#child development programs

Early growth lays the foundation for lifelong learning, and Expert Child Development Programs at Pedigym Gurgaon ensure children receive the right support. These programs boost skills, enhance confidence, and promote overall developmental progress.

The Day Care Market is increasingly influenced by the rising focus on early childhood education. Recent statistics indicate that the U.S. day care market stood at USD 68,619 million in 2023 and is projected to exceed USD 116,445 million by 2030, growing at 8.2% CAGR.

Parents today value structured, curriculum-based day care environments that nurture social, emotional, and cognitive skills. As a result, providers are expanding STEAM learning activities, sensory development tools, and interactive play-based teaching.

Government initiatives promoting early childhood education accessibility are also driving growth. Subsidy programs and funding support are enabling more families to seek quality day care services.

Moreover, the increased adoption of professional training for childcare staff is improving the overall service quality.

Cambridge Montessori Global is a renowned Child Care Development School in India, dedicated to nurturing young minds through play-based and experiential learning. Our thoughtfully designed Montessori activities focus on building key developmental skills in early childhood, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, fine motor coordination, social interaction, and problem-solving.

Certified early childhood educators

Structured indoor & outdoor activities

Balanced emotional, cognitive, and physical development

Trusted environment for child care & foundational learning

Introduction

Welcome to the Little Learners' Summer Safari! Our summer camp is designed to provide an exciting blend of fun and education for pre-schoolers. Dive into an adventure-packed program tailored to enhance your child's summer learning experience while fostering their development. Let's explore how our child development programs will make this summer one to remember!

Summer Learning Experience:

Summer is a time for fun, exploration, and learning. At Little Learners' Summer Safari, we've crafted a program that merges these elements to create an unforgettable summer learning experience for your pre-schooler. Our curriculum is designed to keep children engaged and excited to learn, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to take on new challenges.

Child Development Programs:

Our child development programs are at the heart of the Little Learners' Summer Safari. We understand the importance of early childhood development and have created a range of activities that support various areas of growth, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Here's how our programs benefit your child:

1. Outdoor Exploration Activities:

Through our outdoor exploration activities, children will have the opportunity to connect with nature, learn about the environment, and develop an appreciation for the world around them. From nature walks to scavenger hunts, each activity is designed to promote curiosity and exploration.

2. Creative Playtime Adventures:

Our creative playtime adventures encourage children to express themselves, think creatively, and problem-solve through play. From arts and crafts to imaginative storytelling, children will have the freedom to explore their interests and develop important skills in a supportive and nurturing environment.

3. Safari-Themed Activities:

Embark on a safari adventure without leaving the camp! Our safari-themed activities allow children to learn about different animals, their habitats, and the importance of conservation. Through hands-on experiences, children will develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.

4. Educational Nature Safari:

Our educational nature safari is a highlight of the Little Learners' Summer Safari. Led by experienced guides, children will have the opportunity to observe, learn, and interact with various aspects of nature. From studying insects to identifying different plant species, this safari is both educational and exhilarating.

5. Fun Nature Learning:

Learning about nature has never been more fun! Through our outdoor nature expeditions, children will engage in hands-on activities that promote learning and discovery. Whether it's planting seeds in the garden or observing wildlife, children will develop a love for nature while learning valuable lessons along the way.

Conclusion:

At Little Learners' Summer Safari, we believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and meaningful. Our child development programs offers a unique blend of educational experiences and exciting adventures that will leave a lasting impression on your pre-schooler. Join us this summer and watch your child grow, learn, and explore in a safe and supportive environment. Let the adventure begin!

Babies, toddlers and young children are an active and lively bunch by nature. They love exploring, moving around, and trying their hand at learning about new things. Channelling their energies into areas that maximize the benefits of such activities.

Regular physical development activities play a critical role in early childhood i.e., from birth to about five years of age. What they learn at this early age lays the foundation for their future cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills development.

“Psychomotor learning is the relationship between cognitive functions and physical movement.” It is demonstrated by physical skills such as movement, coordination, manipulation, dexterity, grace, strength, and speed — actions which demonstrate fine or gross motor skills, such as the use of pencils, holding a paintbrush and painting with it.

Physical development in early childhood is an essential part of the growth among preschoolers, building their muscle strength and increasing their flexibility. This goes a long way in preventing excess weight gain leading to obesity. Studies show that participating in guided, controlled physical development activities burns calories and encourages young children to maintain an active life.

Focusing on physical development in early childhood improves confidence and self-esteem as well and helps develop healthier social, cognitive, and emotional skills. Experts recommend that toddlers spend at least 30 minutes in structured physical activity every day and 60 minutes in unstructured play.

