Not just another Playground

Today’s children are growing up differently from their parents. The popularity of television, movies, computers and video games has contributed to a lack of shared activities. Kids nowadays are more likely to watch TV or play video games than be physically active. As a result, a surprising number of children don’t get the necessary exercise, bonding and self-esteem experiences they need to lead balanced, healthy and happy lives.

Yet parents realize the importance of bonding with their children. Housewife and mother of three Cecille Lilles says, "It is primordial. Beyond this, nothing much matters."

Cecille describes her relationship with her three children as "very close". "We eat, read, play and do everything with the whole family. My husband and I have made the children our priority. We plan our activities around them." Cecille regularly takes her kids to The Little Gym which she describes as "a very safe play environment that remains unparalleled". Her eldest, Isabel, age 5, has been with the gym for two and a half years now. Ayrton, 3, and little Sophia, 2, have grown to love the activities and gym instructors there.

Because of safety considerations, kids today don’t play outside the way the children of yesteryear did. Parks and playgrounds have begun to shrink in size and number, and the streets are not safe places to play.

The Little Gym is neither an indoor play-ground nor a day care center. The Little Gym is a structured, curriculum-based skills building program designed to teach in a fun, challenging environment. As the baby boom continues, there are more and more kids competing for shrinking resources. Class sizes increase, resulting in reduced opportunities to participate in things like team sports.

Nina Herrera-Huang totally agrees with TLG’s approach to child development. "I admire the way they ‘teach’," says Nina. "TLG is committed to allow the children to be themselves, and to have fun as they learn. TLG does not demand that children ‘be the best’, but rather, encourage them to always try their best. I believe in their philosophy of treating children with dignity and respect, to build their confidence and self-esteem, and to help them grow as individuals."

She is also very pleased with their student-to-teacher ratio. "You experience this in each class. Your child receives the necessary attention, encouragement and praise that he or she may need to continue building his or her self-esteem. The teachers at TLG are trained in early-child education. This factor is of great importance to me."

Even fathers have something to say. Professional basketball player Danny Ildefonso was introduced to The Little Gym by a friend whose child was enrolled there. After three semesters at TLG, Shaun Danielle Ildefonso still enjoys himself immensely at the gym. Danny recalls the first time his son held a full-sized basketball. "He was only 10 months old then and I was so amazed and proud of him that, at his age, he already had the eagerness and enthusiasm for playing basketball. That was a very memorable and unforgettable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

The Little Gym is a great way to get kids away from the television and into rediscovering all the advantages of an active, healthy and stimulating environment. The Little Gym has fine-tuned its curriculum to a unique position. Theme lesson plans for all programs outline the goals and skills that are taught each week. Parents watch their children progress and understand the importance of all elements of their child’s development. With that progress and understanding the child’s self-esteem soars.

TLG’s program uses equipment, activities, music, games and challenges so that children discover that physical fitness can be an enjoyable part of their lives. The Little Gym is a proven blend of music, movement and motivation. Its unique curriculum provides students from four months to 12 years of age a chance to develop physically, intellectually and socially. Its ultimate goal is to improve each child’s physical fitness without them realizing they are getting fit because they want to teach children that exercise and fun go hand-in-hand.