The Little Gym of Little Rock is teaming up with Soles4Souls!

At The Little Gym of Little Rock, each class begins with children removing their shoes before entering the gym floor. Beginning in August with the 2012-2013 Season of classes, Little Rock -area children and parents can donate shoes they have outgrown or no longer need in special Soles4Souls drop boxes located in the lobby. The shoes will be shipped to Soles4Souls, which is committed to collecting and distributing shoes to people living in extreme poverty and recovering from natural disasters.

“The ‘Big Hearts, Little Shoes’ program is a natural fit with what we do at The Little Gym of Little Rock. While gymnastics and physical skills form the basis of our classes, our curriculum provides for a well-rounded experience for children. ‘Big Hearts, Little Shoes’ is a perfect complement to our focus on life skills that help children grow into well-rounded citizens of the world.

About The Little Gym
The Little Gym is an internationally recognized program that helps children build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood. The very first location was established in 1976 by Robin Wes, an innovative educator and kinesiologist with a genuine love for both children and music. The Little Gym International, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., was formed in 1992 to franchise The Little Gym concept. Today, The Little Gym International has more than 300 locations across the globe. For more information, visit The Little Gym at www.TheLittleGym.com.

 

About Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls collects shoes to provide relief to victims of natural disasters and to support micro-enterprise efforts to eradicate poverty.  Since its inception in 2004 Soles4Souls has distributed over 17 million pairs of shoes, and has responded to more than 40 natural disasters worldwide with crisis relief aid, including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Japan earthquake, and the Alabama and Missouri tornadoes in 2011.  With 1 in 4 people around the world living in abject poverty, the shoe charity also assists individuals living in developing nations and in the U.S. and Canada who cannot afford shoes.  www.souls4soles.org.

 

Anytime Summertime Kids Camp

What’s the difference between our weekly summer camps and other summer programs? FLEXIBILITY!  Each of our 11 weekly camps has a different theme with different exciting activities each day, but you don’t have to commit for the whole week!  In addition to choosing which weeks you want to enroll your child in, you can also choose which days.  So, if you want to go on Monday and Wednesday one week and Tuesday and Thursday the next week, you can! PLUS, check out the bottom of this post to find out how you can win a Free Awesome Birthday Bash when you enroll in our summer camp program.


Camps are available Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-12p.m., June 11, 2012 – August 23, 2012.  Here are the details on each of our weekly themes:

June 11th – 14th: Cars, Planes, Trucks & Trains
Is your child crazy bout “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 18th – 21nd: 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!

June 25th –28th: 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 2nd – 5th: Legends, Fables & Folklore *There is no camp on Wednesday, July 4.*
Wonder and fascination will be brought to life during this week of Legends, Fables and Folklore!  Has your child ever pretended to be a Unicorn, Dragon or Mermaid?  Do they love the stories of “Robin Hood” or “Cinderella”?  The kids will get to bring these and other characters and stories to life this week – and get some great exercise at the same time!

July 9th -12th: 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 16th – 19th: 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 23rd – 26th: 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 30th – August 2rd: 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 6th – 9th: 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 13th -16th: Barnyard Bonanza
From “hoe-downs” and haystacks, to pigs and ponies!  A fun week at the farm will be had by all!  These and other “barnyard” attractions will be the inspiration for fun, creative activities and games this week!  And the best part is they won’t be covered in mud when you come to pick them up at the end of the day!  

August 20rd - 23th: Sky Rangers!
“Please fasten your seatbelts and know that your Imagination may be used as a floatation device!”  The children’s imaginations will truly SOAR this week as they pretend to fly in helicopters, zeppelins, flying saucers, jetpacks – and more!  “How will they do this?” – you may ask!  Leave that to us!  Providing creative, fun-filled adventures is our specialty!   

Camp Tuition:
Member - $25 per day
Non-Member - $30 per day
Annual Family Membership is $35

Payment Options:
• Pay in full when you register, or
• Provide a deposit of 50% for each week registered. Remaining balances are due at the beginning of each registered camp week.  

Savings:
After the first registration, additional siblings will receive a 10% savings when enrolled in the same camp week. 

To register call us at 501.225.5437. For each day that you enroll and pay for, you will receive an entry into a drawing to win an Awesome Birthday Bash at The Little Gym!

 

Spring into Summer!
We’ve got lots of fun planned for the Spring and Summer! Here’s the run down of what’s going on:

Parents’ Survival Night: It’s like recess for Mom and Dad.
Dates: March 16, April 6 and 20, May 4 and 18, June 1 and 15, July 6 and 20. 6pm-10pm

Cost: Members - $18 for the first child, $12 for additional siblings.  Non-Members - $22 for the first Child, $15 for additional siblings.

