Gymboree launches with focus on early childhood development

KARACHI:

Standing in a semi-circle, trainers danced and sang along to a poem playing in the background as children gleefully copied them. Around 50 parents gathered with their young children at the launching of Gymboree Play & Music at Clifton on Saturday.

Gymboree, an early childhood development programme, is spread over 700 locations in 55 countries. The franchise has been opened in Karachi to develop cognitive, physical and social skills in children up to five years of age.

"The activities here promote confidence in the children as they interact with others their own age," said Muhammad Taha, whose one-and-a-half year old son Joan is now a member of the group. The activities being conducted by the learning centre include art studios, play gym, play and learn, English lessons, birthday parties and pre-school learning. Meanwhile, specialised trainers guide children in activities such as sand games, painting and craftwork.

"Movement exploration activities for improved child motor skills are an integral part of the play and gym areas," explained Gymboree team member Tasneem. "All of the playing equipment here - from swings to ladders - is child-proof with rounded edges for safety."

According to Gymboree director Sophia Kasuri, the idea of opening a similar franchise in Pakistan occurred to her during her stay in the US, when her own child was enrolled in a Gymboree centre. "The Montessori systems here are more inclined towards academic learning. Gymboree is different, with its focus on skills such as gripping pencils, standing in queues and working independently," she said. "And by increasing parent-child interaction, the parents get to learn a lot about their children that they wouldn't otherwise know."

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2015.