Developing gross & fine motor skills

Infants and toddlers love to move about — they roll, kneel, crawl, even try creeping upstairs, and eventually stand up without support and take their first tiny, wobbly steps. But all these gross motor and fine motor development milestones are reached on time only when parents put in place structured physical activities.

Psychomotor learning encourages the development of toddlers’ coordination processes and promotes their growing interest in navigating through the spaces they live in. For this to happen spontaneously, it is necessary to set the baby free instead of confining it. Avoid leaving your baby in a walker or playpen for extended periods, as these tend to restrict infants’ physical movement — as the saying goes, you have to crawl before you can walk.

Make it a point to involve your baby in simple games, take her for a walk in the park, participate in a parent-child cuddling routine or when older, indulge in a more robust tumbling session. Dancing together is highly recommended as it increases physical contact and nurtures bonding. Physical development activities need to be introduced into a baby’s daily life early. Even the most basic exercises and activities — throwing, catching, bouncing, or kicking a ball — help babies learn to coordinate their movements.

By the time your child reaches the age of two if not earlier, your baby will become adept at moving her limbs and discovering how to make her muscles move in unison. As your child grows, you will notice that she tends to use her hands more often than her feet.

This is the ideal time to introduce play-based learning activities, this will help develop your child’s finer motor skills, dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Start with playing the game of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” This allows your child to touch and identify different body parts. Additional finger play exercises such as finger painting, kneading, squeezing a ball, and threading beads will help your child to practise what she learns.

Develop a positive mindset

We live in a world filled with false perceptions regarding body image, and grow up building an unhealthy ideal of perfectionism and an overly critical sense of self. Such tendencies are closely linked and can result in triggering the onset of anxiety and depression in children.

Play helps children to develop the skills they need to understand the world they are growing up in. It boosts a child’s mood and self-esteem. Enabling her to process ideas and feelings better, develop empathy and resilience and manage anxiety.

Participating in physical development activities enables children to maintain a positive state of mind, build self-confidence, and reinforce the emotional and social skills a child needs to cope. The key is to allow your child the space and time to try out different types of play. From encouraging your child when she is seeking comfort with a cuddly toy to rough and tumble play that allows her to let off steam.

This sort of activity helps your child learn to set boundaries when at play with others. She also can pick up new coping skills from peers and develop the emotional resilience necessary for the life ahead of her.

Play is a fantastic way of bringing family and friends together. Board games, for instance, have rules to follow which teach children about instructions, and the concept of winning and losing. Through play, your child learns how to interact with those around her, build friendships, learn about empathy and develop her communication skills. Playing with others also teaches your child about cooperation and trust.

Active creative play is good for children

Creative play is a great way for children to express themselves, and develop their imaginations. Being imaginative helps children to acquire the skills required to be innovative problem solvers. Creating something from her imagination raises your child’s self-esteem, helps her process emotions and develops spatial awareness.

When involved with arts and crafts, your child will learn to use her hands which builds up the strength and coordination needed for holding a pen or pencil to learn to write. It also teaches hand-eye coordination and concentration which are useful for everything from writing to sports.

Through play, your child learns to express herself and discover her sense of identity. More importantly, creative and imaginative play is a non-threatening place where your child has control over what she does. Through active involvement in arts and crafts, your child learns to reflect on her emotions, it also raises self-esteem when she gets to display what she has created.

As your child interacts more and more with other children, she will pick up valuable communication skills. Your child will be able to say what she means to say, listen to others and interpret what is happening around her.

Choosing the right physical activity

You will discover keeping your toddler physically active and entertained is not an easy task. But with a little creativity and planning, you can put together a range of physical activities and fun games ready to choose from throughout the day. These can be sensory, arty, crafty, messy or just plain silly. But be aware of one thing though.

The attention span of a toddler is short at this age. Each activity may not last long before your child will want to move on to doing something else. This is why you may need to pace the duration of each activity as per your toddler’s mood and energy levels. An effective way to address this issue is to plan for holding 10 minutes of structured physical activity, three or more times a day.

Playing and participating in physical activity with your child will be great fun as it allows you to deepen a special bond you already have with your child. Needless to say, you will also help your child develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Here are some simple but interesting play ideas and activities to inspire you. Give them a try right away. Don’t forget to keep adding to this list as you go along.

Set up an obstacle course:

This one is easy and you can get as creative as you like. Use whatever you can find around the house and build an age-appropriate toddler obstacle course. For instance, use a big pillow as a climb-over obstacle, follow this up with a cardboard box through which your child will have to crawl, then goes around a low stool on all four and ends it with a dash through a doorway. Explain to your child what she has to do to finish the course. Remember to clear everything else that may be lying around in her pathway. You can add a little fun by blowing a whistle to start the race. You can even use a ribbon in the doorway for them to break through at the finish line.

