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It’s never too early for parents to encourage their children to be active. According to guidelines recently released by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), too much sedentary time spent by children ages newborn to five may hinder the development of skills such as rolling over, walking and crawling. The guidelines encourage parents to think about age- and skill-appropriate physical activities for children, how to interact with their child and what constitutes a safe, exciting learning environment.
“Parents – especially new parents – may be looking for a little guidance or advice on the types of activities that are appropriate for their child,” said Kathy Froelich, owner of the local Gymboree Play & Music of Ocean & Howell. “Our Gymboree Play & Music instructors are a great resource and help create an experience for parents and kids that is fun, while working to develop the foundation of physical, cognitive and social skills kids need later in life.” “In addition, we are now offering each of your 1st 3 month’s tuition for only $49• when enrolling at trial class during our September Open House.”
Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 years for over 35 years. Today, there are over 700 locations in more than 33 countries, making us the global leader in early childhood development programs.
We are the experts in early childhood development. Designed by experts, our age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical, and social skills of children as they play. Our programs are recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement-which encourages participation in and understand of each child’s development.
Our locations are safe places to play and learn. We provide an environment where children are free to move, play and explore safely. Every structure was created with the needs of children in mind. Our play environments are designed to deliver the high-quality standard parents expect for their children.
Here are some tips from Gymboree Play & Music that you should keep in mind when choosing a play location or activity for your child:
Let’s Play: Appropriate play depends on a child’s individual stage of development. Because children learn through all of their senses, playtime should incorporate a variety of activities. For example, for babies, Gymboree Play & Music instructors enhance songs and games with visual and tactile props like colorful beach balls and scarves. For older children, climbing equipment, concepts like “up/down” and “over/under,” group games, imaginative themes, and stories are added.
So Happy Together: A space that allows parents to be involved with their children while playing is important. Playing together helps deepen the parent-child bond, as parents are present when their child masters new skills. Gymboree Play & Music classes also foster discussion between new parents, and mom and dad can learn new songs and games to try with their kids at home.
No Off-Limits: Kids play best when they are in a safe location that has child-sized equipment and toys, stimulates the imagination and encourages exploration – which helps build confidence and independence. A good play space should have a variety of activities and provide exposure to different sensory stimulation (various textures, sounds, sights, etc.). In addition, indoor playgroups or locations with indoor/outdoor options are key for rainy days when parents and kids just have to get out of the house.
For more developmentally appropriate play tips, visit gymboreeclasses.com and themamablog.com. To sign up for a free Gymboree Play & Music class call us at (732)493-1993 (Ocean) and (732)462-4450 (Howell) or go online to gymboreeclasses.com. We are located at 869 West Park Avenue, Ocean, 07712 and 2438 Route 9 South, Howell, 07731. To encourage all parents to get active with their children, we have the following planned:
• Try a FREE class during our September Open House
• Each of 1st 3 month’s tuition is only $49• when enrolling at your trial class during our September Open House for new families only. Plus, $15 off Lifetime Membership Fee.
• Our local Fire Department will come to visit Gymboree and allow the children to explore a fire truck and learn about firefighters. Join us at Gymboree Play & Music of Ocean on Wednesday, September 19th at 9am for the Ocean Township Fire Department visit. Date to be determined for the Howell Township Fire Department visit.
Active Start: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five Years provided by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
There are five guidelines for each age group and they are intended to answer questions relative to the kind of physical activity, the environment and the individuals responsible for facilitating the activity.
Infants
Part of the infant’s day should be spent with a caregiver or parent who provides systematic opportunities for planned physical activity. These experiences should incorporate a variety of baby games such as peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake and sessions in which the child is held, rocked and carried to new environments.
1. Infants should interact with parents and/or caregivers in daily physical activities that are dedicated to promoting the exploration of their environment.
2. Infants should be placed in safe settings that facilitate physical activity and do not restrict movement for prolonged periods of time.
3. Infants’ physical activity should promote the development of movement skills.
4. Infants should have an environment that meets or exceeds recommended safety standards for performing large muscle activities.
5. Individuals responsible for the well-being of infants should be aware of the importance of physical activity and facilitate the child’s movement skills.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
For toddlers, basic movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing and kicking do not just appear because a child grows older, but emerge from an interaction between hereditary potential and movement experience. These behaviors also are clearly influenced by the environment. For instance, a child who does not have access to stairs may be delayed in stair climbing and a child who is discouraged from bouncing and chasing balls may lag in hand-eye coordination.
1. Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes daily of structured physical activity; preschoolers at least 60 minutes.
2. Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes and up to several hours per day of daily, unstructured physical activity and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
3. Toddlers should develop movement skills that are building blocks for more complex movement tasks; preschoolers should develop competence in movement skills that are building blocks for more complex movement tasks.
4. Toddlers and preschoolers should have indoor and outdoor areas that meet or exceed recommended safety standards for performing large muscle activities.
5. Individuals responsible for the well-being of toddlers and preschoolers should be aware of the importance of physical activity and facilitate the child’s movement skills.
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