Gym for Tots is a Physical Education Programme specifically designed for infants who can walk, to the age of three years of age. The programme is the result of many years of experience and input from dozens of highly trained Physical Education teachers from around the world, with the advice of child psychologists, physiotherapists and health care specialists.
Gym for Tots started in 1983 and in the ensuing years the programme has been developed to include hundreds of creative and imaginative ways to encourage Physical activity, exercise and movement in a stimulating, safe and positive environment. The programme has it own music, song and rhyme book, colourful equipment, activity cards and course syllabus. Gym for Tots is taught by qualified teachers that have the ability to teach positively, create a happy and stimulating environment and are knowledgeable in child development.
Prepare your child to reach their potential with researched based programmes by our qualified instructors. Gym for Tots is an invaluable start to any child’s education. The social benefits of the Gym for Tots course have been well recognized by parents, who have suggested that children who have attended Gym for Tots lessons adapt easily when starting school.
Philosophy of Gym for Tots
Gym for Tots is often infants’ first teaching experience and we never underestimate how important it is that this is a positive one. Infants’ natural curiosity to physically explore their environment makes creating a positive learning experience an easily achievable goal. The programme then builds on this to encourage children to expand on their physical range of movement.
Educationalists stress that all learning begins with movement. Children must develop their gross motor skills first before any learning takes place. Children with poor motor skills and trunk control tend to perform badly at school, have trouble concentrating and sitting still.
All Gym for Tot teachers receive extensive in house training. Teaching methods are thus consistent at all venues as they have been for nearly a quarter of a century. For example when asking an infant to perform a task a Gym for Tot teacher will give the command … pause … and then say go. Infants learn to listen and respond to every word spoken. The use of anticipation can leave infants squealing with excitement much the same way as peep-a-boo has been a favourite game with tots across cultures for centuries. Infants respond to consistency and lessons start and finish the same way.
Before any learning can take place infants physiological needs must first be satisfied. Infants must then feel safe and wanted. If these needs are not met all hell and sundry breaks loose. Thus only people with the personality and a genuine interest in children make good teachers. A well taught Gym for Tots lesson is a really happy, creative and uplifting experience for teacher, guardians and infants.
Aims of Gym for Tots
Our Gym for Tots programme is designed to strengthen children’s bodies, minds and characters, providing a platform to exceed in life. The programme aims to develop self esteem confidence, social skills, listening skills, cognitive skills as well as physical skills such as co-ordination, agility and core strength.
Our guiding aim is to develop as many positive attitudes towards physical activity as possible so that an active and healthy lifestyle is maintained throughout life.
Gym for Tots Lessons
Each lesson plan is designed to teach tots a variety of skills such as locomotion and co-ordination skills, balancing, climbing, jumping, running, throwing and catching. Infants learn to participate in a group and respond to commands while developing confidence and self-esteem. Children learn to explore and expand their physical boundaries in a positive and happy environment..
Parents or guardians are expected to participate actively in the lessons and be responsible for the safety of their child.
LEVELS AND AWARDS FOR GYM FOR TOTS
Gym for Tots Booklet and Stickers
After each lesson tots are given an incentive sticker to stick in their sticker book.
Gym for Tot Award
After collecting ten stickers by actively participating in ten Gym for Tot lessons infants will receive a Gym for Tots Badge
Super Tot Awards
To receive the Super Tot Badge the child must be able to perform two exercises or activities from each section of the award criteria.
Multi-Sport holds Gym for Tots classes across the SAR, contact us to find out where.
