Pre-School Classes

All About our Pre-school Gymnastics Program

We call our pre-schoolers Dippers. Little Dippers are 18 months to 4 years old and take a 45 minute class. Big Dippers classes are for ages 5 thru kindergarten and are 60 minutes. Our classes and curriculum are based on your child’s age. All Little Dipper classes are coed and you can choose Boys only or Girls only for your Big Dipper. As you know the Big Dipper constellation points to the Northstar, which is the name of our competitive team. Although many of our team gymnasts come through our pre-school program, the goal of the pre-school program is to help your child develop core fitness, learn to listen and follow directions and to develop confidence. We produce gymnasts, soccer stars, divers, cheerleaders, honor roll students, scholarship athletes, doctors, lawyers, and all around great kids.

Why Do I want to Enroll my Child In PRE-School Gymnastics?

Gymnastics is fun and fundamental for developing better kids! Children have their greatest learning years between the ages of two to seven. Learn more… Trying new experiences is the best way for children to learn. Each week we challenge your child with colors, numbers, shapes and directions to accomplish skills and tasks that teach them about life. Pre-school gymnastics develops athletic abilities such as coordination, strength, and agility along with learning readiness such as reading and writing.

What is the Philosophy of the Dipper Program?

For a pre-school child the most important ingredient of spending time in the gym is fun. Of course this is wonderful for children, but parents often think that if their children are having fun then learning can’t be happening. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When fun is present, learning comes naturally. At Jewart’s, we know the formula for success. Challenge = risk = learning = fun & excitement. Conversely, challenge = risk = failure = fear & anxiety. If children meet with success when faced with new challenges they build their confidence. That confidence allows them to try harder challenges. Learning becomes exciting. Without this model of success, children who fail develop attitudes that say: “I’ll never do it”, “I can’t”, “I might as well give up.” Our goal is to get your Dipper excited about participating in life’s adventures; not contented to be an observer for fear of failure. A healthy attitude about participating leads to lifelong learning.

What is the Dipper Gymnastics Curriculum?

For over 40 years, Jewart’s Gymnastics has been teaching kids in the North Hills to roll, bounce and jump. Our curriculum is based on the USA Gymnastics nationally certified, KAT pre-school program Learn more… which encourages each child to experience skill development at his/her own pace. Through challenges, circuits and progressions we teach skills and develop your child’s natural abilities in a safe, fun, nurturing environment. The apparatus is custom designed to fit the abilities of a pre-schooler. Children work on balance beams, bars, trampolines, rings, and a host of other apparatus. We also incorporate weekly themes that add to their fun and to stimulate their imagination. At the gym they will fly on the trapeze, climb to the top of the mountain, step over the dinosaur eggs, and cross the raging river as they increase their coordination, strength and balance.

Dipper and Me: 18 months -3 yrs old

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A playful parent/tot class centered around age-appropriate activities using modified,tot-sized apparatus. Emphasis is on following group commands and socializing skills along with lots of hanging, bouncing, swinging and rolling.

Schedule of Classes or Register Here

Little Dippers: 3-4 yr old

This class will teach children how to control their body to make skills happen. This class has lots of positive reinforcement and FUN challenges. These two age groups are on the move. They are developing skills on all of the apparatus, they enjoy following direction and they can refine movement patterns. They understand and appreciate risk. They love trying new challenges and can handle failure as steppingstones to success.

Schedule of Classes or Register Here

Big Dippers: 5 – Kindergarten

School is fun. So is gymnastics. Combined with their scholastic development they are beginning to “shine” at learning. They are ready for more progressive challenges and less general movement. They can add the mental side of training to their skill development such as remembering a correction and focusing on the task.

Schedule of Classes or Register Here

Rising Stars: 4 and 5 year olds

Children who love gymnastics and show special abilities in strength, flexibility and listening may be invited to a second class along with their Dipper class which builds skills toward our competitive teams.

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Shining Stars

Specifically designed curriculum for children with developmental challenges. One-on-one instruction is available. Laurie Martino has a degree in Special Education and will be happy to work with your child in the gym. Call the office for details. 412-487-5999.

Schedule of Classes or Register Here

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