What have I gotten us into?

[mmconde]

A month ago, upon moving to the northwest, I signed my daughter up for a kiddie gymnastics class to meet some new friends in this little retirement town and have a physical outlet during the rainy winter when we can't go to the park. She's two and a half. If it weren't for the recent move, I probably wouldn't have even considered signing her up for an actual sport at this age. I'm not all that big on littles in structured activities outside the home. But, 45min per week is not exactly a big deal, right?

When I first talked to the coach, he suggested the toddler Mommy and Me class, but since I couldn't do that with the baby sister, he said we could try out the starting 3 to 5 year old class. Now, a month later, he keeps asking me to bring her at different times, and seems to be seriously considering asking to put her into two or three different classes, totaling three or four hours per week! Two of those hours would be with girls about two to five years older than her, in the class one step below pre-competition team!

On the one hand, I am totally taken aback. I have never thought that filling up a little kid's days with structured activities was a good plan. And I never thought of any of my kids competing in anything before at least preteen age, which is obviously where this road leads. I know basically nothing about gymnastics, but have vague ideas from somewhere about agressive, pushy moms and little girls with too much pressure. And I don't want what was supposed to be a nice social and physical outlet to take over our lives.

But, of course I am pleased to discover that she has a talent which she loves. She begs every day to go to the gym. I have been pretty impressed at some of the stuff she has already done in this month alone, and even more so with the difference in the past month in her following directions and the confidence and self discipline she exhibits in class. She is more focused in the class with the bigger girls, gets a little distracted in the other. If she is the one motivating it, and has a love for it, would it be wrong of me to hold her back from doing what she loves? And, after all, it might be nice to have an outlet for that boundless energy more than once a week during the long, wet winter.


So, what have I gotten us into? If I agree to her going down this route, what lies ahead? Are there particular concerns I should be worried about for her little two-year-old body doing things in the more advanced class?

 

[justanothergymmom]

Hi and welcome to cb

I think that your instinct of being "taken aback" is the correct one. I would be very suspicious of any program that suggested a 2.5 year old doing gym 3-4 hours a week. It simply isn't necessary at this age and could possibly do much more harm than good.

It is always flattering to hear that your child has natural talent and it is awesome to see what they are capable of--especially at such a young age! What I am learning over the years of being around this sport is that these things shouldn't be rushed. It can lead to burn out, among other things. Your child will NOT be "behind" if you let her enjoy rec classes for the next couple of years. Trust me, I have been there and know what I am talking about

 

[Galadriel]

^^^
WHAT SHE SAID

definitely

yes - it is nice to hear as a parent (ive been there with 2 of my 4 kids)

it isnt worth it at that age!

the natural talent will be there at age 6, 7 or whatever!

main thing at her age is fun and friendship and generally being active in lots of areas (with mom! not scheduled activities!)

i know the thought of maybe missing out if you dont do what the 'expert' suggests - but i am sure you will find many experienced coaches and parents on here who can offer expert advice the other way!

Take care of your little one - their bodies are not designed for all that work at such a young age! There is plenty of time - even if she would be an olympian - she wont have missed the boat by delaying this step for 2 - 3 years!

Good luck and welcome to chalkbucket!!

 

[bogwoppit]

What she wouldn't be doing. No bridges or back bends, no headstands. All of those are not recommended for the under 5 crowd.

I think at 2.5 being with kids her own age and having fun being active is the aim.

If she is a natural that will not go away, any potential she has will be there down the road.

Being in classes with older kids can soon become hard on her as they connect socially and she is left behind, or treated like the baby.

 

[mmconde]

Thank you both.

So, do you just think this is a case of the coach seeing some potential and getting overexcited?

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

What everyone else said!!! From a physiological standpoint, a 2 1/2 year old body is NOT up to the physical demands of those increased hours. She needs to have a social outlet and to have fun and enjoy being in the gym. As others have said, if she does have a natural talent, it will still be there in a few years. Who knows if the coach sees potential, or if he/she seeks more $$ to be made. Honestly, it's really hard to tell at 2 1/2. Maybe she can focus and follow directions better than other 2 1/2 year olds, maybe she's got a lot of flexibility right now... but at 2 1/2, it really doesn't matter.... at least not right now.

