WHAT OUR MOMS ARE SAYING
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Christine & Tanner
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Michele & Joey |
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Bailey
and I started “Outside the Box” Play group and Support Group
when she was 3 months old. It was the first group we had participated
in, and by that time she had hit that age, where I was really in need
of the outside activities. Bailey is now almost 8 months old. She is extremely
social and well-adjusted. I feel that I have had the best support possible.
The two of us have created relationships that will likely last a very
long time. Octavia’s approach to parenting and child development
makes more sense to me than anything I have read, or most advise I have
received from other sources. Thank you Octavia! |
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My
daughter Aden is the youngest original member to start “Outside
the Box” play group, and infant massage. Aden was just four weeks
old when we began attending. Aden has excelled developmentally in every
area thanks to these groups. Aden is now four months old and is developing
at a six month+ level. She sits up by herself, rolls over, stands up
by herself holding on to things, and is attempting to crawl. Although
meeting milestones is not the goal of our group, it seems to be an amazing
side-effect. I also notice that Aden is extremely social and can play
with babies of all ages. |
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As
a new mother I was very anxious about how to take care of my little
girl! I wanted to make sure she was getting all of her needs met,
especially developmentally. Finding Octavia and joining her play groups
and support groups have been such a blessing, and a sanity saving
experience for me. Her cognitive and developmental knowledge of babies
has helped me become a calmer more informed mother. The music and
activities in play group has helped me have fun bonding with Keira
while she learns and plays with other mommies and babies!!! Any mother
and baby would be so lucky to be involved with this one of a kind
experience. Thank you Octavia for loving our babies so much!!! |
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“Outside
the Box” playgroup is so much fun for both the parents and the
babies. I love the creative activities that the babies get to do,
like playing in a big tub of pasta! The little ones get stimulated
in so many different ways that they would never have gotten a chance
to do in traditional “mommy and me” groups. I’m
all about encouraging my baby to explore and learn all he can. I think
it helps to expose them to lots of good things. |
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Izabella
and I love our Outside the Box playgroup because the activities are so
age-appropriate, and developmentally customized for us. The music is fun,
which makes it easy to continue doing playgroup at home too. Izabella
is stimulated by being with other babies, and by toys and songs that engage
her ears and eyes. Before we participated in the playgroup my husband
and I did not really know how to play with Izabella in such a way that
would keep her interested and also help develop her brain. Now we have
so many more tools at our fingertips! |
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I started OTB with little Keila around 5-6 months through the referral of a friend who was already taking the class. I wasn't sure what it was all about but I am so glad I signed! Keila loves this class. She loves the music and the sensory classes. Keila is an analytical baby and usually watches a lot but I have watched her come out of her shell and start to interact and blossom. I truly enjoy coming to these classes every week. Octavia teaches so much and is such a wealth of knowledge, I hope to continue coming to the classes to learn how I can work with Keila at home to help her grow & mature to her fullest potential. I would highly recommend OTB to any mom!
Outside the Box is an enriching class that I am thankful for on a daily basis. I have learned so many things about Tanner's developement and how to stimulate & inspire his growth & experiences (physically and mentally). Not only is Tanner benefiting from the class, but OTB has taught me different activities that we can do at home with him. I love that when Octavia introduces a new activity into our curriculum, she explains why and how it is stimulating our child's development. Above all, the class is so much fun :) Thank you OTB!
Joey and I have been attending Outside The Box playgroup since he was 3 mo. I can't tell you how excited he gets to see the other babies and mommies. He is a very social little boy and loves to observe everyone and what they are doing. It is such a pleasure to see him discover and learn and remember. Between the music, activities, sensory classes, and support, we have such a good time together! Octavia is very passionate about what she does and it shows. Great teacher, great class and great friends...
"Outside the Box" is more than just a class to take your child to once a week. The activities, music and spirit of the founder permeate into everyday of the week to add special learning moments for you and your child.
Octavia and the outside the box curriculum has made a huge difference in Avery's development and her well being. We have been coming since she was four months old. I feel that she has grown so much and has been exposed to so many activities I would not have known to teach her. It has been wonderful for her socialization and I have learned to be more nurturing and active during our time together daily. The class is thoughtful, filled with wonderful activity, and the sensory classes offer exposure to things the babies would normally not get on a day to day basis. Octavia is nurturing and loving to the babies and treats them all like her own.
My daughter Olivia lights up every time we attend our "Outside the Box"
playgroup. She is so engaged and excited with the music and variety of
activities Octavia provides. It's a great mix of physical and mental stimulation.
You're doing an awesome job Octavia. Thanks! 
“Outside
the Box” play group has been an amazing experience for Elijah and
I. He enjoys it so much. Octavia is great at what she does. Each session
is not only fun but also educational for both mom and baby. I would recommend
Outside the Box to any mom looking to bring more social, educational and
stimulating fun into her baby’s life. 
