YWCA program combines gym classes, drop-off program
By: Marjorie Censer
"Put the laundry in the washing machine," YWCA Princeton instructor Joyce Becker told the children as she mimicked lifting clothes into a washer.
"We’ve got to wash those clothes," she said as she, and a group of nearly 20 watching children, swiveled their hips.
"Spin cycle!" she announced, and she and the children spun around with their arms held aloft.
The YWCA Princeton has long had gymnastics classes, as well as drop-off programs for mothers taking other YWCA classes. But only this year have the two been combined. Now children dropped off by YWCA members can join gymnastics classes for what the YWCA calls "Gym Stay & Play."
Children between the ages of 1 and 5 can show up anytime between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily to join current gymnastics classes. If a class is not in session when they arrive, instructors will give them private lessons on the equipment. Parents are charged $10 per hour for one child and $7 per hour for an additional child.
Wednesday, the group of 3-year-olds taking a gymnastics class was joined by children taking part in stay and play. Ms. Becker, who has been a YWCA instructor for 24 years, led the children in stretches before creating an obstacle course of rings, mats, tires, climbing equipment and a trampoline.
A boy in a blue sweatshirt and pants crawled and jumped over a set of mats before perfecting a "pencil roll" down a sloped mat. On his feet again, he jumped through five colorful tires in a row. One girl in pink swung from rings as an instructor looked on. Five instructors were there to supervise.
Karen Santini, YWCA director of athletics, said two to three instructors stay and play the class teachers also help. She works to maintain a ratio of four-to-one of children to instructors. Instructors are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid and must take gymnastics safety training.
Ms. Santini said the response to the new program has been very positive, from children and parents alike. In the past, parents who dropped off their children were required to pre-register several days in advance, and the children played in a nursery. Now, children can be dropped off spontaneously although 1- and 2-year-olds must pre-register one day in advance to play in the gymnasium.
The program is "really taking off," Ms. Santini said. "It’s helping the parents, and it’s helping our programs."
Though the program is intended to provide childcare for parents enrolled in YWCA classes, members are allowed to use the program for general childcare. Ms. Santini said some parents who want to go shopping drop off their children for Gym Stay & Play.
However, the majority of children have parents who are taking English as a Second Language classes, Ms. Santini said. Though the children’s limited English at times poses a challenge for instructors, she said the physical nature of the Gym Stay & Play works well.
"They acclimate a lot better just being able to express themselves through movement," she said.
Children who are uncomfortable participating in the gymnastics have the option of playing with an instructor in an adjoining playroom, Ms. Santini said.
But Wednesday, the playroom was empty and few children seemed to have any interest in sitting the gymnastics out. Ms. Santini said the physical play is beneficial to the children most important, it is a way to improve their balance.
"They’re learning gross and fine motor skills," she said. "They’re increasing their strength by learning to hold onto things."
And beyond the physical element, they are improving their social skills, she added.
Gym Stay & Play has proven such a success that the YWCA is in talks with the Princeton Family YMCA to collaborate on the program for the winter session, Ms. Santini said.
"We’re helping the child," Ms. Santini said. "But in turn, it’s helping the parents."