First Steps to Senior in High School in a Blink
My son finished his last exam as a junior at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill yesterday.  In my book, that makes him officially a senior in high school, and as a momma, I officially start the countdown until the moment he leaves the house for college.  Even as I write this, sitting in the office at The Little Gym, I get teary.  How could it be so close to time for him to go already?
 
 
Yesterday, I watched him take his first steps, while visiting my 90 year old grandmother in Texas.  (This is not him, by the way.) Today, I watched him walk out the door to drive to his last day of school.  Yesterday, he spoke his first words (and then seemed not to stop talking for years!)  Today, he asked if he could go hang out with friends after school (and his words are fewer.)  Yesterday he graduated from years of classes at The Little Gym (gymnastics, sports, and karate--he got to do it all!)  Today he becomes a senior in high school, only a year away from graduating from living at home, movie nights with Mom and Dad, and being a constant welcome presence in our lives.
 
What is it everyone says?  Appreciate every moment because it goes by so fast.  That's so trite.  But it is also so true.  It's the one solid piece of advice I can offer any new parent: value every second because in the blink of an eye, it will be over.
 
I'm excited about Ren's future.  He wants to be a robotics engineer, and he has the smarts to do it.  But doggonnit I'm going to miss that boy!
Camps at The Little Gym!
How I'm Spending My Summer Vacation

"This summer is going to be a blast! First, I'm going to the beach to hunt for buried treasure. The next week, my mom planned a trip to the jungle and said I'll get to pet a tiger. Then, I'm going into outer space in a giant rocket ship!"

Your child's imagination will run wild this summer with exciting, interactive adventures at The Little Gym. Our Anytime Summertime Kids' Camps are three hours full of fun and creative activities for children ages 3-8. Each camp week has a unique theme and each day is filled with new lessons and adventures. Our specially developed curriculums combine physical fitness, gymnastics and play with arts, crafts and special events. 

While your child is having a blast, you'll know that there's much more going on than just giggles and fun. Children are developing character, learning valuable life skills, making new friends and discovering new interests. 

Our flexible scheduling allows you to sign up for several weeks, a single week or even just a day at a time. Call quickly to reserve your child's spot and ensure it's the most memorable, adventurous summer yet!  Click here to see the schedule and themes.
Two Year Old Dance Classes!

Dance Classes for Twos

Ballet Girl in Pink

You asked for it--you got it! Dance and gymnastics twirled into one fun new parent-child class: Jazzy Beasts!   Designed for children 2-3 years old and their parents, Jazzy Beasts combines the best elements of ballet, creative movement, dance, and gymnastics.  Parents and little ones will groove and giggle together through music and movement fun, learning real ballet and group and partner dances.  The other half is spent in the gym working on complementary gymnastics and physical skills like balance and coordination.  Throughout the class, original music is the soundtrack to growth, grins, and newfound self-confidence.  Click here to enroll, or call 919-403-5437 for more information.  (Jazzy Beast classes are listed under "Parent-Child Classes.")
First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
Are you certified? You can be! The Little Gym is hosting a certification workshop for First Aid, CPR, and AED training on June 2 from 6:30 to 10.  Focus will be on child First Aid and CPR, targeted to parents and caregivers. Join your The Little Gym teachers for a fun evening of learning, and walk out with a two -year certification for just $55.00.  

Space is limited: call the gym at 919-403-5437 today to register.  A $25.00 non-refundable deposit holds your spot.
And The Winners Are...
PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS!!!
 
What a great time everyone had at our Olympics Opening Ceremonies on April 21, kicking of Members Only Priority Enrollment!  Everyone who enrolled for Season 2012-2013 got to enter in any of five FABULOUS drawings--those who enrolled at the kickoff party got 20 chances to win, and those who enrolled later got 10 or 5 chances to win.
 
Are you sitting on the edge of your seat to see if you won???
 
Well wait no more!  The winners of the five FABULOUS prizes ARE:
 
Thai Cafe Night on the Town ($40 to Thai Cafe, Parent Survival Night for up to two kids, $10 enomatic card from Wine Authorities, and dessert at Local Yogurt)  FAITH JONES!!!
 
Awesome Birthday Bash at The Little Gym: AMANDA DORN!
 
