Research has shown that dads are much more likely to engage in active physical play with their preschoolers than mums. Physical activity not only helps children develop and self- confidence and a healthy body image, but also directly links with brain development.

According to Prof. Robert Winstone, of Imperial College London, male caregivers have an important role in active physical play with their children. They tend to extend children in the physical arena. Learning to take risks, within safe limits, transfers to other learning situations.

“The first 5 years is the time when the brain is developing rapidly and learning pathways are being formed,” says Sophie Foster, co-author of a new book ‘Move Baby Move’. “Exercise and movement in the early years, not only helps set up healthy exercise patterns for life, but also directly links with brain development and learning” Recognizing the importance of starting children on an active path at a young age, former Olympic athlete and sports psychologist, Jerome Hartigan, together with early childhood music teacher, Sophie Foster, set up the popular ‘Jumping Beans’ physical development classes for 6 weeks to 6 yr olds in 1988.

A departure from other areas of the early childhood sector, several of the Jumping Beans centers are run by male instructors and many dads have enthusiastically participated in Jumping Beans classes with their pre-schoolers over the years. We welcome you to come along and join us.

For further information please see www.jumpingbeansgym.com

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