Children's Gym Breaks Down the Science of Play

When Stamford resident Jyl Camhi's son was in preschool, his doctor suggested occupational therapy sessions to treat his low muscle tone.

"He loved sports," Camhi told Patch. "And the occupational therapy really helped him to become better equipped. And now he's an all-star baseball player. It got me to thinking that all children should have the opportunity that he had."

After speaking with various occupational therapists, visiting schools and reading textbooks for a full year, Camhi came up with the idea of Great Play, a gym that would give all children the opportunity to become more active in their daily lives.

Great Play, which Camhi opened with her husband Keith at 2000 West Main Street in 2006, offers weekly classes, sports clinics and summer camps for children ages six months to 12 that are designed to develop their fundamental motor skills, and eventually, their complex motor skills. The gym uses various sports, such as baseball, volleyball and basketball, as well as games and obstacle courses to make physical activity both beneficial and entertaining.

"I don't like seeing children not play with their friends because they don't want to be made fun of," Camhi said. "I want them to be able to dribble, throw and take a shot without feeling embarrassed. I want to make them feel confident in their daily lives."

According to Camhi, although each class is structured based on age, room is left for free play as well as individualization. In other words, children that have been attending classes at Great Play for an extended period of time or have a higher level of skill than their peers may be encouraged to do more challenging activities than those that are just starting the class or need to take things a bit slower. But, in the end, all are made to feel like their reaching their personal goals.

What makes Great Play different from other gyms that are geared towards children, Camhi said, is that the equipment is specifically designed to be safe, clean and age appropriate.

"A lot of other gyms out there used to be gymnastic training facilities and then developed into a children's gyms later on," she said. "I've seen some use the same balance beams that older gymnasts use for the younger children. Children shouldn't be using four-inch balance beams. Here, I use age-appropriate equipment that can be broken down and used in various ways. We even purchase equipment from occupational therapy catalogs."

Great Play also uses a computerized projection system that can change the theme of the class or can be used as an actual tool within the class. For example, if Great Play were a hosting a birthday party and the child wanted to have a princess theme, the system can project an an image of a castle on the wall. It also allows younger students to play with the gym's mascot "Buddy" who loves a good game of hide and seek (see photo gallery). The system can also be used as target practice for those looking to improve their pitching skills. Music is also coordinated with the theme of the class or party.

Classes at Great Play in Stamford are sold in four-week bundles starting at $99 and include open gym periods. Summer clinics, which last for two-and-a-half hours, are about $34 per day. Additional discounted packages are also available during the summer.

Since opening in Stamford, Great Play has expanded to a second location in Scarsdale and eight franchises in Washington, Arizona, Texas, Virginia and Colorado. About 20 locations are expected to be in operation nationwide by the end of 2012. "When we opened the first location, it was about proof of concept," Camhi said. "The second one told us that it wasn't a fluke, so we pursued the franchises."

Franchisees receive was Camhi calls a "recipe" for opening the gym as well as training, but in the end, they are given the freedom to set their own pricing, hire their own staff and create their own schedule.

But what Camhi is most proud of, she said, is the response from parents. During a Wednesday afternoon class, she pointed out a student who has been attending Great Play since he was a baby. She said that both of his older brothers attended Great Play is well.

"We have a lot of loyal parents," she said. "They love the fact that their kids come home having learned something while having fun at the same time."