Cuddle Studios professional photo sitting with 4 high-resolution image files from renowned photographer Penny Noell ($525 value): ANNA AND TUCK SATTERFIELD!
 
Kindle Fire: JOHELEN COURLISS!
 
Nanas Night on the Town ($100 to Nanas, Parent Survival Night for up to two kids, $5 enomatic card from Wine Authorities, and dessert at Local Yogurt): KATE WOLF!!
 
CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY!!
Awesome Birthday Bash Parties: Now with Even More “Awesome!”

Book your 2012 celebration today to receive a free Snapfish by HP photo book offer for you and all of your guests!

 

 

Nothing captures the magic of childhood better than a birthday party. This year, give your child a celebration they’ll never forget. The Little Gym birthday party places are the perfect way to make your child's big day extra special. Your group will have the whole place to yourselves with games, music and fun activities created especially for your birthday kid. Our trained instructors will lead all the fun and The Little Gym team will handle everything from setup to cleanup. That means you get to go home to a clean, quiet house free of icing and sprinkles ground into the carpet. Sounds like a wish come true? There’s more…..

 

 

This year’s The Little Gym birthday parties will be even more awesome, fantabulous, and splendiferous than usual. To help preserve these “awesome” memories, you and all of your guests will receive a special voucher for a free 20-page 8” x 11” Custom Cover Photo Book* from Snapfish valued at $29.99!! Book your child’s 2012 birthday celebration today and let us help make this the most memorable milestone yet!!

 

Click here to check out the party schedule and to book your spot, or call the gym at 919.403.5437.

 

*While supplies last.  Offer valid for parties booked March 15, 2012 through December 31, 2012.  One per family.

How To Choose Your Child's School
It starts with day care and preschool: as parents, we put a lot of thought, time, and research into selecting the best educational opportunity for our children.  Right now, I (Susan) am in the middle of helping my 17-year-old son find the college that is best for him.  As the parent of an only child, I am keenly aware that this is the last time I will be this involved with helping make this decision.

I remember the search for the right daycare, then preschool, and finally Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill.  He's been there since kindergarten--going on 12 years--and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we made the right choice.

How does a parent decide? You know the obvious answers: ask friends, visit the school, research the educational philosophy, meet other parents... But how about the not-so-obvious.  A fantastic way to learn about the school you are considering for your child's education is to attend a major school event.  For me, it was Grandparents Day.  When I saw the children reciting poetry, performing folk dances, and playing musical numbers that truly were inspiring--and when I got a chance to see the parents and teachers interact with each other and the children, I knew I had found the place for my son.  All schools have them--check out the schools you are considering, and see a side of things you don't get to see during the Open House.

If you are considering Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hilland want to have a chance to see the parents and teachers interacting with each other "in a natural habitat", you might want to check out the Auction for the Arts, to be held at Bay 7 in the American Tobacco Warehouse.  I would also be thrilled to share my experiences--just reply to this email to get in touch.
What The Little Gym Did for Two Premies

"For Natalie and Abby, The Little Gym has been crucial in facilitating core strength training, balance and coordination. They were 26.1 week preemies weighing 1 pound 5 ounces and 1 pound 13.5oz, and they needed all the help they could get to overcome their beginnings. While they were still in the hospital, I watched children playing on the beach and wondered if my girls would ever run up and down the beach the same way. Now, at 4 1/2 years old, I watch them pull up on uneven bars, walk across the balance beam, and run in circles laughing with their peers.

"After almost 2 1/2 years at The Little Gym of Durham, I am amazed at the progress they have made. I believe The Little Gym has been even more beneficial than their years of physical therapy. I am so grateful for what The Little Gym provides both in terms of development of the physical body as well as the smiles, laughter and fun my children experience every time they play at The Little Gym."

(Thank you, Johelen, for sharing with us!  You touched our hearts!)

