Children playing with parents, caregivers and teachers
SERIOUSLY? I need to pay for my child to play?”
This was a reaction that Teacher Trixie Suarez heard from parents when they introduced Gymboree Play and Music in Cebu back in 2005.
“We got questions like ’What’s this?’ because the market didn’t know about the importance of play. It was very new to them. We had to tell them why we’re needed, and the difference play makes
in their children’s lives,” explains Teacher Trixie, Gymboree Play and Music managing director in Cebu.
Gymboree is the only school that caters to children as young as newborns.
First-time mothers can rely on Gymboree to teach them how to guide their children as they achieve different milestones in their young lives.
In its 12 years in Cebu the school has gained 3,000 registered children from age zero to four, who enjoy the Gymboree Learning
Program consisting of Play and Learn, Music, Art, Science Fun, Learning Lab, Sports, Summer Camp and Pre-Nursery Gym Camp.
It has likewise rolled out Gymboree Preschool for kids ages 1.10 to 3.10 years old to build key social, emotional and intellectual skills needed for big school.
There are two centers, located at the Banilad Town Center and Cebu Parklane International Hotel.
“We maximize each child’s potential by surrounding him with learning opportunities, well-thought-of play equipment
and highly qualified professionals who create a nurturing environment that will satisfy a child’s curiosity and will equip him with skills necessary to succeed in life,” says Teacher Trixie.
In the recent Gymboree Day event held at BTC, Teacher Trixie along with her team of teachers shared why play is an important
aspect of a child’s learning process.
Imagination
The play area in every Gymboree center is reconfigured every two weeks to give children the variety and challenge of a playscape throughout the year especially for children under five years old.
The play area transforms from a jungle to a supermarket where children are encouraged to imagine and play all in atmosphere of fun.
“Our programs are backed by 30-plus years of research, assures Teacher Trixie.
Spatial awareness
So how do children learn from playing? Simple. When they are jumping, going down the steps or crawling, Gymboree-enrolled children are taught spatial awareness.
When they are crawling, they are taught through simple instructions not to stand up so they won’t bump their heads.
Teacher Apple Cuevas, operations and program director, said is to carry out age-appropriate activities that children can follow and learn from. They may be playing but they sure are learning.
Gross and fine motor skills
In the world of gadgets and media digitization, many parents and caregivers are guilty of just handing children gadgets (tablets and iPads) to babysit them. But what about the development of gross and fine motor skills so children can ably participate in physical activities?
“In Gymboree, play is serious business. It’s sad that many children these days cannot play jackstones and Chinese garter. We want
our children to play… to actively play and have fun,” said Teacher Trixie.
Now wholly-owned by ZEAVION Holding, Gymboree Play and Music offers new programs for children.
In the pipeline is the Baby Lab, a multi-sensory play and learning lab for 0 to 10 months old, and Play Lab which is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math learning brought to life through age-appropriate activities for two to five years old.
Creativity
Because they are encouraged to imagine, children grow up to be creative individuals.
In their music class, they are taught different musical styles, said Teacher Orange Cuevas, Gymboree preschool coordinators.
They are exposed to different music and styles. They sing and dance and play musical instruments for 45 minutes to one hour. There are classes even for six-month-old kids.
“There is a correlation between beat and music to brain development. They start to learn rhythm. We do tapping while we sing. Parents attend these sessions,” said Teacher Orange.
Confidence
The ratio of teacher to children is 1:8 for nursery and 1:10 for pre-school. There are assistant teachers on the side who help out in the
activities.
Because of this ratio, everyone gets called in class. They are able to express themselves, a step indeveloping their confidence.
Gymboree After School Program will also be launched in September.
The program is for kids aged 3.10 to 5.10 years old who are attending big school in the morning. It’s a combination of arts, music, sports/ fitness and life skills along with tutor time to serve as reinforcement for their lessons in school.
When children are born, 20 percent of their brain is developed. By the time they turn five years old, 80 to 90 percent of their brain is developed. This is why Gymboree puts premium on the development of children aged five and below.
Learning happens through play.
“We have created a bunch of happy children who love school. When our children have positive disposition toward school, learning is endless,” says Teacher Trixie.
