Philosophy
Our educational style is a non-comparative / non-competitive approach to teaching and learning. This style allows children to experience confidence in the activity regardless of ability. The fitness curriculum is intentional about incorporating important life lessons of respect for self and others, the importance of our words and the power they have, proper eating habits, use of and acting with self-control, cooperation and courteousness. Our coaches are big on catching kids doing things right and letting them know it.
Children learn best when taught by educators who respect each child's uniqueness and adapt lessons accordingly. An effective educator will give instruction that meets the changing developmental needs and learning styles within the group.
The Junior Gymnest is a Perceptual-Motor Development (PMD) program. PMD describes a learning process that we at Uth fitness embrace when teaching. Simply stated, the PMD process recognizes that children have their greatest success in the output part of a physical education experience (MOTOR: the actual performance of skill or exercise) when the educator focuses on the many ways children receive information (PERCEPTUAL) and considers them when presenting the material. The participants receive information through their visual, auditory, vestibular, tactile and kinesthetic senses.
The Junior Gymnest program educates its Junior Gymers through fun and imaginative exercises that stimulate the above senses and continually develops them throughout the Uth Fitness educational experience.
Cognitive
In the PMD process (see above), once information is received the child then needs to interpret the information before the motor skill is attempted. This interpreting of information is what fosters cognitive development. Gymnastics is an awesome all-around activity that fosters great development in this area of “thinking than doing.”
Physical
When a child is involved in a sport activity, confidence builds as their body begins to respond to what they tell it to do. Gymnastic activity enhances every aspect of a child's growth and development. Physically speaking it naturally develops speed, strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and overall gross motor development.
Social & Emotional
Instilling life lessons that your child can later reference are true indicators of the impact an educator has had on a child. Our classes are filled with such lessons and we encourage the Junior Gymers to go home and talk about them. Examples of life lessons are; Our WORDS and the power they have, tolerance, appreciating and valuing effort not just results, self-control, respect, having and using our manners, patience, apologizing for mistakes made, benefits of working as a team, etc. The Junior Gymnest staff is committed to positively impacting children in the area of EMOTIONAL FITNESS. We do this by appreciating them daily for who they are and for their efforts. We are great at catching kids doing things right and letting them know it!
”Junior Gym has greatly improved my son's confidence. He has always been very verbal, but a little cautious with physical activity. The Junior Gym program has brought him out of his shell. He feels good about his abilities and is more willing to try things he would have resisted in the past.
Junior Gym is by far my son's favorite part of the school day. Too bad it's only once per week. Thank you for providing such a great skill and confidence building opportunity for kids .“
The Friedmans
