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World Cup Gymnastics

Why Gross Motor Skills are the First Step to Lifelong Learning

February 27, 2025 by Andrew Vitelli

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

From infancy on, development of gross motor skills is essential for a child’s physical and mental growth. The directors of World Cup Schools which includes World Cup Gymnastics and World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten in Chappaqua believe gymnastics is the best way to ensure success, and some experts in children’s development agree.

For parents wondering how long to wait before working on their child’s gross motor skills, the answer, experts say, is the length of the drive home from the hospital.

“Tummy time is the foundation for all future development,” says Hayley Apiscopa, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the co-owner of Developmental Steps. “Parents are encouraged to start tummy time right when they get home from the hospital, and that is to balance out the time these babies spend on their backs sleeping.”

From infancy to adolescence, gross motor skills play a major role in a child’s development, says Apiscopa, who teaches a class on tummy time three times a month. And a parent’s role in making sure their child is developing these skills and hitting the important milestones starts the baby’s first week.

“Every position is setting a child up for the next milestone that is to come,” says Dr. Dana Smith, the owner of Westchester Physical Therapy.

While there are many activities that can be helpful for gross motor skill development, both Apiscopa and Smith point to gymnastics and swimming as two of the best ways to promote this development.

“Both of those sports really help build core strength, balance, and coordination,” says Apiscopa.

Developing children’s gross motor skills is one major focus for Jason Hebert, director of World Cup Gymnastics and Roxanne Kaplan, director of World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten. In their more than two decades each at World Cup, they have seen every level of athlete come through their doors, from future Olympians to kids struggling to keep up with their peers. But in one way, Hebert says, the focus remains the same.

“Whatever a child is capable of doing, we are here to let them reach their maximum potential,” he explained. “Whether this is just a fun thing for them to help them for later in life, or whether they aspire to be an Olympic gymnast.”

World Cup Schools, which has been at its current location just off the Saw Mill River Parkway for some 32 years, has both a preschool and a recreational afterschool program, as well as a competitive girls and boys team. There is a “Romperee” program for children four to 36 months, a preschool program for children two to five years, and a recreational program for children up to 12 years old. Olympians including artistic gymnast and 2012 US national champion John Orozco, have trained at its facilities.

For babies and toddlers, both the Romperee and preschool program provide ample opportunities for tykes to both test and improve their gross motor skills. The school has a different lesson plan for each age group, allowing children to progress at their own pace. Children as young as four months will start with sensory activities, where they are introduced to different colors, music, bubbles, and balls to hold. They then move on to mini trampolines, mini bars, and runs.

When they turn two, they graduate to the bigger gym, where they start working with custom preschool equipment and then move on to larger equipment. That includes adult-sized trampolines, bars, and rings. Kids are able to progress at a safe and comfortable pace.

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

“As students develop physically, building strength and enhancing their sensory skills, they are also learning to overcome obstacles and face their fears. Every activity is a building block,” says Hebert, who has worked at the gym for three decades. “Our approach isn’t one-dimensional; everything we do helps children grow in ways they’ll need in all aspects of life.”

While children are often nervous initially, it isn’t long before they are testing their skills, Hebert notes. He recalls introducing children to the foam pits. At first they are afraid of even the six-inch drop, but before long they are jumping from much higher platforms into the pit.

“Because everything is padded and soft, they could take those chances and not have to worry about the fear factor as much,” he says.

When it comes to developmental milestones, Kaplan agrees that parents should be focused on making sure their child is achieving them from Day 1.

“We have the unique advantage of observing child development and milestones on a daily basis, and with so many children to compare, we can identify when a child may be falling behind,” explains Kaplan, who has worked at World Cup for 23 years. “This puts us in a position to give them the extra attention they may need in their development or encourage parents to have their child evaluated, so they can receive the additional support they may need.”

Meeting the Milestones

For many parents, waiting for their child to take their first steps or begin crawling can be a cause of great anxiety. While every child is unique and parents should not panic if theirs takes a bit more time to reach each milestone, parents should consult their pediatrician if their child is skipping steps or falling significantly behind, outside of the range of what is normal.

“If they are a certain age and they are not doing something, then we start to say, ‘Maybe you should get evaluated for physical therapy. Something may be going awry,’” says Smith, whose center is also known as Sensory Jim and Friends. “Every position is setting a child up for the next milestone that is to come.”

For example, a baby who does not learn to crawl may not build up the core strength to walk confidently when he or she gets older.