Making Time for Exercise
Raising kids can make it difficult and sometimes impossible to find time to exercise.  When asked how they do it, these creative parents from Circle of Moms offered these suggestions:
  • Set up a standing "exercise date" with a friend on a day when your spouse is home.  You get time to exercise, time for yourself away from the kids, AND time with a friend--three in one!
  • Wake up before the kids.  This can be a tough one, but the energy you'll feel from having worked out in the morning can make up for the lost sleep.
  • Dance (or run or play or skip) with your child every day.  Setting aside just 20 minutes a day will greatly impact your health--and you'll have a blast doing it!  Parents and Kids Stay Active at The Little Gym of Durham and Chapel Hill!
  • Take a class at The Little Gym.  Parents are active participants in classes for children under three.  Many parents choose to play an active role in all parts of the class, which means that once a week, they get a workout!
  • Get a child-carrying backpack, and take a walk.  You'll both love it!  Note: be sure you maintain good posture and that you get a pack that distributes the weight evenly.  Look for a good hip belt that takes weight off your shoulders.
  • Park far away.  Scope out a safe path to the grocery store or mall, and as long as you see one, park so that you have to walk with your kids.  It's good for them, too!
  • Get a workout video, then set up a fun activity for your little one while you workout in the same room.  While they're coloring or building with blocks, you can interact and encourage while getting your heart going at the same time.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of exercising is the example it sets for your kids.  Our children look to us to see how to live their lives, and your commitment to take care of yourself will reap rewards for generations to come.  Signing your child up for classes at The Little Gym is the best way to create early habits of exercise in your children.

Got any suggestions of your own?  Click here to submit yours!

Healthy Eating Habits for Kids
As parents and teachers, we all know how important it is to get kids moving.  But they can move all day long, and if they are not eatiing healthy food--or if they are eating too much food--they'll still face health issues down the road.  So what can we do to help guide our kids, and set the example?
 
The Center for Disease Control offers these tips:
  • Keep plenty of fruits and veggies on hand and easily accessible.  Keep a box of cut-up veggies on an eye-level shelf in the fridge.
  • When buying dairy products, select low-fat or no-fat options whenever possible. 
  • When choosing meats and proteins, buy leaner versions.
  • Follow portion guidelines. An easy way to do this is to follow the guidelines at choosemyplate.gov.  A great way to start this off at an early age is to use a smaller plate for the entire meal.
  • Encourage lots of water drinking!  Keep bottles of water in the fridge and easily reachable.  Send a bottle of water to day care, preschool, or school with your child.
  • Limit suger-sweetened drinks and sugary snacks.  (Say "no" to candy at the check-out line!)

Two more tips from The Little Gym of Durham and Chapel Hill: Never ever use sweets or dessert as a reward.  Dessert can be a part of the meal but should not be the reward a child gets for eating their dinner.  If you want to reward good eating habits, choose something like "30 Minutes of Game Time with Mom" or "Extra swinging time with Dad."  And start the habit of being physically active every day from an early age.  (Hint: The Little Gym classes start at 4 months and go up to age 12.  A great way to teach children that staying healthy can be Serious Fun.)

Got any suggestions of your own?  We'd love to hear them!  Click here to leave your comments!

Raising a "Citizen Kid"

Friendships provide children with so much more than just fun playmates! In fact, friends are essential for healthy psychological development. Many experts believe that a child’s ability to make friends is the single biggest predictor of their success later in life. Some even claim that it’s more important than IQ and grades.

Programs at The Little Gym are purposefully designed to help children become “Citizen Kids!” by improving their social and emotional development. Songs, games, and activities focus on listening, sharing, and taking turns. Experiential learning activities help foster creativity, allow friends to solve problems together, and let them pass on knowledge.

Throughout the Season, we have special themed weeks to celebrate your child’s friendships. We’re just wrapping up our most recent Bring a Friend Week.  You can also invite a friend to join you for kids gym classes anytime during the Season. If you know someone that would love The Little Gym, invite them to register for an introductory class. You'll receive $10 to use at The Little Gym when your referral becomes a member. So share the smiles, fun and high 5's with people all around you. It's our way of saying thank you for spreading the word about The Little Gym!

Hanging Around with Friends

 

Summer Adventures Camp at The Little Gym!
Priority Registration February 6-11 for Members. Families new to The Little Gym and past Members may enroll beginning February 13.
 
Our exciting Adventure Camps are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9:00-12:00, and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00. Camps are for toilet-independent three-year-olds up to age eight. Each week offers specially developed camp curriculum combining physical activity, gymnastics, and play with arts, crafts, snacks, and special events. Call the gym to register: 919-403-5437.
Summer Adventure Camp at The Little Gym

June 11-15 TLG’s Crazy Carnival! Carnival rides and games in The Little Gym? Crazy, right? Well that’s exactly what we have planned for our “campers” this week! Using our safe equipment, music and imagination we will create all of this and more. Oh, and don’t forget about the carnival “Talent Show” on the last day! “Come one, come all to TLG’s Crazy Carnival”!

