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With the R number rising, the situation feels inevitable following a more relaxed summer. Each day, the news grows overwhelming, making it challenging to figure out safe choices. We are managing by focusing on what can be done week by week. This means prioritizing keeping the older child in school, but what about the youngest? Having spent much of her first year in lockdown, she has hardly attended any playgroups and doesn’t have regular friends. Activities typical for babies and toddlers—like soft play and shared spaces—seem risky due to potential germ exposure. Despite this, we decided something needed to be done.
Last week, we tried two free classes: Didi Dance at Artsdepot and Monkey Music. Both organizations offer a range of classes across the UK and have implemented stringent Covid-secure measures, including collecting contact details for test and trace, sanitizing instruments (with an option to bring your own), and maintaining safe distancing for both children and their adults in class.
The experience was impressive. While different from a traditional baby class, the essential elements of joy, music, and social interaction—so crucial to children’s development—remained intact. Once past the initial discomfort of singing off-key, it was delightful to see her respond with a new sense of enthusiasm. She truly enjoyed the sense of community, exploring new instruments and toys.
For now, we plan to continue with one class per week, as long as regulations permit. With rules in flux, the future remains uncertain. But for a moment, we glimpsed a hopeful future—where she could interact with other children her age and adapt to new environments and faces. Despite the restrictions and ongoing concerns, this feels like the right step forward.
