July 2017, will see the start of our 30th series!!! babyBEings classes have been going for 9 years!
In May 2017, Fran attended a 5 day workshop in Sydney entitled "Autonomous Play Activity." It was facilitated by pedagogues who travelled from the Pikler Institute in Hungary. Fran found it very worthwhile and learnt a lot about young children's manipulative play which is strongly linked to cognitive development.
TERMS 1 & 2, 2017. Our outdoor only class on a Monday morning has continued this year under the guidance of Erin Shaw. It is now called 'littleBEings 3' and has evolved into being a place for anyone from babyBEings or littleBEings to come to, who wants to provide more outdoor play for their child, keep in touch with like-minded parents, and have an alternative to kindy or daycare for their child.
Children at littleBEings 3 enjoy climbing on our dome shaped frame.
Term 3, 2016
This term saw the completion of the 8 week 'Circle of Security Training' Fran facilitated with 18 parents, teachers and YMCA OSCAR Programme staff. Here are some of their comments about their experience...
* I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn about the COS.This training has been very influential and makes me feel excited for being a parent and to put learning into practice. * I like that it covered also the feelings of the parent, so you can work ...with yourself to recognise and understand your own reactions to certain behaviour. I would recommend it to everyone! * I am feeling great about how I parent my children and have taken to 'time-in' and I feel my household is smoother and happier. * I really enjoyed the mix of people attending the classes and discussing topics with different people and to hear such a variety of views, experiences, and opinions each week. It's given me more confidence to manage tricky situations and to trust more in myself as a parent. * I am a much calmer parent with a lot more understanding of feelings. I can see things from their perspective and I feel like my children can see that they are being heard. I feel like a better person and mother. littleBEings 3 begins....
We also started a new class this term for our 2-3 year olds, which is held outdoors only on Monday mornings. It is for our littleBEings 2 graduates and is run by one of our lovely parents, Erin Shaw. We had a couple of working bees to make a bigger area of our facility accessible and safe for these older toddlers. We are excited to be offering this class to reflect our beliefs that: 1. children show the best readiness for pre-school type learning around 3 years of age, and 2. children should be enabled to play outdoors in all weathers as much as possible.
Term 2, 2016The 8 parents and their babies who attended Series 26 completed babyBEings Part 2 this term. Here are some of their comments about what they have learnt or enjoyed about the classes:
1. I feel this Part 2 has been educational on a different level, like I am discovering a whole other level of motherhood within me, just like the unpeeling of the flower exercise. 2. I have learnt how important the 'Circle of Security' is and also try to take my child outside as much as possible as I notice how amazing it is for her. 3. I love receiving lots of affirmation about my parenting choices and it's great to see my baby responding to babyBEings practises at home. 4. That making the choice to have a non-violent home is the right decision. Term 1, 2016
At last we have our deck covered and have been enjoying getting outside more in all of our classes.
We particularly like using the deck in the afternoons as it is shaded so well now and is lovely and cool to sit on and just watch our babies and toddlers venture away to play. 
Term 2, 2015, LittleBEings 2.We farewelled 3 toddlers and their Mums at the end of this term who have been attending our classes for 2 years. This is what one of the parents said about their experience....
Grace and I attended both BabyBeings and LittleBeings and we both have thoroughly enjoyed and gained a lot from the classes. The classes have shown me how to work with my daughter to form a partnership that I feel will benefit her and me throughout her life. The environment is supportive and inclusive. You can share your problems with the group and get feedback and ideas that others have tried and think may work. As a mother I now understand the stages and steps that Grace has taken and how to work with her through these. BabyBeings has been an incredible experience, which both Grace and I have learnt so much from. 
Term 1,2015
This year has started with our 24th new series! We have a lovely group of 11 new babies and 13 parents, which includes 2 Dads who come every week with their partner and baby. This series has a great mix, as we have 4 Mums in the group who are returning with their 2nd or 3rd baby, and who have a wealth of wisdom to share with the 7 brand new parents in the group. According to Robin Grille, author of 'Parenting for a Peaceful World', "It was nature's intention that we parent in groups.. it is unrealistic to think we can do it alone, without the supportive and regular input of either an extended family or social group." We believe babyBEings fits into that social group category. |
The end of Term 2, 2017 sees these parents in Series 29-2 complete our babyBEings Part 1 & Part2 programme. They move to Wednesday classes next term.
