What is Stickybobs?
Stickybobs sessions are designed to allow children to develop through messy play. Our sessions are carefully thought out, each half term different educational themes are introduced and reinforced in a variety of messy ways; the room layout is designed to provide maximum ability to explore whilst remaining safe and our activities are designed to aid creative flair and develop specific skills. All of which allows your child to reach their full potential in a safe and fun environment.
How does messy play help my child?
Stickybobs sessions are an ideal way to help your child to develop the skills they will need as they prepare for school. Stickybobs sessions are structured around the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the Early Years Curriculum. The weekly themes give children the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the world around them, and begin to recognise colours, shapes, numbers and letters. Children develop basic maths skills, pencil control and creative thinking when they participate in messy play. Stickybobs sessions provide the perfect opportunity for children to develop their confidence and concentration as they have fun learning about the different ways in which they can influence their environment by mark making, modelling and using everyday materials in unexpected ways.
Click here for more information about how messy play can benefit your child
What happens during a Stickybobs session?
You and your child will be welcomed to the session by the specially trained Stickybobs co-ordinator (all our co-ordinators have been fully police checked). You will be provided with an overall for your child to wear, although we do recommend that you dress both yourself and your child in old clothes.
You and your child are then free to explore the eight exciting, messy activities at your own pace. You can spend as much or as little time on each activity as you like. We provide all sorts of different materials and tools, from toothbrushes to cornflakes, and children have fun exploring the different materials and techniques. Our ‘soft structured’ approach allows children to work at their own pace, either making the suggested activity or striking off on their own and creating their own masterpiece.
At the end of the 45 minute session, handwashing facilities are provided, and children are encouraged to show the co-ordinator any pictures of activities they have had fun making, they are then rewarded with a fun sticker of one of the Stickybobs friends.
Sessions are suitable for children between 12 months and 5 years.
Click here to find your nearest session or contact head office on 0161 7963652
Can I try a session before I join?
We encourage you to come and have a taster session before you join Stickybobs. It’s a chance for you and your child to see whether you enjoy our activities. At the end of your taster session, you’ll be given a membership form and you can decide at that point whether you wish to sign up.
Can I bring both my children to the same session, even though they’re different ages?
We tried separate sessions for different ages, and everyone lost out! The young ones had no-one to copy, and the older ones lost the ability to join in with the messy games the younger ones invented! Now all our groups are mixed ages from 12months to 5 years, enabling everyone to have lots more fun!
Do I have to stay at the session?
Yes. You are responsible for your child at all times during the session. Stickybobs gives you a great opportunity to get involved in activities with your child, or just get stuck in and play with the paints yourself! Children often hang back to see what they ‘should’ do, in a new situation. The presence of a parent/carer who is getting involved can encourage children to gain the confidence to try an activity for themselves.
My child just runs about and can’t sit still, shall I wait until they are a bit older as I don’t want to disrupt the class?
Most children are excited by the new environment, and will move from activity to activity without ‘finishing’ anything. Whilst we don’t allow children to run, as it can be dangerous, we do encourage children to move around the room freely. Just because an item doesn’t look the same as the example, doesn’t mean it isn’t finished. Children often make several different versions of the same activity over the period of a session, trying out different ways of putting the materials together.
Tell me more about what Stickybobs offers?
Stickybobs can also offer fantastic children’s parties. Please see our co-ordinators pages to find out whether parties are currently being offered in your area.
We also run half term and holiday sessions and provide entertainment at events, please contact your local Stickybobs co-ordinator for more details.
We have a great range of art supplies for you to use at home, as well as our popular childrens’s Craft Packs.
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What do our customers say about us?
Click here to read comments from our members.
