Big Sibling School
a unique and engaging class for kids being promoted to big brother or big sister
Join My Gym-Burke and From The Start, Postpartum Doula for an in-person class for big siblings in Northern Virginia
Big sibling school at My Gym, Burke
Are you looking for a fun and engaging, in-person class to help prepare your older child(ren) for being a big sibling? Well, if you’re in or around Northern Virginia, you’re in luck! From The Start, Postpartum Doula has teamed up with My Gym Burke to provide a unique, one-of-a-kind class for big siblings to-be! In this class, big siblings will receive "training" on how to be a community helper in their family community. Big brothers and big sisters will practice some team-based skills, as well as learn about newborn appearances, newborn behaviors, and newborn abilities. They will learn some super secret, special big sibling skills and tricks of how they can be a helper in your family community. We'll talk through how big siblings can sometimes have big feelings and learn some tricks for handling those big feelings. Finally, we'll talk about why being a big brother or big sister is so great! The class is a mix of circle time, group/team activities, talk time (with books/pictures), individual activities in a group setting, and free play. Parents are invited to stay for the event.
big helpers in their family community
What do fire fighters, police officers, waste management professionals, landscapers, construction workers, and BIG SIBLINGS have in common? They are all helpers in their respective communities! Our class follows the theme of community helpers to help young children relate the value and joy of their new role as big sibling to a professional with whom they are already familiar. We’ll talk about and experience some examples of community helpers and how those community helpers learn, train, and practice for their jobs. We’ll then compare that to becoming a big sibling and a big helper in their family community and we’ll learn, train, and practice some skills they will need for their new community helper role.
Big siblings are big helpers in their family community. This class aims to play on the community helpers your child is already familiar with to help them see themselves as helpers in their family community.
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Our class is designed for big siblings 2yrs 6mos through 5yrs old. This is due to the physical nature of some of the activities the sibling-students will perform as well as their ability to be in a small group without their parents.
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Truthfully, I owe you an evidence-based answer on this. Research is lacking on the timing of a class like this but I’m sure there’s something out there.
The only thing we ask is that you’re child knows they are going to be a big sibling. We use that term frequently so making sure they know we are talking to/about THEM will help them get the most out of the class.
I would recommend that your child attend this class prior to 35 weeks of pregnancy. This will allow them time to absorb topics, practice the topics, and for you as a family to become more comfortable. Ideally, I recommend taking this class between pregnancy weeks 28 and 35.
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In my experience, new sibling classes at hospitals are wonderful. They typically teach newborn related knowledge, include a story and/or craft, and, what I see as the most valuable part, they offer a tour of the birthing facility. If you plan for your child to visit you in the birthing place AND that place offers a sibling class with a tour, I’d certainly recommend that!
I’d also recommend our class too. Here’s why.
Hospitals especially, but any birthing place can be overwhelming and scary, even for adults. Entering into a place like that may activate primal senses for a child so, instead of their minds and bodies being receptive and ready to learn, they are in fight/flight/freeze/faint mode and are trying to survive.
Contrast that with the safe, warm, engaging space of My Gym. At My Gym, your child can let down their guard, have fun, and learn through play. Not only does this create a better environment for learning, it enables learning through play, which increases the retention of information and skill.
Another reason I would recommend our course is because it was designed and developed with a unique perspective - from that of a postpartum doula (me!) who regularly supports families comprised of a newborn and a toddler/preschooler.
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You will not directly participate in the class with the big sibling. Part of the reason for this is to help the big sibling with independence and with being comfortable with other adults. You are welcome to stay in the lobby and observe the class, if that isn’t too distracting for your child.
At the end of the class , the big siblings will have about 10 minutes of semi-structured free play. I ask that parents return to the gym by that time so that we can use those final 10 minutes to discuss what we talked to the big siblings about, any particular terms we used, and go over a quick handout with details as well as more information.