Gymnastics classes - give up?

[TheWildOnesRunningWithTheDogs]

DD (6) has been going to a weekly recreational gymnastics class since summer 2021. I don't expect her to be training for the Olympics, just have fun, get some exercise and learn some useful skills. But her progress seems so minimal. Is this normal? E.g. she can't do a backwards roll or a proper cartwheel. Surely after nearly 2 years of classes she should be able to do those? She can do a handstand against a wall but absolutely not an unsupported one.
If she's really unusually bad, I'd rather she do something else that she might get more out of. Or if they sound like poor quality classes, I can find an alternative. Thoughts?

What "useful skills" were you hoping she would learn? And how do cartwheels relate to them?

Hmm does she practice outside class? DD does gymnastics, she can do a good handstand and cartwheel but I’d say this is more due to practising over and over (and over and over!) at school, at home, in the park, anywhere she can really.

I’m sure her gymnastics classes have given her some tips to improve or make it easier but tbh she could actually do some of this before she began the classes - it was more about building the muscles and practice.

I don't understand your logic or expectations.

Also age 4-6 is pretty young, many kids wouldn’t develop the strength for these moves until about 6 I think

What can she do? What do they do in the class? Both of those moves are relatively "hard". Handstands too, require a lot of strength. My DD is in an acro group which is lovely but she doesn't get to use any equipment or anything, which would be fun. If she's doing a bit of everything and enjoying it, I wouldn't worry about "progress".

My kids were both shit at it :) their talents lie in other areas

Gymnastics coach here. I think youbare underestimating the strength needed to do even these badic moves..It is not a?question of just teaching a skill, the chikd has to have the strength to do it.They need to either practise or do conditioning outside of class to build this up.

Yeah I’d take her out and find her something else to do

Does she enjoy it? Does she have friends there?

That is ALL that matters at 6 years old.

You said you wanted her to have fun not train for the Olympics... so does dd enjoy it? Surely that is the only thing that matters.

My 5.5yr old DGD started gymnastics in the baby class age 2. She does recreational classes and has mastered cartwheels but spends may hours practicing; handstands and walkovers are works in progress. However the advantages of gymnastics are that she is very strong and supply which helps with ballet, swimming and tennis. She loves her gymnastics and longs to be able to join the cheerleaders squad too!

I would disagree.If she lacks strength she needs gymnadtics more than those who are naturally strong. 5 minutes work on upper body and core strength each day will make a world of difference.

I suppose you're right. It's just so painful to watch her at parents' week - it would be nice if she had a talent for it (which is partly why I was thinking of looking for something which she might actually be good at). What kind of thing do you suggest? She spends a lot of time climbing trees, which hasn't helped much.

If she enjoys it, let keep her going surely? My DD and DS have been going for a couple of years now. DD has just gone up to the development team and practices at home constantly. Having a trampoline has helped as she can throw herself around without injury. She's not the strongest yet but it'll come in time, some of her team mates are really strong and bendy naturally and apparently always have been since really young.
My DS is like a puppy in rec and just enjoys jumping and hanging off things mostly, he'll not be a gymnast as a career for sure but he loves it and it's great exercise. I'm thinking of trying him with climbing at some point when he's a bit older, I think parkour would be a good match for him.
They both have great body awareness which will set them up for other sports they might choose in the future. If/when they don't want to go anymore they don't have to but until then they can crack on.

Is she enjoying the class? Does she do much practice outside the class? Does she want to drop the class? You say that the class is just for fun so if she is happy and having fun then I would leave her in it rather than taking her out as you feel she is not getting much out of it.

I wouldn't be happy either. My daughter is a great tumbler but her first recreational group was rubbish, she has always been strong and flexible but wasn't making any progress. She moved to another club and has gone from not being able to do a cartwheel to be doing front and back handsprings, plus front and back walkovers/cartwheels and the like in just over a year. She only goes 2 hours a week but does a lot of practice at home too as she loves it.

Does she enjoy the classes, or is she a bit downcast or frustrated that she can't do the things others her age can? If she likes going, then let her carry on. If she's less than enthusiastic, then let her stop. Maybe give it until the end of the summer term, and then during the summer holidays ask her if she wants to go back in September or if she'd rather try something else instead.