This post was sponsored by The Little Gym. All opinions are 100% our own.
Dallas Moms Blog loves partnering with local businesses who make a positive impact on our community, but more importantly, make a positive impression on our children! From the teachers who greet you at the door to the administrative staff, everyone you’ll meet at The Little Gym locations in Dallas provide a fun and exciting learning environment for children to feel comfortable exploring new skills and talents.
Don’t believe us? We had an opportunity to interview Mr. Tom, the Lead Instructor and Program Director at The Little Gym of Plano, and we’ll let you see for yourself!
How did you come about working at The Little Gym?
One of my younger cousins used to attend classes at The Little Gym. His mom, my aunt, encouraged my older brother, Timothy, to apply for a job assisting birthday parties when he was 15. From then on, I was part of many a car ride dropping him off and picking him up from the gym. I would hear about his day’s experiences with the kids, the parents, and co-workers. It sounded like the best job in the world. How could work be so much fun? Hence, when I came of age to help with parties, I applied and was hired. Now, 10 years later, I’m the Program Director and Lead Instructor at The Little Gym of Plano!
Describe a little what a day in your life at The Little Gym looks like.
Not one day is the same! It’s one of the great things about being here. The only commonalities I can think of are pretty general — you build a relationship with everyone who comes in the door, have a blast teaching amazing classes to amazing people (big & small), focus on building the abilities of your students and at the end of a very fulfilling day, you think about how you can make tomorrow even better.
What are your favorite classes to teach?
Every class holds its own allure, but if I were forced to make a decision, I would have to choose the sports skills classes for ages 3 to 6 years old (Mini Jacks & Cracker Jacks) as my favorite classes to teach. Growing up, I played almost every sport, which instilled in me a healthy hunger for physical skills and competition. Moreover, it’s always a satisfying moment whenever you pose the question, “what time is it?” and hear numerous little voices bellowing, “game time!” right back at you.
Do you have any special or memorable moments from your time as an instructor at The Little Gym?
Far too many!
One goes back to my days as an assistant instructor. We were in the middle of a learning unit on safety. The curriculum called for the lead instructor to ask the class yes or no questions about safety. This lead instructor was particularly known for his humor with the kids — he asked, “is it safe to drink out of the toilet?!” Almost instantly, as the rest of the class hysterically shouted, “no!!”, a little girl took off to the bathroom where a splash was heard and emerged with her hair drenched. “See?!” she responded, “it’s safe!” An exceedingly important lesson was learned: never tempt the logic of a four-year-old.
Another unforgettable moment: I was requested to lead a birthday party for one of my long-time Mini Jacks. The family had been coming to The Little Gym for several years. It was an honor. I cannot express the sheer amount of fun we had, but I can say I never completely realized the effects of sugar on kids until this day… they had all just devoured their cake, demolished their Blue Bell ice cream, and guzzled down their juice. The room was buzzing; there seemed to be a ringing in the air. Seeing that it was pointless to keep them contained any longer, I flung open the gym door and unleashed the party kids upon the gym. Basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and, of course, bubbles were flying everywhere. The party was almost over, but there was still time for one last song. I walked over to the little birthday man who had a song request… “Turn Down For What!” he shouted. It didn’t surprise me. When I went to okay it with the mom, she replied, “haha oh jeez! Yes. He does like that song. Don’t judge — he has older siblings!” I could totally relate. Just when I thought the party couldn’t turn up any more, it did… times twenty.
Now, if you’re looking for something less specific, I’d like to consider it a special moment every time we see your children run into the gym for the day’s lesson. Whether it’s a Pre-K kiddo sprinting wildly into the gym, a grade-schooler tumbling confidently onto the floor, or the youngest little toddlers attached to their parent’s side — it’s humbling to see how eager they are to improve and grow to a greater extent each week.
How would you say The Little Gym is different from other children’s classes?
We prepare kids for a lifetime of success. We aren’t just teaching physical skills — we prepare them for any obstacle they may encounter. Our approach to instruction is based on three-dimensional learning: Citizen Kid, Brain Boost, & Get Moving — Citizen Kid being social skills, Brain Boost focusing on cognitive learning skills, and Get Moving being our physical aspect, naturally. Each week’s curriculum is brand new and builds upon the skills learned previously. We provide a place where kids can learn and grow in their own individual way, encouraging them to have fun and be themselves.
That being said, learning takes place as much at home as within the classroom. For this reason, we assign Personal Outside Practice to do at home after every class and offer additional practice times throughout the week
What is your personal goal for the kids who come into your classes?
My personal goal is simple: to help little people reach their full potential. This includes fueling their thirst for knowledge and inspiring them to dream big. Hearing statements like “I want to be a dinosaur when I grow up” is one of the best parts of the job. I challenge the kids to form their own ideals. After a Learning Unit on risk-taking, one Pre-K student hit the nail on the head: before stepping up onto the high beam, Hayes turned to me and said, unsolicited, “I don’t fall, but when I fall, I get back up and try again.” Every once in a while, I offer my two cents to the kids’ comments (for example: “never give up, try your best, it’s okay to make mistakes”) — although, in this moment, I’ll admit, he caught me unaware. When I inquired where he had heard this, he modestly claimed that he had come up with it all by himself. It was a proud moment for me as an instructor, and I can wholeheartedly say that I hope every child whose life we have the opportunity of being a part of will continue to aspire to be all they can be as they grow into adults.
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To learn more about The Little Gym’s programs for ages 4 months to 12 years, make sure to visit their website or contact a location nearest you and ask about an Introductory Experience.
You’ll find The Little Gym at the following locations throughout the Dallas metroplex:
• Preston & Forest; Dallas
• Mockingbird & Abrams; Dallas
• Preston & Park; Plano
• Preston & Stonebrook; Frisco
Want to learn more about other The Little Gym Classes? See these previous posts from Dallas Moms Blog:
- Mommy & Me Classes at The Little Gym
- Put Serious Fun Back into Sports at The Little Gym
- The Little Gym: More Than a Mommy & Me Class
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by The Little Gym. All opinions are 100% our own, and we stand behind the businesses we endorse!
