Panicking about what to do with your little ones over half-term? Amanda Frolich, a renowned expert in physical development and the founder of Amanda's Action Club, may have the answer. Frolich is in Dubai this week hosting classes of fun, fitness and music for babies and children.
How it all began
"I grew up in London and was a real 'sport billy' at school, winning all the medals going. I knew I wanted to work in the sports and leisure arena later on. At that time I attended a Music and Movement training course in 1991 and the idea for Amanda's Action Club was born. Before leaving to work on my brand full-time I became the assistant manager of a large London sports centre where I qualified to teach 15 sports."
What to expect
"Our classes are sensory extravaganza baby and toddler workouts for children ages four months to 5 years and their carers. They're 45 minutes of fun with unique props and funky music to educate children in a fun environment. Children get stimulated and engaged to the max and there's educational value there, too - we call it 'Learning through fun, fitness and music together'."
What you'll get out of it
"Our classes are developed in line with the British government's Early Years Foundation Stage guidelines to aid early development so they're just what kids need at this age both physically and mentally. The interactive element of the classes means parents and carers are required to get involved so it's a workout for them too. Based on this, I was chosen to be an ambassador for the UK Government initiative Change4Life, which aims to get the nation active."
What you can do at home
"Amanda's Action Club is very much about parents interacting with children and getting fit together so we love it when parents want to carry it on at home. Our original music [Fun, Fitness & Music] is available on CD and in iTunes and comes with a workout guide showing all the activities to do together. Any collective activity that stimulates the child and gets them to interact physically with the world around them is a continuation of what we do."
What she'll be doing in the UAE
"I'll be meeting up with some expatriates who used to attend classes in the UK as well as looking to train staff in nurseries in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the Amanda Concept. And I'll be showcasing what I do in the hope that someone may be interested in buying the franchise to run Amanda's Action Club classes and parties in the Emirates. I'll also be partnering with Peekaboo Creative Play, the Dubai-based playcentre concept to put on some fun classes in the Mall of the Emirates and the Village Mall so local children and their carers can experience what I do first-hand."
Classes cost Dh150. For more details or to book tickets call 050 459 6588 (you can also purchase them in-store). Visit www.amandasactionclub.co.uk
Where you can catch her
Tomorrow, at Peekaboo, Village Mall, Dubai, 10am to 10.45am *Babies and Toddlers (from 4 months to 3 years 6 months)
Tomorrow, at Peekaboo, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 4pm to 4.45pm **Big Kids (from 3 years 6 months to 5 years)
Tuesday, at Peekaboo, Village Mall, Dubai, 4pm to 4.45pm *Babies and Toddlers
Wednesday, at Peekaboo, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, 4pm to 4.45pm **Big Kids
Follow us
