Mom: Oh Kindergym! I'm glad you remember Kindergym with Dawn.
Former Kindergym Student, now age 4.5: Oh, I definitely remember Kindergym. I LOVED kindergym. It's really
awesome.
Mom: Did you know that when you start kindergarten, your brother will be old enough to start going to Kindergym?
Son: Wow! He will be old enough? He's so lucky! He's going to LOVE Kindergym.
-As told by Grandpa Dan Fendel, on BPN website, 9/10/11
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I have just the answer for you... Kindergym at TBA! Every time my girls walk in, they act like it's their birthday party. Their faces light up and
they race around from rocking horse to ball pit to water table to play dough to climbing structure, etc
It's cheap (for the Bay Area), the director (Dawn) is awesome and it's so much fun!
Kari, BPN website, 9/10/11
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"At the center of it all (Kindergym), was the hyperkenetic Dawn Margolin, Kindergym's guiding light and longtime leader. She knew each child's name and had hugs for all...She bounces like a bunny, choo-choos like a train, then breaks into an effervescent rendition of "Bye, Bye Bubbles", while blowing a bubble wand. Commented one mother to another, 'I don't know what she eats for breakfast, but I'd like some!'"
- From: One Mom's Guide to Kiddie Gyms, by Sarah Smith, Neighborhood Parents' Network
I've been taking my son to Kindergym at Temple Beth Abraham since he was 8 or 9 months old. He's now 2.5 and has loved it this whole time. Dawn leads singing and parachute games. The kids love her.I also have a yelp review here:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kindergym-at-temple-beth-abraham-oakland
-Caitlin
Dawn is full of positive energy and loves interacting with both the children and their adults. The atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. I attended for five years when children were under age three. They looked forward to it and so did I! I hope you will give it a try.
-Karen
"Dawn Margolin says her indoor play classes help teach parents and children how to deal with conflict. 'Many have never been parents before; they read the books, but here they may have some of their very first opportunities to practice what they have studied. The parents often learn as much as the children-how not to overreact to minor skirmishes, and how to teach their children about remorse by modeling "I am sorry" if their child does something hurtful'...Lisa Hopper, a parent at Kindergym says:'dealing with these issues is more manageable because I see other families working on the same issues at Kindergym.'"
- From: The Oakland Tribune, Features Section
We went to Kindergym for a little over a year, until we moved out of Oakland about a year ago. I can't recommend it highly enough! My son, husband, and I absolutely loved the program. There was tons of stuff to do, plenty of room, lots of good climbing/gross motor activities. To top it all off, Dawn, the ''teacher,'' was the best. She made a point, every single session, to interact with every kid and parent/caregiver there. This is no small feat, because it was always very well attended. Dawn always remembered not only my son's name, but my name and my husband's, too -- after the first time we met her. Also, Dawn has a real gift for circle time...It was just the right energy level for this age group. I wish we still lived in Oakland, so that I could look forward to attending Kindergym with my younger son.
- Grace, Berkeley Parents Network website
Kindergym is a fabulous program for preschoolers of all ages. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, Dawn has amazing amounts of energy and simply adores the children, and there is a wide variety of activities for your child to choose from. Some of the special benefits of Kindergym include (a) one parent/adult can bring more than one child (i.e. siblings or twins or a nanny share) (b) parents take turns bringing juice and graham crackers (or challah on Fridays) for snack (c) there are no additional ''products'' for sale (d) Dawn sings her amazing original songs at various activities around the room and during parachute and bubbles time at the end of class. On Fridays only there is a great Shabbat experience for those who are interested but it is an equally comfortable atmosphere as non-Shabbat days for people of any religion. My son Micah attended Kindergym from 18 months until 4 years old and my son Jonah began at birth and is still attending at 2 years old. We hope to see you there!
- Karen
My toddler and I have loved going to Kindergym at Temple Beth Abraham! The teacher, Dawn Margolin, is such a warm soul and loves playing with the children (all of whom she knows by name). The play space is filled with great toys, ride-ons, blocks, books, climbing structures and even a ball pit. After lots of free play and a short clean-up, the children gather for circle time. On Friday mornings, Dawn & Rabbi Bloom celebrate Shabbat with the children. (Other weekday mornings, however, are not religious.) My toddler enjoyed it so much; now I'm looking forward to starting the next session with my baby!
- Jen F.
