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"Kids First", Inc.

Angel Food Ministries

One of the most challenging tasks facing parents today is making sound decisions regarding their children. The number of alternatives is potentially staggering, the desire to have children involved in many activities is often very great and the pressure to raise well-rounded, healthy children is tremendous. In choosing activities for their children, parents must consider a large number of factors.

• Is the activity beneficial for my child?
• Is my child interested in, and enthusiastic about, the activity?
• Does the activity have value for the parent?
• Is the cost of the activity reasonable for the quality of service for the program?

Parents are continually searching for quality activities where their children are happy and successful. Dr. William Glasser has written extensively on the characteristics of quality schools and their benefits. According to Dr. Glasser, a quality school is a product of warm, caring human relationships and promotes constructive attitudes toward individuals and society. Quality can always be improved upon and a quality organization is one that is alert for ways to improve what it does and how it does it. A quality school is one in which everyone in the organization, working both separately and together, seeks a common goal. Quality always feels good, and the greater the quality, the longer the good feeling lasts.

The goal of this article is to give parents information with which to make a more informed choice when choosing a quality gymnastics school or other programs for your child. Education about the benefits of a program, its philosophy and its program goals help parents make "healthy" choices for their children.

Gymnastics is, without a doubt, one of the most beneficial physical activities for children. When a gymnastics program is structured and presented in a progressive format, children realize the benefits, in the areas of physical fitness, self-esteem, reading readiness and life skills.

Parental involvement in investigating and finding the right gymnastics school increases the benefits immeasurably. Collecting information, speaking with the administrators and staff of the schools in your area, talking with other parents and observing the school are all beneficial actions when deciding on a gymnastics school.

There are many factors to look at when choosing a gymnastics school. Here’s a list of important questions to ask yourself and the children’s activity centers (“program questions” & “teaching questions”) to consider when searching for a gymnastics school. (The questions are in no particular order.)

TEACHING QUESTIONS:

1. Is the program structured and presented in an age appropriate manner?
2. How much time are the children busy, waiting in line, or sitting still?
3. Do children have their own small piece of equipment when props are used?
4. Is there appropriate equipment to the age and development level of the students?
5. Are the staff members USA Gymnastics Safety Certified? K.A.T./M.E.L.P.D. Certified? What are their credentials? Are they college degreed?
6. Are students evaluated and how often?
7. Are the instructors teaching from a curriculum with lesson plans? Are the instructors prepared for class?
8. Is the curriculum being taught in a progressive, step by step, manner? Are the skills being broken down into achievable parts?
9. Are the instructors knowledgeable and caring, and is discipline appropriate?
10. Is there any plan for regular staff training and continuing education?
11. Does the program directors and instructors know WHY they do what that do? Do they know when to do what? Do the instructors teach "age appropriate" activities?
12. Most of all, is your child enthusiastic about the school? Do they have fun?

PROGRAM QUESTIONS:

1. Does the school have a statement of purpose and philosophy? Do you know what it is? Do they teach from that framework?
2. What’s the reputation of the gymnastics school in the community?
3. Are the instructors approachable with comments, questions, and concerns? And visa versa?
4. How is the overall cleanliness and organization of the school? Safety?
5. Is there communication between the school & students & parents i.e. bulletin boards, detailed “Handbooks”, calendar of events?
6. Is there an emergency plan for injuries or inclement weather?
7. Is there a sense of professionalism about the school? About the staff?
8. How long has the school existed?
9. What feedback do you get from friends and family who have experienced the school?
10. What is the make-up policy? Drop policy? Are trial classes available?
11. Are customers treated fairly and equally, or is favoritism being taught?
12. How does the gym sound during class, happy or stressful?
13. Are there clearly stated rules for staff, students and visitors?
14. Do the instructors teach children morals, values, character, health & fitness and good work ethics?
15. How does the “cost and value” of Gymnastics of Ashe compare to other gymnastics programs, and other programs for children in the area?
16. Does the gym observe the teaching ratios set forth by USA Gymnastics? (USAG = governing body for the Olympic Program)?
17. Are new things being added to keep stuff "fresh" such as PROPS, THEMES, EQUIPMENT, DRILLS ECT. ?
18. What do you want your child to gain from the program? What does YOUR CHILD want from the program?