June 18-22 Cars, Planes, Trucks and Trains Is your child crazy about “Trucks”? “Trains”? Do they dream of flying, or speeding across the finish line in their racecar?! Each day this camp offers fun activities, music and games about one of these modes of transportation; an exciting week of Transportation Fascination!

June 25-29 X-treme Sports of ALL Sorts Tired of the regular old sports? How about challenging yourself with some X-treme Sports – TLG Style?! The kids will have a BLAST taking part in some creatively-modified X-treme sports activities such as “Base Jumping”, “Cliff-Diving”, “Surfing” and even “Zorbing” – riding INSIDE our donut! All of these safe activities are sure to Thrill!

July 2-6 (Closed July 4) Superheroes! Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No – it’s your Superhero child flying, dashing and speeding around The Little Gym “saving the day” with their super powers! The kids will have fun pretending to be their favorite superhero during this Marvel-ous week of camp! We’ll even have some visits throughout the week by our REAL-LIFE superheroes – police officers, firefighters and paramedics!

July 9-13 Lights, Camera, Action! Who knows how many of our TLG campers of today just might be the Movie Stars or Broadway actors of tomorrow? What we DO know is that each child will have many fun-filled creative movement, role-playing and even acting experiences this week! By the end of the week we just might even have a “World Premier Movie” – starring all of our campers – to show the parents!

July 16-20 Secret Agent: “Gyms Bond”! “My name is ‘Bond’, ‘Gyms Bond’! You get the point! Our campers will have an adventure-packed week pretending to be “secret agents” Each day includes fun, creative activities and games including “secret hiding places”, “searching for clues to a solve a mystery”, and fun “catch me if you can” – challenges!

July 23-27 Hip-Hop Karate Chop! As the theme suggests, this week will be an incredible action-packed combination of karate and hip-hop dance skills! Whether your child is already a “dancer in the making”, an aspiring “ninja” – or just a curious little “mover”, this camp will be an energetic, rhythmic adventure like no other!

July 30-August 3 My Animal Planet Is your child fascinated by animals? Do they pretend to be their favorite animal on a daily basis?! If so, this is the perfect camp for them! We will explore “animals” through creative movement, music and games. Each day of camp will focus on animals found in different parts of the world! We even plan on having some REAL “animal visitors” come to the gym throughout the week!

August 6-10 The Little Gym Olympics The Summer Olympics are back once again in 2012! We will celebrate by having our own The Little Gym Olympics during this week of camp – complete with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and of course the Grand Awards Presentation! Each day will offer fun-filled sports activities. But be forewarned! Along with familiar sports, we might try some fun Whacky Sports that have never been done before!

August 13-17 From Islands to Icebergs! Have you ever been to the North Pole? How about to the tropical islands of the south pacific? Your kids will pretend to frolic and play in both of these incredible destinations in the same day – everyday of camp! From polar bears, penguins and snow caves to luaus, coconut trees and volcanoes; the kids will have a blast participating in exciting adventures in these two earthly extremes!

Camp Tuition: (The more days you enroll, the bigger the savings.  Enroll for 11-20 days for 5% off; 21-30 days is 10% off; 31-40 days is 15% off; 41-50 days is 20% off.)
Per Week
   Member  
Non-Member
5 Camp Days  
    $149
    $169
4 Camp Days
    $127
    $144
3 Camp Days
    $102
    $114
2 Camp Days
    $72
    $79
1 Camp Day
    $38
    $42
 
Payment Options: Pay in full when you register, or provide a deposit of $50.00 for each week registered.  Remaining balances are due by May 31.
 
 
5 Ways to Foster Social Skills in Your Child

All parents want their children to succeed socially, but are there steps that we, as parents, can take that will lay the foundation for social success in preschool, grade school, and down the road? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding "yes," and the good news is that it isn't difficult to do. Makng Friends in Class at The Little Gym

First, lead by example, both  through your interactions with others and through pretend play with your child.  Children are sponges – they imitate what they see and hear.  If you say "please" and "thank you," if you wait your turn patiently when in line, if you model the social behaviors you want to see, your child will imitate you.  You can create the scenes you want to model through pretend play as you pretend to be mom and baby, two friends, student and teacher.  Dolls and puppets can be a terrific addition to pretend play and sometimes add just enough distance to the interaction to make the "lessons" sink in. 