Some of the parents from Series 29-1 who have completed their 2nd term at babyBEings. Next term they also move to Wednesday classes.
It's Outdoors Only on Mondays!!!
Children at littleBEings 3 having morning tea under our gorgeous silk tree!
Term3, 2016
Above photos taken at 'Circle of Security Training', Term 3 2016. TERM 2, 2016
Above: Parents and babies from Series 26, after completing babyBEings Part2, July 2016.
Term 1, 2016
Our 26th series of babyBEings began this term with 7 lovely Mums and their beautiful babies!
Term 2, 2015
Jada & Michelle, Logan & Hayley and Grace & Olivia finish littleBEings 2 after two years with us. All the best for the future to these lovely families.
Like most typical toddlers Grace loved to collect things and bring them back to her safe haven place where her Mummy, Olivia, would be sitting.
Term 1, 2015
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Term 1, 2014
Farewelling Nicky Khoo and her son Lucas in April 2014. After moving to Hamilton Nicky continued to come to our classes fortnightly just so Lucas could graduate from our 2 year programme like his big brother Owen had done previously.
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Term 2, 2014
Farewelling Nada Harper and her daughter Zita at the end of Term 2. Nada has attended babyBEings for the past 5 years with 3 of her 4 children.
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2014 has been a busy year so far, that included the starting of Series 20 in February, a larger than normal class of 12 toddlers attending littleBEings 2 on Friday mornings for the first two terms, 8 young toddlers from Series 18 continuing on to littleBEings 1 on Friday afternoons and 2 new parents and their babies joining Series 19 on Thursday mornings after some 1:1 work with Fran.
To cater for an increasing demand Fran started a new Series (21) on her own in Term 2 on Wednesday mornings. This series is attended by 5 mothers and their babies and it is hoped that they will join in with Series 20 at the start of term 4. It is good to have 3 younger Mums in this group.
At the end of term 2 we farewelled Nicky Khoo and Andrea Bachelor who had been right through babyBEings and littleBEings with both of their two children. We also farewelled Nada Harper who is the only parent to attend our classes right through with three children! We thank them for their support and for all their practical tips and wisdom that they shared so willingly to help other parents over this time. Nada and Nicky will be missed but Andrea will be returning in 2015 with baby no.3!
At the end of Term 2 a few parents who had left Series 18 for various reasons asked to come back which was terrific. This meant that we had to split the group into 2 and go to fortnightly classes on friday afternoons to keep the numbers to a manageable size. So far this is working ok. Although we would prefer to have classes weekly for continuity it is great to have such retention and high numbers that we have to go to fortnightly to cater for the demand! We anticipate having to do this again in Term 4 when Series 20 and 21 join up.
We have a facebook page for our parents now which is going well and Fran is currently working on the making of some educational videos about the key aspects of our classes.
Now in Term 3 2014 we have another new series beginning! It is our 22nd series and has 6 new mums and their babies attending. Two mums in our littleBEings 2 class gave birth to their 2nd babies in July and 3 other mums in this class are pregnant. All are keen to come back and start another series with their new baby, so we are expecting Series 23 (which starts on November 7th) and Series 24 (starting February 2015) to include these returning mums and babies. We love it when parents want to come back and do it all again with their next baby! It means we get to have the benefit of their experience and knowledge in the group and that we must be doing something they like!
Term 3, 2013
22/8/13: We are pleased to inform you that all our classes have now returned to being held on a weekly basis and that we have just started our 19th new series!This is held on Thursday afternoons at 1pm.
Series 18 is going strong on Thursday mornings with 10 parents and their babies on the roll. When they all come it is 'full-on' as almost all of the babies are well and truly on the move and there is much to observe and learn from, especially when they like the same toys and crawl over each other (see photo right)!
This term littleBEings 2, which meets on Friday mornings, is a smaller and younger group than usual. Despite not having so many older role-models these toddlers delight us each week with how quickly they are learning and participating in all our morning tea routines.
On Friday afternoons our littleBEings 1 group are almost all up and walking now. How beautiful it is watching them take their first steps and relate to each other on a whole new level!
Term 2 update - June 2013
Thank you so much to everyone at babyBEings and littleBEings for showing Levi such love and support during the time of her sister's passing and while I was away. She has been really touched by all your words and gestures of comfort.
