Marie Walker created Wigglets in June 2007 inspired by her son and twin girls. She wanted a class that was lively for toddlers and pre-school children where they were on their feet and using the abundance of energy they have.
Marie also wanted to create a class that was fun for both the child and the adult, you don’t have to use children‘s music all the time, so while introducing the children to lots of different types of music this also means the adults join in to, I use anything from Queen, to Glen Miller, from World music to Classical.
Children as they develop have fantastic imaginations, so Wiglets use that to help them learn about the world around them within musical fun. The classes are always structured the same to allow children’s confidence to grow, we do singing, action songs, imaginative movement, instruments, nursery rhymes and a lovely calm down time at the end, but the content within each class varies every week.
Every term I have a different theme, for example weather, transport and jungle, I also do some one off special themes like, magic, dinosaurs and sport, I use lots of props to help feed the imagination and enhance the fun.
Parents love the sessions as much as the children Jen from Stockton said in a review about Wigglets “Wigglets is wonderful! Marie magically transforms the class into themed fun for child and mum. Her enthusiasm, never ending source of props, music and movement stimulates imagination, creativity and expression. Wigglets has been an essential part of our weekly routine for over 3 years, my girls love it and I secretly cannot wait to see what music we will be dancing around the room to each week!”
All of this adds up to the ideal opportunity for the child to learn and improve so many skills both socially and physically.
I have six classes at the moment covering Sedgefield, Stockton and Darlington, I have also taken Wigglets into Surestart centres and private nurseries. I’m starting a new class on a Monday mornings at 9.30am on the 14th of September in Woodham Community Centre.
The large hall is ideal and the volunteers who run the centre were so helpful and passionate about providing a good range of activities for the community it was the perfect choice for Wigglets.
The sessions are £3.70 for the first child and £2 for siblings over 12 months (siblings under 12 months are free). Places must be booked in advance as the numbers are limited per class. You can book by phone on 07925 129 272 or email wiggletsmusicanddance@gmail.com