Description: Instructors lead kids through organized games, activities, and crafts and supervise free-play time.  Later in the evening, we settle down in our sleeping bags and pjs for a G-Rated movie.  Ages 3 to 10 (must be potty trained).
 
Click Here to register for Parents' Survival Nights.

Priority Enrollment for Summer
Dates: March 3-17
Cost:  When you enroll in priority enrollment for Summer, you can pay for the session in full ($180) for 10% savings,  or you can pay the first of two installments of $99.50.  If you need to renew your yearly membership fee, it’s $35. 
Description: Priority enrollment is exclusively for current members.  It gives you first pick from class times, and you’ll also receive 200 bonus Member Milestones points for registering early.
 
Call 501.225.5437 or stop by for priority enrollment.
 
Spring Break Camp: Super Safari!
Dates: March 19-22. 9am-12pm
Note: Regular Classes will NOT be held this week.

Cost: Members - $25 per day.  Non-Members - $30 per day. 10% sibling discount.

Description: Our non-competitive, skill-building camps provide children an opportunity for fitness, fun, and total development. You can enroll for whichever days best fit your schedule. Theme-oriented activities and games for ages 3 to 10 (must be potty trained).
 
Click Here to see the Spring Break Camp schedule.

Summer Semester Classes
Dates:  June 9-August 24
Note: No class the week of June 30-July 6, but summer camp will be in session that week.

Cost: One payment of $180 (10% savings) or two payments of $99.50 each.  If you would like to enroll your child for more than one class, the 2nd class is 50% off.

Description: Our Summer session is 10 weeks of enrichment of the skills that we’ve worked on through the school year session. Summer is also a great time to try a new type of class like sports skills, dance, or karate.
 
Click Here to see the Summer Semester Class schedule

Summer Camps
Dates: June 11 – August 23 Mon.-Thurs., 9am-12pm

Cost: Members - $25 per day.  Non-Members - $30 per day. 10% sibling discount.

Description: Our non-competitive, skill-building camps provide children an opportunity for fitness, fun, and total development. You can enroll for whichever days best fit your schedule. Each week has a different theme with activities and games for ages 3 to 10 (must be potty trained). Weekly themes are:

  • June 11 – Cars, Planes, Trucks & Trains
  • June 18 – X-treme Sports of ALL Sorts
  • June 25 – Superheroes!
  • July 2 – Legends, Fables, and Folklore
  • July 9 – Lights, Camera, Action
  • July 16 – Secret Agent: “Gyms Bond”!
  • July 23 – Hip-Hop Karate Chop!
  • July 30 – My Animal Planet
  • August 6 – The Little Gym Olympics
  • August 13 – Barnyard Bonanza
  • August 20 – Sky Rangers!

Click Here to see our Summer Camp schedule.

Parent and Child Class FAQs

Our Parent and Child classes are often the first organized class experience that families with infants and toddlers have. Stepping into a new space with new faces and activities can be a bit overwhelming for both you and your child. But, when you add in an instructor who is asking your baby to try new things and be independent, that can make you as the parent even more apprehensive! We want you and your little one to relax and enjoy your time at The Little Gym, so we thought we’d answer some common questions about our Parent and Child classes.

  • Why would I do gymnastics with my baby/toddler?
    Our Parent and Child classes are designed to foster your child’s development. Skills like rolling and hanging upside down help build confidence and balance, as well as inner-ear development. Parent and Child classes are designed to have a mix of structured activities which develop specific skills, attention span, and focus, with free-play time which encourages independence, curiosity, and socializing.You’re there to help create a level of comfort and familiarity for your child, and so that you can learn about and reinforce all these skills at home
  • Why do you play with musical instruments in the gym?
    Music has been scientifically proven to help young children develop in the following ways: Improves neurological and psychological health Strengthens motor skills and coordination Encourages creativity Improves stress reduction and relaxation Stimulates right-brain activity and sensory stimulation Plus, it’s fun! In addition to the musical instruments, we also listen to music during our classes, sing songs, and dance! If you want to learn more about how music benefits toddlers, see this article: http://www.brighthub.com/education/early-childhood/articles/65018.aspx

