Courses aimed at helping toddlers and babies start learning are cropping up across Wales. News Online enrolled to find out what class is like for our youngest students.
 Playtime, rather than sitting in front of the television, is key to the course |
The idea of our three-year-old graduating armed with a certificate in his little hand sounded a bit much even for us to contemplate at first.
But, despite only having just reached his birthday, Max is already enrolled and on his way to achieving his first educational goal.
And he isn't the youngest.
There are babes in arms on a new six-week Language and Play course he goes to in Rhwbina, Cardiff.
Even though my husband and I reckon we are pretty pro-active with our child's learning, could we do better?
More importantly, do we really need to know any more about Fireman Sam?
After talking with other parents and realising the things that we do not do, the answer is a glaring yes.
A new initiative, pioneered by the Basic Skills Agency and Welsh Assembly and piloted in Cardiff, has shown massive gaps in our routines. When our second child, Mari, was born nine months ago, we became so busy and so tired, it became easy to postpone our carefully-planned 'quality time' with her.
Enjoying a moment's peace or sitting them in front of the television might mean they are losing out when it comes to learning.
So, when it comes to preparing for school, it seems they are never too young to start.
"The children who excel at school are those who have parental support at home," said Jennifer Dallen, co-ordinator of Language and Play based in Penylan, Cardiff.
Part of the Basic Skills Agency and the Welsh assembly's strategy for raising standards, the Language and Play course is only available in Wales.
Books for Babies and the Read With Me initiative also build on the assembly's campaign to tackle skills from the cradle to the grave.
 |  At the end of one of the six-week courses the parents and children had a little ceremony, it was a bit of fun  |
The course goes to mother and toddler groups and nurseries - infact, any group where parents meet.
A translator also has bridged the language barrier with a group of Arabic mothers meeting in Riverside, Cardiff.
And another group of breastfeeding mothers, who have enjoyed meeting for post-natal get-togethers, have decided to enrol their babies in the course.
"Language and Play first started in the Sure Start areas of Cardiff, such as Ely and Butetown," said Mrs Dallen.
"Now it is evolving all the time.
"Last term we had 400 parents taking part with over 400 children in a huge variety of places," she added.
And, during 2003, it is estimated in excess of 650 parents have taken part in Cardiff.
Preparation
The course recognises that parents are the child's first and most important educators - so stories, painting sessions, sharing views about parenting and enjoying rhymes are part of the workshops.
The underlying idea is that parents' instinct might not always be best when it comes to preparing for nursery school.
Tips and hints about play and learning can help stimulate a child's imagination.
She said parents and youngsters take pride in their achievements.
"At the end of one of the six-week courses in Cardiff, the parents and children had a little ceremony - it was a bit of fun," she said.
"Some of the parents said they had never had a certificate before and so they were trying to make it a bit of a ceremony.
"A councillor gave out the certificates and it was special, it was really nice and that is a marvellous opportunity," she said.
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