Little Gym

We have been going to Little Gym for several weeks now and we have mixed opinions about it.  On one hand, she loves playing on the equipment and it totally supports her drive to be physical and use her body.  On the other hand, there is a lot going on in the class and she runs off to explore on her own more than she follows what the group is doing.  

Last week Aunt Nay came to class with us so that gave her a little more focus.  We start off in circle time singing a welcome song, the kids practice saying their name to the group, and doing some exercises related to the lesson that week.  My baby proudly said her name in a voice that was audible for her teacher and I couldn't have been more proud!  That is an important skill and I like that this class teaches some of that confidence and not just tumbling.

 The beam is probably her favorite piece of equipment and she loves trying to get it across it on her own.  I admire her persistence because she tries over and over again.  There is this beam that is wide enough for her to walk across and another that it more narrow so she has to put one foot in front of the other.

She also likes the uneven bars.  She doesn't quite know what to do on them, but she likes to get up there.

This was the exercise that she learned last week; getting up on the uneven bars and spider walking across them.  She spent all of class this week trying to master it.  

Her teacher noted how strong and coordinated she is and that she can be in the 3 year old Funny Bugs class soon.  I feel like she needs some work on staying with the group and following the teacher first.  Aaron and I are trying to decide what activities and how much activity she needs at this age.  We don't expect her to be a prodigy, so we want her to be well-rounded and experience a variety of things now and hopefully settle on something that she can do long-term like a musical interest or a recreational sport.  When we struggle with these types of small parenting decisions, I try to remind myself that we are grateful that she is capable both physically and mentally and what a gift that is on its own.