Frequently Asked Questions in Kindergym:
If my child turns the age for the class 2 weeks into the program, can I register for that class? (ie. If my child turns 3 on Jan. 14, can I register for the 3 year old class which starts on Jan. 3rd?)
No, your child should be registered in a 2 yr old class (or Tall’n Small 2) as that is the age they are as of the start of the program. It is best for them to be in with their own age group even if they have a birthday shortly after the start of the program. Our coaches are well trained to challenge children if they are older or have been in the program longer than others.
If my child is 2 yrs old and has never done gymnastics, should I enroll them in a Tall’n Small class or a 2 yr independent class?
You should definitely register in a Tall’n Small class first! The program can be very overwhelming the at the beginning and that first experience is much easier with a Parent or Caregiver present. Our Tall’n Small classes experience all the gymnastics equipment and with one on one attention from you and direction from an experienced coach, this will prepare them for an independent class in the future.
If my 2 yr old has done a Tall’n Small class, how do I know if they are ready for an independent 2 yr old class?
The best thing to do is ask their present instructor. She would have a good idea as to whether or not your child is ready to be on his/her own. Generally, the separation from parent or caregiver is the most difficult part and 2 ½ yrs of age with a couple Tall’n Small sessions behind them is the average. Many parents opt to wait until their child is 3 yrs old.
Why are there no 2 yr old independent classes on the weekend?
The gym space is limited on the weekends and is also busier. Keeping the attention of 2 yr. olds in a busy gym is a challenge! During the week, the gym is quieter and we are able to rotate to different events at a slower pace. There are many Tall’n Small classes to choose from on the weekends although you should register early, they fill quickly!
How is Special K different from 4-6 yr old class?
The Special K class was started for 5 year olds who have been in our program for a few sessions and wanted more challenges! The class is 1 ½ hour and starts to prepare them for the Cangym badge program which begins at age 6. This class is for kids who can’t get enough gymnastics!
What can you possibly do with babies in the Babynastics Program?
We get this question a lot! These little gymnasts can do a lot in our gym. We start off with very gentle gymnastics (gentle stretches etc). The first three weeks is spent exploring and become comfortable with the equipment and the instructor. Parents also need this time to build up confidence in the teacher and get a sense of the kinds of activities we can do with their babies. We have tunnels, inclines for rolling, mini climbing walls, swings, rockers etc. to help them develop their gross motor skills. It is our fastest growing program and parents are amazed at the end of their session with how the babies learn to tuck their head under to do somersaults, learn to grasp the bar/rope/rings, and enjoy all the modified climbing equipment. Great fun!
Can my child just play on whatever they want in the Tall’n Small Class?
Our Tall’n Small classes are very structured for safety reasons. We understand if your child may not want to do things from fear, shyness or because…well, they just don’t want to do it! We do however, ask you to stay with the class as we rotate around the gym together. There are circuits set up in about 7 of the areas we participate in so there is plenty to keep them busy. Generally it takes the kids about 3 weeks to start getting used to the format, the equipment and the teacher. It may take a few weeks but stick to it, it is amazing how they adapt! The class always rotates in the same order to give kids familiarity and involves a lot of repetition and patterning. We then gradually introduce new skills in a systematic manner to develop rolling, swinging, jumping, static and motor movements.
If I have 2 children to put in a Tall’n Small class, do I need 1 parent/caregiver for each child?
We strongly recommend 1 parent/caregiver per child as the class is very interactive and your participation will be constant. We have had 2 children per adult but you should be aware the class is a busy one. Be prepared to get a workout!
I have seen children in advanced programs, how do I get my child into that program?
We have some advanced annual programs for children ages 4 and older. We generally recommend a few girls 4 and over and a few boys ages 5 and older in the spring to tryout for our Tiny Tumbler program. If you are interested speak to the instructor and they can tell you if the program would be suited to them. Once they move from the kindergym program into the Recreational Program starting at age 6, they move through the CanGym badge levels and there are many different levels to progress through.
My child is not very coordinated and is big for his/her age. Should they do gymnastics?
Hey, if your child seems uncoordinated, kindergym is the perfect place because we can help! Balance beam, bars, rings, trampoline etc helps to develop body awareness, balance, strength and overall self confidence. Warmups include exercises to help develop flexibility and coordination.
I don’t really want my child to be a competitive gymnast, is the program based on developing future gymnasts?
The program is based on developing healthy and active children! Gymnastics is recognized by Sport Canada as one of the core activities for pre-school children towards developing a basis for all sports. It is recognized as an “Active Start” activity for pre-school children and is a great cross over activity for all sports. We base our program around Fun, Fitness and Fundamentals, with an emphasis on FUN!
What is the difference between Tall’n Small 1 and 2 classes?
The difference is primarily by age. Tall’n Small 1 is for children ages 16 months to 24 months and Tall’n Small 2 is for 24 months to 3 years. If all the children are around the same age we are better able to gear the class to the age group in terms of exercises and how fast/slow the class may move. We do have some combined Tall’n small 1 and 2 classes to help with coordinating children.
If I miss a class due to illness can we make it up on a different day?
We do not make up classes. With over 600 children in the program we cannot accommodate everyone’s individual needs. As with most programs, sometimes they just miss a class.