I
have seen amazing changes in Wyatt since we have started coming to playgroup.
He is trying to crawl and stand up and is more interested in playing with
his toys and I know it is because he is being stimulated with the great
games that Octavia teaches the babies. We love it! 
I
think I am the only dad to participate in my daughter's play group. I
think she has really grown from it, and in it. She really enjoys the rainbow
parachute. We always look forward to special events like the “pasta
party” or “jello jam”. I believe that our time with
“Outside the Box” activities enhances our father/daughter
bond. 
I feel as though
Brandon has grown immensely (mentally and developmentally) because
of Outside the Box Play Groups. I enjoy the advice and the company
that I receive from attending. I wish I could come more than once
a week because I think Brandon and I would both benefit from it. Octavia is passionate about what she
does and it makes all the difference. She not only cares while we
are at playgroup, but also takes time to research and e-mail us information
about health, safety, and development issues. Other places where we
have attended a playgroup care primarily about their business and
making money. The children are not their primary concern. With Octiava,
that is not the case. She gives the children all her attention and
will take time with you when you need it. As a new mother, those times
are very important. It is nice to have a knowledgeable person to turn
to for advice. 
My
daughter and I began coming to playgroup when she was 8 weeks old. From
day one I was impressed by the laid back, warm and welcoming atmosphere
of the group. At the same time it was a place where my daughter and
I were able to have fun, learn new things, and meet other wonderful
moms and their babies. 
My
daughter Ella and I love playgroup with Octavia. She has taught me
how to play with my daughter and what to do to stimulate her development.
She is constantly changing the music and activities and keeps it so
much fun for us both. Octavia is a wealth of knowledge that anyone
would be lucky to be in the presence of. I always come with questions
and concerns about my daughter and love what she has to say. I have
been to other playgroups and they do not even compare. This playgroup
is for my daughters development...what is more important than that!!!.
Thanks Octavia- Ella and I love you!" 
I've
been taking Neeka to play group since she was 6 weeks old. It's been
wonderful for her development, it stimulates her so much that she
usually sleeps through the night on play days. Octavia is so much
fun and so good to the little ones. I learn something new every week
from her. It is also a great way to meet new moms! 
I
took Octavia's classes because I was having trouble bonding with my daughter,
who was really attached to her Mom in the early going. But after just
a few classes we forged a special closeness in our relationship, to the
point where now my baby says "Dada" all day long. The outside-the-box
activities that Octavia conducts gave me tons of ideas of ways to bond
with my daughter in and outside of her classes. Thanks, Octavia! 
Nolan
and I love this class. We tried other classes for babies that didn't even
compare. Everthing in this class is designed for babies including the
songs we sing and the toys we use. Since attending the class, I've noticed
Nolan has better coordination and gripping techniques than other babies
his age. Most importantly, he reconizes and truly enjoys the music and
'games' we play. It's also great to talk to other moms in the class. I've
received so many good tips that have helped me with my baby. It's so nice
to know that other parents are experiencing the same challenges.
Elijah
and I love playgroup!!! Since we've been at the playgroups, he has improved
tremendously on his tummy. Before playgroup, he would stay on his tummy
for about 5 minutes and then he would get tired. Now, he loves to be on
his tummy for as long as 10-20 minutes at a time. We also noticed that
once we started taking him to playgroup, he began sleeping through the
night because of all the activity he had during the day at playgroup. 
Ian
and I always look forward to going to playgroup. It is alternative, fun
and exciting. Ian loves to hear Octavia's voice!! 
Octavia
cares about each of the babies as if they were her own. She's wonderfully
in tune with them. Nicholas lights up as soon as he sees her. We've been
going since he was 4 weeks old and it helped me get through the rough
times that go with the early stages of motherhood. I look forward to the
group meetings all week long. I know that the time we spend there has
helped him learn, and it has been socially rewarding for both Nicholas
and me: he's gotten to know the moms and babies, and I've made new friends
that I see outside of support and play group.
Lela
has a blast at the playgroup, and so do I. It's great to get ideas for
fun activities that teach her things, and to hang out with other moms
and babies. Each time we go she gets more used to being around crowds,
interacting with other babies, and even swinging in the parachute which
she now loves. Thank you Octavia for offering this resource for our littlest
ones!
Riley
and I have been participating in Octavia's support and playgroups since
Riley was 2 months old. She has been my guide and emotional support
more than any other teacher throughout this new experience of motherhood.
I have learned more from her than Pediatricians, relatives, friends,
or any other teachers. Her playgroups have helped Riley grow and learn
new skills (including musical skills) and have taught me how to help
him develop at home. Riley lights up when he sees Octavia and is always
in a great mood during and after her playgroup. I don't know what I
would do without her!