How can I help my daughter learn cartwheels/splits?

[BonnieBonnieBanks]

My daughter is 7 and she is absolutely desperate to learn how to do a cartwheel and the splits.

she’s not that far off, but she’s been working on it for ages and seems to have stalled. All her pals seem to be able to do this effortlessly (I can do neither and have never been able to, I am as stiff as a board).

She’s on waiting list for gymnastics but no spaces as yet.

is this something they can actually learn? Or can some kids just do this sort of thing while others can’t? Is it just a case of stretching and practising?

YouTube is your friend, we learnt cartwheels during lockdown. I'd be more careful with the splits though as it can cause serious issues if you do too much too soon.

Agree with YouTube and with the splits take it slowly and use lots of cushions!!!

D2 watched YouTube and just did chartweels!
Leave splits to class.

The most important thing about a cartwheel is that it is a wheel not a plonk. Ie put one hand down at a time.

With splits it is just a case of gently practicing every day.

I could never do cartwheels (or handstands), and am in awe of anyone who can but I never had gymnastic aspirations.

The splits I could do, gently, under water in the swimming baths. I don't know if that counts.

For splits, she needs to learn positioning so that her hip joints can open fully, rather than catching, and to be aware of not overaching her lower back, as that reduces the range of movement. It's not as much stretching as being able to hinge. Lunge positions are a start (always controlled, never trying to force it).

For cartwheels, she needs upper body and core strength, so learning to do shoulder stands, headstands with bent and then 90 degree legs will help, followed by kicking up into a supported handstand and coming back down again.

Look for your local cheerleading club (allstar not dance) they will teach them all the tumbles.