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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Gymnastics - what is expected at 4 years old?

36 replies

Humptydumpty85 · 13/06/2021 22:23

My daughter turned 4 last week and has recently taken up gymnastics - she's been going to a rec class for about 5 weeks now and absolutely loves it, talks about it all the time and is constantly practicing at home. The club sent out a message to say they were holding trials for the development group for her age and were interested in children with natural ability, strength and flexibility. But how do you know what is just average for a 4 year old and what is something above and beyond and suggests 'natural ability'?

Apparently they will be looking at their splits, bridges and chin ups - my little one hasn't ever really tried these skills before. Is it expected that a 4 year old be able to perform these, or would they just be seeing how close they are to mastering them? Due to covid we haven't been able to watch the sessions so I've no idea how she compares to others of her age and I've no experience of gymnastics so I'm not really sure what they expectations are for this age group!

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Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 18/06/2021 22:19

@ChocolateRiver that sounds like a good idea thanks, will see if there's anywhere near us that does that.

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ChocolateRiver · 17/06/2021 21:56

How about adding in some dance if she wants to do more? My dd is 5 and does Acro at her dance school (as well as other disciplines) which is a bit like gymnastics.

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 16/06/2021 13:49

Thanks @Rollerbird she did enjoy it which is the main thing!!
@Naughtyperson972 you're right, who knows where she'll be in a years time. She's only done a few weeks so far so I'm sure she'll grow in confidence and ability 😊

@Isadora2007 I don't think they have a display team, I'll look into it though. We did see that after the trial the gym was used by a cheer group, dd saw a few minutes as they started and thought it was fab! I know nothing about cheer and it sounds a bit cringy!! But the small bit I saw when collect g her did look a lot of fun! So maybe something else that might suit her.

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Rollerbird · 16/06/2021 13:20

It's good to hear she enjoyed it and you know you gave her a chance to try it.

Naughtyperson972 · 16/06/2021 13:15

I wouldn’t dwell on it too much OP, in my experience natural ability is usually identified by the coaches within the classes after a child has been going for a fair while, pretty much everyone is average when they first start. Give it a year and you never know.

Isadora2007 · 16/06/2021 13:03

Does your gym do a display team? She might enjoy that and it doesn’t require too high a skill level.
Also- enthusiasm and hard work is fundamental to gymnastics. So she’s already a natural there! 👏🏻

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 16/06/2021 11:59

We went to the trial last night (dd had no idea that it was a trial I just told her there was an extra gym session) she had a lovely time but we had an email today to say she's not been chosen. It's a shame but at least she's unaware of it!!

She'd love to do more sessions, not necessarily as a squad or anything, but just because she really loves them but it seems to only be an option for squad/development children at her gym. I think for now we'll just carry on enjoying the rec classes and maybe add trampolining or something similar in addition if she still wants to do more hours in future :)

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SouthLondonMommy · 15/06/2021 13:44

Its not unusual I think to do a trial.

The things they ask her to do in the trial might be different to what she'd be asked to do in the general class as it wouldn't be fun for the other children in the general class to be asked to do things that are beyond standard age ability.

If she loves it and would enjoy doing more then there is no harm having a go. Don't tell her its a trial though or make a big deal about it but I imagine you wouldn't anyway.

Rollerbird · 14/06/2021 22:37

Definitely send her.

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 22:26

@HGC2 that's amazing, sounds like she's doing really well! That might explain the trial situation then if the coaches are qualified to different levels.

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Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 22:20

@BFrazzled yes true. I'd be happy for her to go if she was accepted. I think the suggestion to treat it as an extra session and not mention it was a trial is a good one.

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HGC2 · 14/06/2021 22:19

My daughter started in rec and trialled for squad when she was 5, couldn’t do splits or anything. At the Rev classes the coaches are often not qualified to competition level whereas at my daughters gym the coaches at the trial are. It should be a fun session and she might just have what they are looking for!
For what it’s worth, my daughter competes or did pre covid, for her region. She’ll never get to the Olympic but has a strong friend group snd had leaned so much through the sport, let her try!

NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 22:14

No probs.

Let her just have fun.

She's only 4. If she shows promise and is competitive in nature then there's loads of time. I know they have to start young to get top notch but. 4.

Letting her enjoy it and learn new things and feel that sense of achievement when she does a new thing will increase her confidence for sure :)

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 22:09

Thanks @NiceGerbil :)

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BFrazzled · 14/06/2021 22:07

Nobody on this thread knows what your daughter can or cannot do. Coaches look for specific things that can only be seen in person. Otherwise they would have published explicit criteria like has to do two pull-ups and full split :) It is obviously your decision what activities you want her to attend (for reasons of own spare time, your money situation, what you think is healthy for her etc) - you don’t need to find excuses for that.

From your initial op it sounds like you would have liked her to go. I don’t see how it would knock down her confidence- she doesn’t need to know it’s “a trial” and kids are “chosen”.

NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 22:02

The other thing is that presumably there are trials at 5, 6, 7.

Let your DD enjoy it for now OP I think it's the right thing to do :)

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 22:02

Yes it's a club she already attends, I'm not sure the reason for holding a trial rather than selecting from the classes.

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Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 21:56

@BFrazzled thanks for your reply, but I think it's a bit of a leap to say I'm unsupportive of my daughter just because I don't automatically assume she's Olympic material! Obviously in my eyes she's the most perfect and talented little girl there, but going by what others have said on this thread it seems she's capable of what would be expected at 4 rather than being super advanced - absolutely nothing wrong with that in my opinion and I am very proud of her. I know that her confidence can easily be knocked and want to avoid that at the moment.

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NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 21:50

Huh?

OP says the trial is at the gym club the children attend. That's who the mail came from.

So they already know the children's capabilities.

The whole thing sounds strange.

BFrazzled · 14/06/2021 21:42

How can a child who is not even present (at a trial, activity, university exam) be noticed by anyone?

Of course this is not at all about attending a trial for a gym squad. It’s deciding that she is somehow ridiculous or “pushy” for even letting her child to attend, while she obviously sounds like she would be happy for her to be there if she was accepted.

NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 20:28

My parents weren't pushy and me and my brother both achieved in very different areas.

If s child has talent and the right attitude. They will be noticed. Giving the opportunities to try stuff is brilliant. So they can find out what they love etc. If anything!

Pushing is different. It's usually about the parents. Imo

NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 20:22

She's 4 Confused

Depending on her personality it could work out badly.

Some kids respond to bring pushed. Some react against it.

You need to know your children and what is best for them.

I still don't understand why they are doing trials if they are the club that teaches them. They already know which children have ability.

BFrazzled · 14/06/2021 19:40

OP, I am sorry, but you are very unsupportive of your daughter. You keep questioning her abilities, saying she is probably just average etc. She is just 4 year old! And you know nothing about gymnastics to be able to decide about her aptitude or lack thereof.

You will have no idea what she is capable of until you try (and try again if she fails, for other sport) Behind all these “talented” kids are pushy parents. You don’t get anywhere without support of your parents. I am telling it to you as one of them (with a child who got scholarships, was chosen for squads etc - we are all “pushy” there, in a sense that we encourage out kids to try and try. Not for the thing WE like, but to explore THEIR capabilities and passions.

This is not about gym squad or olympics, it’s a lesson for success in life. You shouldn’t care less if she is picked up for this squad but you should show her she HAS TO TRY!

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 18:04

@Duvetflower that's worth knowing thank you! Bet there was some serious disappointment if that wasn't made clear!

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Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 16:10

Thanks everyone 😊 I think having read what you've all said she is maybe just pretty average for a 4 year old (nothing wrong with that of course!) and probably not what they are looking for. It's a shame as it seems, at this gym at least, that this is the only way to do more sessions, compete or get more involved.

I did wonder why they don't just invite those that seem talented in the classes rather than hold a trial, I know nothing about gymnastics though and this seems to be the norm around here.

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