Southwest Metro Classes for Babies

Photo: Marshall Franklin Long

Miranda Eckstein develops her swimming skills with help from her mom, alerie, and Lorrie Hammer at Foss Swim School in Chanhassen.

“Since anyone can learn to walk, any child can learn to dance,” says Gretchen Prater, owner and instructor at Artistry Dance Productions in Chanhassen, where she introduces babies to dance as young as 18 months. And apparently, babies can start learning to swim and make music before they’ve totally mastered walking. The southwest metro is full of new experiences for little ones – from dancing and singing to tumbling and swimming.

Kindermusik with Kim

560 Market St., Chanhassen; 952.215.4877

Educator/owner: Kim Shiely

Kindermusik is a music and movement program that encourages cognitive and social development in children, from language and listening skills to problem solving, self-esteem, and musicality. Babies will play with scarves, various instruments, and enjoy a little massage and cuddle time too. Village: ages newborn–18 months., $230; Our Time: ages 18 months.–3½ years, $220 (prices include take-home packet). 45-min classes, 15-week sessions. Enrolling now for Winter/Spring semester beginning January 30. Schedules available online.

Kindermusik of Chaska

Classes held at the Chaska Community Center: 1661 Park Ridge Dr., Chaska; 952.448.5656

Educator/owner: Leslie Rieser Hercules

Director Leslie Rieser Hercules delivers the Kindermusik curriculum to Chaska, making music a joyful and natural part of children’s lives while fostering creativity and learning. She offers Our Time (18 months–3½ years) for $115 for members of the Chaska Community Center, and $135 for non-members. A $50 (plus tax and shipping) home packet provides extra materials. Classes start January 31.

Music Together West Twin Cities

Classes held at National Karate in Eden Prairie: 8423 Joiner Way, Eden Prairie; 763.529.2240

Director/owner: Angela Barberg

Music Together is a program for families interested in sharing music as a whole family. In the Mixed-aged Classes (infant–preschool), children benefit from relationships with children of different ages and the triangular relationship between parent, child and teacher is fostered. Classes offer lap songs, large movement, instruments such as jingle bells, and lullaby time. 45-min classes, 10-week sessions. See website for tuition (sibling discounts offered). Winter session starts January 9; Spring session starts the first week in April.

Foss Swim School

421 Lake Drive, Chanhassen; 952.906.5942

Backfloat Baby Trainer: Lorrie Hammer

Backfloat Baby classes encourage babies (6 months–3 years) to be comfortable in the water, with the assistance of their parents. In these fun, half-hour long classes, little swimmers learn breath control, underwater submersion, back floating and kicking, as well as how to fall in and swim back to the wall. Winter session starts January 2 (registration closes January 22); Spring session starts March 18 (registration opens February 8). Classes range from 10-15 weeks and cost around $195, depending on the length of the session; the winter session classes, which are 11 weeks long, cost $198.

My Gym Eden Prairie

956 Prairie Center Dr., Eden Prairie; 952.906.0028

Co-owner/educator: Shelli Kargela

At My Gym Eden Prairie, children ages 6 months through 13 years old develop a relationship to movement and physical activity through music, dance, games, gymnastics, and more. Throughout the program, children gain strength, balance and coordination, along with social skills and confidence – all while having fun. Classes include: Tiny Tykes (6 months–14 months) and Waddlers (14 months–23 months). Baby Massage with Baby Yoga (3 weeks–6 months) aids in digestion while providing bonding time with mom or dad. $72 per month, plus $50 registration fee—first class is always free. Classes are ongoing, register anytime.

Classic Gymnastics

2885 Water Tower Place, Chanhassen; 952.368.1909

Programs director/coach: Aimee Simdorn

Super Tots (18 months–3 years) at Classic Gymnastics introduces little ones to gymnastics while parents guide them through each station. Through fun games, like kicking beanie babies off the bars and carrying puzzles across the beam, kids engage tummy muscles and develop balancing skills—and eventually complete a forward roll. $139 for an 8- or 10-week session (plus $35 annual registration fee per family). Register now for January 2–February 25 classes. Sibling discounts offered.

Artistry Dance Productions

560 Market St., Chanhassen; 612.270.5917

Owner/instructor: Gretchen Prater

The Mommy/Daddy and Me class (18 months–3 years) provides babies with a chance to stretch, sing songs with hand motions, and learn mini dance series—all with mommy or daddy right there to help and serve as a role model. Highlights include sashaying and freestyle dancing, which encourages self-expression and creativity. Ongoing 45-min classes throughout the year, $35 per month.

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