where play happens.
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I'm a self confessed geek, I love to learn and study! Not only do I absoluteIy LOVE a good mess and everything about play, but I have a masters in clinical psychology, and have previously worked as a Behaviour Therapist in Dubai for a couple of years, where I worked with non-verbal children and children with sensory difficulties. Before becoming a mum, I ran the department for special needs in a mainstream American school in Dubai. After becoming a mum, I wanted to use my expertise and share the transformational nature of child-led activities and attachment parenting with other mums. I truly believe in the power of learning through play and the benefits it can provide to both little ones and their grown ups.
hi, I'm shona
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from messy play birthdays to private Baby Sign Language classes - we have it all!
private events
& Birthdays
outdoor play for 8
months - 5 years
busy bees
messy play for 6 months to 3 years.
mucky pups
confidence.
connection.
communciation.
5 months to toddlerhood
sign language for babies
Click below to discover more about each of our classes and services.
our classes
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Baby signing is a baby-led approach that helps you to connect and understand each other from a very early age. It helps you both avoid unnecessary confusion and frustration. As early as 6 months, a baby's motor skills are sufficiently developed to make simple gestures communicating their needs. Signing leads to respectful, responsive interactions between adults and children – where children know they matter and that their communication attempts are recognized and important. We focus on signing and communication, bonding and attachment, responsive and respectful care, life skills and core competencies.
We're licensed under the Little Signers Club, UK and our classes are truly unique in their structure and ability to adapt to you and your baby. You are always welcome to support your little one however you need to during class – feeding, rocking, changing, or sleeping.
Our course, Baby Signing Basics has proven very popular for many thousands of families. By the time you finish, you will be confident in your ability to use simple signs with your baby, know exactly what to expect from your baby as they start to sign, and take them through their signing day. These classes are suitable from 5 months through 1 year. Covering key topics and signs, the term runs for 5 weeks and costs AED 525, each class is around 45 minutes long. Our BSB class includes access to all online materials for 3 months from the course start date.
building a unique bond
sign language for babies and mums
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We're the pioneers of messy play in Dubai, the original mess experts since 2016. There ain't no messy play class like a mucky pups class! The secret to our success is our philosophy of child-led play. Every week we give different messy play materials for children to explore, which are prepared specially in house and taste-safe.
All mucky pups classes start with a short circle time to burn off some wiggles! We then go into a painting activity (this is different each week) and then bring out the messy play stations! The class runs for 1 hour. Mucky pups classes run on a term basis or one off basis depending on our schedule and location.
6 to 14 months
This is for young babies. We provide taste-safe paint that is made in house. All messy play materials are also taste-safe although we don't encourage little ones to make an entire meal of it! If your child is in between 12 - 14 months, consider this younger age group, as children love to be the older, wiser ones in the class!
15 months to 3 years
This class is for toddlers, who are mostly on the move by now. They are also less likely to be mouthing objects and the younger ones are learning the difference between what is edible and what isn't. Toddlers also work on a canvas throughout the term. Bespoke stages of play are created based on the needs of the group.
building play skills
the child-led way
mucky pups messy play
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What's your favourite memory as a child?
Odds are it was something outdoor and something in nature!
The Busy Bees corner is a lovely place where flowery sheets flap in the breeze and beckon little ones to come run, barefeet in the grass, just like we did growing up!
We help children and their grownups to connect with the outdoors through songs, crafts and activities. All our classes include unstructured play time with nature loose parts. Unstructured play in the outdoors has consistent positive impacts on physical activity and cognitive play behaviours (imaginative and dramatic play), problem solving, social and emotional skills and sensory regulation for children who may struggle with impulse control, attention, and transitions from one activity to another.
Our Busy Bees classes run for 75 minutes and take place in JLT Park and Al Barari Playground. This class is best suited for children 20 months to 4 years old. The Baby Busy Bees runs for 45 mins and is for 8 months to 19 months.
Come join us beneath the trees to connect with your little one through the beauty and joy of the outdoors.
connect through nature,
connect through play
busy bees
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Apart from messy play parties, we do outdoor nature themed events, private sign language classes and even virtual zoom birthday parties!
From 1st to 4th birthdays, our Mucky Pups birthday packages can be tailored to suit all areas of play and include interesting variations for older siblings as well. We aim to make your party as stress-free as possible, so you can enjoy the fun with your little ones. We start the party with some of our favourite songs followed by music, movement and bubble fun. The painting activity is then set up for the little ones to explore and get messy. This activity is very exciting, so make sure to have your camera at the ready! Four messy play trays are then brought out to play with, this is a child-led activity giving them the freedom to scoop, pour, get sticky and have fun. All our birthdays require parent participation. Our in person birthdays start at AED 1050, please contact us with your requirements to know more.
If you are a group of mums, you could book a private Sign Language class, costs start at AED 2000 and vary based on group size.
Our Zoom virtual birthday parties are very popular and fun right up to 10 years old! Each birthday is created with bespoke activities and games centered around your chosen theme. Zoom birthdays start at AED 400, click book now, to send us your birthday party details.
Looking for something unique to add to your celebration? You've found it!
private events & birthday parties
