Exercise classes for infants and toddlers offer a number of benefits to both children and parents. At a time when a child’s body is growing so quickly, exercise classes help children develop strength and agility, and aid in fostering a positive body sense. Furthermore, classes provide an opportunity for children to socialize with others, and for parents to meet other parents.

Parents in Central Massachusetts have many options when looking for an exercise class for infants and toddlers. Programs are geared especially for young children and their parents with age-appropriate activities. For example, at Gymboree, with branches in both Auburn and Westboro, classes are offered for children from birth up to age five. Skills reinforced in the class for infants from birth to six months - called Gym Babies - vary from learning to sit up and roll over. Six to 12-month-old babies in Gym Crawlers classes develop upper body strength and the hand-over-hand coordination needed for crawling. Gym Toddler classes, for children 10 to 18 months, are geared for new walkers Children aged 14 to 28 months graduate to the Gym Runners class.

Both parents and children benefit from these classes in many ways, including: Children and parents enjoy the socialization. Parent-child gym classes provide a social outlet for both parents and children. At- home parents may feel their children are isolated - and may feel isolated themselves. "We have a lot of new mothers, and people who are new to the area,” says Kim Violette, a teacher at the Auburn Gymboree. Parents welcome sharing their experiences with other parents while their children enjoy observing others. "It’s a learning experience for both," she says. An added benefit is that the conversation naturally turns to child development. Parents can see that there is a wide range of "normal", and thus be reassured that their children are progressing well.

Some programs also bring together brand-new moms while helping them shed pregnancy weight. In the fall, Sterling Academy of Gymnastics is beginning a class for mothers and infants. The mothers will exercise with the babies - doing squats while holding the child, for example. "The baby will enjoy this," says Nancy Carbone, co-owner of the Academy, "and the mom gets in shape."

Exercise helps advance muscle development and coordination, and body awareness. According to Carbone, exercise helps children achieve body awareness while they're developing skills "When children realize what they can do with their bodies, they are amazed,” she says. Children as young as two-and-a-half enrolled in gymnastics classes learn moves such as forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, and balancing. These skills, she said, aid in the development of muscles that are important for all sports.

According to Kids in Motion owner Maureen LaRoche, classes help children to master initial motor skills. Classes for very young children help develop the stomach muscles, as those muscles are necessary to master such feats as sitting, rolling, and crawling. In classes for toddlers, children learn to manipulate their bodies safely on basic equipment such as tunnels and obstacle courses. She stresses mat exercise classes will not make a child sit, crawl, or walk before he/she is ready; rather, classes help to develop the muscles and facilities necessary to master these skills.

Exercise helps to develop basic language skills Children enrolled in gym classes learn to obey simple commands such as "pick up the ball and bring it back to Mom" LaRoche says children learn to heed commands such as "feet first” when they're coming down stairs, When the parents use these same commands at home, the children quickly learn how to avoid injury as they are mastering new skills. Many of the activities in gym classes are also accompanied by songs that the children learn to sing.

Exercise helps to nurture values. Children must take turns, accept instructions, share, and cooperate - all essential for any sport in which a child might participate in the future.

Exercise helps to stimulate the senses Exercise classes involve tactile, auditory, and visual stimulation. Children feel textures, such as the softness of a parachute and the hardness of balls; furthermore, they respond to sounds, such as the voice commands of instructors and the rhythm of music. They are also visually stimulated by the bright and cheerful atmosphere of the room, according to LaRoche.
Infant massage is another way to foster a child's body image and sense of self, according to Lorraine Tetreault, a massage and energy therapist at the Complementary Health Center at UMASS-Memorial. Although there are many benefits to infant massage, Tetreault says, the most important advantage is the enhancement of the infant-parent bond. "It's an exchange of love," she says. "You're telling a child you're special and loved. It is a sacred time." Physiological benefits are also plenty. For very young babies, massage helps to release physical tension that results from being in the cramped quarters of the womb. Furthermore, massage helps to relieve gas, constipation, and colic.

According to Maribeth Ting, a nurse and licensed massage therapist, massage improves circulation and digestion, promotes relaxation, and improves immune function. Furthermore, it helps to foster a deeper and more sound sleep. Massage is easy to learn, both Tetrault and Ting say; parents can learn the fundamentals in classes that last about an hour and a half. "There are so many reasons to do it," says Ting. "The body needs good healthy touch. All parents should massage their kids regardless of age.

Another method of soothing and connecting with your baby's mind and body is to try infant yoga classes, which benefit the parent as well as baby. Moms begin by centering themselves with some relaxing breathing exercises and some simple yoga postures. Once the mom is relaxed, she can pay more attention to her breathing as well as her baby's. The baby is then introduced to a variety of traditional Hatha postures, all gently modified to soothe and nurture the baby.

The benefits of infant yoga classes to your baby include increased immunity; better sleep, digestion and circulation; neuromuscular development; and better regulated emotions and relaxation. According to Helen Garabedian of Baby-Yoga, infants as young as three weeks old are participating. She uses music, dimmed lights, and colorful fleece blankets to create a comforting atmosphere. At the end of each session she rings Tibetan bells, inviting her class to chant Om, which she says babies love. Garabedian describes these yoga classes as "beautiful and sweet, amazingly powerful," adding that parents "learn how their baby's body works and how to be in tune with their baby from a quiet space."

Whether you choose a structured class or some special time at home, keep in mind the benefits of exercise for you and your child.