GymbaROO Partners with La Trobe After Successful Student Placements
Early childhood development program GymbaROO has announced a new partnership with La Trobe University, after physiotherapy students from the university’s Bundoora campus completed successful placements inside GymbaROO classes as part of their paediatric clinical training.
During the pilot, students analysed early movement patterns and collaborative interventions by observing children under five in GymbaROO’s neuroscience-backed, movement-based classes. A key focus was movement observation as a means of improving neural development outcomes for young children. This is an area of growing importance in pediatric physiotherapy that is rarely accessible through traditional clinical training.
GymbaROO, which has been delivering programs grounded in early childhood neuroscience research for more than 40 years, says the partnership reflects its longstanding commitment to community and to the professionals who work alongside young children and families.
Corina Vucic, GymabROO CEO said: “We are pleased to give the La Trobe University students a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the quality of Australia’s pediatric health workforce through real-world experience.
Our families and centres reflect what’s at the heart of our programs: community and education. They welcomed the students with open arms to give the students valuable experience in developing their confidence working with children and families as future professionals in this field.”
Marlena Calo, Director of Clinical Education, Physiotherapy, La Trobe University said: Our partnership with GymbaROO has created a valuable bridge between learning and community experience for our physiotherapy students. By welcoming students into such positive, play-based environments, GymbaROO families and staff are helping develop future physiotherapists who feel more confident, connected and prepared to work with children and their caregivers.”
Following the success of the pilot, GymbaROO and La Trobe University will look to continue the placement program, creating new and ongoing opportunities for allied health students to observe real-world paediatric movement and neuroscience in action.