Let’s Get Rough and Tumble!

Posted: 26th February 2022

It’s not always easy to watch on when our littles ones are involved in a little rough and tumble. Let’s be honest, they are the most precious things in the world to us.

Healthy Development

rough & tumble

It is only natural to be protective. And it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable watching them take part in rough and tumble play. But it is important, as parents and carers, we recognise the difference between aggressive play and some safe and healthy rough and tumble. Why? It’s because, a little bit of rough and tumble has so many developmental benefits* for babies and toddlers.

Natural and Nurturing

All week at Gymboree Play & Music, we are celebrating the physical, emotional and cognitive benefits of play with our national campaign Play Strong. This includes rough and tumble which as well as building strength, can also lift emotions and foster brain development.

This includes activities like wrestling, roughhousing, play fighting, tickling, tag, climbing, jumping and dancing. Sometimes it can look like actual fighting, But it’s all perfectly natural, normal and nurturing development. It’s all part of growing up.

Healthy Play

Rough and tumble is more appealing to some little ones than for others. But it’s not an activity that should be deliberately discouraged. It’s a positive experience for every child’s evolution. Through rough and tumble, they will learn about healthy risk taking.

This means exploring boundaries, trying new things, understanding and assessing danger and feeling a sense of accomplishment when they achieve something. It also helps with bonding with other children. It’s because physical contact builds close relationships, evoking positive feelings. Some perfect examples are piggyback or pillow fights. Human relationships are much more than just conversation.

Lots of fun

Rough and tumble also helps little ones develop emotional intelligence and empathy. Through the experience, they learn what is fun and what hurts, both for themselves and others. It is also great exercise. Building strength, supporting muscle development, improving motor skills, flexibility, dexterity, and hand-eye co-ordination.

Last, but not least – it’s a whole lot of fun! It’s exciting and adventurous. Without too much structure, little ones can truly express themselves when they are free to play. It’s why Open Gym at Gymboree Play & Music is such an important and valued time for families who visit our centres. But don’t worry, we also encourage a lot of rough and tumble in our Runners, Explorers, Explorers Plus, and Explorers Advanced classes!

So why not enquire now and come along to play strong at Gymboree Play & Music!

Next up 45 Minutes Can Do Wonders

Back to Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

*credit Flinto

Benefits, child development, classes, competition, NImble, Piccolo, Play Strong

Reviews

Both of my children (3.5 years and 11 months) go to Gymboree Play & Music and love it. My toddler goes to their drop-off Lego class which she raves about. It's very creative, working not only on Lego skills but also painting, drawing etc. My infant son loves his Gymboree Play & Music Crawlers class - particularly loves crawling all over their props, through the tunnels, etc. Great way to get the infant crawling over obstacles! Gymboree Play & Music is part of our weekly schedule for both kids and we look forward to participating every week. Invaluable!

Natalia, Hampstead

Gymboree Play & Music was a lovely and positive experience for my son Leo. We started when he was 9 months and he is now 3 years old, I wish we had started sooner.
He loves the songs (which is part of our daily singing at home), the freedom to explore and he was happy there. He looks forward to class every week and once class is over he will tell everyone about Gymbo and what he did.
For me, I liked that it taught him how to get down safely from a height, how to learn to use his body, and touching on different topics every 2 weeks. It gave me confidence in other environments to trust that he has the ability that he learned from Gymboree Play & Music and to trust him.

Sheena, Sevenoaks

I’ve been taking both my newborn and toddler to Gymboree Play & Music for a couple of months now and both boys are really loving the classes and open gym sessions. It’s a great way to meet other mums, entertain toddlers at witching hour(!) and get ideas for sensory play with babies. Sophie and Cat are fantastic and have so much energy and loads of different ideas for the classes, plus make sure the activities it’s help children meet their development milestones as well. Highly recommend this if you’re thinking about joining!! Thanks so much Sophie, Cat and the wider team :-)

Pippa, Tunbridge Wells