An internationally recognized child development program offering 'serious fun' and socialization for kids opened Sept. 14 in Dripping Springs.
The Little Gym of Dripping Springs, owned and operated by local entrepreneur and mother Lucia Eraña, aims to provide movement-based learning for young children. A former Little Gym customer herself, Eraña enrolled her premature son, Luka, in parent/caregiver classes to help him reach developmental milestones.
“I come from an education background, so I understand the importance of early intervention,” Eraña said. “I started looking for a program that could help build Luka’s core strength—not something like physical therapy, but something more recreational. That’s when I found The Little Gym.”
Eraña said the classes had a significant impact on Luka’s development.
“As a former customer, I’ve seen firsthand the positive effect The Little Gym has on both children and their parents,” she said. “When I started thinking about opening my own location, I realized there was nothing like it in the area. After talking to local moms, they agreed this would be a fantastic addition to their families.” With a nine-year background in teaching and working with children, Eraña is passionate about early childhood development. Her daughter, now 23 and on the autism spectrum, is pursuing a degree in child development at Texas State, inspired by her mother’s work.
“Heather is amazing with kids, and volunteers at our church nursery. She's awesome with them. I mean, like she's just, she's got that calling, and I love that about her. And so when we were looking at this business because of how it helped Luka, I also saw a place for her to possibly be able to have a job that she enjoys and that she feels like she contributes and is valued,” Eraña said.
Lucia and her husband Luis live in Driftwood with their three children, Heather 23, Luka 3 and a newborn 7 month-old Isadela Pilar.
The Little Gym of Dripping Springs offers classes designed to be a springboard for life’s adventures. Programs focus on movement- based learning and imaginative play to improve coordination, listening, and intellectual skills. Popular classes include Parent/Caregiver & Child sessions, which foster motor and so-cial-skill development, and preschool and grade school gymnastics, which teach tumbling and apparatus techniques using positive reinforcement. The gym also offers themed “Awesome Birthday Bashes,” featuring instructor-led games and music.
With nearly 400 locations in 31 countries, The Little Gym teaches children social and physical skills appropriate to their developmental stages. Its mission is to build the foundation for lifelong success. Using a proprietary philosophy called Three-Dimensional Learning, the program supports growth in physical, cognitive, and socialemotional areas, helping children build selfconfidence.
The Little Gym of Dripping Springs is located at 1055 Kibo Ridge Dr., Building 2, Suite 203, off Highway 290, below the Headwaters neighborhood. The gym is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information or to enroll your child, call (512) 501-4046 or visit thelittlegym.com/ texas-dripping-springs.
