Benefits of Movement Education
Children learn to move and move to learn!
Gymnastics helps with physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Movement benefits the whole child and it promotes fitness, self-esteem, self-confidence and learning. Muscle skill development helps maintain a healthy body, while the mental development builds the brain for future success in reading, writing and math.
All children need to move to be healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally. Cars, demands on time, television and computers mean people are much less active than they need to be. Children are growing up with limited time and opportunities to move freely through their streets and neighborhoods.
Movement is instinctive, natural and most of all beneficial. Get your children moving today at Wood River Gymnastics Academy!
Children learn to move and move to learn!
Gymnastics helps with physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Movement benefits the whole child and it promotes fitness, self-esteem, self-confidence and learning. Muscle skill development helps maintain a healthy body, while the mental development builds the brain for future success in reading, writing and math.
All children need to move to be healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally. Cars, demands on time, television and computers mean people are much less active than they need to be. Children are growing up with limited time and opportunities to move freely through their streets and neighborhoods.
Movement is instinctive, natural and most of all beneficial. Get your children moving today at Wood River Gymnastics Academy!
The baby/toddler portion focuses on parental or caregiver bonding. Parent/caregiver participation and enthusiasm is required in each of our Baby/Toddler classes. Toddlers conclude this series of classes and are able to separate from parent to enter the Preschool Gymnastics Program. Our Early Development Gym is designed to provide developmentally sound progressions so each child begins to understand their body’s capabilities and limitations.
The Preschool portion focuses on introducing children to the fundamentals of gymnastics with the continued emphasis on enhancing basic motor development skills. NO PARENTS NEEDED HERE—these students can shine on their own! A variety of gymnastics skills are taught in a progressive manner while introducing the children to the various Olympic events: floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, uneven bars and balance beam. Your child also receives instruction on trampoline, double-mini trampoline, Tumble Trak and a variety of basic motor skills and floor activities. There are mountains to climb, rivers to swim, and trampolines to jump on!
Each week the Toddler/Preschool Area is set up differently. All of the equipment is just the right size for this age group. The preschool area is equipped with bars, beams, trampoline, rings, slides, climbing appartus’s and many fun shape mats. Here are some skills children will be introduced to:
~ Large motor skills: jumping, galloping, balancing, stability, tip toeing…
~ Small motor skills through use of music and props: scarves, beanbags ribbons, balls…
~ Spatial awareness, directionality and laterality: forward, backward, left, right, sideways, big, small…
~ Manipulative skills: throwing, catching, kicking…
~Non-manipulative skills: turning, rolling, transferring weight, proprioception…
~ Basic gymnastics positions: straight, straddle, pike, tuck, C, squat, lunge…
~ Intro to basic gymnastics skills on all equipment.
~ Social skills: respect, working in a group, turn taking, patience, cooperation…
~ Emotional wellbeing: positive self-image, pride…
The Preschool portion focuses on introducing children to the fundamentals of gymnastics with the continued emphasis on enhancing basic motor development skills. NO PARENTS NEEDED HERE—these students can shine on their own! A variety of gymnastics skills are taught in a progressive manner while introducing the children to the various Olympic events: floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, uneven bars and balance beam. Your child also receives instruction on trampoline, double-mini trampoline, Tumble Trak and a variety of basic motor skills and floor activities. There are mountains to climb, rivers to swim, and trampolines to jump on!
Each week the Toddler/Preschool Area is set up differently. All of the equipment is just the right size for this age group. The preschool area is equipped with bars, beams, trampoline, rings, slides, climbing appartus’s and many fun shape mats. Here are some skills children will be introduced to:
~ Large motor skills: jumping, galloping, balancing, stability, tip toeing…
~ Small motor skills through use of music and props: scarves, beanbags ribbons, balls…
~ Spatial awareness, directionality and laterality: forward, backward, left, right, sideways, big, small…
~ Manipulative skills: throwing, catching, kicking…
~Non-manipulative skills: turning, rolling, transferring weight, proprioception…
~ Basic gymnastics positions: straight, straddle, pike, tuck, C, squat, lunge…
~ Intro to basic gymnastics skills on all equipment.