 

[Faith]

What they said!

The research all shows that as long as a child is started in gymnastics at the age of 7, the age at which they start makes no difference. The later starters will just catch up, while early starters risk injury, boredom and burn out.

The peak age to start is 5-7 years, as this is the "window" when strength and flexibility can be trained.

Have a word with the coach and see what his intentions are. I'd be telling him you appreciate his opinion, but leave her in fun classes for now, with a view to considering increased hours once she turns 5.

Lastly if it were my child, and the coach really thinks theres a talent there, I'd be looking at other fun classes which will complement gymnastics but is age appropriate, so pre school ballet or dance, swimming etc.

 

[emorymom]

I would look and see if there are any gyms nearby with open play / Mommy and Me.

My son was not allowed back at Mommy and Me at 2.5 because he was too advanced for that gym's liability concerns, but we have been able to find open play situations on and off and he still loves that at six and a half.

If you are concerned about early competition, have you tried engaging her in another activity? You mention that this is a first since you aren't oriented towards early activities. Maybe a different one would excite her just as much.

 

[mmconde]

Lastly if it were my child, and the coach really thinks theres a talent there, I'd be looking at other fun classes which will complement gymnastics but is age appropriate, so pre school ballet or dance, swimming etc.

Unfortunately, in this tiny town we have just moved to, there are no other options. I did hear that someone who used to teach dance was considering giving lessons out of their home starting next year.

 

[mmconde]

I would look and see if there are any gyms nearby with open play / Mommy and Me.

There are no other gyms. Some parents drive their kids 45mins each way because this is the closest. I'd originally hoped to just bring her to open gym time when I first looked into gymnastics, but they don't offer it because parts of the gym are still under construction. (Recently moved) They do have a Mommy and Me class, which is what the coach suggested when I first spoke with him, based on her age, but I can't do that because I have a baby, too.

 

[mmconde]

So, what would you all suggest?

I tried her in the class the other day with other older 2 to 3 year olds, and that's not going to work. While happy to be at the gym, she was obviously not having as much fun. But should I limit her just to the 45min class with the 3 to 5 year olds?

 

[Tumblequeensmom]

So, what would you all suggest?

I tried her in the class the other day with other older 2 to 3 year olds, and that's not going to work. While happy to be at the gym, she was obviously not having as much fun. But should I limit her just to the 45min class with the 3 to 5 year olds?

For now... yes.
She still needs plenty of unstructured play time.... Are there any play groups, or you could always start one! She's just 2 1/2... she needs to be developing her social/physical skills through lots of play activities right now.

 

[bogwoppit]

For now... yes.
She still needs plenty of unstructured play time.... Are there any play groups, or you could always start one! She's just 2 1/2... she needs to be developing her social/physical skills through lots of play activities right now.

Great suggestion TQM. I too would stick with a once a week fun class with kids her own age. There is no reason for her not to love it if the course is well run.

A group of moms in our tiny town just started a moms and tots group this week for this reason.

I ran two different ones when my kids were small as I felt they needed socialisation and activity, but didn't want too much structure or formality. SOme of the moms I met 19 years ago there are still great friends now.

 

[gym law mom]

Could you get a sitter to watch the younger one while you do the Mommy and me class? I think you and dd would have fun doing this together.
I would not have her in the gym(or any other structured activity) for 3-4 hours/week.

 

[mariposa]

Just wanted to echo the others about not having a 2 1/2 year old do 3-4 hours a week. Kids as young as 3 do get taken out of the preschool program at my DDs gym, to go into their developmental program, but they do one hour a week and they focus a lot of shapes and strength, etc, so sometimes, it isn't fun anymore and the kids go back and then start again in the developmental class when they are older. And some kids do do just fine with a more "serious" class, but it is still just 1 hour a week.

I have come to think that less is more in gymnastics, especially at the beginning. My youngest got swept in and looking back, I would change things, but I can't, so I just have been more cautious with my youngest who is now liking gym a lot.

Glad you have found the Chalk Bucket and that your little one is loving her gymnastics classes!

