The value of gymnastics for preschool children

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As the mother of an ex-gymnast, I've always encouraged people to take their kids to a babygym class, even if they aren't ever going to be amazing gymnasts. This article explains why really well.
annejosephson.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/20-reasons-your-preschooler-should-do-gymnastics-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-learning-gymnastics/

Did you write it? Or is it advertising your services by any chance?

No I didn't write it! I've got nothing whatsoever to do with gymnastics other than enjoying watching it on Tv, and being a gym Mum when my dd was taking part. What a strange question!

I've seen posts on here where parents are looking for ideas for what sports to get their children into. If you're not familiar with gymnastics you might believe it all to be about high level participation, but this article highlights quite well what else is involved.

What a load of smug twaddle!

DD2 learnt most of that stuff at nursery and both DDs learnt it at preschool and at home.

DD2 does do gymnastics having taken it up much later and it's an amazing activity for teaching perseverance, courage and resilience if you find you can do it, but most toddlers would rather be running around rather than waiting their turn and practicing anything formal

it's not a strange question at all! On MN we often get spammed by people wanting to advertise their businesses. And your OP was worded oddly. It was a statement about you, then an article link to expand. Most people just share their OWN feelings. Or if they link to an article about something, they expand in their OP anyway.

It's a link to a blog, not a business.

I mentioned that my daughter was a gymnast and that I encourage other people to take their dc to gymnastics, not to any particular gymnastics, just any.

I linked to an article about why it's a positive thing.

This is such a strange site for posters jumping in with narky questions and suspicious statements. Sometimes things are just what they are, harmless and innocuous with no ulterior motive.

I will bear in mind, however, your instructions on how I should post in future, just in case I can't organise my thoughts and words. So glad you were around to help.

Can't say I agree with No. 11 - which says that gymnastics is the basis for all sports.

I dislike the article. I think you could acquire those skills doing any of an awful lot of wide ranging and diverse pursuits and everyday things.

Personally my children joined gymnastics because they wanted to be gymnasts () and to learn tumbling, and other skills, and flexibility.

DS has benefitted from pre-school gymnastics because they've helped him to become more physically confident in a non-competitive environment.

Can't say I agree with No. 11 - which says that gymnastics is the basis for all sports.

why is that? Gymnastics That is the main one I agreed.Gymnastics places more emphasis on conditioning than any other sport.I think strength and/or suppleness is needed for nearly every sport.

DD (now 7) thrived at a free-flow nursery where she was encouraged to follow her interests/whims. I still squirm after thinking about when, after a Reception Class taster afternoon, she explained to me that "a lady had asked her to help tidy up but she had to explain that she was 'too busy' "(!!)

After that we quickly enrolled her in swim lessons, ballet and gym.

She pays attention and doesn't mess around thanks to one or more of these sports

One or more of these sports/hobbies have helped her core strength (which helps with the other sports too). She also has an awareness of how to "copy" arms and legs.

Gymnastics isn't the basis for ALL sports, just for some.

Golf, marathon running, cycling, show jumping, archery, motor racing, tennis, yachting, snooker, mountain biking, canoeing, skiing, football, etc etc.....

You can become very good at any of these sports without having done gymnastics as a toddler.

Gymnastics develops

1. Leg strength - running,cycling showjumping,mountain biking,skiing football
2. core strength- motor racing, yachting ,skiing, canoeing 3)shoulder/arm strength- golf, archery. canoeing, skiing

So do climbing trees and going to the playground.

Perhaps the assertion in comment No. 11 that gymnastics is the "basis for all sports" could be viewed as too generalistic? The basis of many sports yes, most sports possibly, but not all.

After all, no-one asserts that (for instance) singing is the basis for all music.

I think that pre school gymnastics is brilliant, but not for the reasons in the article.

It strengthens the upper torso which helps children with learning to write later on.

It is an effective way to ensure that a pre schooler gets exercise when it is too cold and wet to go to the park.

However pre school classes are nothing like formal classes. DD's pre school classes were far more play based. They used to have a theme like "going on a bear hunt" and had associated activites. None of the children had much awareness that some children were more physically able than others.

Most pre schoolers simply don't have the strength to learn how to do a bridge or a cartwheel. There is no point in them learning formal gymnastics. Our gym starts formal gym when the children start reception.