When Should My Child Start Gymnastics?

As a coach and judge I am often asked by parents when the best time to start gymnastics is. My answer is always the same... any time is the best time to start.

All children benefit from gymnastics - whether they're preschoolers learning their first forward roll, or seasoned competitors learning sportsmanship.

Choosing the appropriate type and level class for your child is more important than when they start. The right class will set them up for success by teaching them the fundamental movements required in later levels of gymnastics.

Each gym will have it's own way of naming and dividing gymnastics classes, but let's cover the basics.

Recreational gymnastics is exactly what it sounds like - gymnastics for recreation and fun. That doesn't mean recreational classes are all fun and games, though. Especially above the lowest levels, recreational gymnasts work really hard to gain some impressive skills.

Recreational gymnastics classes are usually offered in a group setting. Groups are usually split by age or ability with age guidelines. This gives parents some idea of where to star their gymnast in gymnastics classes.

Tumbling

In general, tumbling classes focus on specifically, only tumbling skills. Tumbling skills are usually floor skills such as roundoffs, handsprings and flips.

Gymnasts in tumbling classes usually don't work on vault, bars or beam skills, and focus on floor and trampoline tumbling skills.

A beginner tumbling class may teach roundoffs and back handsprings, while an advanced tumbling class may be working on front aerials or back layouts. While exact skills depend on the gym, in general, tumbling classes focus on floor acrobatic skills.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics classes (especially at the intermediate and above levels) usually include work on the four women's events of vault, bars, beam and floor. Some gyms include training on trampoline, rings or parallel bars to strengthen gymnasts skills.

In general, recreational gymnasts don't compete, although some gyms have rec teams that compete in fun or league meets. These are usually unsanctioned meets with other local clubs.

Gymnastics is about movement, so kids have been studying it since they were born. As they learn how to walk and move their bodies, they gain strength, flexibility and confidence.

Classes for very young children (under the age of 2) are usually movement focused. They build movement skills and help children become comfortable rolling, crawling and walking on different surfaces.

Children as young as two years old benefit from gymnastics classes geared toward new walkers with a supportive parent. Classes for young toddlers should be geared toward gaining movement and developing walking skills. Often, jumping, climbing, crawling and rolling are beginning skills worked on in preschool classes designed for the ages of 2 to 3.

As the child's muscles and skeleton more fully develop, rolling on mats, jumping, crawling and climbing are often added as fun activities. For three year olds, gymnastics classes may be the child's first experience with a teacher or coach, and other children in a group setting. Gymnastics classes for this pre-school age should be designed to encourage proper movement, while catering to the social development needs of preschool children. Preschoolers rarely sit still, and they rarely want to watch someone do something. They're very hands-on and want to experience life! Well designed gymnastics classes for preschoolers understand their desire to be constantly moving, while keeping them safe.

Adding skills such as swinging, jumping and balancing helps develop new skills. Children benefit from learning body positions such as tuck, pike or star - which will be used later in multiple skills.

By the time children reach age 4, gymnastics classes can add more progressions to build skills. Gymnasts may work on cartwheels, handstands, trampoline skills, or learning skills on the beam. With improved strength and flexibility, kids pick up skills quicker at this age.

They're also better at listening and can be expected to handle games with more than one task involved. Partner games can be introduced as they learn how to work together.

Once most children reach age 5, they're able to work on proper progressions and practice skills to mastery. Common beginning gymnastics skills include rolls, handstands, cartwheels, roundoffs, bridges, kick-overs, walkovers, limbers, leaps, jumps, and turns.

Moving up from preschool classes usually means new expectations for both the gymnast and the family. There's a huge difference of expectations between a class designed for three-year olds and a beginner gymnastics class designed for ages 5 and up.

Once the gymnast is no longer in preschool classes, they may be expected to participate independently.

In the gym, they will be expected to listen to their coach. They will need to be able to take instruction. They need to be able to resist the temptation to play on the other equipment when they're not allowed to.

Keeping kids safe in a gym isn't easy and it's imperative that kids listen to their coaches to keep them safe.

If your child can't listen to their coach, they shouldn't be in an independent class - but they can still do gymnastics. If a preschool class is too young, look for a private lesson or special needs class to make them more comfortable and safer.

Once your child can independently listen to their coach, they're ready to take independent group gymnastics lessons.

No, it's never too late to start gymnastics.

While most competitive gymnasts start in elementary school or younger, any age can start gymnastics, especially in classes geared toward beginners.

There are classes for all ages, abilities and disciplines. There are beginner classes designed for children that have never set foot in a gym. If your child has some experience or skills, they may qualify for an intermediate class. If you’re not sure what level your child should be in class, check with your specific gym. Each gym handles recreational classes and levels differently. But in all recreational gymnastics classes, children should start learning the basics and fundamental skills of gymnastics.

We've only covered a small fraction of types of gymnastics classes. Artistic gymnastics (like we’ve described) is just one type of gymnastics. There are acrobatic, trampoline and rhythmic gymnasts too. There are classes for aerial and silk gymnasts. There is really something out there for everyone. You may have to look for a gym, or find for the right opportunity, but it's out there.

Now go find it.