PlayGym under 5's | NZ Gymnastics

WHAT IS PLAYGYM?

PlayGym is an early childhood philosophy which assists in the development of children under 5 years. Following on from SPARCS's (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) Active Movement initiative, Playgym gives early childhood educator's parents and caregivers the opportunity to particpate with their children in active play whilst developing all areas of their body and mind.

PlayGym is built on the belief that moving and learning together is fun. It embraces a philosophy of providing open-ended, broad-based, child-centred and fundamental activities to promote the development of children into healthy, active and social adults.

GymSports clubs run classes that are full of activities to encourage brain development, vestibular (balancing) stimulation, primitive reflex inhibition, gross motor skills, vision and development of fundamental movement patterns.

We are currently compiling a list of PlayGym clubs across New Zealand.

For Background information on why PlayGym is so important to the development of young children, please click on this attchment: PlayGym background information.

PLAYGYM WORKSHOPS/COURSES
Each year GymSports New Zealand runs workshops and courses on PlayGym to assist GymSport Providers, early childhood educators and parents deliver PlayGym activities in a safe and knowledgeable environment.

Playgym Introduction Workshops
These workshops are 3 hours long and give an overview of the key developmental areas for children plus lots of ideas on activities. Notes and handouts are available.

PlayGym Accreditation Courses
Acreditation courses are over 2 days and and follow the national GymSports New Zealand syllabus. Participation in this course, allows the attendee to achieve a nationally recognised GymSports New Zealand qualification to Level 1. By completing the post course accreditation assignment GymSport Providers, early childhood educators and parents can achieve Level 2.

All attendees to a PlayGym Leaders 2 day course receive a copy of the PlayGym Card Resource with 640 activities free of charge.Details of this resource are below.

PLAYGYM RESOURCES

PLAYGYM CARD RESOURCE (CODE NUMBER PGCR)
To support the PlayGym classes, workshops and accreditation courses, GymSports New Zealand in conjunction with SPARC, have developed a series of activity cards to be used to develop activity programmes or for parents to have fun with their children.

The PlayGym Card Resource contains 640 activities to develop vision, landing & spring, balance, rotation, swing, manipulative play, spacial awareness and imaginative play offering 3 levels of ability to encourage a childs development.

To purchase a copy of the PlayGym Card Resource please email office@gymsportsnz.com

PLAYGYM LEADERS PLANNING BOOK (CODE NUMBER PGPB)
Designed to assist PlayGym Leaders to develop, plan and evaluate their sessions with children and caregivers, the PlayGym Leaders Planning Book is vital to any organisation wishing to offer quality play experiences.

The book contains handy hints on planning, recording and evaluating plus it gives templates for recording annual and term learning outcomes for the children. Also included is an equipment audit form to keep on top of the items you use. Finally you receive 15 blank sessions plans and evaluating sheets to organise yourself!

To purchase a copy of the PlayGym Leaders Planning Book please email office@gymsportsnz.com

Playgym Leaders Planning Book Flyer Click HERE