Gymnastics class for toddlers popular with parents as well

By: SHANNON WINGARD - For the North County Times | Friday, June 29, 2007 12:21 AM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- A dozen toddlers jumped and tumbled, laughed and giggled, crawled and played Thursday morning during the first session of a six-class gymnastics program offered by the Escondido Recreation Department.

At the beginning of the Diaper Dare Devils class, the toddlers and their moms spread out around a bright, rainbow-colored parachute and sang rounds of a song called "Stand Up And We'll Clap For You."

Then, the toddlers showed how daring they could be by exploring a makeshift obstacle course with tumbling mats, a crawl-through tube and a wading pool filled with soft plastic balls.

The activities are designed to give toddlers exercise and social interaction while teaching them new skills, said Marcie Germani, who runs the class as part of her business, Fliptime Gymnastics.

"Everything they do is a progression for the next skills," she said of the class, which is geared toward 10 month to 2 year olds.

Escondido Recreation Supervisor Linda Kelly said the six-week class in the Pioneer Room at the Mathes Center ---- 247 S. Kalmia St. ---- costs $60 and has become so popular that it's tough to get into because enrollment fills up quickly.

However, she said the recreation department regularly offers similar classes, saying its goal is to get children "started at an early age being physically active."

With the help of their moms, the children did flips on the mats Thursday, jumped on the trampoline and walked across the wide balance beam. A bubble-blowing machine corralled the toddlers to the center of the room for the final part of class.

Sabrina Dewitt, of Escondido, said she brought her 18-month-old daughter, Shaylee, to socialize her with other children.

"I thought this would be a fun way to do it," she said.

For first-time mom Jessica Thetsy the class was a chance to meet other women who have young children.

"I did it for both of us," she said, referring to her 11-month-old daughter, Mia. "I could meet new moms, and it is a structure for her."

On the obstacle course, her daughter practiced swinging from a bar with a little help from mom. Although they have a similar bar for her to use at home, she said the socialization was something she couldn't get there.

Thetsy said it's important for her daughter to learn how to play well with others, adding that she thinks the class will help teach her that skill.

"I think it's very important so they don't grow up to be selfish," she said.

Robin Baker said she has been taking her nearly 2-year-old son Jackson to similar classes for awhile.

"It's just another thing for us to do instead of just playing outside," she said.

She said it allows her to care for her 3-month-old son, Owen, while her older son plays in a structured and safe environment.

With a laugh, she said another bonus is the early morning exercise, which "helps him sleep better so he will take a good nap."

For information on EscondidoRecreation programs, go to http://www.escondido.org/recreation/

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