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| First Time Moms |
| Public online group |
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Hi all,
I just enrolled Jacob in a gymboree class for this Saturday. He's one, as I've shared before. I wanted the opinions of any other mom that has had their young toddler participate in this. What should I expect? Did your children have fun? Is it something that you would recommend?
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| Posted by Eva on 08/07/2008 01:25 PM
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Hi Eva -
My son Jacob (good name by the way) has been doing Little Gym classes since he was 9m. He loves it! I don't know about Gymboree, but at Little Gym there is a warm up time with some singing and a group activity - like a parachute or hula hoops and then it is free play on the equipment. During that time the teachers demonstrate 3 skills, like summersaults, or swinging on the bars and it is a good time for the kids to interact with each other. Then there is ball time (picture swarms of small children all chasing rubber balls) and then Bubbles. I learned that bubbles are actually good for developing hand eye co-ordination because they move so slowly. Then it is back to the mat for wrap up and we all sing goodbye and then the kiddos get rubber stamps on their feet and hands.
Jake really likes the other kids and his teacher and it is really nice to have at least once a week where I know he can burn off some energy. My one piece of advice is really get into it! I have been in other classes where the parents don't really sing or clap and the class just isn't as fun. If the other parents aren't grooving in your class, I would ask the instructors about a different class where the parents participate more. It really makes a difference!
Just Have Fun!!!
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| posted by Nanygoat on 08/07/2008 07:21 PM
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| We love gymboree!!! Are you doing the play, music or art class? My daughter has been going to gym since she was 6 months old. I highly recommend it. Mackenzie gets very excited when I tell her it is gymboree day. Lol, she loves to carry her gymbo shirt around. She is 16 months old and doesn't go to daycare. This is a wonderful way for her to interact and socialize with children her own age. (And for me to have an adult conversation!) We have made some great friendships. What level is your son doing? Mackenzie is in the process of moving to level 4. (There is a time conflict right now so we are waiting for the sept class) So, I'm not sure how that level might differ. First thing we do is a welcome song, maybe some warm up "exercises" then the teacher goes through each piece of equipment (the set up changes every week-2weeks) and how to use it and the purpose of it. The children then have open play, our teacher interacts with each child, reinforcing there hard work, etc, during open play, there may be other activities on the mat, that the parent and the teacher do together with your child, or where all the children can participate together (if the want) such as tube rides, air log activites, etc. After open play it's parachute time, where we do busy boxes, bubbles, parachute, maybe a couple songs & gymbo dancing. It is wonderful. While the time you are there is "structured" it's not enforced. If you child does not want to do parachute time and wants to keep playing and exploring that is fine. There are somedays when Miss Jen (our teacher) does parachute time alone, because the children are too interested in exploring! But the option is always there. They clean and sanitize everything so the children are allowed to explore with there mouth (although Jacob may be out of that phase?) Have fun and let us know what you think! |
| posted by Amanda on 08/07/2008 11:06 PM
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Oh thanks so much for the input ladies, I'm looking forward to it and I hope Jacob has a good time!!! I believe its level 2 for play (10-16 month level)!!! At home he's just soooooooo active and is flipping over on his head (under supervison of course). He's very social, so I'm sure he'll enjoy the other kids! And I'm sure I'll ravish the chance to speak to other mom's.
Thanks again, and I'll come back with a report tomorrow afternoon!!! |
| posted by Eva on 08/08/2008 09:13 AM
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| So how did it go Saturday? Did you and Jacob enjoy yourselves? |
| posted by Amanda on 08/10/2008 01:22 PM
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| Unfortunatly I feel sick over the weekend so I wasn't able to go but I made another appointment to go this Satuday!!! I was very disappointed, LOL. I was looking forward to it! |
| posted by Eva on 08/12/2008 10:19 AM
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| Gymboree is great, I agree with Amanda, however we don't have much of open play as we have of the structure activity, which I like that. I am all for the interaction of the teacher and the child and the activity guided by the teacher. Open play my daughter can do on the open playgym day. This is so much different than little gym. I had her on little gym since she was 6 months until 10months old. It was a waste of time and money. I regret so much not to have enrolled in gymboree sooner. Little gym is better for older kids, like 3.5 yrs old and above. Everyone that went to try little gym ended up in gymboree. I had already paid a whole semester so I stayed having to share the class with two other kids (only 2 in the entire semester). Gymboree classes are so much fun, more experienced teachers and with colorful and variety of playsets/mats/toys. No toys other than balls in little gym. If you want your kid to be a gymnasta then little gym is ok, but if you want him to be social, motor, and cognitive develop then gymboree is the place. |
| posted by veronica on 08/12/2008 07:11 PM
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