~ Social skills: respect, working in a group, turn taking, patience, cooperation…
~ Emotional wellbeing: positive self-image, pride…
Tummy Time
Parent Participation Class
ages 3 months-crawling
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
This class is for baby and parent. Sessions include movement work for caregivers and play for infants to mindfully assist their developmental journey. We strive to make tummy time an enjoyable bonding experience. Developmentally, tummy time is important, because as the baby spends time on her front in the prone position, her neurological and somatic systems will become better integrated, laying the foundation for future learning. Supervised tummy time promotes muscle and brain development and helps infants master important skills. Parents and children will enjoy this "together time" filled with music, movement, sensory motor stimulation, and time for parent discussion about the newly found joys of parenthood! This class is not currently offered. If you are interested in this class, please e-mail me. If there are enough parents interested in the class we can start it up.
Boogie n’ Babies
Parent Participation Class
ages crawling-14 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
During this stage of development your child will demonstrate curiosity and exploration as she begins to move her body through space. It's a whole new world for a baby who's learned how to crawl! Crawling is an important stage, as children continue to develop physical strength and cognitive awareness. Class activities and exercises will promote strength, balance, body awareness, and coordination necessary for your child to sit, crawl, climb, stand, and walk. The activities will also encourage exploration and provide many new and fun sensory experiences for your child. This class incorporates the use of balls, shape mats, parachute play, and manipulative games to enhance learning and encourage creativity. Classes offer a special time for parents to exchange ideas, information, and concerns related to childcare. This class is not currently offered. If you are interested in this class, please e-mail me. If there are enough parents interested in the class we can start it up.
Head Over Heels
Parent Participation Class
ages 14-26 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
Explore the wonders of play and movement with your child. This class will incorporate a variety of creative activities to enhance motor development, coordination and balance skills. Children and parents will enjoy interactive songs and games, social interaction, and many chances to jump, crawl, climb, tumble and explore!
Me and My Shadow
Parent Participation Class
ages 26-40 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 40minutes.
A tremendous Parent/Child interactive class! Children experiment in obstacle courses, beams, bars, trampoline rebound surfaces, tumbling, musical tapes, swings, ladders, tunnels and other fun-inspiring stations. The social component of interacting with other children is invaluable.
On My Own
Co-ed, ages 3 ½ - 5 years
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 40 minutes.
Children work through a wide variety of stations, but the focus here is on developing coordination, agility, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and motor skills! The students also learn how to listen, follow directions and take turns. All of the gymnastics equipment is used as well as special-sized elements. Parents are welcome to watch, but are usually not needed on the floor.
Kinder Kids
Co-ed, ages 5 - 6 ½ years
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 50 minutes.
This class is designed as a transitional class, from the pre-school program to the progressive program. It is only for kindergarten gymnasts. Because of their age, kindergartners are able to handle a class which is slightly more “skill oriented”. This fast paced class is a good introduction to gymnastics. Conditioning and flexibility are introduced at this level, and skills continue to progress in difficulty. The Kinder Kids class strives to instill in children the essential notions of gymnastics movement, spatial awareness, personal discipline, confidence, strength and power, pride in achievement, and effectively working within a group setting.
During class you may see your child attempting a skill on their own that may seem outside of their ability. This is done intentionally by the instructor to encourage your child to push their limits, attempt a skill without a full spot from an instructor, and attempt to execute the skill using the proper techniques. Eventually your child will need less of a spot and understand how the skill is to be performed. In time, they will be able to successfully execute the skill alone! With the influence of positive reinforcement, children are afforded appropriate challenges which prepare them, physically, mentally and emotionally, for our progressive gymnastics classes.