 

[mmconde]

She still needs plenty of unstructured play time.... Are there any play groups, or you could always start one! She's just 2 1/2... she needs to be developing her social/physical skills through lots of play activities right now.

A group of moms in our tiny town just started a moms and tots group this week for this reason.

We've been regularly getting together with her new best friend and I've been trying to get some other moms to join us with their little ones. We go to the park almost every dry day, and we go to the preschool story time at the public library. I have a very social little girl, and have been actively looking for fun social outlets for her. And I make sure that she has lots of free play time--even if during that time she is choosing to climb up the walls backwards and roll around and around the room.

Could you get a sitter to watch the younger one while you do the Mommy and me class? I think you and dd would have fun doing this together.

I don't think this would work out. After seeing her in the 3 and almost-3 class the other day, I really don't think she would be as happy in the class one step below that.

 

[JessLW]

I think she should be fine in the 45 minute a week 3-5 class, just no more than that.

My son is at a Montessori school and in Montessori the classes are mixed age groups, so his class is 3-6 year olds. Occasionally you have a more mature kid who is not quite three but "ready" for the primary class and just doesn't fit in with the infant class. Usually it isn't a problem. If your daughter is enjoying the 3-5 class and the coaches don't mind her being a bit younger then I don't think it is an issue. At 2.5 though anything more than a class a week is going to be too much. Tell the coach you'll revist the idea of other classes in a year or so when she is closer to 4.

 

[Galadriel]

my eldest was very similar and we spent a lot of time in the park and learning to ride a bike - she rode while i pushed the pram with the younger one - the park and playground was great - complementary to gym too! monkey bars, climbing, whizzing round on the roundabout, but social too with other parents, feeding the ducks, finding conkers and leaves, etc etc ! (I was up the wall with her at home and we went EVERY day whatever the weather!)

at her age the endless energy is zapped by being outdoors and being mentally active too! I remember lots of 'treasure hunts', finding things in the park to take home to make collages, 'writing' a shopping list and helping me shopping - (walking to and from shops), cooking, making dens in the park or garden, ....etc....

 

[bogwoppit]

my eldest was very similar and we spent a lot of time in the park and learning to ride a bike - she rode while i pushed the pram with the younger one - the park and playground was great - complementary to gym too! monkey bars, climbing, whizzing round on the roundabout, but social too with other parents, feeding the ducks, finding conkers and leaves, etc etc ! (I was up the wall with her at home and we went EVERY day whatever the weather!)

at her age the endless energy is zapped by being outdoors and being mentally active too! I remember lots of 'treasure hunts', finding things in the park to take home to make collages, 'writing' a shopping list and helping me shopping - (walking to and from shops), cooking, making dens in the park or garden, ....etc....

THat takes me back Galadriel, my oldest was very low key and quiet and was happy to play calmly and go for walks. But my middle kid was off the wall busy. We spent hours on in playing outside and exploring with older brother tagging along and the smallest one in a baby sling. The three of us would wander for hours.

We didn't get into organised anything until middle kid turned three and we put her in a rec gym class. She was often with older kids and was fine, but we only ever did once a week until she tunred 6, too many other things to explore and we didn't want to commit to any one thing. It didn't hold her back though, she was on team within months and competiting as soon as she was old enough.

To the OP, I would do the 3-5 group once a week and then comeup with some other ideas for keeping her busy.

I really never wanted to schedule my life away when they were so small. I knew school would come along soon enough and ruin our freedom. Looking back I am very glad that we waited and just did our own thing, because once school and gym and skiing and swimming and riding and drama and art class and guitar lessons all hit, we were broke, busy and lived in the car!

Make the most of your freedom!

 

[jcs]

I think everyone has pretty much answered your questions, but my DS will be 3 in January, I am able to do the mommy and me class but he is borderline too advanced for it so I understand her doing better with the 3 to 5 year olds. And I think that is fine, you don't want her to get bored. And soon enough she will be 4 and if the interest is still there she can move to a more advanced class at which point, she will be with other 4 and 5 year olds who also have that "potential". Good luck and welcome to the CB!