Behind the Scenes: How We Plan a Gymboree Class

Have you ever wondered what goes into planning a Gymboree Play & Music class? Every 45-minute session may look fun and spontaneous — and it is — but behind every giggle and song is a thoughtfully structured plan built on child development research and decades of experience.

We follow a developmentally appropriate curriculum created by early childhood experts, with each class designed to support specific learning goals through play. Our teachers don’t create the curriculum from scratch — they bring it to life by tailoring it to the needs, energy, and ages of the children in class.

All lesson are designed by early child education expert

🎯 What Guides Our Planning?

Each class is based on:

• Age-appropriate developmental focuses (e.g.for babies: sight, touch, motion, sound, bonding, etc.)

• Themes that change every 2 weeks to keep content fresh and exciting

• Guided lesson plans that include songs, activities, prop play, and sensory experiences

• Flexible teaching options so instructors can adapt to each group while staying within the learning framework

  
  

👶 Example: A Class Focused on the Sense of Sight

Let’s take you inside a class designed for babies (0–6 months) where the developmental focus is visual stimulation.

Each lesson, we use different props to stimulate the senses of babies

🌀 Class Flow:

1. Welcome Song – A gentle, familiar tune (like Twinkle Twinkle) helps babies begin focusing visually and prepares them for the class.

2. Caregiver Discussion – While babies are getting settled, we invite grown-ups to briefly chat about a relevant topic like “Reading to Your Baby.” These small conversations foster community and offer helpful take-home ideas.

3. Sight-Based Activities – Guided games like Body Light and Light Tracking help develop visual tracking and attention.

4. Baby Massage with Gymbo – Using our signature clown doll Gymbo, we demonstrate massage strokes while singing familiar songs. This supports body awareness, circulation, and bonding.

5. Prop Play – We bring in tactile props like scarves or mirrors to further support sensory play and curiosity.

6. Spontaneous Activities – Depending on the group’s mood, we might do a puppet show or the playball pendulum — fun surprises that capture babies’ attention and boost engagement.

7. Parachute Time – We end with our signature closing ritual, which includes:

   • The parachute welcome song

   • Bubble time for visual tracking

   • Lying under the parachute to enjoy moving colors and patterns

   • Peek-a-boo games

   • Fly Time, where the parachute gently floats above babies as they gaze at the colorful movement

   • Gymbo Dance, where caregivers hold their babies and dance to the Gymbo theme song

     
     

     

     Baby enjoy our instructed play class

🧠 Why It Works

Though it may feel like casual fun, each activity supports a specific area of development: from motor skills to emotional bonding, from sensory awareness to early social interaction. Our classes are designed to be engaging for babies and educational for caregivers, giving you practical techniques you can apply every day — whether in our playroom or at the park.

No one is born knowing how to be a parent. We’re here to help you grow into it — joyfully and playfully — alongside your child.