Many parents and grandparents wonder if it is a good idea for their toddler to participate in gymnastics lessons.
The answer to this question is a resounding Yes! Some local gyms offer classes for babies starting at only 4 months old. Once your child is closer to a year old, they can begin learning to tumble and do small activities on the bars/beam.
Many people wonder if boys should participate in gymnastics. They absolutely should! Gymnastics can be highly rewarding for both girls and boys. Many boys participate in gymnastics as a way to improve their skills in other sports such as baseball, football and basketball.
Gymnastics is a wonderful way for your toddler to grow not only physically, but also mentally and socially. There are many benefits that will help your toddlers’ young mind and body develop.
Self Esteem and Confidence
Participating in gymnastics is a wonderful way to help your child’s self-esteem and their confidence level. No matter the age, your child’s gymnastics classes will have daily or weekly goals to meet. Working toward and meeting these goals will help your child’s self-esteem immensely.
They will be praised when they meet their goals and be given positive feedback when more work is to be done. Having small goals and meeting them is a great way to grow your young child’s mind and outlook on life.
Your child will also gain more self-esteem and confidence in terms of their body image. Instructors realize that this is important in every child’s life, even at such a young age. Gymnastics lessons can help your child feel comfortable in their own skin.
Good Sportsmanship
Primarily, gymnastics is an individual sport. Gymnastics may have teams but each individual member is scored individually. While taking lessons or working on routines, each child is working in a team environment.
While in this type of environment, your child will learn the principles of good sportsmanship. Children will cheer each other on and provide a positive impact on each other. Small children will learn early on that everyone is working towards the same goal.
Improved Skills in Other Sports
Is your child already showing interest in team sports such as baseball, softball or football? Do you dream of your little one being the next Super Bowl MVP? If so, gymnastics can be a great activity for them to participate in.
Gymnastics can improve your child’s strength, flexibility and endurance. It also helps with goal setting and decision making. These are all things that can help your child in other sports that they may choose to participate in later.
Improved Health
Your child can benefit greatly in terms of their health when participating in gymnastics. Being active every day is important for growing children.
Regular gymnastics lessons can help your child get into a healthy routine of exercise. This wonderful habit can carry over into adulthood, continuing the healthy benefits. Gymnastics can also help your child maintain proper and healthy bodyweight.
Social Skills
Social skills are integral in every stage of life. Your toddler can learn early social skills in gymnastics classes. Your child will be learning the physical lessons of gymnastics, all while learning to socialize properly with others.
If you start your child into gymnastics when they are a few months old, they will already be socializing on the mat together. The teachers will work with them in small steps, all while getting to know other children.
This can especially be great for slightly older children who are not around many other kids their age. Homeschooled children and children participating in virtual learning do not have as many chances to socialize. Gymnastics lessons are the perfect time for learning their new skills, all while making new friends.
Strength and Power
One of the main physical benefits of gymnastics is increased strength and flexibility.
Your main purpose of putting your toddler in gymnastics will probably not be for improving their strength. Over time, your child’s body will become stronger after participating in this very physically demanding activity.
As your child progresses in gymnastics, they will be supporting their own body weight for many positions and activities. This newfound strength can come in especially useful in other individual and team sports.
FUN!
Most importantly, your toddler will have FUN in gymnastics! They will make lots of new friends in their instructors and classmates. Your little one will look forward to the lessons and playing with their friends.
Toddlers are happiest when they are running around and playing with other children. Gymnastics classes will allow your toddler to do this and learn a valuable skill at the same time.
Not only will your toddler be having fun, so will you. You will enjoy watching them work on their new skills and enjoying themselves with their peers. Your child will also be excited to show you what they are learning. Be sure to cheer them on and give them lots of praise.
What Will My Child Learn in Gymnastics Lessons?
Exact routines and programs will vary with your local gyms, but many follow some basic principles.
Many gyms will arrange their kid-friendly equipment in a type of obstacle course. As a toddler, your child will learn very basic gymnastics skills initially. The teacher will focus on balancing, rolling and jumping. To begin with, many teachers will do small, warm-up exercises with the children. After they have a warm-up period, the actual lessons will start. Some teachers will have the children sit in a large circle and work on the movements together.
Instructors know that children do not have long attention spans and classes will be taught accordingly. Most teachers will give very short and simple instructions.
Be sure to watch your child closely during class. You can practice these new skills with your child at home. Very young children will need a parent with them during class. Each parent will help and work with their child as the instructor leads the class. Some activities that parents may help with include climbing on small ladders, galloping, walking on a small balance beam, crawling through tunnels, swinging on rings, jumping on small trampolines, forward roll on the mat, jumping off a low step and completing bear walks.
As you can see, there are many benefits to your child participating in gymnastics at an early age. Check with your local gyms and schools for possible options for your child. If you choose to start your toddler in gymnastics lessons, they will be on their way to multiple benefits to shape their young bodies and minds.