“Frequent falling, lots of tripping and falling, that is not typical for a pre-school aged kid. That is usually a sign of core and hip weakness,” says Apiscopa. “Kids that are constantly up on their tiptoes, that is also a red flag.”

While parents may be tempted to wait and see whether problems correct themselves, intervening early quickens the road to success. Apiscopa recommends that parents with concerns about their child’s gross motor skills contact a physical therapist for a consultation.

Kids who fall behind physically could become socially distant as well.

“If you’re afraid to go to the playground, you may not want to go to birthday parties,” says Smith. “And unfortunately, if milestones are not met, or are not attended to or addressed, we start to see these kids bullied.”

Developmental Steps has a five-page checklist with an overview of milestones children should be meeting, from birth to seven years old. Westchester Physical Therapy has list of red flags for parents to look out for.

“Not all developmental needs require a physical therapist or gym facilities. It’s important to stay mindful of your child’s physical milestones and intentionally incorporate activities into their daily routine that support gross motor development, such as family walks, hikes, and playground climbing. If you notice areas where your child may need additional support or encouragement, consider enrolling them in activities like infant classes, gymnastics, or swimming to further enhance their motor skills. Should you observe any concerning signs, seek early intervention from professionals to ensure timely assistance. Most importantly, make sure to enjoy fun, active moments with your child,” added Kaplan.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: developmental milestones, gross motor skill development, it's ok to fall, toddlers building strength, toddlers gaining confidence, World Cup Gymnastics, World Cup Nursery School and Kindergarten

On the Occasion of 30 Years of World Cup: An Open Letter from Owner John Sabalja

November 10, 2023 by The Inside Press

To Our Wonderful Community,

It is with great pleasure that World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten and World Cup Gymnastics celebrate 30 years of serving our wonderful community. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to provide exceptional early childhood education and athletic training to children in the area.  We never would have endured without our supportive families and this wonderful community.

Our bright and welcoming facilities, along with our brilliant staff, teachers and coaches, have allowed us to achieve great successes, including the production of gymnastics champions and many successful graduates who have gone on to excel in elementary school and beyond. We firmly believe that the core of our success lies in our love of children and the joy they bring us every day. We are motivated by the desire to make a positive difference in each child’s life, and it is truly an honor to be able to do so.

Over three decades ago, our founders had a vision to build a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to child development, and we have continued to honor that vision every day since. What began as a modest gymnastics program with two preschool classrooms has grown into a highly regarded gymnastics complex, hosting a large boys and girls recreational program along with competitive teams that produce state, regional, national and Olympic champions. Our preschool program has also flourished, outgrowing its two classrooms and now housed in two buildings offering a renowned early childhood education program with 12 classrooms, indoor gyms, bicycle tracks, and two outdoor playgrounds.

We recognize the important role we play in the lives of the children we serve and are dedicated to providing a creative learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and supportive for all children. As part of our commitment to child development, we are constantly adapting to changes in the learning process and seeking professional development opportunities to ensure that our programs remain at the forefront of child development.  We also understand the importance of investing in our facilities and structures to support a viable future for our programs.  Our team is passionate about providing the best possible education and care for children and look forward to continuing to serve our children with excellence for many years to come.

We want to take this opportunity to wish Inside Press a happy 20th anniversary and thank them for helping us to spread the word about our wonderful programs through their local magazines and digital platforms. Once again, thank you to our Westchester communities for allowing us to be a part of your lives and for your continued support. We are grateful to have you part of our journey!

John Sabalja
Owner
World Cup Gymnastics & World Cup Nursery School & Kindergarten

Filed Under: Health and Wellness with our Sponsors Tagged With: 30th Year Anniversary, World Cup Gymnastics, World Cup Nursery School and Kindergarten

World Cup Gymnastics Athletes Sawyer Robertson and Victor Dyakin Take Home Bronze Medals at the 2023 Eastern DP National Championship

May 8, 2023 by Inside Press

World Cup Gymnastics’ finest competed April 28-30 at the 2023 Men’s Eastern Developmental Program National Championship held at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

Along with the Western Championship which took place in Galveston, TX, nearly 1,500 gymnasts competed in this prestigious event. 

Sawyer Robertson, of Mount Kisco, NY competed in the Men’s Level 7 Youth and took home the bronze medal for High Bar with a score of 10.85 and a 7th place medal on Floor with a score of 11.20.  He received a final medal by placing 8th All Around with a score of 64.55.  Teammate, Victor Dyakin from Scarsdale, NY, competed in the Men’s Level 7 and also took home a bronze medal for his work on Floor earning an 11.65 and an 8th place medal on Bars with an 11.35.  Stamford, CT resident Albert Sturhahn added to the collection with an 8th place medal on high bar with a score of 11.2.

