LAHORE – Around 400 families with children uptill age 5 were present at the launch of Gymboree Play and Music in Pakistan. Gymboree Play and Music is considered world leader in Early Childhood Development. It has more than 700 centres in 46 countries around the world. “97% children who attend Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs) beginning birth to three years of age perform better during the early years of their life and in Preschool as compared to children who don’t attend such centres,” said Director Gymboree Corporation Stuart Ford, an expert in Early Childhood Development.
The first Gymboree centre in Pakistan launched in Gulberg, Lahore. Stuart alarmed that there are a number of fake Gymboree programs running in Lahore but Beaconhouse is the only authorized franchise of Gymboree programs in Pakistan. ECD programmes focuse on the cognitive, social and physical development of children aged 0 to 5 years through playing, singing, movement, and sensory development activity.
Gymboree Pakistan Director Sophia Kasuri, a child development expert advised the parents gathered for the launch by that parents must participate in play and learn activities with their children to help their child’s development. “80% of human brain develops between birth and first 3 years; these years are therefore critical and lay foundation for a child’s future”, says Kasuri.
Educationist Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri was pleased parents were becoming aware of the importance of quality time with young children, but regretted that before the entry of Gymboree Play & Music there was a dearth of development-appropriate activities in Pakistan for the parents of pre-schoolers. She said that her organization (Beaconhouse) was pleased to partner Gymboree in Pakistan.