  • What if my child gets bored?
    Our Parent and Child classes are 45 minutes long, and we include free play time between our structured activities to allow your little one to explore at their own pace. We do have some repetition in our activities because it helps build muscle memory and is a good learning method for infants and toddlers, but we also change some of our class activities each week. We also re-arrange the gym equipment on a regular basis to create new play spaces to explore
  • Why do the kids go barefoot in the gym?
    We have our infants and toddlers (and all the other classes too) go barefoot in the gym for two main reasons. First, it’s much safer. Socks can be slippery on our floor mats and equipment, but bare feet are nice and grippy! Second, going barefoot gives our littlest gymnasts the opportunity to feel the different surfaces with their feet and learn how to move from one surface to another without a break in balance or momentum.
  • You see lots of kids in the gym each day. What about germs?
    We do see lots of kids every day, so we work hard to keep our gym clean. We pay special attention to the equipment that most often ends up in little mouths, like the musical instruments, bars, and the tall foam props. We also have “magic soap” (aka antibacterial gel) in the restrooms and at the door to the gym. We ask that parents keep kids who are coughing or running a fever at home. That’s what our make up classes are for!

As always, you are welcome to come in for a free Parent and Child class at The Little Gym. Visit our website to schedule your preview class. We think you’ll find that it’s the best thing going for the two-and-under crowd!

What Do You Get at The Little Gym?
We know that when it comes to choosing enrichment activities for your kids, there are lots of options. You’re likely weighing these major factors: Is it affordable? Will it hold my child’s interest? Will it help them develop skills they can use? It’s a lot to think about, for sure. So, here’s an in-depth look at our answers to those questions.
 
Is it affordable?
Many youth programs require you to get on an auto-draft program or require the full payment for a block of classes up front. Then, there’s equipment and uniforms to purchase. At The Little Gym, there’s none of that! We offer you the option to pay for your child’s classes the way that suits you best. You can pay for an entire season in full, or you can opt for quarterly or monthly payments. We do have an auto-draft program, but you can choose to pay with whatever method works best for you. Plus, none of our programs require you to purchase any type of uniform, shoes, or equipment.
 
The per-class price for extra-curricular activities here in Little Rock tends to range from $15-$20. So, if you miss a class because your child is sick or you’re out of town, you lose that money. The Little Gym allows you to make up classes you have to miss.
 
And finally, you’ll actually be EARNING a little something when you enroll in classes at The Little Gym – Member Milestone Points! You can use the points you earn to cash in on tuition, special programs like Parents’ Survival Nights and summer camps, and more.
 
Will it hold my child’s interest?
The Little Gym’s programs are non-competitive, so the focus is on having fun and building self-confidence in every child we work with. And, it’s not JUST gymnastics. We also offer programs that expose kids to sports skills, karate, and dance in a setting that provides both structured learning opportunities and self-led exploration.
 
Will it help them develop skills they can use?
The Little Gym utilizes a curriculum based on 3-dimensional Learning: Get Moving!, Brain Boost!, and Citizen Kid!
 
Structured lesson plans are designed within these three categories and are delivered in 2-4 week learning units that have specific desired outcomes. We work with each child in our programs to build confidence & self-esteem by teaching skills in a progression that is tailored to each child’s potential.
 
We mix organized activities with self-directed learning to keep kids happy and entertained while they learn. Our little gymnasts get a well-rounded experience as they learn physical skills, develop thought processes, and gain social skills.
 
At The Little Gym of Little Rock, when we say, “Serious Fun,” we mean it!
Big News!

First, the biggest news: The Little Gym of Little Rock has new owners! Miss Erin and Miss Leah now not only run the place, they OWN it!  They are excited to work with all the parents and children who make The Little Gym of Little Rock so fantastic and are looking forward to making some long-awaited improvements.  The best benefit of all - you can interact directly with your gym owners, whom you already know and love.

Second, Parent Survival Night is January 20th.  Kids ages 3 and up who are potty trained can join us from 6pm to 10pm for fun and games in the gym, crafts, and a "slumber party".  Feel free to bring your sleeping bags and comfy PJs! Members get a discount, and non-members are welcome too, but book early because these fun nights can fill quickly.

Third, we've got a fun deal going on. Many of you like to follow up your class at The Little Gym with a visit to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, right?  Well, now through January 31st, you can get 10% off your purchase at Tropical Smoothie at Kanis and Bowman.  Just let them know you are a member at The Little Gym, and you're all set.

And Finally, we are getting ready to start the second half of our school-year season.  The second half officially starts January 14th. Spread the word to your friends - when you refer a friend, you'll earn 100 Member Milestone points, which you can cash in on classes, camps, birthday parties, pro-shop items, and more.

We look forward to seeing you at The Little Gym of Little Rock in 2012!

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