For more than 20 years tots on Tyneside have been tumbling along the way to better physical agility and fitness. Health reporter Jane Picken went to a class to find out more. Crawling through fabric tunnels and tumbling across spongy mats, these tiny tots are learning all about getting fit the fun way. In a room packed with miniature climbing frames and dinky assault courses, Gosforth's weekly Tumble Tots class is taking place, with around 20 children aged from just under a year up to two years old along with their parents or carers. The classes have been available to children in the North East for more than 20 years now, helping them learn vital skills with balance, co-ordination and agility. Sessions will also include singing, miming to songs and other entertaining and stimulating games with a Tumble Tots leader. Gosforth Tumble Tots manager Karen May took her children, Cecilia, now 15, and Caitlin, now 13, to sessions in Ponteland when they were toddlers, and is now fully trained to look after other children. "When I brought my own children along all those years ago I found as a parent it gives you confidence to realise you can do things like forward somersaults and rolls with your children," said Karen, who lives with her family in Throckley. "It's very much about learning through play and there is a small amount of discipline in the classes as well to help with the children's social skills. "The children also learn to interact with others which is very important even from a young age. "We've been going in the North East now for 23 years and they are very popular classes because it's a chance for parents to work with their children on different skills." The idea is to get as much information into the children's brains before they reach school age and give them confidence about physical activity. And for the parents it can be a housework-free 45 minutes of fun with the kids. Doctor Katherine Bansal, from Gosforth, has been bringing twins Hannah and Daniel, who are nearly two years old, along to the Tumble Tots since they were 10 months. "The twins really enjoy the equipment, the opportunity to climb and to explore new things," explained Katherine. "Socially the interaction is great for the children too and I'm sure the sessions keeps them fit. I always find after a tumble tots class they eat and sleep really well at lunch time, so it's definitely great physical activity for them. "I've also noticed improvements in their motor skills since they started the classes and they are a lot more confident. "And from my point of view as a parent it's been great to be able to bring twins along to a group like this and get support from the staff, because otherwise it might not have been something I could've done by myself." The classes cater for all age groups - there are the Gymbabes groups which is crawling to walking, then the Tumble Tots which includes walking to two-years, two to three years and three years to school age, and finally the Gymbobs which are school age to seven years. There are sessions in Washington, Ponteland, Cleadon, Gosforth and Monkseaton, with more than 100 parents bringing their children along every week. Mum-of-two Sarah, from Newcastle, has a four-year-old at Gymbobs and a 19-month old at Tumble Tots. "Both my children are adventurous and love climbing so Tumble Tots gives them the chance to do it in a safe way," said Sarah. "It's also an opportunity to do different things and discover what they can do, as well as socialise with other children. "This is also something which will prepare them for school. The physical aspect is really important because children need around an hour of exercise a day otherwise they are bouncing off the walls full of energy." Children in all the classes will go bare feet, to rid them of the restrictions of socks and shoes. It is hoped this practice will also strengthen muscles which are not normally exercised in a pair of shoes, and the continuous airflow it also allows is good for the skin. "There are lots of activities and they are all done in bare feet, like walking along little planks and climbing up small ladders," explained Karen. "They also do things which help their minds, such as putting wooden blocks into holes."
Call Karen May or Louise Sprowson on 07885 404 664 or go to www.tumbletots.com/newcastle
--------------------------------------------------------- Help with fussy eaters Childhood experts at Tumble Tots are also offering parents tips and advice for young fussy eaters. As part of their Eat Fit Keep Fit campaign Tumble Tots are giving out booklets packed with recipes for picky eaters, including new ideas to try, including:
Cut up a selection of colourful fruits and arrange them on a plate, as this is more appealing than a fruit bowl.
Raw vegetables such as carrot and cucumber are good with a tasty and nutritious dip like humus.
Make sure children are hungry. Plenty of fresh air and exercise will do wonders for their appetite.
Only buy foods you want your child to eat and set an example by eating the right food yourself.
Try small portions, as a big pile of food on a plate can be off-putting.
Get your children involved in cooking. Tasks like squeezing fresh orange juice and cracking eggs are well within the capabilities of a young child.
If your child is underweight and not eating they need as much energy as possible. Choose full fat diary products like cheese and milkshakes.
--------------------------------------------------------- Toddle along for cancer funds On may 19 Tumble Tots will be supporting the Jesmond Dene Toddle, organised by charity Macmillan Cancer Support. The circular walk is ideal for pushchairs and children of all ages, and Tumble Tots are appealing for families to come along and get involved. It will start at Pets' Corner and activities will be provided by Tumble Tots. NFor more information, contact Macmillan's Tyneside fundraising office on (0191) 214 5444. | 
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