The environment is set up so that the instructors are there to “full” spot a difficult skill at a circuit while the rest of the circuit is used to practice previous skills taught, refine simple skills, improve strength, endurance, and flexibility, and have a great time!
Parent Participation Class
ages 3 months-crawling
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
This class is for baby and parent. Sessions include movement work for caregivers and play for infants to mindfully assist their developmental journey. We strive to make tummy time an enjoyable bonding experience. Developmentally, tummy time is important, because as the baby spends time on her front in the prone position, her neurological and somatic systems will become better integrated, laying the foundation for future learning. Supervised tummy time promotes muscle and brain development and helps infants master important skills. Parents and children will enjoy this "together time" filled with music, movement, sensory motor stimulation, and time for parent discussion about the newly found joys of parenthood! This class is not currently offered. If you are interested in this class, please e-mail me. If there are enough parents interested in the class we can start it up.
Boogie n’ Babies
Parent Participation Class
ages crawling-14 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
During this stage of development your child will demonstrate curiosity and exploration as she begins to move her body through space. It's a whole new world for a baby who's learned how to crawl! Crawling is an important stage, as children continue to develop physical strength and cognitive awareness. Class activities and exercises will promote strength, balance, body awareness, and coordination necessary for your child to sit, crawl, climb, stand, and walk. The activities will also encourage exploration and provide many new and fun sensory experiences for your child. This class incorporates the use of balls, shape mats, parachute play, and manipulative games to enhance learning and encourage creativity. Classes offer a special time for parents to exchange ideas, information, and concerns related to childcare. This class is not currently offered. If you are interested in this class, please e-mail me. If there are enough parents interested in the class we can start it up.
Head Over Heels
Parent Participation Class
ages 14-26 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1.
Class length is 30 minutes.
Explore the wonders of play and movement with your child. This class will incorporate a variety of creative activities to enhance motor development, coordination and balance skills. Children and parents will enjoy interactive songs and games, social interaction, and many chances to jump, crawl, climb, tumble and explore!
Me and My Shadow
Parent Participation Class
ages 26-40 months
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 40minutes.
A tremendous Parent/Child interactive class! Children experiment in obstacle courses, beams, bars, trampoline rebound surfaces, tumbling, musical tapes, swings, ladders, tunnels and other fun-inspiring stations. The social component of interacting with other children is invaluable.
On My Own
Co-ed, ages 3 ½ - 5 years
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 40 minutes.
Children work through a wide variety of stations, but the focus here is on developing coordination, agility, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and motor skills! The students also learn how to listen, follow directions and take turns. All of the gymnastics equipment is used as well as special-sized elements. Parents are welcome to watch, but are usually not needed on the floor.
Kinder Kids
Co-ed, ages 5 - 6 ½ years
Student:Instructor ratio is 8:1
Class length is 50 minutes.
This class is designed as a transitional class, from the pre-school program to the progressive program. It is only for kindergarten gymnasts. Because of their age, kindergartners are able to handle a class which is slightly more “skill oriented”. This fast paced class is a good introduction to gymnastics. Conditioning and flexibility are introduced at this level, and skills continue to progress in difficulty. The Kinder Kids class strives to instill in children the essential notions of gymnastics movement, spatial awareness, personal discipline, confidence, strength and power, pride in achievement, and effectively working within a group setting.
During class you may see your child attempting a skill on their own that may seem outside of their ability. This is done intentionally by the instructor to encourage your child to push their limits, attempt a skill without a full spot from an instructor, and attempt to execute the skill using the proper techniques. Eventually your child will need less of a spot and understand how the skill is to be performed. In time, they will be able to successfully execute the skill alone! With the influence of positive reinforcement, children are afforded appropriate challenges which prepare them, physically, mentally and emotionally, for our progressive gymnastics classes.
The environment is set up so that the instructors are there to “full” spot a difficult skill at a circuit while the rest of the circuit is used to practice previous skills taught, refine simple skills, improve strength, endurance, and flexibility, and have a great time!