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.
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.
Catherine 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.
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
Follow Jane on Instagram right here: https://www.instagram.com/autismmomtoronto/
By participating in the music sequence of a Gymboree Play & Music class, she is able to experience the mix of a quick-paced tune as well as a slowing down, and quieting down tune. Rather than running on one speed for an entire class, by participating in the music through singing along, playing her instruments, and also practicing a quiet voice or “freezing” during the song, she is building up her capacity to self-regulate and self-monitor. She is watching her peers and teacher to also see the way that they react when the music slows, speeds up, and stops. Talk about social-emotional learning for a toddler!
