Mission
Building confidence and coordination through movement and exploratory play.
Overview
Playgroup for kiddos under four is a forty-five-minute parent participation lesson that will encourage your child’s developmental progression. The instructor will lead the group through skill-building exercises including warm-up circle, obstacle courses, basic gymnastics, trampoline, and pit games. You and your child will be guided through developmentally appropriate skills like walking, balancing, hanging, and jumping in a safe, fun environment. While there will be some organized activities, children are free to learn and explore at their own pace and on their own time. This group is designed to allow each child to build coordination and confidence in a play-based environment.
Class Description
The class will start out with a brief warm-up song, an explanation of the class, and a gym safety overview. Then kids can play, explore and learn on their own with mom, dad, or grown-up nearby. We will end with the parachute & stamps.
New! Please join us for a handstand and cartwheel clinic. This is geared towards kiddos 5-12 that are interested in learning the sport of gymnastics. This is a 50 minute that will start with a warm-up game, stretching, handstand and cartwheel drills and maybe some free time at the end of class!
Bio
Katie Millard has been teaching gymnastics for 20+ years. In addition to teaching toddlers through eighteen-year-olds, she has run recreational programs, and beginner team programs and coached high school gymnastics. Katie started teaching, primarily boys classes, at DU in 2008. Gymnastics Playgroup has been running since 2012.
Who
Playgroup is geared toward children walking – age 12. Siblings are welcome, please work with Ms. Katie on availability and attending a different class.
Where
DU Gymnastics Facility: 2201 Asbury Avenue, Denver Colorado 80210. The gym is located through double doors on the north side of Asbury Avenue, between High Street and York Street. Garage parking will be available to participants that register in advance. Parking instructions will be e-mailed the week prior to each playgroup. In addition, free street parking is available in the neighborhood surrounding DU. Pay lots are available on Asbury, and meters are available on Buchtel. Consult this parking map prior to your departure.
When
Playgroup will be offered one Sunday a month, based on the instructor and gym’s schedule. A newsletter is sent out to subscribers once a month.
Attire
Children should dress in comfortable clothing, that they can move freely in, with no belts and zippers. It is best if hair is pulled back. Children can go barefoot, grown-ups can wear socks.
RSVP
Space is limited. Reservations are required. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to all participants. If you do not receive an e-mail by the Thursday before playgroup, please contact gymnasticsplaygroup@gmail.com.
Cost
$20/per kiddo, space is limited, rsvp through online registration. E-mail gymnasticsplaygroup@gmail.com directly for private playgroup pricing and to inquire about wait lists.
Safety
The class will primarily consist of learning and playing on the trampoline, tumbletrak and foam pit. Parents are not allowed on the gymnastics equipment. One child at a time on the trampoline10 jumps, and then switch turns, parents can sit on the red mat around the perimeter of the trampoline. The tumbletrak is a “one-way street”, encourage your child to jump with two feet in the direction toward the rope. Jump feet first or bum first into the foam block pit, never head first. No throwing the foam blocks and no burying yourself. Be sure the area is clear before jumping.
COVID: We will continue to follow CDC guidance for all COVID protocols. At this time masks are optional. Please sanitize hands upon entering the gym. Do not join playgroup if you are feeling sick. Let’s keep each other healthy!
NOTE TO PARENTS: Encourage your child to use their own muscles to climb out of the pit, do not pull the child’s arms from the wrists. There are lots of squishy surfaces around the gym, especially where there are mesh mats. Food and drink are not allowed on the gym floor or equipment. Each family will sign an Assumption of Risk form, that is part of the online registration.
Questions
E-mail gymnasticsplaygroup@gmail.com