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Toni Powderly, Program Developer
Toni Powderly, a registered Occupational Therapist, graduated from the University
of Missouri of Columbia in 1980. She is the originator of the Busy Bodies Gymnastics
Program, developed in 1984 in South St. Louis County. In 1987, Diane Marchiando
assumed directorship of the program with the stipulation that the Busy Bodies
name be used only if the original program content was maintained. Currently, Diane
is the only teacher in the St. Louis area qualified to direct the Busy Bodies
program.
Diane Marchiando, M.Sp.Ed.
Diane has a Masters Degree
in Special Education from UMSL. Her experience includes teaching children with
special needs, coaching Special Olympics, and special camping. She has been involved
with the Busy Bodies and Super Bodies programs since 1987. She has built the program
into a highly reputable and recommended program for mild, moderate, and severely
challenged children of all ages.
Diane is a Developmental
Therapist at Good Shepherd School for Children. She is a St. Louis native. She
and her husband, Tony, have three children - Mandi, Nora, and Lori.
| New
Bodies - Hott GoGo Bodies are for typically developing and special needs children. |
During this stage of development your child will demonstrate curiosity and exploration
as she begins to move her body through space. Class activities and exercises will
promote strength, balance, body awareness, and coordination necessary for your
child to sit, crawl, climb, stand, and walk. The activities will also encourage
exploration and provide many new and fun sensory experiences for your child. Classes
offer a special time for parents to exchange ideas, information, and concerns
related to childcare.
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»
Your child’s curiosity
during this period is accompanied by a continuing interest in mastering the use
of her body. Classes will expose your child to exercises and activities which
promote body awareness, strength, and the coordination necessary for walking,
climbing, running, throwing, and many other new skills. Additional class activities
include group exercises to music, finger-play, parachute, rhythm and movement
exercises. You and your child will find these classes are a fun learning experience
and opportunity for socialization.
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»
You are now living with a young, very interesting person who is always on the
go! Your child continues to show interest in exploration and practicing their
motor skills. Classes will offer exercises to build upon these skills and develop
higher level skills and self-confidence. Program areas of emphasis include eye-hand
and eye-foot coordination, locomotor skills to pre-gymnastics skills. Your child
will be exposed to gymnastics apparatus, tumbling, balancing activities, and ball
handling skills. Additional class activities include group exercises to music,
finger-play, parachute, and rhythm and movement exercises. You and your child
will find this program fun and exciting!
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»
This is a GoGo Bodies class for children 3 and up. Classes begin and end in the
pre-school room, but part of the class is held in the “big gym”. During
this time the goal will be for parents to stay in the observation area. It is
intended to be a transition class, and make the change from Busy Bodies to Flip
Flop or Kinder Kidz smooth and enjoyable.
Denotes Dynamic Duo. This
means that parent/guardian/shadow participation is required.
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»
Designed by Physical and Occupational Therapists, this 50-minute class is based
on principles of sensory-motor integration and consists of carefully chosen activities
to enhance and improve your child’s physical and social development while
building self-esteem and acquiring gymnastic skills. Super Bodies addresses skill
development in the areas of balance, gross motor, fine motor, locomotor, coordination,
perceptual motor, as well as cooperation and socialization. The individual activity
stations change weekly and adapt/modify to meet the needs of the individual child.
Group activities including rhythm and movement exercises and exposure to gymnastics
apparatus combine to offer this unique and exciting gymnastics program! Parents
have the privilege of remaining and participating with their child.
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»
This 50 minute class of independent participation is for children with special
needs. Placement in this program is determined by evaluation. The advanced child
can continue to develop motor skills while learning more advanced gymnastics.
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»
Special Olympics Team athletes learn compulsory routines for competition at various
meets. Progressive levels of competition accommodate the athlete’s gymnastic
skill level. This wonderful program promotes motor development, positive self-esteem,
and acquisition of gymnastics skills while providing an opportunity for membership
on a competitive gymnastics team!
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»
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Wee
Bodies: 12-24 months old
Phase
II