Two other World Cup Gymnastics’ athletes, Gabriel Zybert of Pleasantville, NY and Ryan Englander of Scarsdale, NY did not take home medals but received a great deal of respect from their coaches and teammates for earning the right to compete at such a high level event.

“Brushing their nerves aside, the boys were able to complete their mission and perform their best routines of the year,” said Jason Hebert, Director of World Cup Gymnastics.  “We are so proud of all their hard work and dedication.  Winning medals at nationals is just the icing on the cake,” he added.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for 30 years and is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state.  They also offer mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics and tumbling for cheerleaders.  For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

News courtesy of World Cup Gymnastics

 

 

Filed Under: New Castle News, Sponsor News! Tagged With: Bronze, National Champions, Regional Champions, World Cup, World Cup Gymnastics, World Cup Gymnasts

World Cup Gymnasts Are All-Around Sliver Medalists

March 21, 2018 by The Inside Press

Binghamton, NY, March 16-18, 2018 – World Cup Gymnastics boys’ team competed this past weekend at the New York State Championship held at Chenago Valley High School in Binghamton, NY.  Over 400 gymnasts competed at this exciting event.

Level 10 boys had a great meet.   In particular graduating Senior, Miles Miller from Hartsdale, NY was the champion on Floor in the 17-18 age group with a 13.7001 and took home silver medals for Rings (13.7002), Parallel Bars (13.5002) and High Bar (13.5002).  He also was the All-Around silver medalist (80.5002). Teammate,  J.T. Basulto, also from Hartsdale, won on  Floor with a 13.3001 in the 15-16 age group and took home a silver medal for Parallel Bars (13.1002).   Although World Cup’s Level 10 Team vied for the first place title, in the end, they were proud of their third place finish.

Level 8 gymnast and National Team Member, Eli Osuna, from West Point was the champion on Rings with a 12.8001, on Parallel Bars (12.3502) and on High Bar (12.7001).  He also took home the silver All-Around medal.  “Eli tried a new vault routine at the competition and, although he didn’t nail it, we believe that true champions are those that have the guts to challenge themselves.  We applaud him for his courage,” said head coach, Jason Hebert.

Our youngest gymnast at age 7, Dylan Davenport, from Stamford, CT won Level 5 Rings with a 10.9001 and Vault (9.3001).  He also took home silver medals on Floor (10.4002) and Pommel Horse (10.7002) as well as placing fourth in the All-Around (59.0004).

“All of our gymnasts showed great focus and, moreover, demonstrated a remarkable desire to be successful.  Our Level 10 boys were especially motivated and driven and it showed in their outstanding performances.  We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements,” added Hebert.  The boys’ team now advance to the regional competitions.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for over 25 years.  It is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

Filed Under: Lifestyles with our Sponsors Tagged With: Athletes, boys, Gymnastics, World Cup, World Cup Gymnastics

World Cup Gymnast Scores a Perfect 10

December 9, 2017 by The Inside Press

CHAPPAQUA, New York–World Cup Gymnastics girls team kicked off the meet season at home during the Josh Ward Invitational state qualifying meet which was renamed this year in honor of one of their young coaches who passed away after a short battle with cancer.  

The World Cup gymnasts honored their coach by putting out some outstanding performances.  The highlight of the entire competition came from one of World Cup’s younger competitors, eight year old Emma Namba from Pelham, NY.  Namba scored World Cup’s first ever 10.0 on the Balance Beam!  To score a 10.0 is an extremely rare feat and speaks to how hard Emma has been practicing in the gym to achieve perfection!  Namba dominated the middle Level 3 competition by earning 1st place medals in each event including a 9.9 on Vault, a 9.7 on Bars, a 9.7 on Floor and secured the all-around first place title with a 39.3.  The Level 3 Team took home the first place trophy.

Other highlights of the meet included a sweep of the top all-around spots by World Cup gymnasts on the older Level 3 Team.  Lauren Chase of Pleasantville lead the pack with a 37.45 and placed 1st on Bars with a 9.25, 2nd on Vault with a 9.5 and 3rd on Beam with a 9.5.  Armonk native, Alexa Goldberg finished 2nd place all-around with a 36.95 and took home the first place medal on Vault with a 9.65 and 2nd place on Bars and Floor with a 9.15 and 9.35 respectively.  Olivia Selkin who hails from Greenwich, CT finished 3rd place all-around with a 36.75 and took home two 3rd place medals for Bars with a 9.05 and Floor with a 9.3.  Gabriela Olego of Mt. Kisco, who competes in the younger Level 3 division, finished 3rd in the all-around with a 37.75 and took home a 1st place medal in Floor with a 9.5 and two 3rd place medals on Bar and Beam with a 9.3 and 9.6 respectively.

