Sunday, October 18, 2009

Gymnastics

My daughter takes gymnastics classes, but since she moved out of Mommy and Me and into an independent class, she has stopped making progress. I don't mind much - she enjoys it, and that's what is most important. But I also can see that part of the problem is that the instructors don't know how she learns, and they are quick to decide she can't do something. (Like, it took them months and months to figure out that she could do a forward roll). It further convicts me of the value of homeschooling. But I did NOT feel safe teaching her tumbling. I found these instructional videos on teaching preschool gymnastics put together by Flairs Gymnastics in Florida on YouTube (the web address is at the bottom of this). I know that they are standard preschool gymnastics activities, because they are more or less the same exercises she does in class. But, whereas I can't see very precisely how they are spotting the kids and such from the window where I have to watch when she is in class, I can see those things on these videos. I put together a "cartwheel mat" on our living room floor, using paper and tape (without the tape the paper would go flying and it wouldn't be safe). Within 10 minutes she had the concept down of jumping from side to side at home. It is great - my daughter has tons-tons-tons-tons of energy and can go nuts if she is cooped up inside the house. It is now cold outside, and these are great indoor focused physical activities.

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_5567_teach-preschool-gymnastics.html

2 comments:

Momtotwo said...

Thank you so much for the link. I have a 2 1/2 year old with TONS of energy. I just stumbled upon your blog and am grateful to God that I did. I need a resource like this so badly and I know there is more I can be doing with my daughter. I am fortunate that she enjoys listening to music and looking at her books for very long periods but there are those other times when she just needs me to do some great activities with her and I am lost. She seems bored with coloring and is already doing well with numbers and letters. I need to challenge her but let her have fun, too. I can't wait to read more of your blog and see what else you have written. I am a Christian mom who wants to home school as well and I find this blog SO encouraging! God bless you!!!

klh said...

Please stop posting comments in a script and language I cannot read and thus cannot moderate. I will continue to delete them immediately.