6/10/2014

STARTING YOUR KINDERGYM CLASS

Do you have a set routine to start your class and let your participants know the fun is about to begin?

Please keep in mind that Kindergym programs are run differently where ever you go, with many different methods of organisation. I am happy to share my ideas with you.

For my gym, I like to allow 5 minutes for my participants (parent and child) to enter onto the floor before class begins to have a quick opportunity to explore the environment that has been set up and have a look at the theme ideas presented. This time is without any directed teaching from the instructors. It is a great time for the instructors to greet and meet all the class members personally and ensure that information is collected about the members of the class.

After this five minutes of exploration a piece of music will play to indicate that it is time to come together on the floor to begin the class. This music never changes and the parents and children come to understand exactly what this means within a few weeks of joining our program. It is fun to watch the reaction of the children who are busy exploring the gym when the music starts . Immediately they stop what they are doing and run to the floor area with smiling face ready to begin the class.

Once assembled together I always start with a bright and cheery hello and ensure that any new members to our class are introduced at this time. Next comes our "Hello Song". The actions of this song are adjsuted to each age group so that they become more challenging as the child continues through our program. It is the same each week and the children always know exactly what is expected of them.

So next time your class is about to begin and you shout through the gym trying to gain the attention of your participants, think about how you can set up a system to make things run smoothly and effectively.

Hope this helps....love to hear from you!

6/09/2014

NURSERY RHYMES

How about this theme on Nursery Rhymes. It was great to hear the children's voices as we sung each rhyme. So much was achieved throughout the lesson.

Here is a snippet of the ideas used throughout the plan:
1. Our warm up song used shakers to upbeat nursery rhymes
2. We practiced our jumps and landings over cellophane flames on candles to Jack Be Nimble
3. Row, Row, Row Your Boat with the parents worked active flexibility on the hamstrings by sitting in pike and straddle.
4. Twinkle, Twinkle practiced our star shape and transference of weight, getting ready for our cartwheels.

Out in the gym, the adventures began. Here are a few of our ideas:
1. Jack and Jill: a high and wide hill made to log roll down
2. Humpty Dumpty: sit children on top of a box, allow them to jump to a crash mat below
3. London Bridge: our wooden bridge was placed on top of our see saw, so when the children got past the middle it went "clunk" down to the other side.
4. Little Miss Muffet: inflatable balance discs we're placed on the floor with spiders. As the children attempted to balance, the parent said the rhyme and threw the spider at them to catch....or run away!
5. Rock A Bye Baby: in our hammock tied between bars
6. Baa Baa Black Sheep: three bags of wool to throw into a bucket while standing on the beam

There were so many activities throughout the gym that promoted movement patterns and the fundamentals of gymnastics. It was great! I always love this theme, as the ideas are endless.
KEY WORDS OR RHYMES FOR TEACHING SKILLS

Young children can remember technique for skills the best by providing key word, rhymes or songs.
It is important to recognise that the K.I.S.S (Keep it short and simple) principle should be used at all times. The amount of words you use will vary according to the child's age and development level.

Forward roll:
Two year old: Hands down, head down (2 key points)
Three or four year old: Tall, small, roll like a ball (3 key points)

It is a great idea to ensure all your instructors are using the same key words, rhymes or songs.