Gymnastics FUNdamentals
As toddlers become preschoolers, their brains and bodies get ready for a wave of discovery and new experiences. Learning gymnastics skills in a positive, nurturing environment can be an incredible confidence-builder, along with providing benefits to physical, emotional, and social development.
In this class, children are introduced to the widest possible variety of gymnastics tailored to their age and abilities. Students are taught to focus, build strength and flexibility, and have awareness of correct body positioning. The class is both challenging and rewarding as it is geared towards individual advancement for each child based on his or her specific abilities.
Age Range:
3.5 – 5 years
Parent Involvement:
Observing
Skill Goals:
Building strength and flexibility, learning correct body positioning
Class Duration:
50 minutes
A typical class:
Gymnastic class begins after a few minutes of open play in the gym. We come together to warm up, starting with cardiovascular activities like practicing different gymnastics jumps such as tuck, straddle, and pike, and full twist jumps. Stretching is next with instructors making sure students are learning correct positions along with the importance of flexibility.
Once warmed up and stretched, students practice handstands, bridges, and tumbling as a class. During this time, instructors walk around the class to help students one-on-one in areas needed.
After this rigorous opening workout, we provide a few minutes for the children to take a break, get some water, go to the bathroom, before beginning our gymnastics skills for that week.
Each week, class includes two or three different gymnastics skills for the children to learn and practice. Students are spilt into smaller groups to work individually with an instructor, rotating to the next skill once each child has had his or her chance to attempt the previous skill and get instruction. We cycle regularly through all the different gymnastics apparatus, floor, and tumbling skills. Occasionally, students may be grouped to accommodate different ages and experience levels at a specific skill.
Class typically ends with a cool down workout that may include handstands, sit-ups, leg lifts, or a fun race.