Gymnastics for Younger Kids

Hello:)

I used to work as a gymnastic assistant at the YMCA in Farmington Hills. I worked with children ages 3-5 and also the little ones 12-36 months which the parents were involved as well. We used to set up little obsticle coarses for them which worked out really well. For example we would have them walk across the balance beam, then do like a row of summersaults (sp?) do a barrel roll down a cheese slice and then crawl through a giant soft tube and finally run from the tube to the wall. Stuff like that. It worked out really well. For the ones were the parents were involved we would do a lot of sing a long songs and have the moms touch their babies hands to their toes and clap and streches and then they could have free access to the gym equipment like a giant playground and would ask us for any assistance if needed. I hope these ideas help a little. It was a lot of fun and the kids LOVED it. :) Good Luck..

All four kids of mine have taken gymnastics (at a local gym) since about age 3 and my 8 year old is on a competitive team. I think the things my kids enjoyed the most when they first started where the obstacle courses and the "boat" ride on the trampoline. If you don't know what the boat ride, it is where the kids sit in a small circle cross-legged on the trapoline holding onto a hula hoop (everyone holds the same hula hoop) and the teacher softly bounces around them. The kids LOVED it! The obstacle course could be just about anything - cheese mat to do log rolls down, rainbow mat to crawl through, hop scotch, hopping through hula hoops arranged on the floor, etc.

It's not specifically gymnastics related. But, it does help with flexibility, coordination, and arm strength. You could play crab soccer with the 3-4 year olds. If you are not familiar with crab walking, it where you crawl around with your back facing the floor instead of your tummy. When we were kids we used to love playing soccer with a big ball while crab walking. It was always a gym class favorite.

Hello K.

which ymca do you work at. I am looking for something for my 3 year old to do this summer like gymnastic.
Thank you.

parashoot, bubbles, climers, summersalts, skipping, fun/activity stations, etc.

Duck dance(?), ring around the rosie, London bridges, welcoming song including all kids (names), etc.

I am a "big sister" with Big Brothers Big Sisters and I had her enrolled in gymnastics for many years.

The children LOVED the game "crack the egg" where several of them lay on their back on the trampoline with their arms wrapped around their legs that are tucked into their chests. They are supposed to be eggs and the teacher gently jumps on trampoline trying to crack the eggs (them letting go of their legs) and they try to hold onto their legs and not let go.

My son (almost 3) takes a tumbling class and at the end of each class they have music time. A different song is played each week. Last week they did "Body Rock" (the wiggles). The Hockey Pockey is fun, or other active songs.