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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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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:

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?

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.

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:

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:

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.

Thatswatshesaid · 13/06/2021 22:58

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

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?

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

OP posts:

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!

OP posts:

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!

NiceGerbil · 14/06/2021 20:22

She's 4

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.

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

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 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.

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.

OP posts:

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.

OP posts:

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 :)

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”.

Original poster

Humptydumpty85 · 14/06/2021 22:09

Thanks @NiceGerbil :)

OP posts:

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 :)

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!

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