The Little Gym - Trial Class

My son is an extremely active little boy.  I've been thinking it's time to find an activity for him that works with our schedule.

A did a trial class with The Little Gym

The teacher was outgoing and inviting.  The class started out with a "Hello Song" where each child (or parent) said their child's name.  There were about 6 families on time and then several walked in a bit late.  I think there might have been about 10 children altogether?  It was hard to really keep track when they were running and playing and I was chasing my son around!  Anyway, my son was trying to escape the entire time.  He really wanted to be all over the gym.  The teacher reassured me that this behavior was okay.  I tried to guide him back to the large mat but he wanted to check everything out.

After the Hello Song, she said they were going to act like animals.  (The theme for the class that day was animals.)  I forget if the song was some version of  "Old Mac Donald" but there were several animals and we crawled, hopped, ran, and trotted and made animal sounds.  I thought this would engage my son but it did not.  He was still running all over.  They did an activity with hula hoops.  The children were suppose to roll and spin them.  I though this would interest my son but he still wanted to explore the gym.  After that activity, the instructor told us we could let our kids explore the gym.  (THANK GOODNESS!)

As the instructor made her rounds, she mentioned that she would call everyone over to a piece of equipment for a "Skill Building" exercise.  The first skill builder was one of those spring boards up against a triangle mat.  The children were suppose to jump and squat like a frog.  I watched as the instructor explained and my son was trying to escape my grasp.  I made him wait his turn and he actually DID the exercise.  I thought he wasn't paying attention.

We were allowed to continue exploring the gym.  He enjoyed so much.  He loved the balance beams and obstacle courses.  He loved jumping all over the place!  It was fantastic!  The entire room was child-safe.  He really couldn't escape anywhere.  Since I had to spend much of my time chasing him around, it was great to have such a safe place.

Next was another skill building exercise.  This time it was the rings.  They had to hold on to both rings and lift up their legs.  My son did so well on this too.  He's a strong child!  After that we got to explore and you get to chat with other parents as you try the equipment and wait your turn.

Then came the balls.  He LOVED this so much.  I have to get him a basketball net!

They ended class with bubbles!  (What child does not like bubbles?!)  Then we gathered on the mat and sang a goodbye song.  The teacher then stamped each child's hand!  My son wanted to just go or run around but I managed to have him wait his turn.

What was I looking for in the class?  Something to engage his high activity.  I feel that the class did offer that.  He did nap that afternoon and he rarely naps when he is home.  I also wanted him to get a bit of the social experience.  They did provide an opportunity with the Hello & Goodbye circle.  My son just did not want to sit with me.  Perhaps over time he would get use to the routine of the class structure.  

All in all it was a pretty positive experience.  I enjoyed the setting, the teacher, the social aspects and the curriculum.  So why didn't I enroll?  I thought the price was rather high for the class.  The price the teacher gave me for the remaining weeks was around $20/class.  There were different price structures as well.  If you paid in advance, it saved you more but the monthly payment was $90.00/MONTH!  As a music teacher, most private lessons for beginning students are around $25 - $30.00 for 30 - 45 minutes.  It was hard to imagine that a GROUP class would cost so much!

For me it was a hard decision because it did fit him well and I could see the value and the fun he would have each week but budgeting that in was not something I could do at this time.  Since I have two older children as well that are involved in activities, it's definitely a budget thing.

We had fun and I would recommend it to others with active children like mine.      

Teach by example

You know what bothers me?  Lack of manners.

It bothers me even more when it's a parent with their child.

When I'm out with my children I try to show them manners.  Smiling at others, holding a door open, greeting the cashier at the store, ya know - the simple things.

If I drop something I pick it up, if my child bumps into something, I ask them to help me pick it up.  If I see something on the floor at a store, I pick it up.  Simple manners.

Some people have decided they are above others and do not need to do those things.  See something on the floor?  Step on it or kick it.  Walking out the door, let it slam on a child who is holding their mother's hand trying to get out the door.

It's even worse when parents allow kids to destroy or not take care of property.  If a piece of fruit gets knocked on the floor, it's not so hard to ask your child to pick it up.  If you're at the playground, it's not unheard of to expect your child to share.  It's not the end of the world if your child doesn't push their way to the front of the line.

The rude Mom who was walking behind me and my two children that said, "We better hurry because we don't want to be stuck here" because she was parked next to me, lacked manners.  Not like it takes THAT long for me to get my kids in the car and make sure they are strapped the right way.  Did she remember when her child was young?  Manners - they really do go a long way.

I just want to show my children kindness and consideration of other people and property by example.  Example, after all, is the best way children learn.  I hope that they will be good family members, citizens and friends to others.

The old saying is "It takes a village to raise a child".  This does not mean the immediate village of your family or group of BFFs.  It means every single person.  Children need to see those positive examples.  They need to see manners being used.  It doesn't just stop at the family.  It applies to the people you see out in public.

I am just one person in the world but I try to use manners and show them how to use them.  One little brick in building the village.