We have amazing stories of skill growth that are generated daily by the fabulous kids at The Little Gym of Lake Oswego. Just this morning, in our Super Beasts class, when I announced that we were going to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, 2.5 year old Vance said, “I know that song.” I then announced to the class that Vance would lead us in singing… and he did! All 18 parents and I were impressed with Vance’s comfort in performing in front of the crowd. I *wish* I got that on video!
In another breakthrough moment, a 5 year old child who was trying our class out for the first time, verbally expressed his fear of doing a forward roll. Teacher Alex and I were able to show him how to break down the skill, first having him start with a straight body with arms in the air, and then lowering his arms to the mat. We told him we’d stop there, but he stayed with his head down. We asked if we could help him do his forward roll really slow, holding him the whole time and he said (over and over), “Go slow!” After he did his heavily spotted forward roll, all three of us cheered his achievement. We all beamed. At the next station, when it was his turn to do a forward roll, Teacher Adam was there to help. With 2 rolls in one class, we’re looking forward to further opportunities to grow his skills and his self-confidence!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Fall 2009 Show Week thoughts...
Show Week for the Fall 2009 semester (our Mid Year Show) is almost over. It's always a very bittersweet week. During Show Week, the children we've been working with for 19 or 20 weeks perform gymnastics, karate, sports skills, or dance routines they've been practicing. They've been working on growing their skills from week to week, and then starting about 8 weeks ago, we link together the skills they're performing for their parents, siblings and grandparents this week. We only practice the full routines in the 2 classes prior to Show Week. We do not spend the whole semester teaching "to the show."
I'm always impressed at how so many of the children rise to the occasion and over perform parents' (and my) expectations. The Preschool/Kindergarten beam gymnastics routine is my favorite to coach. From doing an inchworm across the low beam to getting into a plank position, and then balancing in a tucked body on the beam, so many of the 3, 4 and 5-year olds finally "get it" for the first time, during the show.
Of course, there are also students who are more goofy during Show Week or decide to not perform for their parents. The growth that takes place in the previous weeks of the semester is more important than one individual performance, and hope parents know that. And of course, my 2 kids are probably some of the goofiest in class. I'll try to upload a video to our Facebook page if I can!
This year, in our gymnstics classes, we're starting the show with the parents in the gym and the children in the lobby. After the Lead instructor introduces the show and The Little Gym's philosophy, the children run in, run across the gym and do a forward roll down a cheese (wedge) mat and then sit with their parents. We've been practicing various roll progressions with the different age groups, but even the Funny Bugs (3-4 year olds) are doing higher level progressions. (Maybe not on purpose!!) They throw their little bodies at the cheese mat, and most of them remember to tuck and roll, ending up with a nice dive roll and a thunderous round of applause. (The others get saved from a splat by their teacher catching their hips as they speed by and help them tuck.)
I love all of the grandparents who come visit. As we say good-bye at the door, so many of them tell us how great our program is and how much their grand children love coming. Many comment at how they wish there was something like this for their children. (I wish I had a place like The Little Gym to go to when I was younger.)
But we do have a percentage of families who won't be coming back next semester. We don't know when we'll see them again. There are lots of reasons, like trying other programs, or taking a break. In 20 weeks with a child, you can really bond with them and it makes us sad to see them go. This morning, I saw a 2 year old doing amazing donkey kicks in the lobby, something I hadn't seen him do all semester. I hope I get the chance to see him again!
But so many of them do come back again. And when their parent calls to re-enroll, or we see their name on a class roster, we get a little surge of happiness/excitement knowing we'll have another semester of fun with our now-older students.
A few parents have posted some photos of Show Week to our Facebook page. Take a look... or post some of your own!
And I hope to see you at The Little Gym in your own child's Show Week!
- Teacher Ron
I'm always impressed at how so many of the children rise to the occasion and over perform parents' (and my) expectations. The Preschool/Kindergarten beam gymnastics routine is my favorite to coach. From doing an inchworm across the low beam to getting into a plank position, and then balancing in a tucked body on the beam, so many of the 3, 4 and 5-year olds finally "get it" for the first time, during the show.
Of course, there are also students who are more goofy during Show Week or decide to not perform for their parents. The growth that takes place in the previous weeks of the semester is more important than one individual performance, and hope parents know that. And of course, my 2 kids are probably some of the goofiest in class. I'll try to upload a video to our Facebook page if I can!
This year, in our gymnstics classes, we're starting the show with the parents in the gym and the children in the lobby. After the Lead instructor introduces the show and The Little Gym's philosophy, the children run in, run across the gym and do a forward roll down a cheese (wedge) mat and then sit with their parents. We've been practicing various roll progressions with the different age groups, but even the Funny Bugs (3-4 year olds) are doing higher level progressions. (Maybe not on purpose!!) They throw their little bodies at the cheese mat, and most of them remember to tuck and roll, ending up with a nice dive roll and a thunderous round of applause. (The others get saved from a splat by their teacher catching their hips as they speed by and help them tuck.)
