Former nanny SARAH CAVE, 37, lives in South Croydon, Surrey with her City Trader husband, Christopher, 38. Sarah takes their children, Harry, 3 and Libby, 11 months, to musical sessions for babies and toddlers

Libby was about six months old when we started going to Musical Minis. The classes weren’t running when Harry was younger but I had taken him along to baby and toddler groups and swimming sessions.

The sessions are supposed to help babies with language, co-ordination and concentration. They caught my eye because Harry loves music and it was something that both the children could enjoy together. I hoped it might help with problems Harry seemed to be having accepting Libby’s arrival.

Harry was one of the eldest the first time we went and more than capable of joining in all the songs and nursery rhymes. Libby sat on my lap and was not able to do much but seemed to enjoy it. I noticed that Harry tried to give her little instruments to get her to join in.

I think that probably encouraged Libby to try to do things at an earlier age than she might have done otherwise. She seemed to respond to him really well and he began to help her and became quite protective.

Some people were surprised I was taking them to music lessons at such a young age, especially their grandparents generation, but these sorts of things weren’t offered years ago. Now that Libby’s moving around I take them along to he sessions and they seem to get on with it so confidently.

Compared to Harry at the same age, Libby is more outgoing and co-ordinated and can bang on a xylophone with real purpose. Her hand and eye co-ordination is really good and she’s also learning to interact with the other children and to understand about giving, taking and sharing. We’ve now got lots of instruments at home; bells, drums, whistles and tambourines, and music tapes in the car. I hope their interest continues and they learn to play instruments when they’re older.