Free play time (FOR CHILDREN CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN GYM CLASS)

This stimulating program introduces balancing, tumbling, hanging and agility skills, which helps the children develop a love of physical activity and a sense of pride in their achievements.

At this age, a child's level of independent mobility will typically progress from aggressive crawling to running. Additional fine and gross motor skills developed during this stage include kicking a ball, building a block tower, riding a tricycle, and walking up stairs.

Our highly trained instructors shower the children with affection, as they guide our Waddlers in early social skills through interactive songs, choreographed dances, age-specific puppet shows, special rides, and a variety of swings and other original activities.

The gross motor abilities of early 2-year-olds are often characterized by more confident running and jumping on two feet as well as an overall improved spatial awareness of their bodies. This is the earliest age group with which we work on fine and gross manipulatives in a structured format, as the 1 1/2 to 2 1/2-year-old's attention span grows, allowing the child to focus for longer periods of time.

During this engaging class, the youngsters are elated as they sing, dance, swing, play games, watch puppet shows, take turns on special rides, and have "Surprise Time!" Our Gymsters feel great about themselves as they learn gymnastics in a constantly changing program with fresh ingredients and new equipment setups each week.

In addition to having fun with structured games, fascinating "Adventures," and pre-gymnastics, our Terrific Tots learn beginning sports skills, gain fine and gross motor proficiency, and strengthen manipulative skills.

The youngsters become more independent as teachers are now interacting more directly with them. Parental involvement is gradually decreased through inviting activities with love and understanding, and the children exude pride and self-esteem as they are treated like "big kids."

In this age group, teaching physical skills is a top priority. The development of social skills is also emphasized, as the youngsters become good listeners, follow directions, cooperate in a group, and learn more about themselves.

With greater independence comes the ability to participate without the parent, and our Mighty Mites are lavished with positive reinforcement for self-reliance and following directions. Strength, flexibility, and agility are increased, as our teachers introduce gymnastic skills with the safest spotting techniques and communication through language geared to build self-esteem and confidence. Sensitive to peer pressure, these 3-year-olds are nurtured so tenderly and always with a success-oriented approach. Relays, more complex games, and beginning sports skills lead to increased strength, enhanced manipulative ability, and improved hand-eye coordination during this program.

These children are now ready to refine and master basic gross motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing, kicking and catching. Designed to prepare a child for group sports and instill a sense of confidence in connection with physical activity, our Whiz Kids program emphasizes each of these important skills. The children build strength, balance, agility, flexibility and coordination in this 1-hour program, as our instructors maintain a positive, supportive and noncompetitive atmosphere. Our Whiz Kids are showered with praise as they develop perseverance and self-control.