It's great to be back and I'm excited to share what I have learnt from my 2nd trip to the Pikler Institute with you all over the coming weeks.
Classes will continue to be held on a fortnightly basis for awhile. We know its harder to remember when classes are fortnightly but we hope you can keep up the commitment to attend until we can return to weekly classes sometime in Term 3.
Dates of classes for the next month are as follows:
Series 18 am & pm classses for babyBEings Part2 - Thurs 27th June and 11th July.
Friday am & pm littleBEings classes - 4th and 19th July.
A new babyBEings Part1 Series (19) for new parents will be starting in the week beginning 19th August (tbc). If you know of anyone who would be interested get them to contact me.
Regards
Fran :)
Term 2, 2013 (May- July)
Classes for Term 2, 2013
BABYBEINGS
We are thrilled that all of the participants from Series 18 who completed BabyBEings Part 1 last term will be continuing on with BabyBEings Part 2 this term. This is the 2nd time we have extended our introductory series to 20 weeks. We believe this will provide parents with a more solid grounding on which to base a respectful partnership between them and their baby before the toddler years.
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The first babyBEings part 2 (BB2) class will be a combined one for both the morning and afternoon series 18 groups and will be on Thursday 9th May at 10am.
LITTLEBEINGS
There has been a great turnout at the two toddler workshops for littleBEings parents during the school holidays. These workshopd are now a pre-requisite to attending our littleBEings classes for toddlers.
The following children are invited to attend our Friday morning class starting on Friday 10th May at 9.30am: Joe, Flynn, Leah, Charlotte, Frankie, Charlie, Zita, Isla, Emma, Lucas and Esther.
Our Friday afternoon class is for all the babies from Series 17 and starts on Friday 19th May at 1pm. The babies are: Ewan, Bridey, Noah, Kayde, Zoe, Bonnie, Emma and Emily-Rose.
As Fran will be away attending another course at the Pikler Institute for the first few weeks of Term 2 we will not be starting a new introductory series this term. If there are any parents with new babies who are interested they can contact Fran as we will be starting a new series again in Term 3.
MUMMYBEINGS
There will be no mummyBEings classes this term.
Thanks and Happy Parenting,
Fran & Levi
BABYBEINGS
We are thrilled that all of the participants from Series 18 who completed BabyBEings Part 1 last term will be continuing on with BabyBEings Part 2 this term. This is the 2nd time we have extended our introductory series to 20 weeks. We believe this will provide parents with a more solid grounding on which to base a respectful partnership between them and their baby before the toddler years.
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The first babyBEings part 2 (BB2) class will be a combined one for both the morning and afternoon series 18 groups and will be on Thursday 9th May at 10am.
LITTLEBEINGS
There has been a great turnout at the two toddler workshops for littleBEings parents during the school holidays. These workshopd are now a pre-requisite to attending our littleBEings classes for toddlers.
The following children are invited to attend our Friday morning class starting on Friday 10th May at 9.30am: Joe, Flynn, Leah, Charlotte, Frankie, Charlie, Zita, Isla, Emma, Lucas and Esther.
Our Friday afternoon class is for all the babies from Series 17 and starts on Friday 19th May at 1pm. The babies are: Ewan, Bridey, Noah, Kayde, Zoe, Bonnie, Emma and Emily-Rose.
As Fran will be away attending another course at the Pikler Institute for the first few weeks of Term 2 we will not be starting a new introductory series this term. If there are any parents with new babies who are interested they can contact Fran as we will be starting a new series again in Term 3.
MUMMYBEINGS
There will be no mummyBEings classes this term.
Thanks and Happy Parenting,
Fran & Levi
End of Term 1
The first term for 2013 has flown by. Sadly some children have grown too big and flown the nest! Eva and Alex have left MummyBeings while Maria, Oscar and Lindy (see photos below) have completed LittleBEings, we wish them all the best!
Melinda ( 'Lindy' for short) reads her farewell certificate which says that she has spent many happy hours at babyBEings and littleBEings.
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Lindy has a BIG SMILE for the camera as she poses with Fran on her last day at littleBEings. All the best at kindy Lindy!
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On the last day of term 1, Friday 19th April, the toddlers in the morning class got to meet Fran's new puppy "Harley". Lots of fun was had getting acquainted with him as you can see in these photos!!!! Harley is going to become a regular visitor to this class and is bound to add even more delight to our Friday mornings.
