Month: June 2018

GymboFams Ambassadors, Uncategorized

Meet GymboFams Ambassador Crystal

I’m so excited to join this awesome club of GymboFams! My name is Crystal King and I am the Mother of Avery King. I work FT as a Creative Director and my son Avery spends most of his days with his Grandparents and little cousins.

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For months, I searched to find something for Avery that would help further develop his motor skills, foster an environment for social play and develop his sense of bravery, confidence, and curiosity.

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That’s when I stumbled upon Gymboree Play & Music. We are newbies to the program but on the very first day I knew that I had to immediately sign Avery up because I saw how much he thrived after just one class! We are now a few classes in and Avery loves sliding down the slides, swinging on the tubes, crawling through the rainbow tunnels, kissy time with Gymbo, popping bubbles, and parachute time! I’m so excited to have found Gymboree Play & Music and can’t wait to meet more parents and sweet little babes.

 

I recently started sharing stories of the adventures of Avery and I on our website: justthekings.com. I had such a crazy pregnancy and delivery that I just felt compelled to share my testimony with others. At 7 months pf pregnancy, I was forced to deliver Avery due to lack of weight gain (I only gained 7lbs my entire pregnancy y’all) and preclampaia.

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Immediately after delivering Avery, I went into kidney failure and got put on the list for a kidney transplant. I’m really just starting to regain my strength and I’m finally able to be more independent and venture out with Avery. I wish I could’ve started the website sooner but I’m slowly telling my story now. So if you guys could drop by, take a look, share any feedback or ask questions I would greatly appreciate it!

Let’s stay connected on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justthekings

I’ll be sharing more photos and stories here: www.justthekings.com
Uncategorized

National Day of Play Fun at the Gymboree Play & Music of Encino CA!

A great deal of fun was had at the National Day of Play celebration at the Gymboree Play & Music of Encino CA.

National Day of Play was celebrated on June 23rd, 2018 at Gymboree Play & Music locations across North America.

The parachute is always a big hit at Gymboree Play & Music!

@beechnutfoodsa and @wellements and gave out tasty samples at the Encino location!

And there were goody bags with @garnierusa Whole Blends samples, @bitsysbrainfood samples and @happyfamily coupons.

They even had FREE carousel rides in celebration of National Day of Play!!!

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To sign up for a free preview class at Gymboree Play & Music visit: http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/

GymboFams Ambassadors, Music Classes

Meet GymboFams Ambassador Jane

As a mom and educator, I greatly value the role of play in social, emotional, physical and cognitive development; given our son’s recent diagnosis of Autism, I appreciate the importance of play so much more! Alexander has already shown progress and this is in part to Gymboree Play & Music.

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I’m Jane, – mom to Catherine, a creative and inquisitive 4 year old, and Alexander, a humorous and musical 2 year old – learning and loving the best I can.

Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 6.46.10 PM.pngCatherine participated in Gymboree Play & Music classes pre-school and we most recently continued our journey with Gymboree Gymboree Play & Music when we enrolled Alexander in Play & Learn.

I wanted him to participate in a class where he could just have fun because much of our time is dedicated to therapy. As it turns out, Gymboree Play & Music is fun but it also supports his development given the wide range and variety of activities available.

From heavy work materials that support sensory processing to play structures that build his core strength and tone to group activities that support socioemotional development, Gymboree Play & Music is helping us ways we never anticipated! Thank you.

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I’m a mom in Toronto! documenting our journey with Autism. Alexander is a 2 year old joy! Learning & loving the best I can. #autismmomtoronto

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Follow Jane on Instagram right here: https://www.instagram.com/autismmomtoronto/

GymboFams Ambassadors

Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey is taking over our Instagram for#tuesdaytakeover!!

Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey is taking over our Instagram for #tuesdaytakeover! This is Kimberly and her daughter Harlow in the courtyard @gymboree_encino after class. This picture was taken out front before the adorable Gymboree Play & Music Baby Prom she attended.

Follow Gymboree Plat & Music at: https://www.instagram.com/gymboreeplayandmusic/

Follow Kimberly Caldwell-Harvey at: https://www.instagram.com/_kimcaldwell/

Follow Gymboree Play & Music, Encino at: https://www.instagram.com/gymboree_encino/

Teacher Feature

Teacher Feature! Meet Amanda from Gymboree Play & Music, Westside Pavilion

Meet Amanda. She’s a Music Programming Specialist at the Gymboree Play & Music, Westside Pavilion location.

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What is your Gymboree Play & Music story? Share how you started as a teacher.
I had just moved to California and was looking to utilize my recent Music Education degree. I had only previously heard of Gymboree after one of my preschool students in Idaho participated in a photo shoot. Walking into the initial group interview at the Westside Pavilion Gymboree in Los Angeles, I looked up to see a poster on the wall with the little boy from my preschool in Idaho! It seemed like I was just where I was meant to be.

What is your favorite part about teaching at Gymboree Play & Music?
I love that I get to build long-standing relationships with families. I get to see children learn and grow! I get to share with them the joy of learning! In some cases, I am their first introduction to a world outside of the home and family, and I get to ensure that the child’s experience is a positive one. I have the privilege of helping parents recognize what developmental milestones their child has reached. Gymboree taught me how important the first five years of life are, so I am proud of what I do.

What makes Gymboree Play & Music special for you?
Gymboree has become a huge part of my life. I have made some of my best friends here, both parents and other teachers. I have children who come back to visit me even after they are 9, 10, 11 years old. I have met teachers from around the world who share a similar love for early childhood education. While I teach at one location, I have a global community with whom to share ideas, stories, triumphs and troubles. I don’t think I could have any other job that brings me this much joy and fulfillment!

GymboFams Ambassadors

Meet GymboFams Ambassador Catherine

When we moved to Boston from Quebec City, it was a big challenge for me. I stopped to work full time as CPA, to stay at home with my boys. They had to learn English as well.

Then, Gymboree Play & Music warmly opened the door of their big family. We have met wonderful friends and have learnt so much around play, music and fun.

Follow Catherine on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/maman_lys/

Play & Learn Classes, Tips

From the Parent Tip Toolbox! Wait and Watch.

Parent Tip for June

Watch, Wait, Play! Encourage independence and curiosity by allowing your child to take the lead with play. It’s best to support their actions, but let your child be the leader. Play only happens when your child is in control, you can’t make her play.

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Here are some examples of “Wait & Watch” by age group.

Baby

If baby is reaching for the ball, stop yourself from giving it to them. Let them get it themselves.

Toddler

If they’re trying to get up on the chair, let them try on their own before assisting. Let them get dress by themselves – put on their own shoes etc.

Preschooler:

When they encounter another child coming up the slide when they’re ready to go down, let them figure out how “negotiate” with the other child without interrupting.

Wait and Watch in action!

Cassidy’s first time in the Play & Learn Level 5 Class — she did well figuring out how to go in a circle with this rope. – from GymboFam Ambassador Crystal, https://www.instagram.com/Sugarlandfan/