LM: Motor Skills & Intro Athletic Development

ages 3½ to 5½ years

Through games and instruction, Players continue to develop fundamental motor skills - as well as introductory sport skills, coordination and agility - all while having a lot of fun! To the kids, it's all fun and games. But behind the fun is a carefully crafted curriculum of progressive motor skill acquisition that helps children reach their full physical potential.

Program Overview

These are important transitional years for children: becoming ready for independent classes and moving from foundational motor skills into more complex, multistep sport skills. Our LM classes are fun, structured and instructional classes, during which we teach two skills per class and incorporate them into creative games to keep the Player's excited throughout.

Buddy Soccer The skills we teach go "way beyond gymnastics." Motor skill development includes activities such as climbing, obstacle courses, balancing, and tumbling. Introductory sport skills include swinging a bat, kicking a ball, throwing, shooting, dribbling, and much more.

We teach these skills and then explore and apply them through group games, which allow everyone to be a winner, and individual games supported by our Interactive Arena™. Players build a strong foundation, with the confidence and skills to be physically and athletically successful.

Class Flow

Different creative activities are used in every class, but the structured flow of the class remains the same. This consistent flow makes each class comfortable and familiar, and the different activities develop a full range of skills.

Free play time at the start of class includes a number of stations that reinforce skills through play. We then have circle time, with introductions, singing and some warm up activities to get ready for the class.

Next we move into two skill development segments: We quickly teach a skill then turn practice into play with one of our hundreds of innovative games. This form of "directed play" makes the process of building muscle memory for a new skill a lot of fun. Additional free play time is sandwiched between the skills, and includes stations focusing on stability and recently developed skills. Then we close with a song.

Want to try it? Find a location near you!

Find a location near you for schedule, pricing and free trial class opportunities!*

*Each site independently owned and operated, offers are determined per site

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Warm Ups

Getting ready Classes start with free play, introductions, song and then warm-ups to get ready for the fun ahead!
Lots of Moving!

Run-To Game (left) and Obstacle Course (right)After instruction on the skill of the week (running in this case), we practice it through play - with the "run-to" game, a high energy group activity in the Arena. We often use obstacle courses to connect stations and avoid any sitting around time!
Backhand Passing Shot!

Balloon tennisStriking is a key manipulative skill used in many sports, from tennis to baseball. Balloon tennis is a great introductory game that gets Players started - it is easier to get initial success with the slower and larger target - and it's fun!
Station Time

Kicking instruction (left) and balloon tennis (right)Working on how to kick with the inside of his foot and step with the opposite foot. Afterwards, the class will turn this skill into a game of multi-ball soccer - seeing how quickly they can get all the balls into the net against the coaches!
Having Fun Learning Skills

Plank walk (left) and catching skills (right)The plank walk works on dynamic balance, a stability skill. Balloons (right) allow Players to start with something large and slower moving to start developing the visual tracking and hand-eye coordination that will turn into the sport skill of catching.
Buddy!

Everyone's favorite mascotBuddy, our animated mascot, is an instant friend to every Player who enters Great Play. He helps lead the fun every day!
Don't Just Take Our Word for It

Parents know best!See below for more parent feedback on our classes.

Reviews

"I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled we are with the classes and camps. My children beg to go there all the time for classes as well as have their parties there." -Kristine Gigliotti, Stamford, CT

"Great Play has offered a safe, friendly and unique environment for both of our children. The activities are different each week, and unlike anything we've experienced or heard about in comparable "gym-like" programs for kids. We are thrilled to be members of Great Play, and to have Buddy as our new friend." - Sally Martin, Bothell WA

"Great Play and Buddy are two of my son’s favorite things in life... He gets SO excited when he sees Buddy. The staff is unbelievable!! We would come every single day if we could!" -Christin Filippelli, Yonkers, NY

"Great Play has helped significantly with my son's motor development and has enhanced his confidence in a way that has made him much more open to trying a whole range of sports. He looks forward to seeing the friendly, creative coaches each week--and he has a really fun time! It has really been invaluable, and we enrolled at a critical time in his development (age 3). He's almost five now, and still benefiting!" -Beth O'Donnell, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Riverside, CT

"Great Play is a safe, clean and fun environment that my daughter looks forward to every week. I love that every week is a new and different experience and I love that the coaches know my daughter's name and make her feel comfortable. I highly recommend Great Play for classes, birthday parties and free play sessions. It's the best place around." -Tiffany Burton, Woodinville WA

"My son loves it and the coaches are great. My son's coordination has really improved." -Claudia Gohler, Old Greenwich, CT

"Great Play and their amazing staff have been such a positive influence on both my kids development! Their knowledge and love of kids puts Great Play in a league of their own. It is their favorite class (and mine!)....by far!!!" -Jami Goldman, Old Greenwich, CT

"I feel like my son is learning so much at Great play! The teachers are really attentive and energetic and personable; they are absolutely amazing! My son has gone from being overly cautious and unsure of his body, to loving to jump and hop and confidently try new things. He is learning how to take turns, listening to instruction, and acquiring sports skills - I am very happy with Great Play and am recommending it to all my friends!" -Meriaten Long, Duvall WA

"My daughter loves Great Play. It has given her a boost in her confidence level and has helped with her social skills, as well as her developmental skills." -Valerie Zygmont, Greenwich, CT