ABOUT BABYGYM
In 2004 Dr Melodie de Jager wrote her first book for babies titled BabyGym – brain and body gym for babies, and in 2005 she developed the book into a stimulation programme with the same name. It wasn’t long before the need for Instructor training arose and in that same year the first group of BabyGym Instructors were trained in Irene, Gauteng. The growing demand for the BabyGym classes showed the book and programme were turning into a sustainable endeavor and so in 2005 the BabyGym Institute was founded and the name trademarked.
Over the years BabyGym has grown to reach more mothers and babies in more areas, and in different ways. Dr de Jager added more books to her list and developed the BabyGym programme to include: classes for expectant couples; classes for mothers, fathers and babies; milestone specific classes; nanny training; specialized sessions for babies with special needs; and most recently - Play Learn Grow (Birth to 3) workshops.
Today, the BabyGym Institute is known as a research and training Institute - located in Linden, Johannesburg. Dr de Jager’s work and vision continue to reach mothers and babies through the hands of the 50+ qualified and licensed BabyGym Instructors who work across South Africa and Namibia.
All BabyGym Instructor Training is presented by our knowledgeable and skilled Advanced Instructors: Cozette Laubser and Dr Lelani Brand-Labuschagne. Cozette joined the BabyGym Institute in 2007 and Lelani joined in 2013. Second to being Mom, being an Advanced BabyGym Instructor is the best job in the world!
Dr Melodie de Jager
Cozette Laubser
Dr Lelani Brand-Labuschagne
MEET THE MIND BEHIND BABYGYM
Dr Melodie de Jager B.Prim.Ed | B.Ed Psych | M.Ed Psych | D.Phil
Dr Melodie de Jager is a Developmental Specialist, Educator, Keynote Speaker and a widely published Author. In fact, many of her books are prescribed reading at tertiary level in South Africa and abroad. The title of Dr de Jager's doctorate was: An Evaluation of Movement to Promote Whole Brain Learning.
Her work as the founder of the Mind Moves Institute includes the following programmes in applied neuroscience: BabyGym®, Mind Moves®, Mind Dynamix Profiling® and Senior Mind Moves®.
Her ground-breaking research over the past 38 years has been acknowledged internationally with:
• the Visions of the Future Award;
• her nomination by the American Biographical Institute as one of the Greatest Women of the 21st Century;
• and more recently in 2019 - an invitation to collaborate with a Russian Neurologist to write a series of books to address: ADHD, Autism and Learning Support.
The golden thread running through Dr Melodie de Jager's body of work may be best described as: Promoting the importance of physical development to optimise brain development and performance - from the first breath, to the last..