The Little Gym

[IZ]

For you parents..

Anyone take their kids to one of these?  My wife just took Maro to the gym here in South Austin on Tuesday.  Apparently, he loved it and is going straight into the group with the older kids this Saturday.  I'm taking him for that class.  Anyway, these are the two free classes and we're thinking about joining. Anyone have FHE?


*awaiting the "little" jokes. 

[kopfjäger]

www.crossfitkids.com

[IZ]

I have a crossfit across the street.

[ducatiz]

There is one near us and both of my kids love it.  It's a franchised chain, so the owners buy the storefront and the curriculum.  It will depend on the owner's enthusiasm and interest in kids.

The owner of the one near us is a very sweet puerto rican lady who ALL the kids love.  She runs all of the classes herself and has also started other classes which aren't part of the regular curriculum (like a Spanish class with gym play, which I htink is brilliant)

Both of my kids have gone to lots of classes there and have benefitted, with the right owner they are great.

[IZ]

The owner of the last house we rented in AZ worked for little gym corp.  That's how I heard of them but never actually saw one until we moved back here to TX. I can't wait to take my son there this weekend!  He wants to play with the other kids and get out and explore.  He's really getting bored with this apt.  Hopefully, they have incorporated a Spanish class here as well.  The staff we met there last week seemed pretty enthusiastic.

[ducatiz]

Check out the free play schedule as well.  The one near us has free play 2 nights a week at 630-8pm and it's GREAT after dinner.  Kids play for a while and they get burnt and sleep until 8AM.  Ours are crappy sleepers so it's a godsend.  IT's free when they are in a class.

ANy gymnastics is good for young kids because it helps them learn movement and develop agility.  My boy was clumsy for a while and it really helped him.

[The Bacon Junkie]

Like 'tiz said... depends on the owner/ instructors philosophy/attitude and approach to teaching kids.

You can have the best curriculum in the world, but with the wrong teachers, it don't mean squat.

I've heard both really good things and really bad things about the chain...

As I was starting my gymnastics company back in '04, I taught an adult gymnastics class at another gym.  I had three "Little Gym" instructors in my class...  I would NEVER have sent anyone to that gym. Ever!     Conversely, the one that my sister took my nephew to was top notch.      

Bottom line is this: Do you feel comfortable with the facility and the people who are interacting with the most valuable thing in your universe?  Are they knowledgeable, friendly, and allow Maro to learn at his own pace?  Is he having the time of his life, laughing and giggling and saying "More! More!" and not want to leave?  

If ya want to know more, pm me...  I've been teaching preschoolers for almost 18 years.  

[IZ]

Oh yeah... We already have our weekly schedule set.  We can get him in there 4x's/wk for the next few months.  Maro is a horrible sleeper too. I'm sure in part to being a premie and moving around so much these past few months.

[ducatiz]

Being physically tired is good for them to sleep.  They burn off a lot of the growing and sleep better.  both of my kids sleep like rocks when they've had an hour or two at the park or an hour at the little gym. 

[cokey]

I want to get Mikaela in gymnastics, dance,musicand soccer..  the places here in ny are on the pricey side though..  she's almost 23 months,  what's a good age to start her at?  I all ready teach her some dance but she sings and tries to play the piano on her own..  im guessing it'll be easier when we get out of ny. By then shell be four..

[ducatiz]

I want to get Mikaela in gymnastics, dance,music and soccer..  the places here in ny are on the pricey side though..  she's almost 23 months,  what's a good age to start her at?  I all ready teach her some dance but she sings and tries to play the piano on her own..  im guessing it'll be easier when we get out of ny. By then shell be four..

23 months is a fine time to start all of those.  We had Micah doing piano (in Chinese language) from age 2 and some sport all year round -- gymnastics is a good winter sport since it's usually indoors.  Basically every three months from age 2 he's been in a different sport, with piano all year round.  He's 4 and can plan some Chopin already.

It's more important to do something than to do everything.  Just get her into something and encourage her.  The exercise is as important as the socializing for kids.

[teddy037.3]

ahhh....

I saw a truck this morning parked across from me with the little gym logo and stuff, and it had one of those animal crates in the back, so clicking on adam's thd I was pretty dang confused 

[duccarlos]

My kids went to Little Gyms in PR, FL and GA. They were both excellent and would recommend at least checking it out.

[IZ]

So far..he's loving it!  I just cant wait until he can start walking.  He's just standing with assistance and watching the other kids or he crawls like a madman to catch up with them.  Not as much fun yet. 

[Triple J]

So far..he's loving it!  I just cant wait until he can start walking. 

Be careful what you wish for!  There's a period of time when they can walk but have zero sense of self preservation. It's crazy! Hayden walked at 1, and until he turned 2 (maybe a little sooner) he was a hazard to himself and everything around him. He would give no thought to walking/running off of stairs at full speed!  Luckily I always caught him before the point of no return...it's exhausting!