Kit's Kindergym Treasures

MOVING ON UP?

2012-01-25T22:15:00.000-08:00

At the end of every year, I always give my parents who have children heading off to big school a hand out with all the information they need to make the transition into gymnastics classes a smooth one.
What are the differences in your classes between Kindergym and Gymnastics classes?
Time of the day?
Length of class?
What actually happens in the class?
What is your teacher : child ratio?
What should they wear?
What else should they bring?
What time of the week is best?
What may happen in the first few weeks with behaviour?
Are the parents able to view the classes?
What skills will they be learning?
How will the parents understand how their child is improving?

These are some of the questions you may think about providing in a handout so that the transition is smooth and easy. Also so that you are not answering the same questions time and time again.

END OF YEAR PERFROMANCE

2012-01-25T22:06:00.000-08:00

Here are my little TIGGER THE TIGER kids performing on gym balls with their parents and helpers.

DORA THE EXPLORER!

2012-01-25T20:04:00.000-08:00

Our first week back for 2012 and it was my birthday! So we had a party with a DORA theme - all week long.
It was a great theme to play with.
* We began our class with a warm up song "Dora's Party Mix". We danced with our ribbon sticks...of colors pink and orange.
* Everyone got a bag (Dora's back pack) filled with objects as the "back pack"song played. All the kids knew it! I told them not to peek inside. They were only allowed to use their hands and not their eyes to find me a balloon (not yet blown up). Before the class I had blown up orange and pink baloons and placed them in a big bag. When they found their balloon I told them that they could have a balloon that was already blown up from my bag that matched the color of theirs. We then bounced the balloon into the sky following the lyrics to a song that told us to bounce it on various body parts.
* "Back pack, Back pack" played again and the children knew exactly where to go. This time they had to reach their hand in and find a star. I had laminated A4 size yellow stars.
* Parents held the stars above the children's heads as they jumped up and tried to touch it.
Dora has a song "Reach For The Stars".
* Next everyone was asked to place the star on the floor as we were about to play Musical stars! Parents and children moved in a circle around the stars and when the music stopped they had to stand on a star.
*Back pack" played again and the children ran their bags to listen for the object that was next.
A ball!
* All children sat in a circle with their legs crossed with the ball slightly in front of them. The teachers sat in the middle and told the children that they were going to be SWIPER! It was swiper's job to try and steal a ball from someone. If the children wanted to stop Swiper they had to put their hand out and say "Swiper no swiping"!
This was fun. Even the children who were usually very quiet spoke in a loud voice. Lots of giggles all around.

Hope you enjoyed reading just a few of our Dora theme activities. Let us know your thoughts.

Teaching landing positions in Kindergym

2011-03-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

We all know how important it is to teach the children how to land safely so each week our Kindergym classes practice as part of their routine.
We dance through our warm up song holding our hand held apparatus (such as ribbon sticks, pom poms of various sizes, shapes and textures, scarves, etc.)
After this song is finished we lay our apparatus on the floor to make a visual line in front of our feet. We all stand behind our line, clap and count 1,2,3! On 3 we jump to the other side and show our landing position...many refer to it as the "MOTORBIKE " position. Knees bent and arms in front of the body.
This begins at the age of two and continues upward.
The jumps over the line may vary...star, tuck, half turn, forward then backward. There is so much you can teach them over these lines if you think about it.
In our three year old class we even started counting to three in french....un, deux, trois. I was amazed how quickly they remembered this.
Many of our parents say their children will line up objects on the floor at home and count 1,2 3 and practice their jumping and landing.
YEAH! SUCCESS!

Parachute activity

2011-03-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

The parachute is so popular in Kindergym classes and it is always great when you find a new idea for this apparatus. So here is a musical idea that is successful in our Kindergym program:

Jack and Jill (The Wiggles - Pop Goes The Wiggles)

In this activity the children will be climbing on the top of the parachute so think of safety first.

I always ask the children to sit on their parents lap and for the parents to hold the children with one hand, as though they are putting on a seat belt! The temptation to go under is sometimes too great!!
I also explain to the children to slow down at the top of the mountain as we would not want to crash with those coming up on the other side of the mountain.

As the song begins ask the parents and children to lift the parachute and lower it to the ground trapping the air underneath to make our mountain. Each time the children climb up the mountain to flatten the parachute, they must quickly return to their parents to make a new mountain for the next verse. Each verse will say a different way to climb the mountain.

Verse 1: "Jack and Jill went up the hill"
Verse 2: "Jack and Jill ran up the hill"
Verse 3: "Jack and Jill jumped up the hill"
Verse 4: "Jack and Jill skipped up the hill"

ENJOY!

Fine motor activity

2011-03-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

Pegging is a great fine motor activity that can be used in any children's program, as well as at home.
You can buy various colors, sizes and textures of pegs in stores these days.
It is then up to you to use your imagination as to how to include them in your program.
During our CLEANING themed week , where we pretended to wash the scarves on the top of the parachute, then we hung them on a line. Later we returned, took them off the line, ironed and folded them.
As an adult that sounds too much like a regular day, but for the children they really became involved and had a great time.

At the end we gently gave the parents a massage with the play irons. Now that they liked!

Criss cross

2011-03-12T22:52:00.000-08:00

When I was lecturing in Queensland the group asked me to blog this rhyme...so here it is.

Have the child sit in front of you to begin this activity.

CRISS CROSS
Criss cross (draw and X upon the child's back)
Apple sauce (squeeze the child's shoulders)
Spiders crawling up your back (walk your fingers up the child's back)
Cool breeze (blow in the child's ear)
Tight squeeze (give the child a hug)
And now you've got the shivers (tickle them on their sides)

Trampoline rhyme

2011-03-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

I started singing a song for the younger children when they were jumping on the trampoline so they could join skills together in a sequence. It has been a big hit and I now hear all the staff using the words to this song either sung or spoken.

