From the mouth of babes: “I love my class!”

“I got so excited when Mommy parked the car a little while ago, because I knew we were going to my favorite place: Gymboree Play & Music!

I get to see my best friend each week, and Mommy always has a big smile on her face too when she sees her friends here.

There’s a really nice lady who shows me and my friends so many fun things to do. Right now she has me practicing my crawling. It can be hard work, but she sings songs and blows so many bubbles that it’s all worth it!  And I’ve overheard Mommy tell Grandma and Daddy that I always take a really good nap after we go to our class together.

Sometimes Daddy or Grandma ask if they can go to class with me instead of Mommy. I guess they love it too!

Tell your Mommy or Daddy to sign you up!!”

From birth to kindergarten, our classes grow with your child. Find a Gymboree Play & Music location near you.

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.

Screen Shot 2018-06-01 at 1.39.33 PM.png

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/

Meet GymboFams Ambassador Krissy

Hey there, everyone! Our names are Josiah and Krissy and we’re the parents of the most spunky and adventurous 2-year old named Noah. Our little guy has been going to Gymboree Play & Music for the past year and we’ve seen so much change in him since starting.

It’s given him confidence to come out of his shell and learn new things. His favorite activity when at Gymboree Play & Music is anything to do with the parachute or bubbles. His face literally lights up when he knows the teacher will bring it out for them to play with. It’s been an absolute joy watching him grow up through this program.

image002

On top of being his parents,  dad is a Parole Officer and mom is a stay at home entrepreneur who works in the social media field. There is nothing better than seeing our son play at Gymboree Play & Music because we know he’s constantly learning new ways to work on his development. We’re looking forward to what else he is able to accomplish and how much more he is able to grow.

Follow Krissy on Instagram right here: https://www.instagram.com/krissybri/

 

Get Summer Ready with this Checklist!

LET’S GET READY FOR SUMMER!

Screen Shot 2018-05-03 at 10.45.32 AM.png

Follow this easy summer checklist to get prepared for SUMMERTIME!

  • Stock up on supplies: Get those cabinets and refrigerators ready for a workout. Stock up on everything from sunscreen to popsicles to snacks!
  • Get out those summer clothes: Goodbye sweaters, hello tank tops and bathing suits!  
  • Keep those books in sight: Don’t let those books collect dust this summer. Create a reading schedule to keep your little one learning!
  • Get the family together: There’s no shortage of fun to be had during the summer. Whether it’s at the beach, theme parks or going to outdoor events, make it a family adventure!
  • SIGN UP FOR GYMBOREE PLAY & MUSIC SUMMER CAMP!

Call your local Gymboree Play & Music for more details.

Happy May! This Month We’re Focusing on developing gross motor skills through play.

The Gymboree Play & Music theme for May is Play Big and we’re focusing on developing gross motor skills through play. 

When children ‘play big’, meaning they are jumping, climbing, running they are subconsciously learning and beginning to understand their bodies and how they work. The technical term is “proprioception”. This seems simple enough, but it is much more complicated than just knowing where your hand is when you are not looking at it.

It is also about center of balance, posture, reflexes, and general movement confidence. Children will generally be more successful lifelong and able to better manage the inevitable changes of our bodies when they are well grounded in their senses at an early age.

Screen Shot 2018-05-01 at 6.31.20 PM.png

Monday Motivation! Let’s Balance.

Get moving at Gymboree Play & Music this week. GymboFams Ambassador Laura knows how to get her Monday off to a great start with some amazing balancing acts.

Good balance helps avoid injury during physical activity, improves our posture, and creates a keen sense of the capabilities of our muscles and joints.

Follow Laura at https://www.instagram.com/ldenn616/

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

 

Wobble Into The Weekend At Gymboree Play & Music!

Our GymboFams Ambassadors got Wobbling this week at Gymboree Play & Music by practicing their balance and coordination. Get YOUR Wobble on this weekend — find a location near you to book a FREE preview class.

Here’s is Baby Girl practicing her balance at Gymboree Play & Music. She was able to stand holding onto something for stability all by herself! From GymboMom April https://www.instagram.com/cheekycelie/

Screen Shot 2018-04-06 at 4.20.39 PM.png

At Gymboree Play and Music, Music 1 we are learning how to dance! Bouncing, twisting and swaying — Ollie loves to bounce and sometimes likes to combine all 3. From GymboFams Ambassador Chantelle https://www.instagram.com/chantelle10987/

Chantelle.jpg

Jacqui loves to do the see-saw boat!  When her friend gets off from the boat, she has to read just her weight and pressure to stay afloat. From GymboFams Ambassador Melissa https://www.instagram.com/meliss_msw/

Melissa.jpg

Try This At Home Wobble Activity For Baby!

The baby boogie!

Pick out a favorite song, hold your baby in front of you and swing them in and out or spin them round and round. Babies will squeal with glee when we move them around fast! Why? This simple activity is helping to stimulate their vestibular system. All leading to good balance when they are ready to stand up! So, wobble them around and have fun! You’re building up their ability to understand where their body is in space!

Happy April! This Month We’re Focusing on Balance & Coordination.

The Gymboree Play & Music theme for April is Wobble and we’re Focusing on Balance & Coordination. All this month we’ll be bringing you stories and activities that focus on balance and coordination.

April_Social Post_1(1080x1080) (1).jpg

Why Wobble?
Practicing our balance whether we are in tummy time, sitting up, standing, walking, or running helps improve our understanding of our body in space, or our proprioception.

When we have good balance, we avoid injury during physical activity, improve our posture, and create a keen sense of the capabilities of our muscles and joints.

When we use different surfaces to build up these muscles in our legs and core (like the surfaces in our playscapes), we take the challenge to the next level. Balancing on the floor is easy! But walking on our soft gym cushion? Tricky! Think about how you use different parts of your body and brain when you are walking on the beach, as opposed to when you are walking on the sidewalk. Different right? It’s because we are challenging our bodies, and that challenge improves our abilities!

Mrs. Sue is AWESOME!

Mrs. Sue Fowler is my son’s teacher at Gymboree Play & Music and she is awesome. Mrs. Sue leads her class with a genuine enthusiasm that really connects with the kids. With Mrs. Sue story books become adventures, puppets come alive, and the friendships she builds with parents and kids are real.

Thanks to all the Gymboree Play & Music staff, and especially Mrs. Sue for everything. It has been a wonderful and enriching experience. I am eternally grateful.

Best wishes,
Jason – Baltimore, MD

Bubbles in the Air

I started bringing my daughter to Gymboree Play & Music when she was 11 months old. She is now almost 16 months old and we go to Gymboree Play & Music at least 3 days a week.

90c80a821d97a2ea9c434dc5f859cbf9_w480.jpeg

She has enjoyed going, so much, and I have seen so much growth in her! Her teachers are fantastic!!!! They are so enthusiastic and involved in each class. We love our monthly, unlimited pass.

We have also met new people and my daughter has met some great little buddies. We are looking forward to growing even more and being able to attend more classes!

– Mom to 16-month-old