Gymboree Play & Music (locations
on the North Shore and Coquitlam)
www.gymboreeclasses.com
Both of my boys have learned many gross
motor skills at Gymboree, from crawling
and walking to more complex activities
such as climbing and jumping. I love that
I’m able to give them more freedom to
push their limits in a more secure
(padded!) environment. Even at 4.5, it’s
still a favourite place to play for my eldest
son, who has grown up running and
jumping and setting up pretend worlds in
the ever-changing layouts of the play
environment at Gymboree since he was 6
months old.
The people who work at Gymboree do
more than just teach classes and observe,
they truly take an interest in knowing your
children and for us, have become a part
of our extended family. My children have
grown up feeling celebrated each time
they walk in those doors. It’s no wonder
they love it so much!
Arieanna, North Shore
Music Together (several Lower
Mainland locations)
My daughter (now 4) has been involved
with Music Together since she was six
months old. When you ask her what she
wants to be when she grows up, she’ll
proudly proclaim, “a firefighter, song-writer!”
Both ambitions were fostered by her early
experiences, the former a pre-school trip
to the firehall and the latter, weekly Music
Together classes with Heidi (McCurdy).
Lucy became “musically empowered”
through her Music Together experience.
The family participation and class
environment that highlights kids’ freedom
to enjoy music how they choose allowed
Lucy, sometimes anxious in new environments,
to feel comfortable to be herself and have
fun with music, much better than some of
the more prescriptive classes we have
attended. Heidi’s positive reinforcement
and acknowledgement of her successes
helped Lucy feel attached and connected
to her teacher and eager to participate
and continue to learn. My son, Huxley,
(now 2) has been attending Music Together
classes since birth. If offered an option of
toys, Huxley is immediately drawn to musical
instruments. He will happily strum a guitar
(in rhythm too) and sing songs for minutes
on end. Focusing on any activity for more
than 30 seconds is a note-worthy
achievement for a two-year-old in my
books!. He loves the “instrument time”
during Music Together classes! Both kids
remember the words to the songs long
after we have completed a Music Together
class and this has saved the day on many
a road trip as well. My husband and I
enjoy coming to classes where we can
share in the fun and see our children grow
and learn first hand. Thanks to Heidi for
bringing music and song-writing into our
home on a daily basis.
Marla Coulas, South Surrey
www.modernmama.com | VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2014 • 11