Apr 26, 2010

Animal Adventures

In this term we’ll be exploring the wonderful world of animals in our Computer Gym lessons. Skills we cover include:

• animal life cycles,
• the seasons and changes in animals,
• matching animals and their habitats,
• animal’s need for camouflage,
• differences between various environments.

 It promises to be a wonderful term of fun and learning.

Jan 24, 2010

Learning Literacy

We'll be welcoming many new children to Computer Gym lessons over the next few weeks. We've got lots of fun in store. As well as the 'usual' Computer Gym learning opportunities, there will be a special focus on early literacy. We'll look at: Letter names, shapes and sounds Print and books carrying meaning Mouse and keyboard skills If you haven't enrolled yet, speak to your child care centre staff or call 1300 766 736 now.

Oct 5, 2009

Let's Get Ready - School / Pre-school Readiness

Children love using computers. The role of your Computer Gym teacher is to utilise this enthusiasm for computers, motivating your child to develop their early academic and social skills as they enhance their learning technology skills. This term’s lessons have a special focus on school / preschool readiness. We will be using a range of great software to assist in preparing children for their move to school or pre-school.

Your child will be challenged with more complex concepts and thinking games as they explore their world.

Of course, we’ll also be having great fun along the way!

Computer Gym’s excellent software library is educationally based. It provides activities that expand thinking and problem solving skills. The large variety allows your child to use content specific software to increase their knowledge of new and different situations and content free software to improve their skills.

Social interaction is an important part of Computer Gym.  The teacher is the facilitator as children discuss what is happening, talk about what to do next, help each other and ask questions. Individual needs are catered for as the teacher can easily identify areas where extra help is needed.

Below is a list of some of the skills children will be developing as they experience our exciting educational programme in the coming weeks.

Learning Technology Skills

• Using arrows to move to the next screen.
• Opening and closing programs.
• Editing and animating pictures.
• Double click, click and drag.
• Identifying the program icon on the desktop.
• Navigating within a program.
• Understanding language relating to computers (pointer, icon, keyboard etc).

Literacy and Numeracy Skills

• Counting.
• Directional language: left, right, up, down.
• Bird’s eye view, mapping.
• Auditory and visual memory and discrimination.
• Sequencing.
• Alphabet.
• Spatial awareness.
• Following text: left to right.

Other Skills

• Peer interaction and cooperation.
• Listening to and following instruction.
• Communication.
• Problem solving and logical thinking.
• Observation.
• Creativity.
• World exploration

Jul 13, 2009

This term we will be using some fantastic software to explore early childhood maths topics. We’ll make pictures and tessellations, as well as look at concepts such as ‘same & different’, sorting and sizes. Positional and directional words will also be a feature. There will also be lots of quick auditory and visual discrimination games to keep us all on our toes.

Computer, laptop, screen, shut down,
desktop, space bar, enter key, cursor,
hot spot, double click, click and drag.

These are some of the words that we use every week at Computer Gym. For many children, the introductory phase has passed and they are increasing and reinforcing their computer vocabulary and skills with each lesson. 

It’s terrific how young minds are always open to new words and challenges.

The children are discovering that there is more than one way to start their programs, and each week exit the game and shut down their computer. They are also becoming aware of different navigational tools as we explore a variety of software.

Apr 20, 2009

Let's Explore Different Worlds

This term children will go exploring during their Computer Gym lessons, while continuing to build their skills and confidence on the computer. Activities will enhance early literacy and numeracy skills as well as an awareness of various animals and their environments. We'll even go jetting around the world to look at various cultures and attractions.

Feb 15, 2009

Online fun for Computer Gym children.

Computer Gym membership now includes exclusive access to Sparky's World. Children can use Sparky's World to play and learn with some terrific online games. There are four games to start with, mainly focused on building mouse skills and confidence. More activities will be introduced in coming months. You can also use Sparky's World to view information about your child's Computer Gym lessons, including lesson details, progress reports and account information.

You can visit Sparky's World by entering your account number and password in the areas at the right of the main Computer Gym web page. Your account number and password will be provided when you enrol with Computer Gym. If you are already enrolled, you will find these details at the top right corner of correspondence you receive from Computer Gym.

Happy learning!

Jan 27, 2009

Me, My Family & Friends

We're delighted to welcome many new children to Computer Gym this year. We also have lots of last year's children back with us, looking forward to more fun and learning.

For new children, our programme this term focuses on early computer skills such as mouse control and movement, confidence and social skills on the computer. All children will also do activities with an emphasis on self and relationships as well as early literacy and numeracy topics.

Dec 16, 2008

We've had a wonderful year of fun and learning.

We would like to thank all our customers for their support of our programme throughout the year. We're delighted we have been able to have fun with so many great children and have been thrilled with the wonderful feedback we have received.

We wish all the very best to those children moving on to school.

For 2009 we guarantee a year of terrific learning opportunities and loads of fun. We'll have a new curriculum and some special surprises as we introduce on-line activities for children.

Thanks again from all at Computer Gym.

Oct 2, 2008

My Learning Adventure

Exploration, Discovery & Problem solving

This term is sure to be loads of fun. Our lessons will be encouraging independent exploration, decision making, logical thinking and more complex observational skills. We'll be exploring a range of adventure based games and building skills with music and maths activities. If you haven't enrolled yet, speak to your child care centre staff or call 1300 766 736 now.

Jun 23, 2008

I Feel Great

Term 3 at Computer Gym starts in July. In addition to all our other great activities, this term we will have a special focus on healthy habits for pre-school children. Topics will include: Healthy foods, nutrition and a balanced diet Exercise and activity Care of your body. If you haven't enrolled yet, speak to your child care centre staff or call 1300 766 736 now.