gymnastics aged4yrs what does your dc do??

[threecurrantbuns]

Just started dd this week and she enjoyed it, but just wondered how much the lessons differ.

DDs went like this,
Warm up,
Hula hoop games,
Split into 3groups then alternate between vault (mostly practising running and jumping up/down,
beam - walking along head up arms oout etc,
floor - foward rolls.

I rang another class but they have no venue atm and they said the do the bars too, not sure if dds class changes weekly. Want her to start at the best class, but there isnt alot of choice in our rural area.

[uggmum]

At 4 this seems like a good start. A good warm up based around fun and practicing the basics.

Both my dc's started off like this. But they soon progress, they now do 9 hours week each and compete on a regular basis. Mine don't apparatus, they do Tumbling. But they did all the BAGA badges prior to competing.

[woolleybear]

Sounds quite similar to what my dd does, they also do rings and a little bit on the trampoline.

[youngjoly]

Agreed this sounds fine.

My Four year old does something, similar although I must admit I actually can't be bothered to watch her most of the time (we're in a different room and watch on a screen, in my defence!).

She does - warm up - running around.
A more detailed warm up / simple conditioning / stretching exercises etc

Then they move around the equipment.

Beam: usually walk along the high beam, jump off the high beam in a particular jump (star jump, straight jump etc), jump over little hoops or something on the low beam and a couple of other (less gymnastic-y) activities.

Bar: Swing on bar, Raise legs to touch bar. Maybe stand on top of a small bar and jump off. Swing round a small bar, that sort of thing.

Vault section: Forward rolls, backwards / log rolls down a wedge, bunny hops over soft play type equipment, jumping on and off things that sort of stuff.

It does change from week to week, but what you're saying sounds similar.

[threecurrantbuns]

uggmum wow 9hours a week, to be nosey how do you fit it in/afford it lol.

Also how old are your dcs, think my dd will love it when the progress a bit, hoping they get to do some bar work she would love it.

She is also on a waiting list for a trampolining club, but they said they do have one 6yr old but preferred to wait until 7 or 8 before they take them . Dont know if this is standard? But unfortunately only one in the area so not much choice other than wait atm

[uggmum]

Hi, (threecurrentbuns)

My dd is 11 and ds is 8, they both started gym at 4. They do Mon, Weds and Sat (3 hrs each session) It costs £5 per session each, we pay monthly at £105 pm.

DD also does horse riding on a Sat afternoon, £20 per hour.
DS also dances, (Dance Gymnastics, Street Dance, Tap and Musical Theatre) 2.5 hours on a Tues. £40 Per month.

DD does athletics on a Tuesday after school (yippee, that's free!)
DS does netball on Thursday after school (free)
DS has swimming lessons on Sunday morning, £80 per term.(hoping to drop this soon)
DS has cricket on Friday, £30 a season.

It all takes a bit of organising, but it works well and they really enjoy it. As dd is at high school, homework/school work is a priority. It actually looks like quite a lot on paper. But they have always been really active and seem to thrive on it. DD was always a manic as a small child but gym seemed to channel her energy and calmed her down completely.

dd is on the g&t register at school for P.E, her school are really good and take her out for days to train at top sporting venues.

[threecurrantbuns]

wow, does seem alot but like you say they are most of the things my dd1 would love, i was only saying to dh the other day that im not sure what to go with for her, they gym or dance as she would love both. Just not sure we can afford both esp as we has dd2 and ds1 (3yr&1yr) So i know in the furture they may want to join too and not sure if i could fit in all the days/times and homework.

DDs also have swimming lesson one on mon one on a tues, that plus the gym seems alot olready with a baby in tow!

But there is a dance school opening and enroling now for sept from age 4, is £9 on a sat am and they do two hours split into 3 - dance, singing and drama its so tempting for dd1 to start but that alot of £ with the swimming and gym too, and im sure dd2 will love the same things too early to say about ds.

But the way you describe your dd is how dd1 is full of energy and no fear, she was loved her first gym lesson this week and did really well imo and when she told her teacher yesterday when i was there they said it would be great for her as she is really good and loves PE esp the gym type exercises.

Thats fab that your dd's school take her out for days etc. Do you live in a city area? We are fairly rural so not loads of option
T

[uggmum]

I live near a city, the gym club that mine attend is elite and most of the world champion tumblers train there. You have to audition to get in.

dd also did trampoline, she really loved it, also competed in this too but stopped it to concentrate on gym.

ds also did trampoline and started that at 6, he also stopped. He did enjoy it but likes gym more. We have a trampoline at home and they are on it all the time.

They are both really fit, before each session they have to run 5 times round a full size athletic track just to warm up.

It is more difficult when you have other young children. It is better for me now as they both go to the same club and train together. When ds was little he was dragged along with me and juggling a baby/toddler is not easy.

