Guest Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 (edited) Hi, I have discovered I have some extra money to spend and want to spend it on physical play equipment for indoors. We have the usual things - climbing frame, barrel, balances etc so wanted something different - has anyone used this gym equipment and if so what do you think of it? http://www.sbs-educational.co.uk/webapp/wc...ategoryId=38332 This is the KS1 equipment - there is a nursery set in the catalogue (but not online for some reason) which is the one I really want - a 'running' machine, bike and stepper but this shows the general idea. Thanks, Megsmum Edited October 8, 2007 by Guest
denisse Posted October 8, 2007 Posted October 8, 2007 Hi there We don't have it at my pre-school but I have visited somewhere with my 4 and 2 year old that does have it and did not see any children use it. However it was competing with a very good slide and jungle gym! Denisse
Beau Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 There was something on the news a few days ago about a new gym for children - perhaps in Glasgow? Can't quite remember! My thoughts are that they are somewhat limited in terms of play opportunities and so I would imagine that the children would quickly get bored with them.
Helen Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 I agree with you, Beau; I can't see that the children's enthusiasm would last more than a few minutes. If I had some money to spend on indoor physical equipment, I'd get the scogym equipment from Wesco. Our children love putting it together in different arrangements, and setting up their own "training circuit". The sets include large bricks, bridges, hoops, poles, and the booklet that come with it gives lots of suggestions.
Guest Posted October 9, 2007 Posted October 9, 2007 I agree I think that it would have limited appeal after the initial excitement. Making up your own circuits would be far more fun I would have thought. Creating things for cross crawling and improving lh/rh skills - jumping etc. There is no risk taking in these - teaching children how to jump off and onto things, go through things, balancing etc off different heights . I think they also tend to be quite solitary activities which is why I hate going to the gym - I find it boring and although I know I need to do it for aerobic capacity - doesn't make it much more fun when you are on your own. Will it encourage language development or encourage socialisation skills? I don;t know - I think they look good but not too sure of their value in early years and it may be that they just don't get used as much as they should. Nikki
Guest Posted October 12, 2007 Posted October 12, 2007 There seems to be mixed opinion on this equipment from what i have read here. We have a climbing frame and slide and then have three peices of this equipment - cross trainer, treadmill and bike. The children LOVE it!!! We don't have it out everyday but whenever we do the children que up to take their turn, and sometimes we even have to use an egg timer to make sure that everyone gets a go!! Only prob we have had is that a screw has come of the bike. It has provided children with a physical activity that they enjoy whilst in turn teaching them social skills such as turn taking.
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