Baby and Kinder Gym

Baby Gym classes are held each week during school terms on Tuesdays at 9:00am.

• Baby Gym and Kindy Gym brochure (166 KB)
• Fees & Charges brochure (166 KB)

What is Baby Gym?

Baby Gym is an active play group for babies 8 to 12 months. It is a movement program aimed at stimulating the sensory system and developing the whole child, socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in a fun, nurturing and safe environment.

Who is Baby Gym for?

At Baby Gym we have two groups, pre-crawlers and crawlers. Our program includes gentle exercise, massage and an opportunity for quality time with your baby.

What to bring to Baby Gym?

Please bring a bunny rug or towel and drinking water.

Why is Baby Gym worthwhile?

It gives babies the opportunity to explore and develop their physical skills in a fun environment at their own rate. It also allows for interaction with other parents and babies. Babies learn to be more efficient in using their bodies while enhancing their readiness for learning, rolling, crawling and walking. They balance on beams, climb steps and ladders, crawl up ramps and through tunnels, roll down wedges and much much more……. Baby will love it!

Baby Gym channels energy appropriately, and increases your baby's confidence in his or her abilities and in trying new activities. Babies are stimulated to attempt activities by observing other babies in action.

Baby Gym Program

Classes are 45 minutes in duration. During this time, your role as a parent or care-giver, will be to encourage and support your baby. Each session will be structured as below.

Exploration and Free Play

This will provide opportunities for babies to explore and experiment with the various activities and equipment stations. Familiarisation is an important part of the lesson, especially in the early stages. Your task is to accompany your baby, encouraging him/her to interact and explore with the apparatus provided. During this time your child may like to practise skills or perform activities learnt at previous lessons.

When?

Tuesdays - 9:00am - 9:45am (Pre - Crawlers / Crawlers)

Kinder Gym

What is Kinder Gym?

• Kinder Gym is a movement based program, where children are given opportunities to explore and develop their physical potential before going to school. It is a place to practice and make new friends.
• Kinder Gym is a play environment, which stimulates children to use various motor functions to roll, climb, throw, glide, kick, crawl, hop, jump and swing.
• Kinder Gym is a program to develop independence through self-selected activities. Children are under no pressure to compete or conform.

Who is Kinder Gym for?

Any young child from 1 year to 5 years, accompanied by a parent or care giver. Parents too, benefit from sharing their children's fun and achievement. Kinder Gym lets parents share rather than direct, so real benefits come from the child's self initiated play rather than an adult directed play. The Kinder Gym environment also caters for children with special needs.

What is at Kinder Gym?

A variety of Olympic apparatus, modified gymnastics equipment and hand apparatus is used in the Kinder Gym program. For example, mats, climbing apparatus, tunnels, balance beams, hoops, balls, bean bags, trampolines. The equipment is varied to offer new challenges and experiences to the children. An All Together Now session is included where children, caregivers and coaches can be involved together in a variety of activities such as skill development, co-ordination games and hand apparatus activities. The special time together encourages social interaction and helps develop listening skills. Music, action songs, games and finger-plays are also used to develop gross and fine motor skills.

Why is Kinder Gym worthwhile?

It gives children the opportunity to explore and develop their physical skills in a fun environment at their own rate. Children learn to be more efficient in using their bodies while enhancing their readiness for learning. They balance on beams, climb ladders, crawl up ramps, jump through hoops, roll along scooter boards. Children love it!

Kinder Gym channels energy appropriately, and increases the child's confidence in their abilities and in trying new activities. Children are stimulated to attempt activities by observing other children in action.

Kiama Leisure Centre Kinder Gym Program

Classes are 45 minutes duration. During this time, your role, as a parent or care giver, will be to encourage and support your child. Each session will be structured as below.

Exploration and Free Play

This will provide opportunities for the children to explore and experiment with the various activities and equipment stations. Familiarisation is an important part of the lesson, especially in the early stages. Your task is to accompany your child, encouraging him/her to interact and explore with the apparatus provided. During this time your child may like to practise skills or perform activities learnt in previous lessons.

All Together Now

This is a special time where you and the children join the coaches and other participants on the floor for action songs, games, movement and theme-related activities.

Circuit

After the All Together Now session, children will be encouraged to perform the various tasks set up by the coaches on the apparatus. We will explain and demonstrate what your child may do on each apparatus, and coaches will be there to assist where more complex skills are involved. Also, the weekly lesson plan will be displayed on the wall.

Cool Down

Another get together on the floor for cool down activities, fine motor skills and going home songs.

Please remember:

• Each child is an individual and will participate in the lesson when they feel comfortable.
• Children all work at a different pace, and have definite likes and dislikes, so don't be disappointed if your child does not do everything provided.
• Observation is a legitimate activity and a vital part of learning.