With the aid of parents and grandparents, four toddlers settle onto a wooden balance beam at The Little Gym as owner Randy McCoy strums a guitar and sings, "Sitting on the little brown pony, sitting, sitting all day long."

As the song continues, the youngsters learn to stand, jump, do a headstand and act like a wheelbarrow on the beam, all to McCoy's lively music and secure in the knowledge that their loved ones aren't going to let them fall.

It's a talent that McCoy and his wife and gym co-owner, Denise, have cultivated for nearly 25 years, starting in Bellevue, Wash. The Corvallis location opened at 958 N.W.Circle Blvd. in March and the staff of six includes the McCoys' two daughters, Brei, 23, and Kylee, 22, who grew up in the business. Their brother, Conor, will help with summer camp programs.

Randy McCoy earned a degree in physical education from Western Oregon University in 1985, but a desire to "become a rock star" took him to Seattle, Wash., where he played in a band until the couple's first child was born and full-time employment became a priority.

Robin Wes had founded The Little Gym concept in 1976 and was looking for someone with a physical education and music background. His theory is that children could gain physical, intellectual, emotional and social development in a noncompetitive, music-filled environment.

From one small gym, the company has grown into an international family of 300 franchises in 15 countries. McCoy is the director of curriculum, creating step-by-step age appropriate educational materials and music and training staff members in the USA and abroad.

The McCoys lived in Arizona, the company headquarters, for about 18 months, but decided to return to the Pacific Northwest. For a dozen years they operated "Gym on Wheels," taking gymnastics equipment and classes to various locations in the mid-valley.

"Corvallis wasn't big enough for a Little Gym franchise," McCoy said. "That is, until a new program for smaller markets was developed." A demographic study actually showed that Corvallis was in the top 10 communities where a Little Gym would fit.

Classes are held Monday through Saturday and summer camps are planned, McCoy said.

"We want children to learn at their own pace and to feel good about themselves," McCoy said. "It's a fun environment and they don't have to worry about being compared to others.'

There are very few "have to" requirements in classes for children under 3 years of age, McCoy said.

"We want them to be able to explore their environment at will," McCoy said. "There is suitable equipment and music for every grade level. About half of our staff play guitars."

Classes range from 45 minutes to one hour each, depending on age levels.

"Our goal is to make learning fun, whether we have two kids or 12 kids," McCoy said. "We want them to experience success and to develop confidence."

Tuition is $180 for 12 weekly classes. There's also a $35 annual fee per family.

At a recent class, Linda Edwards enjoyed helping her grandson, Nicholas Monroe, 20 months, of Philomath.

"He's an only child at this time and his mother thought it would be good for him to be around other kids," Edwards said. "He really loves it here."

Joya Euhus, 22 months, has no fear when it comes to trying new gymnastics moves, at least as long as her dad, former Oregon State University Beavers football player Tim Euhus, is around.

Wearing a purple shirt and pink shorts, Julia exclaimed, "ta-daa" as she let go of an uneven bar.

And even though the students are having fun, McCoy said the gym also focuses on quality gymnastics training.

"We do real gymnastics here," McCoy said. "All of our skills and activities are based on skill sets approved by USA Gymnastics and our grade-school routines meet Junior Olympics standards."

Class sizes are kept small, 14 maximum for the younger students and 16 for the older students.

The room is sanitized twice a day and all equipment is disinfected after every session, Denise McCoy said.

For more information about The Little Gym programs, call 753-0950.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.