I'm interested in a soccer or gymnastics program for three-year-olds in which the staff will have appropriate expectations of young children. I have attended Chicago park district gymnastics programs and I felt that the instructors had no idea how to engage young children. Please include, if known, whether the program requires the children to be potty-trained. My goal is for my child to have fun, be active and interact with other children.
I dont know where you live, or what side of the city. My daughter was in Oak Lawn Gymnastics, and they are very coordinated with all age levels. The kids have fun while learning the basics. There is also Beverly gymnastics center. 111th and Lawndale.
These are both in the south west side.
Oak lawn is on 103rd and Central. My daughter loved both classes.
Hello Mary,
You can look into the soccer teams that meet and play at the University of Chicago. I looked into it for my daughter when she was younger they meet in the spring in the Median (grassy area) right on the campus. You will need to wait until the spring because I know longer have the contact information for the teams. They have varying age groups so they possibly have an age appropriate group for your child.
hi-
i have a great place for gymnastics classes. it's called lake shore academy. it's in the west loop area. from where you live you would take halsted to chicago and take a left on chicago and it's right back in that area. they have a web site also. i've been a gymnasics coach for 10 years {not in chicago} and really like the way they teach kids.
good luck
Mary - did you get your answer? I'm looking for the same thing but in Berwyn or Cicero. pls. advise.
Hi Mary,
I was looking up classes for my 3 year old and wanted to know if you found something you really liked (great instructors, happy kids..) I'm thinking about putting my son in The Little Gym, but would prefer soccer, since that is what he loves.
Thanks in advance,
Barbara
Have you tried The Little Gym of Evergreen Park? We have a sports skills development class for 3 to 6 yr olds. The classes are curriculum based in a non-competitive environment. Each class covers fundamentals, skill building, rules various sports. We are located on 95th street across from Little Company of Mary Hospital. Our phone # is 708-576-8675 or visit our web site. www.tlgevergreenparkil.com
It depends where you take your kids. I take my kids to Harrison Park and Coach Amy is fantastic with the preschool kids. The kids are learning and interacting with each other and the teacher. My oldest child cried when she moved up to school aged classes because she was afraid of missing Coach Amy. It turns out she still has the same teacher. Her progress there has been so great she has been invited to join the developmental team. I would suggest trying Harrison Park Gymnastics! It's great for both boys and girls!
The best pre-school gymnastics classes in Chicago are at IK Gymnastics (IK for the owner’s name, Irina Kudina). They have classes from 18 months on up through adults. And the best soccer classes for pre-schoolers are at Lil Kickers. The gymnastics gym and the soccer gym are right next door to each other, to make it easy for you, in West Roscoe Village! Both have summer camps as well.
IK Gymnastics Chicago – 2630-B W. Bradley Place, Chicago, IL 60618, and ph: 773/604-4541 and www.ikgym.com
L’il Kickers – in the same Bradley Place complex as IK Gymnastics, at.2640 W. Bradley Place, Chicago, IL 60618, ph: 773/267-8100