I love all of the grandparents who come visit. As we say good-bye at the door, so many of them tell us how great our program is and how much their grand children love coming. Many comment at how they wish there was something like this for their children. (I wish I had a place like The Little Gym to go to when I was younger.)
But we do have a percentage of families who won't be coming back next semester. We don't know when we'll see them again. There are lots of reasons, like trying other programs, or taking a break. In 20 weeks with a child, you can really bond with them and it makes us sad to see them go. This morning, I saw a 2 year old doing amazing donkey kicks in the lobby, something I hadn't seen him do all semester. I hope I get the chance to see him again!
But so many of them do come back again. And when their parent calls to re-enroll, or we see their name on a class roster, we get a little surge of happiness/excitement knowing we'll have another semester of fun with our now-older students.
A few parents have posted some photos of Show Week to our Facebook page. Take a look... or post some of your own!
And I hope to see you at The Little Gym in your own child's Show Week!
- Teacher Ron
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A fun evening at The Little Gym
Recently one of the Portland Trail Blazers had a birthday part at The Little Gym for his 1 year old daughter. Of course, I wanted to be at the gym to make sure everything went smoothly. As usual, I was delighted with how professional our staff was in handling everything. I stayed for about 40 minutes to help out, but I wasn't needed. Teachers Kelly, Nicole, and Cassie did a fantastic job of running a fun party for all of the children, age 1 through pre-teen. I was probably the most star struck of anyone. I did enjoy seeing one dad do some small jumps on our high beam. (It held up!) And I did see the largest cartwheel ever, performed on our big red mat. I forced myself to leave early before I started acting goofy and requesting photos. It was a really fun evening. :-)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Little Gym is #1 again!
It's time to toot our own horn again! Entrepreneur Magazine has recently ranked The Little Gym No. 1 in the Children's Fitness category in their Top Franchises List, otherwise known as Franchise 500, for the 4th consecutive year. (Is this because Marie and I have been owners of The Little Gym of Lake Oswego/Tualatin for 4 years now?)
We sent out a press release to the Portland media. Let us know if you see it anywhere!! If any of you have ties with local media, I'd be happy to send a copy of the release to you. Here's a couple of quotes and paragraphs from the release:
"We are pleased to be recognized with our parent company as a leader in this category because it reinforces that parents are seeing the benefits of what we offer their children," said Ron Skoletsky of The Little Gym of Lake Oswego. "And, while Lake Oswego parents know The Little Gym as a great place for children, they should also know that our children's fitness and skill development concept is also receiving recognition on a national level."
The magazine also noted the overall strength of children-focused franchising, calling The Little Gym a leader in the growing children's services segment. According to Skoletsky, its programs are curriculum-based and make skill-building fun for students and parents alike. Individualized attention builds the students' confidence and lays the foundation for success in other arenas of life, Skoletsky added.
Paul Dickison of The Little Gym International says, "Just as each of The Little Gym locations takes pride in helping children soar, the company's franchise concept has allowed hundreds of entrepreneurs to satisfy their dreams of business ownership in their local towns. The company's core belief in structured curriculum for skill development has made The Little Gym a valued partner with parents who want to provide the best development opportunities for their children."
The Little Gym offers classes for children from four months of age to 12 years. Programs range from parent/child classes in early motor skill development to grade school gymnastics, sports skills development, karate, cheerleading and dance. These programs are built on a structured curriculum where kids progressively build skills, thus leading to enhanced self-confidence and socialization.
We sent out a press release to the Portland media. Let us know if you see it anywhere!! If any of you have ties with local media, I'd be happy to send a copy of the release to you. Here's a couple of quotes and paragraphs from the release:
"We are pleased to be recognized with our parent company as a leader in this category because it reinforces that parents are seeing the benefits of what we offer their children," said Ron Skoletsky of The Little Gym of Lake Oswego. "And, while Lake Oswego parents know The Little Gym as a great place for children, they should also know that our children's fitness and skill development concept is also receiving recognition on a national level."
The magazine also noted the overall strength of children-focused franchising, calling The Little Gym a leader in the growing children's services segment. According to Skoletsky, its programs are curriculum-based and make skill-building fun for students and parents alike. Individualized attention builds the students' confidence and lays the foundation for success in other arenas of life, Skoletsky added.
Paul Dickison of The Little Gym International says, "Just as each of The Little Gym locations takes pride in helping children soar, the company's franchise concept has allowed hundreds of entrepreneurs to satisfy their dreams of business ownership in their local towns. The company's core belief in structured curriculum for skill development has made The Little Gym a valued partner with parents who want to provide the best development opportunities for their children."
The Little Gym offers classes for children from four months of age to 12 years. Programs range from parent/child classes in early motor skill development to grade school gymnastics, sports skills development, karate, cheerleading and dance. These programs are built on a structured curriculum where kids progressively build skills, thus leading to enhanced self-confidence and socialization.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
