Starting a New Class The Little Gym Way

September is around the corner. That means new experiences at nursery, pre-school and school for many children. And it also means moving up a class level for many of our toddlers, pre-schoolers, and reception children.

We understand this transitional period of starting back or starting a new class can be tricky. Having a break from the gym (if you didn’t make it to summer classes and camps), moving up to an independent class, starting nursery, any life changes can impact on the transition, and that’s ok!

Your Little Gym teachers are all trained in child development, not just gymnastics. We see every child as an individual, and we work with parents and carers to settle, comfort and communicate with children of all ages — identifying strategies that work for your child. We will work closely with you for however long it takes to settle your child in the class. NO MATTER HOW LONG!

Some children are unicorns — they settle immediately. Most… well, it takes a little longer. The most important thing is that we hang in there with them, guide them through the process of setting into a new environment, and give them the courage and confidence to tackle new situations in the future and know that they have the courage and confidence to make it through.

We have tried and tested methods to support your child’s transition. We even have a poster at the Gym to support parents. Please trust your instructors, they are experienced and have most likely dealt with children in a similar situation to your child hundreds, if not thousands of times.

In order for our teachers to achieve a confidence building transition and for your child to get the most out of their session we have put some guidelines in place for you as parents to follow.

Expectations of You as a Parent:

Parents in the Gym — If your child is still settling with you by their side in the Gym, please be the most boring thing in the gym. If your child sees you being entertaining or trying to take part in the class, this will distract them from their teachers and prolong the settling period, delaying the development of their courage, confidence and independence.

Your Child’s Important ‘Watching Time’ — If your child needs to sit with you by the Gym wall, please know that is OK, and it is actually an important stage for children still on the journey to independence. That time is not wasted. They are watching intently (even if its from under your armpit!) and familiarising themself with class, the children’s faces, and their teachers. This early period spend watching plays an important role in their development. It may take one week, two weeks or more. Please don’t view this as wasted time, or a waste of money. Your child’s journey to independence is never a wasted investment of energy, patience or cash.Your teachers will aim to build a relationship with both you and your child to help create trust so your Funny Bug will eventually want to join in the fun.

No Pressure… not even ‘invisible’ pressure —If your child is sitting by the wall and watching class with you, please don’t pressure your child to join in. The more a child is pressured, the more they will resist and often become anxious. Watching calmly, patiently and quietly by your child’s side gives them an opportunity to fully engage in observing stress-free until they’re ready to join in. And beware hidden pressure — ‘That looks like fun, do you want to join in?’ is also pressure, not just ‘Why aren’t you joining in?!’.

Validate their Feelings— Check in with your child. If they are looking a little bit worried, a little bit of validation that shows you see them can really help ease their worries. ‘Are you feeling a little bit worried?’ is often greeted with a little nod, and gives parents/teachers the opportunity to let a child know that’s absolutely normal, they can sit and watch until they feel ready to join in. No pressure. We see you. We value you. And you’ll be ready soon.

Encourage with positivity— your teachers will come and check in while your child is watching from the wall.We may use tools like high-fives as a strategy to build a relationship with your child. If your child joins the group, and returns to you at the wall, please give them a high five and let them know they’ve done just great… that they’re strong and brave, and can do hard things. This is a journey for them, after all. And the beauty of a high five — when your child is ready to join classes all by themself, you can still high-five them through the glass wall for that extra boost of confidence.

Opening the Doors — Please do not open and shut the door to the Gym without checking with a teacher first. This gives your child the option to exit rather than encouraging them to gradually build their courage and confidence to settle into class. It also creates a health and safety issue. If the door needs to be opened please leave that to your child’s teacher, or if you would like to enter the Gym please approach our front desk.

Time for a Cuppa
Once your child is leaving you by the wall and wandering off to enjoy the class, please enjoy watching your child’s session from the parents’ lounge. Our goal is to get your child confident enough to participate in an independent class. We have complimentary tea, coffee and Wifi outside for you too! 😉

Expectations of your Funny Bug (3) or Giggle Worm (4):

Moving, Everywhere — Our number one goal is to get your child moving. Moving means they are learning and developing. But know… they might move in ALL directions. Don’t worry, young children are designed to explore — our teachers have everything under control, even on the wildest and windiest of days.

High Ratios, But Freedom to Problem Solve — When using the equipment in the gym we have a high ratio of teachers to children — a maximum of six children to every teachers, in a maximum small class size of a just 18 children. This means more turns for your child, lots of individual teaching and big skill growth. Our teachers will demonstrate skills for your child and their friends, but please don’t expect them to exactly follow the teacher. We’re giving the children an example, but we want them to practice using their body and brain, and that means problem solving, exploring, and sometimes doing one thing six times instead of every activity twice.

Thriving Takes Time — It’s OK if your child is not the life and soul of the party in the gym immediately. Each child will take their own time to build relationships with teachers and the other children, learn the structure, be comfortable with the skills taught and in turn feel safe, confident and comfortable enough to trust their teachers.

Confidence and Independence are not a StraightLine — They’re a zig zag! Up, down, forwards, backwards. Confident one week, a little bit worried the next. If your child takes a step back, or does not want to do sections of the class, this is totally normal. We work with your child where they are at, and at their own pace — this isn’t forced learning. Our teachers think on their feet, automatically progressing or slowing things down, and making alterations in real time throughout your child’s class. They’re so good at it, you may not even notice it’s happening.

No Socks in the Gym — Your children learn more when their feet are the way nature intended. They also slip less. Your child will be taking part in independent exploration of our equipment circuits, and bare feet give them better grip for climbing, more power for jumping, and improved sensation for boosted balance. If your child has a medical reason that means they need to keep their socks on temporarily, please alert our teachers in advance and bring grip socks. Grip socks are only permitted for verruccas or similar foot issues.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines or your class please do not hesitate to contact us on 01582 712423 or email godalming@thelittlegym.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you for your child’s next Funny Bugs or Giggle Worms class.

Not enrolled yet? Head to our schedule page to see all available sessionsCLICK HERE