The Little Gym is Awesome...

Before Nathanial started at the Little Gym, my mind was full of assumptions about the establishment itself as well as the kids and families paying for the service. Surely it was outrageously expensive. Surely only those rich people with loads of cash could afford to send their children there. That's what I thought. I thought that the Little Gym was for snobby kids with snobby parents. I have no idea why I thought this. I had not really looked at the pricing before establishing this idea, but, nevertheless, this was my perception of the Little Gym.

In addition to price, my second opinion of the Little Gym was that it was completely ridiculous. Do babies, toddlers and young children really need a separate setting to "work out" in? Come on!

After attending a birthday party for one of Nathanial's schoolmates, Lee and I began rethinking. He enjoyed it! And, it seemed as if there were a lot of good activities there to keep him moving. We weren't necessarily thinking about how it may help his arm. Then, we took him to an introductory class and I saw the possibilities.

I realized during the actual class (which was different from the birthday party) that there was more meat and merit to the Little Gym than I had given it credit. The classes really aren't just about bouncing around and having a good time. They are meant to be challenging, but at a level appropriate for the age group for which the class is designed. Nathanial has participated in walking on the balance board, climbing rock walls, crossing obstacle courses using parallel bars, all sorts of things! I can already tell that he has increased his coordination through playing with the balls, his arm strength through swinging on the bars, tumbling, etc., and, perhaps most importantly, I can see his confidence climb with every class. There is always something at the Little Gym that he just doesn't quite enjoy, but when he does it, he is thrilled that he has completed the task.

I am so proud of him, and I'm very thankful that we have added the Little Gym to his physical therapy. I'm still learning the balance of keeping the Little Gym fun while also providing a challenge for him. I don't want him to feel like everyone is always focused on his arm. Sometimes, I do give him little hints like, "Now how would Miss Physical Therapist (i use her name of course) want you to be holding your arm right now. Show me how she would want you to do it." I am positive and encouraging about it, but I want him to be aware of his arm and how he can work it while we are there. It's a great experience and I love going with him!