This may or may not be a new series that I will try where I talk about different toddler activities and what sort we are trying and how we are liking them. It depends on if Cameron will want to try more activities, what I can get her to try, and how often the activities come about.
This first one, is all about gymnastics. Our little gymnast has love to run and jump and climb on things since she first became mobile. If it’s not able to move or fall over, she is going to try and climb it. We decided we would sign her up for gymnastics to help her burn off some of that energy, but of course for the longest time I could not find a class that worked with her age and timing. All classes for her age group in our area were always in the middle of the week during the day, something that I was not able to do since I work. We decided that we would just have to wait until she was a bit older and could then take classes on weekends. Then, we ended up moving and luckily our new city does host classes for her age group and have plenty of class times so that they work with everyone’s schedules.
We were able to find a preschool/toddler class that met Wednesday evenings for her to go and run out all that excessive energy while at the same time work on some gymnastic fundamentals and beginning skills. This is a parent participation class, so mom and dad get to work off some energy too while helping Cameron out.
We’ve had one class so far, and initial reactions, Cameron is going to have the best time. We have three coaches that watch over the 8 toddlers and their parents.
Class is only a half hour, which I think is perfect, because by the end of those 30 minutes everyone is ready to call it a day. I’m not sure who was more worn out from the first class, Cameron from running around and trying all the stations, or me from having to chase Cameron around all the stations.
Class is structured, in the way that the coaches come in and take attendance just to ensure everyone that signed up for class is there. Then they lead the kids is stretches, which goes exactly the way you would think it would with a class of two and three year old’s. After that the coach went around to all the stations to show the kids what they entailed and how to properly use them. Once that was done they let the kids and parents off to choose whichever station they wanted to work on. The rest of the class was just each kid running from station to station, parents following and calling after them not to cut in line, or wait their turn, or to move on from the station and let someone else have a turn. Cameron found a few stations that she enjoyed the most, two bars, and a set of rings, and of course the trampoline. She did well enough listening to get out of others way, or wait her turn. Towards the end she did get a little fussy and wanted to leave the class shortly before it was over, but I think it was more because she saw toys out in the waiting area and wanted to go play with them.
All in all, I think she had a great first class, and I know we are looking forward to going back and continuing to learn and play and have fun with the other kids and coaches. Hoping to start up Dance, Swim, Music, and any other activity we can find for her age group. Just to get her out of the house, around other kids, and in activities that hopefully she will learn to love and enjoy. If at any point she decides she doesn’t like it, we won’t push her to continue.