Second, play games with your child, and set up organized play time.  It is important for kids to experience following a set of rules or expectations, taking turns, winning, and (perhaps more importantly) losing.   Games help children experience how to lose, and playing games with you gives them the support they need to still be willing to try again.  

Third, help children learn the vocabulary they need to express what they want and need.  Sometimes children act out or behave inappropriately in social situations because they are lacking the communication skills to explain what they want or how they are feeling.  Teaching children to label feelings or emotions they are experiencing or you are experiencing can be as simple as stating, "You feel frustrated that you can't have the ball right now," or "Mommy is sad that Daddy has to go on a trip today."  Talk through situations that bother them and offer solutions rather than just always fixing the problem. Likewise, giving them the vocabulary to ask for what they want rather than just giving them what they want when they whine , cry, act out, etc. lays the groundwork for appropriate social communication. 

Fourth, it is important to offer opportunities for children to participate in extracurricular activities that require them to work with other kids in their age group. For example, classes at The Little Gym offer group activities each week  that require children in the same age range to work together, providing lots of opportunities for social interaction, sharing, taking turns, teamwork, and more.   When kids are younger, doing mommy and me type activities are fantastic first experiences to social settings; but as kids get older you want to look for more independent activities where they separate from their parent and learn to take direction from another adult figure or instructor. One example is a camp program or a weekly class such as those offered by The Little Gym.

Finally, take time for social activities consistently, throughout the year.  Families lives are extremely hectic with parents trying to juggle numerous roles and responsibilities, and sometimes adding in a regular activity can seem like one more burden.  But seeking out social growth activities that are specific to a child's age is fundamental to their growth and their future success in life.

(The Little Gym is the one source that covers all aspects of helping a child develop socially, as well as physically, emotionally, and even intellectually.  Our age-appropriate programs hit the mark on each of the five tips listed here, as well as many others.)

Boosting Your Child's Other IQ (Imagination Quotient)
Pretending isn't just child's play. Playing make believe is the one of the best ways to help your child become a creative thinker, a good problem solver, and a great student. According to experts, creative problem solving is a skill set that helps children in school, work, and life. Research suggests that a child's imagination quotient (aka "the other IQ") may play a larger role in predicting scholastic success than the more traditional aptitude measure, intelligence quotient. The Little Gym curriculum incorporates thoughtful and fun activities to stretch your child's imagination while they stretch their bodies. Weekly themes encourage children to explore their own fantasy world. Music provides a creative outlet for their emotions. And exploration in the gym presents your child with opportunities to share, take turns, and make decisions. Kids learn best when they're excited about what they're doing. So go on, let your child's imagination run wild. Help them develop a healthy body and a healthy open mind.
Music to Your Ears: The Benefits of Song
Children are naturally receptive to the toe-tapping rhythm and beats of a good song. When music is played, many break into a boogie without thinking twice. Since music is something that most do naturally and effortlessly, we often forget how truly complex it is. It requires a complete connection between the analytical and creative parts of our brains and can actually improve many abilities including memory, motor control, and language. In addition to developmental benefits, music has also been known for its mood-altering qualities. A great song lifts our spirits and eases our stress.

With all of the varying benefits of music, it may come as no surprise that it plays several vital roles at The Little Gym. In addition to bringing joy and adding to the fun environment of class, our original music is used to enhance children's overall development. Active songs help expand vocabulary, musical games teach cooperation, and lyrics provide directions and cues that help sharpen listening skills and increase attention span. So while children happily hum or skip along to the beat, they're actually building skills that will help them beyond The Little Gym. And we're sure that's music to your ears.
MILITARY DISCOUNT

In thanks for the sacrifice our military families make, The Little Gym would like to offer a 10% discount off of tuition for classes or camps for any child whose Mom or Dad shows a valid military ID.  Just inquire when you enroll--for classes, camps, Parent Survival Nights, Awesome Birthday Bashes--the whole deal.

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