First Aid Feedback
I found the course very good. I feel more confident that I would be able to deal with an emergency, the instructor was very good. I liked that the instructor got us do carry out various emergency procedures a couple of times with the models until we were confident. He covered all questions and queries and was very helpful. I have recommend the course to all my friends and have sent them your website link! - Breda O Sullivan - Malahide
I was very happy with the course content. It was all very relevant. The instructor was very good. He made things easy to understand. He was very interactive with the class and brought a bit of humour to the day, which was good. It was well worthwhile.I am recommending to any parents I know. - Stephanie More - Greystones
I found the course extremely benefical --- whilest I would probably still panic in an emergency, I would feel more confident to deal with a first aid crisis than before & would I think feel more confident knowing what to do. The course content was very relevant --- I would recommend to others. - Mary Nohilly - Carmelite Centre
"To summarise on the first aid course, I found it to be very useful, very informative and very well constructed. The Nurse who instructed on the day, well you couldn't find anyone better to run that class." - Garry Kirwan - Harcourt St
I really enjoyed the course thanks. I found it to be a very good overview of first aid and was delighted it included adult CPR etc as well as just paediatric matters. There was a lot to take in in a day but reading the informative booklet afterwards helped it sink in. Siobhan was great- a lovely woman. The personal anecdotes really helped liven up the day and put the theory into context. It was interesting to hear a lot of her instincts and decisions in emergencies were those of a mother rather than a nurse. This helped helped me feel first aid is for everyone and not just something other people can do. I now feel in an emergency at worst I would remain calm and delegate clear instructions re ambulance calling etc, and at best help practically. The instruction was very clear and the mix of theory with practical after lunch worked well. I have stayed in touch with a group of mums from a baby massage class. Two of us did the first aid class and we recommended it to the others who all allege they will participate when they find the time! I feel happy now that God forbid something happened my baby I would be able to do my best for him and not spend my life wondering if I could have done better had I attended a first aid class. - Elaine Hastings - Harcourt St
The course was excellent. John McCormac the presenter was also super. He had a lovely style and I really learnt a lot from him. In fact it is quite shocking how little I really knew about first aid before hand. It should be a mandatory course for all parents! - Anna Scally - Harcourt St
I thought the course was good and the content was appropriate. I liked the fact that it dealt specifically with children. I would feel more confident now dealing with an emergency. It was worthwhile and I would recommend it to others. - Lara Hynes - Harcourt St
Thank you for organizing the pediatric first aid course. Overall I enjoyed it and feel I've certainly learned from it. The location was great- easy to get to and good parking. There were about 8 in our group which was a nice number as people were able to get involved comfortably and there was time to practice techniques - Brenda Boylan - Kilkenny
Yes I did enjoy the course and thought it was really worthwhile to attend. The instructor was very good, made the course very practical and interesting. And yes I would recommend the course to friends. - Marie-Josee - Harcourt St
Some feedback on the course run by Trish at Malahide Rugby Club on Sat June 13th, I was very happy with the course & Trish is an excellent tutor - informative, relaxed & entertaining. I would recommend the course to others & I have just answered the qns you posed in your earlier email - Susan Lohan - Malahide
Baby Massage Feedback
Hi Liza, I just wanted to drop you a quick email regarding the massage course I attended in Rathfarnham recently (finished up last Friday). I just wanted to say that the massage tutor, Julie, was absolutely fantastic. I have attended a couple of courses pre- and post natal, & Julie's classes really stood out as being the most enjoyable & beneficial for both my baby & I. I know the other two ladies who attended with me also aggreed that she was most welcoming, informative & inclusive course instructor - she really is an asset to you. I will be reccomending her class to anybody who will listen! - Pauline Forsyth - Terenure
I would definitely recommend the course! Kay was brilliant - her whole approach made everybody feel so relaxed and welcome - so important for first time mothers trying to cope with a screaming baby at her hands - the massage itself is a great way for baby to discover all the different body parts and to have cuddle time with mummy - also really enjoyed the swapping of stories with the other mums and we have all swapped numbers and plan on meeting up again, so it was a great way to meet mums with babies of the same age - looking forward to PlayLabs in the autumn already! - Anikka Stephan - Castleknock
