Mini Movers
A Preschool Gymnastics Program
Building the Right Foundation
Metro Gymnastics Center’s Mini Movers Gymnastics Program provides children 18 months old through Kindergarten an opportunity to explore age appropriate activities in a safe, fun, kid-oriented environment. Children are challenged at their own ability levels and praised for their interaction and efforts. We believe that gymnastics builds strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and more importantly self confidence!
We also strongly believe that teaching children social skills such as following directions, sharing, taking turns and cooperation are an integral part of not only our gymnastics classes but life itself!
ENROLL NOW
From the Director
First of all, thank you for letting our Metro Staff be a part of your child’s life. All of our teachers are trained in Safe Sport, Heads Up concussion, first aid and CPR to help keep your child safe, happy and healthy.
As a Parent you may ask yourself why my child should do gymnastics. Here are just a few of the reasons and benefits for your preschooler/toddler.
Social Skills: peer interaction, taking turns, watching, listening, cooperation within the class structure.
Cognitive Skills: focus, memorization, problem solving, and following instructions.
Confidence: achievement, overcoming fear, and trying new athletic adventures.
Physical Development: strength, flexibility, coordination, speed, and balance.
Fun: games, music, swinging, rolling, twisting, jumping and climbing.
Here at Metro we hope to build a foundation of skills and positive attitudes so that no matter where they end up in life, they are self confident and successful!
Questions about Mini-Movers? Please feel free to contact annettem@metrogymnastics.com with any questions.
What to Expect
We have a dressing room and a cubby area to put your belongings into; shoes, socks, and coat.
Have your gymnast ready in their leotard (shorts and T-shirt for boys) and hair pulled up and away from the face, and all jewelry removed.
All students sit at the edge of our floor and cubby area and wait for the teachers to begin the classes. Gymnasts and/or parents are not allowed out on the floor or equipment prior to class beginning.
The Mini Movers, age’s 18 months-5 years old, warm-up on the main floor for the morning classes and on the Rec floor (nearest to cubbies) in the afternoon/evening classes.
Warm-ups begin with a group song with all the students together and then some cardio running for a few minutes. When finished with the cardio run the students then split up with their individual teacher for stretching and body positions.
The gymnasts will then receive approximately 10 minutes on 3 different rotations, with some major fun including, jumping and swinging on a rope into one of our two fluffy foam pits! The students are introduced to the various apparatus which includes the bar, beam, floor exercise basics, jumping off springboards and trampoline. We incorporate strength and flexibility into our rotations in fun and creative ways. We practice hanging and swinging, jumping and landing, balancing, coordination and so much more!
When class is over the Teacher will lead the group over to the cubby area for release and stamp time.
We do not allow parents onto the gym floor; we have a large viewing area upstairs for you to watch from, with TV monitors that show our different apparatus.
Most of our Mini Movers come for their fun work-out one-time a week, but you are always welcome to enroll into multiple classes.
Mini Movers FAQ
What should you expect in your child's preschool gymnastics class?
In our fun-filled 45 minute class, 18 months-5 year olds learn fundamentals of gymnastics but also improve their gross motor skills (hopping, skipping, jumping, running, agility, and coordination skills), strength, and flexibility. We also focus on developing social skills (sharing, teamwork, listening, following directions, problem-solving, courtesy, and more). Instruction takes place throughout our entire gymnastics area, while parents observe from our upstairs viewing area. Each week children will complete a group song and warm-up, then off to our 3 to 4 different stations/rotations. Every 2 weeks our lesson plan changes to new events and new obstacle courses. Do not worry if your gymnast is not always performing the skill demonstrated at a given station. As long as they are being active, they are learning!
What if my child isn't participating?
Observation is participation. If your toddler or preschooler is new to the gym please be patient in the first couple of weeks. The gym can be a bit overwhelming for some. We aim to keep the classes consistent from week to week. This helps to establish a routine. Once your child learns this routine you'll be surprised how even the shyest child opens up in class.
What if my child has an accident during class?
Potty accidents are a part of life when working with 3 & 4 yr olds. We strongly advise using pull-ups during gymnastics class if your child is just recently potty trained. Sometimes with the excitement of class, preschoolers don't want to risk missing something or they're just too focused to notice the normal cues that they have to go to the bathroom. If your child has an accident, they are welcome to return to class if they have a change of clothes. Unfortunately, if any part of their clothing is wet, we cannot allow them to return to class but will happily offer a makeup class at another time.
Let them be "little" independent gymnasts without your interjection.
Here at Metro Gymnastics, we want to build a positive relationship between your child and their teacher and the sport of gymnastics. Please refrain from interrupting the class to redirect or refocus your child. The Teacher will do this throughout class time. In the rare occurrence that there is an incident in the gym that requires parental involvement, the teacher will communicate that to you. Remember they are only preschoolers; they're not expected to listen all the time and follow directions perfectly. Staff will correct behavior when necessary but remember silliness, lack of focus, asserting independence, and just doing their own thing are all part of being a preschooler. Here at Metro, we strive to celebrate each child where they are while developing and encouraging behavior that will serve them in class, school, and life.