Gymnastics and trampolining is lots of fun and we’re sure you already know that it’s fantastic for your child’s physical development, but it’s also great for so many other reasons. In case you need a little convincing here’s our top twenty why your child should give it a go…..
Following directions.
Gymnastics teaches kids to follow multi-stepped directions. Going around the obstacle course and remember what to do at each station plays a vital role in gymnastic training.
Independence.
Your child will learn how to deal with separation as they attend a class by themselves. If your child’s soon starting school, adjusting to new and different situations is a very important skill to learn.
Following safety rules.
Listening to instructions of how to keep yourself safe in the gym helps children learn how to follow rules for personal safety, whether at home or school.
Patience.
No one likes waiting, especially 3, 4 and 5 year olds! Standing in line for short periods of time and containing your excitement as you wait for your turn on the trampoline or for a piece of gymnastic kit can really help with developing patience.
Working co-operatively.
From partner drills to moving a mat together, gymnastics teaches kids to work together for a common reason.
Responsibility in cleaning up.
Learning to put your carpet spot or cartwheel mat back into a pile is an important skill and one that many parents will be grateful to have their child master next time there’s Legos all over the house!
Reasoning and resolve.
It’s not easy when you don’t get to be first, or you don’t get the pink poly spot, or you are unable to stand next to your favourite friend in line. Gymnastics teaches these lessons and helps children learn appropriate ways to resolve issues.
Appropriate social interaction.
Having good manners and speaking in a respectful way is an important life skill for children to learn. Gymnastics classes helps a child learn to treat the teacher with respect and how to navigate the social dynamics with their peers.
Persistence.
Gymnasts have try and try again to achieve even the simplest of skills. Gymnastics helps teaches kids to stay with an activity until it’s completed.
Discipline.
Listening, respect for rules and patience leads to discipline. When a child has the basics of discipline, self-discipline is the next step on the ability to self-regulate behaviour.
Coordination.
Gymnastics is the basis of all sports and the building blocks for athletic pursuits down the line are laid in gymnastics.
Asking for help.
Young gymnasts learn how to ask for help from their coach and their classmates.
Coping with jealousy.
Children learn skills at different rates; some learn to do a tumble more quickly than others, run a race faster or be chosen to lead the line for the day, and your child will not like it. Gymnastics class gives your child an opportunity to cope with those difficult feelings and express them appropriately.
Character.
Gymnastics stresses the importance of doing the right thing, even when the teacher isn’t looking. Preschool gymnasts begin developing this important skill in class.
Resilience.
A four year old falling down and getting back up while trying to master a cartwheel is learning resilience and the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Grit.
The determination to keep trying in order to achieve a goal is what helps lay the groundwork for achievement in children, and educators around the world understand the relationship between achievement and grit. Watching that same resilient four year old persist at learning a cartwheel is laying the groundwork for a child who possesses grit.
The value of effort.
Gymnastics is not an easy sport. However, if children try hard they will see progress and they’ll learn to understand the relationship between effort and success.
Ambition.
Setting lofty goals and believing that you have the capacity to reach them is at the core of ambition. Watching older kids fly around the gym and thinking that someday, if you work hard, that you too will be able to do that, is the beginning of ambition.
Courage.
Gymnastics can be a scary sport, but it’s only when children are pushed out of their comfort zone that they have the opportunity to develop courage. Courage is not only being brave when we fear something but also a trait to call upon when we have to do something that we do not wish to do and is a great skill to equip children for life.
Self-confidence.
A child who develops all of these traits also develops self-confidence, with a strong belief in their selves. If your child is able to go to a class on their own, follow the rules and directions, get along with their peers, understand about what’s involved in learning a new skill and that failing is ok because you are ambitious, have courage and grit is the making a rounded and self-confident child.
Chilwell Olympia beginner sessions are as follows:
Trampolining:
Monday and Thursdays 5.00 – 5.55pm
Gymnastics:
Wednesdays: 4.00 -4.55pm and Fridays 5.00 – 5.55pm
Little Leapers
Wednesdays: 9.30 -10.15am
Saturdays: 9.30 – 10.15am and 10.30 -11.15am
Parent and Leaper
Wednesdays 10.30 – 11.15am
We do operate a waiting list for all sessions. Further details of all courses can be found here.
Kimberley Leisure Centre.
Trampolining:
Tuesdays
Beginners 5pm & 6pm
Intermediates 5pm, 6pm & 7pm
Advanced 6pm & 7pm
Academy 7pm
Thursdays
Advanced 4:15pm
Gymnastics:
Tuesdays
Age 4-6 Beginners 4:15-5:15pm
Age 6+ Beginners 5:15-6:15pm
Intermediates 6:15pm
Advanced 7:15pm
Thursdays
Age 4-6 Beginners 4:15-5:15pm
Age 6+ Beginners 5:15-6:15pm
Pre-School Gymnastics:
Mondays
1:30-2:15pm
We do operate a waiting list for all sessions. Further details of all courses can be found here.
