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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!

OP posts:
Duvetflower · 14/06/2021 15:54

One thing to be aware of is that some gyms have different 'squads'. At my DDs gym at that age they have (I can't remember the terms they use) a proper squad for the talented little girls who are throwing themselves all over the place and leaping into splits. Then there's another 'squad' that anyone who tries out is invited to join which is basically for keen kids/pushy parents.

There's nothing wrong with this but I wanted to mention it as it isn't clear when it's done and I've seen lots of parents spending a fortune on lessons and tired kids doing lots of classes thinking they've got an olympic gymnast on their hands.

Rollerbird · 14/06/2021 12:43

On the back of the above. Don't tell her it's a trial. Just an extra fun gym class to go to.

Rollerbird · 14/06/2021 12:41

I think that they shouldn't let the children feel like they are failing at the trial.
As far as the children know it should feel fun. The coaches will be marking it down privately (ime)

NiceGerbil · 13/06/2021 23:34

'She's having lots of fun doing the rec class anyway but I know she'd like to do more. I don't want to set her up to fail at a trial as her confidence is easily knocked!'

Ok.
IMO.

don't mention it to her and don't put her forward.

Let her enjoy it.

NiceGerbil · 13/06/2021 23:33

It seems odd they're doing this when presumably they already know which children have aptitude.

I mean I'd have expected them to quietly invite those who died showed promise.

It also seems odd they have published what they will be looking for.

The children are 4!!!

In all honesty I'd be wondering what they were playing at.

Possibly encouraging untrained pushy parents to try to get them doing the splits etc?

An open thing so again pushy parents will put them in and what if they don't make the grade?

It seems peculiar to me.

Unless I've got the wrong end of the stick OP?

Thatswatshesaid · 13/06/2021 22:58

Ask her gym coach they tell you if she’s got a shot.

Thatswatshesaid · 13/06/2021 22:57

They usually want strong, flexible and brave. For 4 years old that would probably be splits or close to it, being able to do a chin up or 2 and not being scared to try things like cartwheels. They shouldn’t be doing bridge with 4 year olds though it’s not recommended until older.

Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 13/06/2021 22:53

Haha MustardRose neat sounds much better than anything I could ever achieve anyway!! I don't think dd can do the splits or anything super impressive like that so maybe this is not for her. She's having lots of fun doing the rec class anyway but I know she'd like to do more. I don't want to set her up to fail at a trial as her confidence is easily knocked!

OP posts:
Original poster
Humptydumpty85 · 13/06/2021 22:46

Thanks Rollerbird I think you're right, we'll just give it a try. I was just concerned about putting her forward as talented if she's not, that I might look like a pushy parent or that she might feel out of her depth at the trial - but I'm probably just over thinking it! They've not mentioned anything about the hours involved so I've no idea what to expect there either. She's a brave and agile little thing and a good climber, but then I think a lot of 4 year olds are!

OP posts:
MustardRose · 13/06/2021 22:44

You know how some people can do the splits easily and some never can, they could practice forever and it would still be impossible? It is the kids with natural facility, balance and co-ordination they will be looking for. My dd1 did tots gym for a year or so and she wasn't very good, but the teacher at one point said "She's neat, I'll say that for her - and you can't teach neat". It was about the only thing she was good at gym-wise. Grin

Rollerbird · 13/06/2021 22:29

Just go if she and you want to and they will be used to assessing potential.
Who isn't scared maybe, who listens, runs fast, etc.
If she's picked it will be increasingly long hours and expense at a young age and a lot of basic stuff compared to recreation classes as they concentrate on strength and good basics first rather than fun 'tricks'.
If she is picked she can try it and see what you both think?