What size barrel?

[emorymom]

What diameter barrel would you use for a 43" tall 4.5 year old who is very close to an unassisted back handspring?

 

[gymnut1]

We don't use them - just spot her til she can do it. Sometimes we do them down a wedge mat - they dont need any support then.

 

[rachmeal03]

I try to stick with a large barrel that will insist that the child jump. Too often than not the child will throw her head and shoulders and forget the jump which causes her to land on her head and can result in numerous aches, pains, and other injuries. Once she can do it over the large barrel successfully, I transfer her to a spot down a cheese mat with a slight bump under her back. Eventually she'll move to the flat mat but make sure she JUMPS first.