We decided to enroll the twins in a Mommy and me class. The class is called 123 Learn with Me, and it is a class offered at one of our local churches for children between the ages of 1 and 3. During this 2 hour weekly class, they get to do circle time, singing, free play, arts and crafts, and snack time. I was a little nervous going into this class today because the twins tend to stick to me pretty closely, and I didn't know if they would venture out and do some of the activities. For example, yesterday, we did a first time play date with another twin mom at a park near our house. The twins stayed next to me most time and did not interact with the other kids at all and Jaelyn especially would not venture out to play at all without me. After about 40 minutes, Kaden took off and was playing, but not Jae. She remains with me.
So, I was a little worried about class today and didn't know if they were ready for this. To my surprise, they did a good job. The class starts with open play. Jae didn't do anything unless I was with her. I finally got her interested with a puzzle. Kaden would venture a bit from me but constantly check my location. When we moved on to circle time they panicked when they saw the chairs starting to assemble into a semi circle. The started to cry, "NO CHAIR, Mommy, NO CHAIR!" I reassured them and they both sat on my lap (one on each knee). During the circle time, Kaden moved down to his seat. He even jumped up and ran up to the teacher when she held up a picture of a gray elephant. (We have been learning about Elephants and he has been talking about them all week). Jae remained on my lap throughout circle time. They were doing a color activity and you were supposed to raise your hand if you are wearing that color. Jae was wearing a multicolored shirt and raised her hand twice. (I was thinking to myself that this is a good sign.) During the music song, they both went up to grab a maraca shaker but then Jae came right back to me and asked to be carried. Next, we moved to snack time and she sat in her chair next to brother at the snack table. They both got involved in arts and crafts. Except Kaden freaked out when I tried to help him with the scissors, and he started shrieking at the top of his lungs and swinging his arms around and almost poked the kid next to him in the eye with the scissors. I took him out to talk to him about this, and Jae did not freak out, but she did come looking for me and found me. The last activity was the goodbye circle where they sing goodbye to each child and they come up to get their sticker and hug. I did not even have to prompt Jae, she took her seat in the semi circle next to brother and when they started signing her name, up she went to pick a sticker and give Mrs. Carol her hug! I was so impressed! Kaden also did well with this. All and all they didn't interact with any of the other kids, but they participated, so I call this a success! I think they are ready for a class like this where they learn new skills and it was nice for me because I got to talk to many new mom friends. I think this class will go well.
Its interesting to me that there's a complete turn around from when they were babies... Kaden would cry if alone and Jae seemed better at self soothing. Now its Jae that clings and Kaden runs off... But I guess each child has so many phases and twins don't have to be going through the same phase at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting and I suppose you are correct. Sometimes I forget who clingy Kaden used to be. He still keeps track of me at home more than Jae does and Jae is more publicly clingy. She is painfully shy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good experience for them both.
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