This past summer, we made the decision to stop physical therapy for a while and try something new. For Ty, gross motor skills come verryyyy slowly, and we came to the realization that in 6 months, our physical therapy sessions hadn't changed at all. We were still doing the same exercies to help him build quad strength in his legs, so he would stop locking his knees when he was standing. It was monotonous, and Ty was no longer getting anything out of it. So, we discovered gym class, and it was the best therapy decision we had made for Ty in a long time!
Gym class is a blast for Ty. He is enrolled in the two-year old program, which involves three circle times, a group game, specific targeted gymnastics skills each week, and free open-gym time. It is such a great balance between structured activities, and free exploration, which is excellent practice for preschool. Class begins with a group circle-time, where the kids warm up their muscles, do a song and dance, and practice a certain skill, such as forward rolls. Over time, Ty has started to participate much more in this part of class, and particularly loves the group dance...no surprise there!
After circle time, the kids are free to explore the gym and practice the skill of the week. There are structures for climbing, swings, slides, hanging bars, mats, tunnels, ladders, climbing walls...you name it, they have it! The first time I saw Ty during open gym time, I knew we made the right decision to stop formal physical therapy. In that 45 minute block, I saw him do more gross-motor work than he had done in physical therapy in 6 months. He worked every muscle in his body, and tried new things that I could not have bribed him into doing in a million years. It was truly amazing. Tell me this is not an excellent workout!
After a second circle time where the kids practice cognitive skills and play a group game, comes my personal favorite part of class: separation time. The teachers gather all of the kids in the circle with a bunch of toys, while the parents sit on the sidelines and encourage their children to play independently. First of all, this 10-minute break is sometimes the only break I get all day, so I savor every second!!! Really though, it gives me a chance to see Ty as "one of the kids"...playing with his same-aged peers all on his own. And you know what? He is truly just like any other two year old. He plays with the toys in ways appropriate to a two year old, approaches other children, interacts with the teachers, and helps to clean up at the end. This past weekend, he sat next to a little boy who he had played with in open-gym as well, and laughed as they played songs on the drums together. It was a sweet moment for me to sit back and observe.
Gym class wraps up with a final circle time that includes a little story/puppet show and song. Ty is usually pretty worn out by this point in the class, but it's a nice transition!
I am so thankful for gym class and the opportunities that it provides for Ty to be like any other two year old. It's his time where he is free of therapies, and can just be a kid. Saturday mornings are a blast!
Sound like a perfect fit for Ty!
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