Mother-daughter duo Laurie Hanahan and Christy Dunbar are the owners of the new Little Gym of Vancouver. (Brittany Karlin)Photo Gallery
Christy Dunbar fell in love with The Little Gym when she got the opportunity to serve as an instructor at a location in Gainesville, Va.
The Little Gym is an internationally recognized child development program combining music and movement. Founded in gymnastics skills, it develops physical, cognitive and social skills in children ages 12 or younger.
With a master’s degree in public health and a passion for community education, Dunbar was drawn to the gym’s purpose of encouraging children to stay curious, actively explore their imaginations, and learn new cooperative skills.
But, when her family relocated to Vancouver, she was disappointed to find that there wasn’t a Little Gym operating here.
That’s when Dunbar and her mother, Laurie Hanahan, decided to become business partners and open Little Gym of Vancouver. The facility, at 3000 S.E. 164th Ave., had its grand opening on Jan. 15.
The duo cite Clark County’s friendly and connected community as a huge part of their motivation. Families here know each other well and welcome any program that provides fun for kids.
The local culture of charity and giving have also been a welcome perk to operating out of Vancouver. “We have so many amazing nonprofits and organizations that support families here,” Dunbar said. “We love the opportunity to give back to our community.”
In addition to leading classes, Dunbar works with staff to develop skills and metrics for their professional careers while training them to become class leaders.
Staff works with children as young as 4 months. Classes allow children to make their own decisions as they explore and build confidence at their own pace. In a world where children are often given restrictions and told to “grow up,” The Little Gym encourages them to be silly and to enjoy being kids.
The team’s ultimate goal is to provide a safe place for children to grow without pressure or preconceived expectations, Dunbar said. They employ a three-dimensional curriculum that provides students with the opportunity to build confidence for whatever comes next.
Hanahan and Dunbar say the biggest challenge in their line of work is always when the time comes to say goodbye to students and their families after they’ve aged out of the program. Having families move on is bittersweet, but the team looks forward to the day when former students will bring their own children into the gym.
Despite the challenges they face, the duo are always grateful for the work they get to do every day. “There is never enough time to be a kid,” they say. “We are thrilled to provide a space for children to just be children.”
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