Fun baby development programs for Istanbul moms

Istanbul has great venues for children with fun activities, educational events, international schools, museums with exclusive programs, and entertainment parks. For babies and infants, the city also has a lot to offer, including postnatal classes designed for mother and baby. All courses are run by certified instructors, some of them expats, designed to help new mothers find ways to cope with the challenges they face. Here are our top picks:

Like to dance?

You have probably stumbled upon some super cute videos online that show little babies getting their groove on with their mothers in dance classes. Dancing with mom can put a big smile on a baby's face and a little tickle can make a baby laugh. So why don't you explore your dancing skills with your bundle of joy to a cute, choreographed dance routine? Initially designed by Selen Yılmaz, a Turkish dance trainer from Scotland, an international movement known as "Joimove" is influencing the world through dance, allowing mothers to experience a bit of salsa, cha-ca, boogie, swing, belly dancing and ballet. "Joimove" offers family-oriented programs to mothers with babies under 18 months of age. In the 40-minute class, babies listen to a wide range of music that supports their development of rhythm and logic, in a mathematical sense. Here, instructors teach babies how to dance from the comfort of their mothers' bosoms, offering mothers a chance to introduce their babies to the latest styles in music and movement while socializing with other mothers. "Joimove is the fruit of dancing, childhood, joy, sharing and embracing others. It is a reflection of peace and the celebration of life. We never miss an opportunity for movement in order to change lives for the better and we are growing with love, commitment, and passion," Yılmaz states on "Joimove's" website. Joimove Babies and Joimove Kids classes have kicked off in Istanbul and have welcomed families from other cities including Ankara, Sakarya, Hatay, İzmir, Bursa, İzmit, Antalya and Denizli.

Mommy-and-me yoga

In 2008, childbirth trainer and yoga instructor Başak Kutlu Atay, along with Nur Sakallı, a doula and pregnancy yoga instructor, founded DOUM in Istanbul, which offers counseling services to expectant mothers and children. Here, mommy-and-me yoga classes support babies' development and enhance the physical and emotional well-being of postpartum women.

The classes also help increase your baby's physical strength and stimulate the digestive, lymphatic and nervous system, resulting in smoother sleeping patterns. In support of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Baby-Friendly and Mother-Friendly Initiatives, classes include yoga posture, massage, sensory development through sound, song, touch and human contact, as well as deep relaxation. Situated in Istanbul's Emirgan neighborhood, mothers can also find classes including baby massage classes, prenatal pilates and yoga.

Splash time with your infant

Pamir was only 8 weeks old when his mother, Yasemin Sanar Çulha, introduced him to the water. As an infant and preschool swimming instructor, Çulha recognized the peaceful and happy behaviors in her baby when he was in the water, which inspired her to take courses on infant and pre-school swimming in the U.K. and later established SwimBaby courses in Istanbul. The benefits of swimming for children are immeasurable; ranging from strengthening the musculoskeletal system to having positive, psychological effects on a child's development. At SwimBaby, infant and preschool-based curriculum was developed by Australian swimming coach Laurie Lawrence for infants and their parents. The entire program takes five weeks to complete and is divided into three different age-appropriate categories. For more information, go to their website www.swimbabyturkiye.com.

Baby sign language

Until you become a mother, you may not be aware of a baby's thirst for knowledge. Before babies learn to talk, they have the capacity to learn simple hand gestures, known as sign language, and use these signs to communicate their needs. The ability of infants to express themselves through sign language is very helpful for parents by improving communication between parent and infant. Magdalena Wojcieszak, an Istanbul-based expat offering courses referred to as Baby Signs, is an independent certified instructor for hearing children. Designed by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, the Baby Signs Program helps babies learn to express their needs while enhancing their intellectual development, making learning to talk an easier process while strengthening the parent-infant bond. By the time babies are 9 to 10 months old, they are quite capable of knowing what their needs and wants are. However, babies lack the motor skills necessary to communicate with their parents through words, causing immediate frustration in babies and parents alike. But everything changes when a baby is able to use sign language to communicate. Using signs for "thirsty," "hungry," "hot," and "cold" - along with many, many others - babies can express what their needs are quickly and quietly; and with less tantrums and tears. Wojcieszak offers workshops in various categories, including a "parent workshop," "sign, say and play class," and "potty party." Check Magdalena's blog titled, "Baby Sign with Magda" for more details.