The younger Level 4 girls also swept the top spots during the competition.  Mt. Kisco native, Amanda Olego was the all-around champion with a score of 37.075.  She also won 1st place on Bars with a 9.325, on Beam with a 9.250 and on Floor with a 9.8 and took 2nd place for Vault with an 8.7.   Teammate Grace McClullough from Pleasantville was 2nd place all-around with a score of 35.95 and placed 2nd on Bars with a 9.250.  Mt. Kisco native Sasha Goldman secured the 3rd place all-around medal with a 35.6.  The older Level 4 gymnasts Annika Murphy from Croton on Hudson took home the silver all-around medal with a score of 35.575 and earned a 2nd place medal on Bars with a 9.150 and on Beam with a 8.975 and a 3rd place medal on Vault with a 8.45.  Here teammate and Scarsdale native, Gordana Zimberg took home the bronze all-around with a 34.775 and placed 1st on Beam with a 9.15 and 2nd on Floor with a 9.25.  Senika Manchanda of Tarrytown, who competed as a middle level 4, took home the 3rd place, all-around medal with a 36.85 and 2nd place medals on Bars with a 9.575 and Beam with a 9.325.  The Level 4 team went home with the 2nd place trophy!

The younger level 5 all-around champion was Scarsdale native, Sofia Gisbert who earned a 36.250 and earned 1st place on Bars with an 8.85, on Beam with a 9.0 and a 2nd place medal on Floor with a 9.45.  Her teammate Eliana Chorost of Rye was the 2nd place, all-around champion with a score of 35.30.  Chorost also earned 2nd place on Vault with a 9.05 and 2nd place on Beam with an 8.85.  Older Level 5 gymnasts, Denise Kotronis of Hastings on Hudson was the 2nd place, all-around winner with a score of 34.475 and earned 1st place on Bars with an 8.15 and 2nd place on Vault with an 8.775.  Katonah native, Georgia Nekos was 3rd place, all-around with a score of 33.975 and won 1st place on Vault with an 8.825, 2nd place on Beam with an 8.55 and 3rd place on Bars with a 7.45.  The level 5 team came home with the 2nd place trophy.

Dani Halperin, who hails from Chappaqua, was 2nd place, all-around champion in the Level 6 junior competition earning a 37.30 all-around and taking home two 2nd place medals for Bars with a 9.15 and Beam with a 9.45.

Brooke Giardina of Waccabue, a level 7 senior competitor, was the 3rd place all-around champion earning a 36.275.  She also took home two 3rd place medals for Bars with a 9.3 and Beam with an 8.5.  Level 7 junior, Natalie Calman of Briarcliff, took the 2nd place all-around medal with a 37.15.  She also took home 1st place on Floor with a 9.825.  The Level 7 team took home the 2nd place trophy.

Level 8 Senior Madison Higgins of Bedford was the all-around champion with a score of 36.35 and received two 1st place medals for Vault and Bars with scores of 9.15 and 9.45 respectively and two 2nd place medals for Beam and Floor with scores of 8.45 and 9.3 respectively.

Pleasantville native, Katherine Colella who competed as a Level 8 Senior was the 2nd place, all-around medalist earning a score of 36.275.  She also was 1st on Bars with a 9.425, 2nd on Vault with a 9.05 and 3rd on Floor with a 9.6.

World Cup’s XCEL Platinum team was definitely feeling the home advantage when they outperformed other teams that had double and/or nearly triple the amount of competitors to take home the 1st Place Trophy with a score of 28.  XCEL junior competitor, Julia Hansburg from Bedford won the all-around with a 36.8 and received first place on Bars with an 8.9 and Floor with a 9.5.  She also placed 2nd on Vault.  Senior competitors Arielle Wilson of Pleasantville and Katherine Grimes of Croton on Hudson were the 1st and 2nd place all-around champions receiving scores of 37.95 and 37.8 respectively.  Wilson also placed first on Vault and Bars with a 9.8 and  a 9.65 and placed 2nd of Floor with a 9.2.  Grimes placed 2nd on Bars with a 9.5.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for over 20 years.

World Cup Gymnastics is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

Filed Under: Sponsor News! Tagged With: Emma Namba, gym, gymnastics competition, Josh Ward Invitational, qualify, state, team, World Cup Gymnastics

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