A group of 2- to 5- year-olds in one room running, jumping and flipping sounds like chaos. Hopkinton’s Columbia Hall is filled with just that twice every Thursday, except with one catch. It’s organized chaos.

That’s how Sara Greene, instructor for the Recreation Department’s Tumbling Tots program, describes her class.

When the class began nearly two months ago, Robin Lambatos of Hopkinton was a part of a small group, as the nanny came with Trigue Thomas, 15 months, and Travis Thomas, 3.

The three were the only ones in the Oct. 18 inaugural class. Things have changed.

During the Thursday, Nov. 29, class, 19 toddlers were able to learn some acrobatic techniques from Greene, who has traveled worldwide as a circus performer. But that number doesn’t count the children not old enough to take part in the class who still were allowed in on the action.

“The program has gradually picked up a lot, thanks in part to word of mouth,” said Recreation Director Justin La Vigne, who brought the idea for the program from his former job.

“I met Sara about three months ago, and she has been so great for the program. I hope she stays for a while.”

Greene, who worked for Cirque du Soleil as well as circuses as far away as Australia, has brought some techniques to a different kind of exercise.

“I am going based on the same approach I am going to teach my child. I want to encourage the children to be aware of their bodies and learn some sense of balance,” said Greene, whose specialty circus performance is the trapeze. “They are able to get the idea of what their body can do and how to control it.”

Robin Lambatos has already seen an impact on Travis Thomas, whom she has brought to the class every week since it began.

“Travis loves it. During the week, he always asks to go and see Sara. When we first came, he didn’t necessarily have the attention span for it, and he just kind of wanted to run around,” she said. “Every week, every class, he has become more and more involved.”

Another benefit of the course is the introduction to the classroom environment it provides many of the children.

“The part I like most about the class is how the children have to listen to instruction,” said Jenn Clifford, who has come to the class four or so times with her son, Devin, and daughter, Brenna. “They learn to wait in line and wait their turn in addition to getting exercise. They look forward to coming every week.”

The exercise in a key component to the program while getting children moving at a young age.

“It’s really good to see them interact with children their own age,” said Audrey Kincaid of Hopkinton, who brought her grandson, Andrew McCarthy, 4, to the Nov. 29 class. “It helps set them up with a healthy lifestyle down the road.”

The class improves the children’s motor skills and helps them with social interaction with children of different ages, said La Vigne.

“They’re able to exert energy, which is important especially during the winter months when they can’t go outside all the time,” he said. “It’s a big part of society trying to get kids out instead of in front of the television. If they get moving at a young age they are going to keep moving.”