Play hide & seek together:

You can initiate this game by telling your child that you are going to be the first to hide and she is supposed to find you. Make it easy for her to find you by sticking your foot out or clearing your throat when she comes closer to where you are hiding. Then it is her turn to hide. Start the game by counting slowly to three and say “I am coming,” after that. you can increase the count to 10. To ensure the game is very safe, limit the hiding area to just two rooms.

Dancing to a favourite tune:

Toddlers love music and are naturally inclined to love music and move their bodies to a beat. Turn on some happy music or song, start grooving, and invite your child to join you. Or better still, plan a little dance party for your toddler. The key is to get her moving to the music and have fun doing it.

Stretch a little:

You can involve your toddler in some physical activity by teaching her how to stretch. Or by asking her to join you after watching a movie or sitting idle for a while. While stretching, call out “reach for the sky,” “touch your toes” or “twist to your left.” Keep the stretching movement simple and easy for a toddler to do. Once your child gets the hang of it, you may find to your pleasant surprise that she will begin practising what she has learned right after she wakes up in the morning!

Learning to balance:

Learning to balance is something more than just participating in physical activity — it builds cognitive skills and helps your toddler become aware of her own body. Ask your child to stretch her hand out, palm facing up. Place a favourite toy on her palm and make her walk a few feet with her eyes closed. Once she does this, place a hardbound book on her head and practice walking in a straight line. Another task you can ask her to try is to make her stand with her feet flat on the floor, raise her two arms up front and lift one leg up slowly.

Playing tennis with balloons:

Every toddler loves playing around with balloons, it is also very safe and the risk of breaking things is down to zero. So get started. Inflate a couple of balloons, toss one up in the air and give it a smack. You can also play balloon volleyball. After the play, put away the bag of balloons in a place your child cannot reach. Otherwise, playing with balloons is a simple, easy and fun physical activity.

About My Gym

My Gym involves children in dynamic games, physical activity and movement that help in building neural networks in the brain. Making it easier for children to acquire intellectual skills, navigate complex social situations, and nurture emotional development.

To find out more about how My Gym plays a key role in supporting “whole-child development,” please visit any of our centres. Choose a day when you will be relatively free and come over with your child in tow. Your child could be an infant (as young as 6 months), a toddler or a preschooler, age is not a bar for enrolling.

My Gym has specially designed whole-child development programs that lay a firm foundation for personal, academic and future growth by involving your child in age-appropriate structured and unstructured physical activities and developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

Please note: My Gym classrooms are thoroughly sanitized every day — the tables, the chairs, the children’s activity stations and everything else the child might touch is made safe and clean. Please wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing.

As we step into early parenthood, we learn the importance of early learning and seek to enrol our infants in an early learning center that provides age-appropriate learning and nurtures a child's holistic development. Choose an early childhood learning center based on the following criteria: 

 1. Age-appropriate programs: Since major cognitive development of preschoolers occurs in the first five years, choose a center for early education that offers a diverse range of programs that are thoughtfully designed to enhance age appropriate learning. 

 2. Nurturing environment: Social and emotional development are essential components of early childhood education, which makes children feel safe and develop a sense of belonging that promotes rapid growth during early childhood development. 

In earlier times, play-based learning was often a child-initiated, open-ended activity. But for many young children of today, play has become an adult-directed and highly structured activity. This shift could well inhibit and risk the growth of a child’s abilities to cope with the ground reality of the digital age.

Research clearly indicates that unstructured play activities during the early growing years impacts and shapes the neural network of the child’s brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that unstructured playtime is one of the healthiest activities for young children: “The challenge for society, schools, and parents is to strike the balance that allows all children to reach their potential, without pushing them beyond their personal comfort limits and while allowing them personal free time.”

It is mostly through unstructured play activities that young children learn how to work together, adapt to different situations, experiment, explore, construct meaning, and begin to learn what they like, discover what they are good at and how to express their individuality.

On the other hand, structured play activities for preschoolers expose children to situations where some of these skills may be nurtured, but the nature of these programmed activities limits the opportunity for individual expression and the experience of unexpected outcomes necessary for creative discovery.

Peter Gray, the author of the book “Free to learn” insists that unleashing the instinct to play freely will make our children happier, more self-reliant, and better students for life. As well as overcome boredom, have the time to daydream and immerse themselves in hobbies, and the time to read comics.

In fact, he went on to even suggest “What I learned through my play has been far more valuable to my adult life than what I learnt in school. Children should experience twice as much unstructured time as structured play experiences.”

What exactly is unstructured play?

