refreshments and snacks and the session will end with singing and story time.
Our themes include: In the Jungle, Wheels, Bubbles, At the pond, and many more. We also include themes that relate to the time of year, seasons and celebrations.
Check our facebookpage for weekly themes and events
Every class has a break before singing for a social time, giving you the opportunity to enjoy homemade refreshments and chat with other parents in a relaxed, friendly environment.