Parents are not allowed to watch the training sessions so I just drop them off, I have an arrangement with another parent. I drop her daughter off (also have her round for tea 2 evening straight from school) and she picks up mine and brings them home.

[sowhatshallido]

Just looked at your inital thread asking for clubs and from where you are based - and that you say you want 'the best' club - could you travel to Nottingham? Notts Gym Club is the best. It has top level UK gymnasts there, and your dds talent would be spotted and developed there excellently.

[sowhatshallido]

just re read - i mean Notts is the best in your area, and one of the top UK clubs along with Liverpool, Heathrow, etc

[threecurrantbuns]

that would be fab but its 50min plus from here, too far and wouldnt be fair on my other dcs

[sowhatshallido]

If you are in Oakham then the next option I would look at is Corby Gymnastics Academy. Which would appear to be about 20 mins away. It is a Gym Mark club which would be important to me with regards quality and safety. It is recreational and competitive should she be that way inclined.

[sowhatshallido]

if you are in Melton M then there are some gym mark clubs in Loughborough.

[threecurrantbuns]

This is new to me, can you explain the difference between gym mark and just gym lessons, thanks

[youngjoly]

The gym mark is just a standard that gym clubs have to meet. If the club has the gym mark then it means that they are training the children in a safe way.

Tbh, I wouldn't look at a club without it, especially if there's a chance that gym could get serious for you.

[threecurrantbuns]

ok thanks for that, really wish there was one closer its really not viable yet to travel with my younger two dcs

How important is it to start early with a really good club? Im thinking if i could stay local for now until my youngest is a bit older possibly old enough to start himself if he wants to of course. Then i could travel and hopefully they could all go together.

I rang one lady up whos no. had been passed to me via the trampolining club. She is hoping to start a club locally but hasnt secured a venue yet, she didnt say gym mark, but said that the instructor were british gymnast trained, and you had to pay a yearly insurance fee. Sounded more professional and was fair amount more so could be better if they can get started.

The one she started in melton is 45min for £3.50. The lady did seem fab but no mention of the other stuff so not sure if it will have potential to progess into bigger things.

The one still looking for a venue was £5.50, i think, for an hour, ive left my detail with her in the hope she finds somewhere soon

[sowhatshallido]

I would start with a good club.

They will train them in the correct way to enable progression, and the child will not get into bad habits that are hard to correct later.

Lessons would be an hour and this is not too long to take other dcs for a walk, or maybe a local park, or even a bit of shopping. There will in all likelihood be a lobby for example where you can sit and play with other dcs while dd is in the gym - eg colouring, little games etc.

Should your dd be selected to a pre competition class after a few months and be going twice a week then there are bound to be other parents wanting to do some car pooling which will help no end.

[threecurrantbuns]

tBH The clubs in loughborough/notts are at least 50min if its a clear run, so just not viable for a number of reasons.

DD1 only started school sept, and i feel it could be too much to travel an hour after school to then do the gym and be home late (all three are usually in bed by 7pm)

Then dd2 and ds1 who are still on 3and just one would be exhausted and fall asleep all the way home making bedtime a nightmare, to do this potentionally more than once i week would be alot of long driving back and fourth and dont think it would be good for them or me and dh.

A nightmare though as if there was one close by i wouldnt give it a second thought It is so hard though as i really feel like she has alot of potential. I would imagine most parents will be attending from a closer area so taking turns etc wouldnt be an option.

[sowhatshallido]

Thats a real shame.
Maybe worth ringing and asking the club if there are parents from your area that do attend - the receptionist would be able to tell you.

[threecurrantbuns]

ok so after some thoughht i realised i had spoken to a lady a while ago,her number had been given to me by rutland trampolining club, she is based about half an hour from here but is hoping to start a club close to me which will have full size equip etc.

She is going to check if she has palces in the mean time for the one half an hour away then dd could start there until they secure their venue im oakham.

They are registered under BG but havent got gym mark yet her words were they are working towards it atm currently doing the forms etc. So surely thats my best option?

The lesson would be an hour at £5.50 plus a yearly fee for insurance. They do flooor, bar, trampet,beam,vault and ring work (prob not all in one lesson i would imagine). They work towards BG badges. Sounded more professional than the one she started last week. Might be worth a least comparing by going along. Also her avalible sesson for that age are and fri 430pm or sat am. So not so bad a bit of a later night on a fri.

So heres to hoping they have a space. She also said that her current groups will get offered places at the venue they are hoping to secure before anyone else.

would be great if this is a good club as its really not viable to get to the suggested ones in the other post. Dispite them looking excellent. Maybe in the future is she show promise and my other dcs are older she could move!?

[fairydoll]

4 yos at our club work on all 4 pieces ie beam, bars, floor and vault.What they do will depend on how good they are!

[fairydoll]

To answer your question floor is the most important thing to begin with but bars are very very good for building strength but you can do this at home
with a pull up bar