PlayLabs Feedback
We love the different props used every week and the very simple but effective activities with these. I also like the themed discussions and interaction with other mammies. The tutors are really enthusiastic and make sure that every infant is included and engaged. - Orla Donoghue - Marino - Wobblers
I joined claphandies so my daughter could interact with other babies and I would meet some new people (I am not from Dublin and I don't have any family up here). What we both get from it is great. Just talking to other parents about different situations knowing you are not on your own getting advice or a comforting ear from other mums and Aisha. Aisha is such a good instructor and has fantastic knowledge. The group in cabinteely is a lovely size. My daughter the other day was crying for ages and I could not find a way to help her stop I started singing "everybody wiggling" (one of the songs we sing in the group) she stopped crying instantly and gave me a big smile. That tells me that she enjoys claphandies and it is a place that brings her happiness. I plan to keep bringing her until she is to old to go anymore. Claire :) - Claire Nash - Cabinteely - Babies
Saoirse Beau has been attending classes since she was 4 months old, she is now 17 months. Claphandies has really given her confidence to interact with others. Saoirse really looks forward to going to class on a Friday, its her treat after a long hard week in creche. Its a safe environment where she can explore, learn, make a mess and have fun. Mammies get a chance to meet other Mammies, share stories and experiences and keep each other sane through the wild months of toddlerhood!!! Saoirse Beau loves the sing song, enjoys the chance to practise her baby sign and she always has a big cuddle for Mr Badger!!! Long may the fun and frolic continue!!! - Jodie McGriele - Terenure - Wobblers
I think claphandies is a great social outlet both for the babies and parents alike. My little girl loves Mr. Badger and gets so excited when she sees him each week. She also loves the rhymes and songs.When she gets upset I say one of the rhymes and she instantly stops. - Margaret O'Donoghue - Dundrum, Cabinteely - Babies
I was looking for something to do with my daughter, Emma on my day off from work. I was looking for something that we could interact with eachother instead of just bringing her to the playground or for a walk. So I started looking around and I googled items to do and clap handies came up. Emma and I both really enjoy the class as we are both learning different things that she is interested in and it allows her to interact with her peers. I have been to play groups but Claphandies is far more structured and organised. I love the structure of the class and Ciara is great with the kids. It also gives me ideas of things to do with Emma at home. I love that the class is me and Emma time! - Leonie Mahon - Glasnevin - Wobblers
This is what Aoibheann aged 3 says about Clap Handies:
'My favourite part is the songs, I like when the dishes are in the Surprise House too. I love when I get there and see all my friends. Ciara does the teaching she's great, when I get there she has all the mats to sit on, and my other favourite thing is when she puts the music on and we make the bridge. Thursdays are my favourite day.'
Aoibheann's Mum says:
'Aoibheann really loves her weekly session in Clap Handies. She is up and dressed extra fast on Thursdays, and recently informed her Gran that she was unavailable for a play date on Thursday as she couldn't miss her Clap Handies. There is great chat about what happens each week, she loves having something to report to her older siblings. It's a lovely introduction to socialising with peers, she loves chatting about her friends there. Attending the weekly session has made her really confident about staring Montessori next year. Finally as a parent it's great that the term mirrors the school terms so there is no pressure to get her there when the older kids are at home.' - Ciara Clancy - Marino - Toddlers
My two toddlers LIVE for their Claphandies sessions - there's a mad rush to get dressed and out the door on the morning of their playlabs - no bribes needed to get a 'move-on' on those mornings! They love their class leader and the variety of the activities within each session ensures their attention never wanders. They especially enjoy 'bubble-time'. I really feel that Claphandies has been invaluable in cultivating their personal developmental skills and has enabled their social skills to flourish. My daughter is in the process of moving on to pre-school and I believe attending Claphandies has helped make the tranistion much smoother - it's helped give her the confidence
needed - gone is the shy little girl who started two years ago. Thanks Claphandies:) - Orla O'Malley - Marino - Toddlers
Lara adores her play lab, she starts shrieking with excitement as soon as we drive in to the carpark! She thoroughly enjoys the songs and bubble time and the activities are fantastic as I can see her adapting her newly learnt skills at home. It is her second term and she is still as keen as her first day!! - Kate Dowling - Terenure - Toddlers
