Baby Play is Baby’s Way of Learning

Did you know that from 0 – 24 months, your child’s brain grows faster than it will do at any other time in his life? Before a child can speak, movement is actually one of the best ways he can discover more about himself and the big world out there

By physically exploring and experimenting with the things around him, baby can learn all sorts of skills that he will need as he grows up, so encourage uninterrupted play and help your Active Baby make the best moves for his development with the new Pampers-Gymboree Playtime Course, “Baby Play, Play Everyday!”

“Baby Play, Play Everyday” are fun playtime routines that you can do with your baby. Designed by two baby experts - Pampers, the diaper committed to baby development, and Gymboree, the pioneer and global leader of early childhood learning programs - these simple moves will make bonding with baby fun while he learns new skills at the same time!


Best Move to develop Coordination: Beach Ball Kicking
Train your baby to become a soccer player with this move! Kicking a ball is a fun way for baby to learn better coordination, especially at ages 1-2 years.

Grab a beach ball and place it in your front of your baby, then model how to kick the ball in front of him. Baby will surely follow suit - at this stage of this development, he loves to imitate!


Benefits of Beach Ball Kicking
•    Unilateral coordination – baby’s ability to control one side of the body, to distinguish how to move only the right side or only the left side
•    Torso control – baby’s ability to control his upper body while moving


Best Move to develop Balance: The Mashed Potato
Here’s a chance for baby to have fun with friends and learn how balance at the same time. Carry your baby and let him sit down with his legs straddling the airlog or a long pillow; his friends can sit behind him or in front of him. All the parents can sit down on the left side of the airlog; ready to catch their children at the end of our chant.

Let your child balance first by spotting him at the hips - you can let go if he manages on his own.

Now you and the other parents can gently sway the airlog side to side and chant…
1 Potato, 2 potatoes, 3 potatoes, 4 potatoes, 5 potatoes…mashed potato! (twist the airlog so that your child falls into your arms! Baby will be surprised but delighted!)

Click here to see the benefits of the Mashed Potato for your baby.

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Read on to see the benefits of the Mashed Potato for your baby.

Benefits of The Mashed Potato
•    Dynamic balance – being able to stay balanced while moving
•    Trust – developing the emotional ability to stay calm, knowing that Mommy is there with him, ready to catch him.

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About Gymboree Play & Music
Gymboree Play & Music® offers children ages newborn to 4 years the opportunity to explore, learn, play and have fun in an innovative parent-child program, with classes from Play & Learn, Music, Art and newly launched Sports and School Skills classes plus the Gymboree Pre-school Program. Teachers work closely with parents to identify the best class for a child based on his or her age and stage of development.  Activities are designed to help children develop balance, coordination and other sensory stimuli in a group play environment.  Parents can participate with their newborns in a variety of developmentally-appropriate activities to help set the stage for their child’s continued healthy development. Classes were developed by early childhood experts and include an array of early learning choices that encompass physical, intellectual and social skill development.

With its well-researched and updated curriculum, colorful playscape, quality learning materials from Leapfrog School, Handwriting without Tears, and Crayola, and small teacher-student ratio, Gymboree definitely has the winning formula when it comes to developing confident, creative lifelong learners.
Gymboree is the pioneer and global leader of early childhood learning programs and has over 600 sites in 36 countries. For a location near you, call 910-7529 (PLAY), or visit www.gymboree-ph.com.   


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