Harley got lots of pats from the children!
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Oscar, Flynn and Maria delighted in running after Harley! It was hard to catch him though because he was so fast!!!!
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Our Week 6-8 March
babyBEings Part 1 We are already into the 4th week of our 'babyBEings 1' series with both the morning class and afternoon class going well. This week the topic was 'Feeding with love' and we had a visit from Deirdre Hancock and Jacqui Ryder from our local La Leche League who spoke about baby-led weaning. |
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littleBEings 2
On Friday 8 March we went on our first trip this year to Cullen Cresent nature reserve. As always it was a magical morning and all those who came thoroughly enjoyed the wonders nature provided for us. The photos below show Maria fascinated by some walnuts that she found and Flynn playing in some beautiful silky dirt he discovered. His Mum, Rachel, didn't batter an eye lid, she's used to it. Apparently one of Flynn's favourite places to play is the dug up dirt in the potato patch at home !!! Well done parents getting out and about in nature with your children; it's sooooo.. good for them and you!
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Week 20-22 Feb
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We picked carrots from the garden, washed them with water and tasted them. Some of us liked them and some didn't.
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babyBEings Part 2
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BabyBEings Part 1
This week saw the official start of our 18th series of babyBEings. It is the first time we have had so many registrations that we have had to have two introductory classes! We are thrilled to think that this may mean the good word about our classes is getting out into our community. Both these classes are being held on Thursdays; one in the morning from 9.30-11.30am, and one in the afternoon from 1-3pm. In the morning group we have a set of twins and we are delighted to have lots of grandmothers coming along to both classes this series.
This week saw the official start of our 18th series of babyBEings. It is the first time we have had so many registrations that we have had to have two introductory classes! We are thrilled to think that this may mean the good word about our classes is getting out into our community. Both these classes are being held on Thursdays; one in the morning from 9.30-11.30am, and one in the afternoon from 1-3pm. In the morning group we have a set of twins and we are delighted to have lots of grandmothers coming along to both classes this series.
littleBEings
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... and the marbles gave us some good problem solving to do!
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In our afternoon class (littleBEings 1) there was some terrific play to observe as these 3 photos show.
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Classes for 2013
Term 1 February-April
Our new 'babyBEings' series will start on Thursday 14th February at 9.30 - 11.30am. This will be our 18th series of introductory classes and is open to any new parent who would like to attend with a baby between the ages of 1-6 months. We do like to have small classes so contact Fran if you would like to come along.
babyBEings 2 starts on Thursday 14th February at 1pm. This class is for those babies and parents who completed series 17 last term and is a weekly class. This is Part 2 of the babyBEings introductory programme and goes for another 10 weeks. The babies in this class range in age from 5-8 months.
littleBEings 1 starts on Friday 15th February at 1pm. This class is for our older babies from series' 14,15, and 16 and who range in age from 11-18 months and is a weekly class.
littleBEings 2 starts on Friday 15th February at 9.30 -11.30am. This class is for our toddlers from series' 11, 12, and 13, who range in age from 21 - 26 months and is a weekly class.
Term 1 February-April
Our new 'babyBEings' series will start on Thursday 14th February at 9.30 - 11.30am. This will be our 18th series of introductory classes and is open to any new parent who would like to attend with a baby between the ages of 1-6 months. We do like to have small classes so contact Fran if you would like to come along.
babyBEings 2 starts on Thursday 14th February at 1pm. This class is for those babies and parents who completed series 17 last term and is a weekly class. This is Part 2 of the babyBEings introductory programme and goes for another 10 weeks. The babies in this class range in age from 5-8 months.
littleBEings 1 starts on Friday 15th February at 1pm. This class is for our older babies from series' 14,15, and 16 and who range in age from 11-18 months and is a weekly class.
littleBEings 2 starts on Friday 15th February at 9.30 -11.30am. This class is for our toddlers from series' 11, 12, and 13, who range in age from 21 - 26 months and is a weekly class.
On Friday 1st February 2013 we held an OPEN Session from 9am-12pm for any of our parents and children to come along and catch up with each other after the summer holidays. It was well attended and great to see parents, babies and toddlers from our various classes all mixing together and re-connecting. Being able to enjoy warm morning sunshine and the shade of our magnificent silk tree added to a relaxing and happy morning to start the year off beautifully.
