toddler
Growing together
Parenthood is often described as a journey, but it’ s one that can feel surprisingly solitary at times. From music-filled mornings to playful sensory sessions, these groups create communities where laughter is shared, friendships are formed, and confidence quietly blossoms.
There’ s nothing quite like being a parent: the gurgles, giggles, and those unforgettable firsts. But babies, and especially toddlers( not to mention stressed-out moms), need to get out of the house and interact with others. Did we mention especially moms? That’ s where mommy-and-me groups come in.
These groups offer low-stakes opportunities for moms and dads to socialise while helping babies and toddlers learn new skills. We spoke to the founders of three programmes about why they matter and why they just might be the lifeline you’ ve been looking for.
Mommy and Me
“ Mommy and Me was created to give both parents and their babies and toddlers a nurturing and supportive start to development,” explains Leila Solomon, founder of Cape Town-based Mommy and Me.“ The first years of a child’ s life are incredibly important, and I wanted to create a space where babies and toddlers could explore, learn, and develop through stimulating activities and where parents felt supported, connected, and equipped to become active educators in their child’ s early learning journey.”
With a Bachelor’ s Degree in Education from the University of Cape Town and a background in primary school teaching, Leila brings both expertise and heart to the programme. She saw a gap, not just in early childhood development, but in the support available to parents navigating those formative years.
“ I recognised how important it is for parents to have guidance and a sense of community during this stage,” she says.“ Mommy and Me was created to bring together development, support and connection in one space, while empowering parents to feel confident in their role as their child’ s first and most important educators.”
What truly distinguishes Mommy and Me is the care put into its structure. Each class is intentionally kept small, limited to just eight parents and eight children carefully grouped by age. This intimate setting creates a sense of shared experience that evolves naturally over time.
“ The programme is designed as a developmental journey from two months through to toddlerhood,” Leila explains.“ As children grow, the programme evolves with them. The toddler phase focuses on preschool
50 www. babysandbeyond. co. za