Arts
Starting young: A bit of exercise, a bit of skills-learning
Chasing her dreams: Shilpa on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Just before making Sri Lanka her newest home, Mumbai-born mother of three Shilpa Perera had one very specific goal on her extensive bucket list: climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. To really put the challenge into perspective, 35 000 people attempt to scale the highest point in the African continent every year but only 40% are able to reach the summit.
Joined by her husband, Shilpa says the climb took eight gruelling days. She remembers a crucial moment on the sixth night, when with bad weather intensifying, the guides grew concerned about Shilpa’s chances of completing the climb safely and suggested she consider turning back. “I have come up here not to just go back down now,” she recalls telling them. Treading cautiously and with the guidance and full support of her team, they reached the peak on the eighth day.
Shilpa has always had big aspirations but also an unshakeable interest in working with children. Three years ago, with young ones in mind, she set up the Little Gym of Colombo introducing the international franchise to Sri Lanka.
While at first glance people may think of The Little Gym as simply a gymnastics Centre, Shilpa assures that, “We’re not just a gymnastics centre, we’re a child development centre. The kids are not just learning gymnastics but they’re also learning through gymnastics”. Shilpa is supported by her team of instructors all of whom love working with children and have a background in teaching. They guide children through their warm-up routines, group activities, and individual workouts with positive reinforcement and patience. Their mental development is strengthened by incorporating problem solving activities and team activities which encourage children to be confident, practise key social skills and communication.
Shilpa: A way with kids
When fresh out of University, Shilpa wasn’t ready to take the next step with her law career, she chose to see the world as a flight attendant for Jet Airways. Some of her fondest memories of this time are of comforting children on her flights. She says calming down children who were new to travelling by plane came naturally to her. “I loved to be around kids because when I used to fly, I had to distract the kids when they cried on flights. I was able to control the kids by coming up with songs and other things to give their mothers a break.”
Settling in Saudi Arabia with her family, she took her first child to a local Little Gym establishment shortly after his first birthday and was amazed at the unique approach they adopted. “What The Little Gym does is a combination of positive psychology and gymnastics in the form of structured classes with music- driven movement. Through this we build physical, mental and social skills in children.” A curriculum is set for children aged 4 months to 12 years old. During her visits to Sri Lanka Shilpa found that there weren’t any similar activity centres available for children here. Wanting others to get The Little Gym experience, Shilpa and her family decided to move to Sri Lanka in 2014 to be involved in introducing this franchise to the country. Her efforts eventually led to the opening of The Little Gym of Colombo in 2017.
As the CEO of The Little Gym of Colombo, Shilpa has witnessed the impact of the programme on kids. She’s seen children who refused to leave their parents’ side on their first day grow over time to be curious, capable and eager to attempt their next challenge confidently on their own. Most notable to her was the progress she observed in her own daughters who have grown confident and self-assured, eager to take part in school activities.
The Little Gym: Now going virtual
Currently, The Little Gym is operating online through virtual private lessons, virtual birthday celebrations and most recently, a virtual Halloween party. Shilpa, who is fondly referred to as Miss Pepper by her students, has continued to oversee these home sessions. Making use of a simple small space, household items like rolled up socks, a chair or two and anything that can be substituted for a jump rope, kids are able to continue their Little Gym routines.
The Little Gym is preparing to reintroduce private classes in person and to ensure safety, classes will be held at a new open location with a maximum of eight children at a time with all precautions such as temperature checks and routine sanitization of equipment. Once normalcy returns, so will children and staff to The Little Gym of Colombo.
For more about The Little Gym of Colombo see http://thelittlegym.lk/colombo/
Or follow @thelittlegym_colombo on Instagram and Facebook.