stargazer
Gymnast
Hi everyone,
Just for some background information I have coached gymnastics before, but only 6 year olds and up in the Recreational program at my gymnastics centre where I train. My rec centre (not the gym club) has a really low-key 'tumble tykes' program and the normal instructor can't come, so they've asked me to teach it this Sunday because I'm the only other person who knows anything about gymnastics
I'm looking forward to it but would appreciate some ideas for activities. There is a program already set out and I'm going to add some games and songs because the current instructor just warms the kids up, stetches, then does the SAME CIRCUIT for HALF AN HOUR. The parents hate it and the current instructor won't change the way the class is run so they've asked me to add some games and songs. The kids are 1-2, 2-3.5, then 3.5-5. Each class is 45 minutes, with a 10 minute warm-up and stretch. I think I'll be okay for the 2 year olds and up, but what on earth are the 1 year olds supposed to do? The circuit is the same for everyone and their parents will help them through it. Even for stretches I'm not sure where to go from pike, straddle, and pointing their toes... Obviously I'll be at the hardest station and help the kids wherever else they'll need it but I'm just looking for some ideas that you have found seem to work well for the littlies.
The circuit consists of lots of things to crawl through, walk across, jump over, mats for rolls, two little beams/benches, and one little bar. I should mention this isn't a gymnastics club, its my rec centre that's purchased some gymnastics equipment and it's mostly just a fun class for those who can't make it to gymnastics I guess.
Thanks for much for any input!!
Just for some background information I have coached gymnastics before, but only 6 year olds and up in the Recreational program at my gymnastics centre where I train. My rec centre (not the gym club) has a really low-key 'tumble tykes' program and the normal instructor can't come, so they've asked me to teach it this Sunday because I'm the only other person who knows anything about gymnastics
I'm looking forward to it but would appreciate some ideas for activities. There is a program already set out and I'm going to add some games and songs because the current instructor just warms the kids up, stetches, then does the SAME CIRCUIT for HALF AN HOUR. The parents hate it and the current instructor won't change the way the class is run so they've asked me to add some games and songs. The kids are 1-2, 2-3.5, then 3.5-5. Each class is 45 minutes, with a 10 minute warm-up and stretch. I think I'll be okay for the 2 year olds and up, but what on earth are the 1 year olds supposed to do? The circuit is the same for everyone and their parents will help them through it. Even for stretches I'm not sure where to go from pike, straddle, and pointing their toes... Obviously I'll be at the hardest station and help the kids wherever else they'll need it but I'm just looking for some ideas that you have found seem to work well for the littlies.
The circuit consists of lots of things to crawl through, walk across, jump over, mats for rolls, two little beams/benches, and one little bar. I should mention this isn't a gymnastics club, its my rec centre that's purchased some gymnastics equipment and it's mostly just a fun class for those who can't make it to gymnastics I guess.
Thanks for much for any input!!