Aerobics   For the past 10 years, Montgomery Nursery School has had an aerobics program which is taught by a certified aerobics instructor. Starting in September, our four and five year old classes have an aerobics class led by an aerobics instructor every other Tuesday. At the beginning of January, our three year old classes also have aerobics every other Tuesday.    We have made aerobics part of our curriculum because we want children to learn that exercise is not only important, but can also be lots of fun!  Activities in aerobics include a series of warm-up exercises (including Xs and pencils-our jumping jacks), moving to music, basic ball skills, balance beam, beginning tumbling, jogging, running relays and obstacle courses, group games and the ever popular parachute!   Most importantly, the children learn to love exercise and see how important it is to stay physically fit. Our instructor, Kelly Brielmaier, teaches them the names of the muscles they are using. They learn the importance of using these muscles in fun and creative ways! At the end of each year, we celebrate our aerobics program with our very own Olympics.   Of course, when they do not have aerobics each class has thirty minutes of large muscle play either outside or in the gym depending on the weather.             Exercises to practice at home:   Xs and Pencils - Jumping Jacks Potty Sits - Straight back; arms out straight; bend at the knees like you are sitting down Flies – Bend at the waist, hands hanging toward feet; raise arms and make flying motion; push backward with arms Shrugs – Make shrugs with shoulders (If you have small weights, let them hold them in each hand.) Roll-ups – Lay flat on the floor and roll up like a ball; try to touch either his knees or toes