My Experience as a Mom in a Mommy and Me Class

The teachers provide many exciting activities to encourage creativity, movement, learning, and everything in between. Sometimes, there is playdough, handprints, art, painting, sensory bins, or STEM toys. These seemingly simple projects generate curiosity, foster independence and confidence in little minds. In addition, they promote perseverance along with building social skills.

Going back to the basics, stripped of the complexities each passing year adds to our personas, the other grownups and I are compelled to rediscover our inner child. I am immediately engulfed in their world and ready to play along, appreciating each new object through their eyes.

They set their own pace, follow their own thoughts, and decide their own possibilities. Empowered by unique personalities, a few littles dart to the messy play table while others get busy in the pretend play area. And a select few find joy in simply distributing hugs across the room.

It is a privilege to see how the most intelligent life form is self-learning in its nascent stage. When I look at these children and wonder how their actions must transform their brains and make countless connections, I feel lucky to be a spectator of something so precious and am left humbled.

As a mom in a Mommy and Me Class, my time always ends with group circle time when kids and their grownups sing and dance, the finale being their favorite, “The Hug Song.” Goodbyes are said to old friends and new and everyone leaves feeling refreshed.

On our way home this Friday morning, I stole a quick glance in the rear-view mirror at my little Minnesotan cradled in the car seat, settling in towards deep slumber. Hungry, tired, and sleepy but with the most content smile. That makes two of us.