BabyGym Bloemfontein with Anne

31/08/2026

"The best way to plug muscles firmly into the brain is through massage and movement." ~ Dr Melodie de Jager

https://babygym.co.za/

21/08/2026

BUILDING A FIRM FOUNDATION

Developing the brain is much like building a house. The entire house is already part of the plan, but it is built in a specific sequence, from the bottom up.

Over the years, Dr Melodie de Jager developed the De Jager Model of Development, which emphasises that physical development is a major developmental priority during the first year of life. She describes physical development as the foundation of the house — the foundation upon which the integrity of the entire structure is built.

As BabyGym Instructors, we are passionate about equipping parents, educators and professionals with an understanding of how massage and playful activities at home can soothe the nervous system, stimulate the senses, strengthen muscles and support the integration of primitive reflexes. In this way, babies don’t simply reach physical milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling and walking; they are also laying the neurological foundations for the developmental milestones that follow.

In other words, we help build an exceptionally firm foundation for the emotional, social and cognitive development that lies ahead for many years to come.

When the body and brain work together as a team, children are better equipped to thrive academically, in sports and in cultural activities. Most importantly, they are free to enjoy their childhood to the fullest.

Our five-week programme for babies from 6 weeks to 14 months is called BabyGym Firm Foundation — and now you know why!

In Afrikaans, the title translates as BabaGim 2: Ferm Grondslag, because we are laying the foundation for a child’s entire future.

https://babygym.co.za/

01/07/2026

🌱 WAT IS BABAGIM?

Baie mense dink BabaGim is ’n weeklikse stimulasieklas, terwyl ander aanneem dit is terapie. In werklikheid is dit nie een van die twee nie.

BabaGim is ’n kort, interaktiewe opvoedkundigeprogram wat ouers toerus met praktiese kennis en aktiwiteite om ’n leefstyl van heelbrein- en heelliggaamontwikkeling te ondersteun.

Tydens die program leer ons ouers wat om te doen en, belangriker nog, waarom. Ons verduidelik ook die waarde van herhaling en konsekwente ontwikkelingsgeleenthede. Dit is egter die ouers en versorgers tuis en by die skool wat in die bestuurdersitplek van ’n kind se ontwikkeling sit en hierdie beginsels oor maande en jare toepas soos hul kind groei en ontwikkel.

Die program fokus op die ontwikkeling en versterking van die mees fundamentele breinverbindings wat die grondslag vorm vir algehele fisiese, emosionele, sosiale en kognitiewe ontwikkeling.

Omdat BabaGim hierdie fundamentele boublokke aanspreek, is dit besonder doeltreffend wanneer dit saam met ander terapeutiese intervensies gebruik word.

Het jy nog vrae?

Kontak ons gerus op WhatsApp: +27823015860

01/07/2026

FREE RESOURCES HERE! 🌱

Looking for trusted information on your baby's or toddler's development? BabyGym offers practical, evidence-based resources for parents—completely free.

🎧 Podcasts
https://babygym.co.za/potgooie/

📖 Articles
https://babygym.co.za/articles_/

🌐 Visit our website
https://babygym.co.za/

When parents learn, children thrive 🧠💡

01/07/2026

Growth versus Development: Your Baby’s Brain and Body Working Together

Dr Melodie de Jager and Cozette Laubser explore the connection between babies’ physical growth and their ability to reach developmental milestones.

Neuroscience indicates that babies are born with more brain cells than they will ever use. Depending on the range of a baby’s movements during the first year of life, unused brain cells die off at a rate of 10,000 brain cells per day. The greater the variety of movement, the greater the brain development that takes place. The number of brain cells is not what is most important, what is important is the number of connections between the brain cells.

Continue reading the full article here:

https://babygym.co.za/2021/03/10/growth-vs-development-your-babys-body-brain-working-together/

25/03/2026

"If you limit movement, you limit a baby’s potential to learn and develop." ~ Dr Melodie de Jager

https://babygym.co.za/

23/01/2026

BabyGym® optimises brain development in the first 1000 days by awakening the senses and strengthening the muscles. Pregnancy, birth, and baby milestones are our developmental specialty.

23/01/2026

INVEST IN THE FIRST 1 000 DAYS!

The BabyGym Foundation envisions thriving babies and empowered communities who prioritise and optimise the first 1 000 days of life. We empower parents and caregivers with simple, highly effective massage and movement strategies to support optimal brain and body development during this sensitive stage.

We offer:
• Parent-and-baby classes.
• Workshops and training for caregivers, educators, and all adults working with young children.
• Children’s storybooks and educational resources.

As a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), we can issue Section 18A certificates for qualifying donations, making your contribution tax-deductible.

💛 Your donation is an investment in the future of our children, helping create a stronger, brighter South Africa.

📩 Support early childhood development today!

WhatsApp 082 301 5860
Email [email protected]

08/01/2026

27/11/2025

"The child who feels heard grows into an adult who communicates freely – because they learned early that speaking truthfully doesn’t end love, it deepens it." ~ Unknown

https://www.babygym.co.za/