These are activities that children dream up on their own without adult intervention. These types of unstructured play activities rarely have predetermined goals or objectives but instead, allow children to create their own rules and establish their own limits.

Unstructured play is how children develop creative thinking and behaviour skills and realize the importance of these for their future well-being. Creativity is vital for improving the economy and quality of life under the accelerating rapid change we continue to experience.

A perception still lingers that the ability to think creatively is a gift that is difficult to teach and define and is relevant only to the arts. However, facts indicate something entirely different. Imaginative and creative thought, as well as the skills needed to access and use this ability, exist in everyone and their development is teachable.

If such wrongly held perceptions continue to persist, you will not be wrong to conclude that if children are not provided with the opportunity for participating in unstructured play activities they may not only lose the opportunity to learn vital skills linked to social interaction and individuality but also limit their creative development!

Benefits of unstructured play

Unstructured play activities are an ideal vehicle for supporting a child’s creativity and imagination as it offers an environment for risk-free exploration. It also ensures ‘whole child development:

Create opportunities for your child to master elements of the world on her own terms.

Develop self-determination, self-esteem, and the ability to self-regulate — all vital elements necessary for all-around emotional development.

Foster social competence, respect for rules, self-discipline, aggression control, problem-solving skills, leadership development, conflict resolution, and playing by the rules.

Stimulate the senses and enhance cognitive understanding.

Builds strength, coordination and cardiovascular fitness and moderate childhood obesity and eliminates other associated health complications.

Enable your child to create her own happiness, promote inventiveness, and develop self-reliance.

What is structured play?

Every day, parents make important decisions that impact their child’s health, growth and development. Some of these decisions are big while others may be small ones. But doubts always arise when it comes to structured play activities and recreation.

The choices available in structured play activities are wide and sometimes seem overwhelming — especially when so many of us have no help and are unable to reach out to our extended family to clear our doubts. Don’t worry, here are a few tips that will clarify many of your doubts and will help you take the right decision.

In a nutshell, structured play activities support children in learning and developing fundamental movement skills through adult instruction. These are usually called the ABCs of movement skills. Where ‘A’ stands for (moving quickly & easily). The letter ‘B’ refers to balance (staying steady while moving). ‘C’ denotes coordination (being able to use different parts of the body together). And finally ‘S’ symbolises speed (the ability to move quickly).

A range of structured play activities is designed to help children develop these movement skills. For example, gymnastics promotes agility, while basketball builds speed. Both also develop balance and coordination. By acquiring these movement skills, your child will gain confidence, and competence, and will feel comfortable when trying out new activities in different settings, such as participating in sports she may not have been exposed to before.

Striking a balance is vital

For well-being and proper growth, your child would need to be involved in both types of play — structured as well as unstructured. Here are a few ways by which you can strike a good balance between the two:

Set aside some time for your child to spend in unstructured play.  If she doesn’t have the time to play or doesn’t seem interested in it, find a creative solution for it.

Ask your child what she wants to do. Ask her to imagine and tell what she is thinking and respond accordingly.

Look out for opportunities for your child to play outdoors.

Let your child engage in structured activities. Your child must have a few choices as her basic movement skills need to be transferable from activity to activity.

As the seasons change, bring out the relevant sports equipment so that she plays in all seasons, without complaining about the rain or heat. 

Strike a balance between unstructured and structured play. On the one hand, set aside some time for your child to just play and be actively engaged with her, then leave her alone to play by herself. All the while ensuring that your child is having a great time. It’s only through fun play activities that your child will learn as she grows.  

As a parent, you know the challenges your child may face if she reacts to structured or unstructured play activities not so enthusiastically. Motivating her can be a difficult task, but as you understand the mindset of your child best, you can meet her halfway, so that she develops a fully rounded personality.  

Most importantly, have fun spending your time constructively playing! Avoid focusing on the learning first and trying to sugarcoat it with playfulness — start with prioritizing play-based learning and watch it evolve, inevitably and naturally. Good luck and happy parenting!

About My Gym

My Gym involves children in dynamic games, physical activity and movement that help in building neural networks in the brain. Making it easier for children to acquire intellectual skills, navigate complex social situations, and nurture emotional development.

To find out more about how My Gym plays a key role in supporting “whole-child development,” please visit any of our centres. Choose a day when you will be relatively free and come over with your child in tow. Your child could be an infant (as young as 6 months), a toddler or a preschooler, age is not a bar for enrolling.

My Gym has specially designed whole-child development programs that lay a firm foundation for personal, academic and future growth by involving your child in age-appropriate structured and unstructured physical activities, as well as developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

Please note: My Gym classrooms are thoroughly sanitized every day — the tables, the chairs, the children’s activity stations and everything else the child might touch is made safe and clean. Please wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and practice social distancing.