"Show me a soldier jump and show me a star
Show me a tuck jump and sit down where you are
....then stand up"

I use this for my three year olds and upwards in the beginner trampoline class.

What do you need help with?

2011-03-08T02:47:00.001-08:00

Let me know what it is that you feel you need help with and I will promise to help the best I can.
Look forward to hearing from you!

Scallywaggs trampoline class

2011-03-08T02:44:00.000-08:00

A Quick Sneak Peak Of A Kindergym Class In Scallywaggs

2011-03-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

Making drums

2011-03-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a new idea for you to add to your Kindergym program if you haven't already!
Rhythm and sound is an important part of development and should be included within your program planning.
We try and make as much of our equipment as possible so that my parents can copy and make them at home for their children to gain the full benefit of the activities.
All you need to do is ask your families to donate any old baby formula tins once they are finished with them. Also ask for the plastic lids. You need more lids than tins, so once you get enough tins just ask for the lids.
To begin, wash and dry the tins. Then decorate by covering them with the plastic contact of your choice.
Place a lid on both ends. Ta Da! You have created a drum!
For drum sticks I used dowel cut into short lengths (you may paint these if you wish), then a used small ball pit balls for the ends. I poked a hole in the ball and pushed the stick inside. Ta da! Drum sticks.
Play some music and let the children make some noise. The children love them!

Our crazy gym!

2011-03-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of our wonderful colorful gymnastics club.

Over the years I have visited many gyms and observed many classes in action, which gave me the opportunity to decide what I wanted to have in our facility. So, when I decided to set up our gym (16 years ago), I was clear on one thing....it had to be fun! I wanted to provided a clear image of fun as soon as you walked through the door. I do believe we have achieved this, but we are always trying to improve.

I knew what our philosophy was going to be and we have been true to it ever since we opened. However, in the world of gymnastics, many see us as a "play gym". A place that does not teach "true" gymnastics. I always smile at these comments and feel sorry for those who only believe that there is one way to teach this wonderful sport and in one type of gymnastics facility. We have chosen to be a recreational club for many reasons but we still achieve skills and results in this wonderful crazy facility. Hope you like this picture of half our gym.

Parent participation in Kindergym

2010-08-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Last week I had two Kindergym coaches from another program come to view Scallywaggs in action.
They said that their numbers are dropping, they now have a few new staff and they feel like they need to be motivated to improve their program. However, their biggest problem would be encouraging the parents that are currently in their program to be involved with their children rather than using it as a social catch up time.
This is a common issue that I have been asked about over the years. It seems quite a few programs struggle with this problem.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Set your expectations from the start. This means that your office staff should explain the program and the parent's role when a telephone enquiry is made. The office staff or Kindergym instructor should explain what will be happening and what is expected of the parent and child throughout their time with you on their first visit to Kindergym.

2. Have a consistent introduction to your class that occurs each week. This activity can involve the parent and child so that right from the start you are indicating to the parents that you would appreciate their involvement.

3. Build a relationship with the parents too! Greet them on arrival and present yourself as a bright and enthusiastic instructor. This way when you do need to communicate with the parents on a certain matter, they will be open to receive advice.

4. Educate the parents with information regarding the activities you have chosen and how it will benefit their child's development. Some parents do not realise the benefits of Kindergym activities.
This will certainly make the parent's appreciate your creative efforts.

5. If you notice a child is doing something incorrectly or the parent could be assisting the child in a better way, explain this to your parent. Show them an alternative way and let them know why it is the preferred way to perform the skill. Always ensure you are communicating nicely to the parent with light humour so that no one becomes offended to your advice. Do not present yourself as a "Know It All".

6. If a group of parents continue to talk over your instruction especially in circle time, it would be a good idea to have quiet chat with them away from the whole group and explain to them that it is becoming difficult for you, the instructor, to be heard over the noise. Also that you feel their children may be missing out on assistance when it is needed from them.

7. The main focus is that everyone is having fun. This means that you cannot just throw a plan together at the last minute. Research, prepare, create, and enjoy success with activities. I love hearing the compliments on new ideas or seeing the children engaged in the activities I have prepared. The people who attend your classes will appreciate this and spread the word about your program.

I will continue to provide tips and ideas each week. If you have a question or even an idea that you would like to share contact me.

Welcome!

2010-08-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's time for me to share my ideas to those who love teaching children as much as I do. I hope the ideas I present to you will be inspiring and motivate you to improve the way in which you educate and help children grow.

Let's get started with the first:

This term in Kindergym we are covering the modes of transportation (trains, boats, airplanes, cars, buses trucks and traffic safety.

This week was great fun for all. Our theme was road transportation which included cars, buses, motorcycles and trucks.

I made roads for the children to follow simply by visiting my local discount store and purchasing black fabric VERY cheaply. Then cut it into 4m lengths by 1m wide. Finally my husband helped the painting process by making templates of rectangles out of cardboard which we laid on top of the middle of the fabric and painted in white to make the lines on the road. Simple but ever so effective! Everyone loved them....including me.

I then gave each child a red fireman's hat, a rubber ring (as the steering wheel) and a fire hose.
We made the fire hoses from garden hose chopped into roughly 30cm lengths and got some blue feathers and glued them onto the ends to make it look like the water.
We then sang the song "Hurry hurry drive the fire truck". For those of you who are not familiar with this song, it is sung by Play School (Australia)...try itunes. We followed the roads in search of the fire, pretended to climb the ladder moving our hands and feet and squirted the water hose in the air and finally tickled the parents with our TICKLE HOSES!

I hope you enjoy these ideas. Please let me know.