4 Questions To Ask When Seeking A Gym For
Gymnastic And Tumbling Instruction
Gymnastic And Tumbling Instruction
It is an Olympic Year! And alot of parents will be approached by their children to take gymnastic or tumbling classes after watching the graceful and strong movements of well trained athletes. When parents start looking for a gymnastic or tumbling program for their child, most will ask around the neighborhood or at their child's school as to where other children are taking classes. The majority of parents have never grown up or worked in the field and therefore have no idea where to begin or what questions to ask. They know that they want kind, passionate and skilled instructors and a clean, friendly facility. Beyond that? They are not sure. In selecting instruction for your child, here are some questions that you might want to consider in your search.
1. What type of program is offered?
The type of program may vary from facility to facility and it is wise to ask so that you will have a better understanding of what your child will be learning.Some gyms offer programs in the area of Artistic Gymnastics only. Others offer tumbling, cheerleading, preschool programs, tot programs, general gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, martial arts and more. Each program has different issues to be addressed. Some programs push towards a competitive style and are high pressure. Other programs may push towards a particular sport such as cheerleading and then there are others that promote a recreational/educational programs and focus on the student's self improvement, learning styles and fun.
2. What about their staff and teachers?
Be sure to ask about their staff and teachers. Are they trained? Or did they just grow up doing it as a child. Trained coaches, teachers and staff are a must for the safety and well being of your child. Staff members need to be trained in safety issues, learning styles, kinetics, body mechanics, child developement, first aide and cpr. One training does not make a coach or teacher. Constant training, updating and renewal are a must for a safe program. Also ask if they perform background checks and drug testing on staff members as well.
3.Do they follow a proven syllabus or coaching method that can be tracked and documented?
Facilities with a proven method of instruction not only have a good success rate, they also have a lower injury rate as well. Ask for documentation of skills to be taught or introduced. Ask how you as the parents will know if they are following the method or not and how they intend to track your childs skills as evidence of the method being in place.
4. Is the gym a member of any associations that follow the trends of gymnastic type movements and long term safety isues?
There are a few gymnastic associations that charge dues for membership and offer extra training and certification events for those teaching and coaching in the gymnastic field. These associations generally work hand in hand with other organizations such as Junior Olympics and US Olympics in following the safety and coaching trends in the United States. Many offer extra safety training courses as well as regional and national congress events.
So when shopping around for a program for your child, ask questions and get the answers you want. If they cannot answer your questions, you might want to look elsewhere.
The type of program may vary from facility to facility and it is wise to ask so that you will have a better understanding of what your child will be learning.Some gyms offer programs in the area of Artistic Gymnastics only. Others offer tumbling, cheerleading, preschool programs, tot programs, general gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, martial arts and more. Each program has different issues to be addressed. Some programs push towards a competitive style and are high pressure. Other programs may push towards a particular sport such as cheerleading and then there are others that promote a recreational/educational programs and focus on the student's self improvement, learning styles and fun.
2. What about their staff and teachers?
Be sure to ask about their staff and teachers. Are they trained? Or did they just grow up doing it as a child. Trained coaches, teachers and staff are a must for the safety and well being of your child. Staff members need to be trained in safety issues, learning styles, kinetics, body mechanics, child developement, first aide and cpr. One training does not make a coach or teacher. Constant training, updating and renewal are a must for a safe program. Also ask if they perform background checks and drug testing on staff members as well.
3.Do they follow a proven syllabus or coaching method that can be tracked and documented?
Facilities with a proven method of instruction not only have a good success rate, they also have a lower injury rate as well. Ask for documentation of skills to be taught or introduced. Ask how you as the parents will know if they are following the method or not and how they intend to track your childs skills as evidence of the method being in place.
4. Is the gym a member of any associations that follow the trends of gymnastic type movements and long term safety isues?
There are a few gymnastic associations that charge dues for membership and offer extra training and certification events for those teaching and coaching in the gymnastic field. These associations generally work hand in hand with other organizations such as Junior Olympics and US Olympics in following the safety and coaching trends in the United States. Many offer extra safety training courses as well as regional and national congress events.
So when shopping around for a program for your child, ask questions and get the answers you want. If they cannot answer your questions, you might want to look elsewhere.
WHY SELECT A BOYS DEVELOPMENTAL TUMBLING PROGRAM OVER OTHER SPORTS PROGRAMS?
Because it is a fact:
1.Tumbling and dance provide a variety of physical challenges that encourage the development of agility, flexibilty,balance and coordination.
2.Tumbling and dance are based upon control of the body, as well as the timing, positioning, balance and coordination of movement that defies gravity.
3.In tumbling and dance, the motor and sensory systems in the body are provided an excellany opportunity to develop basic functional relationships that carry throughout adulthood.
4.Tumbling and dance students are more aware of their body as an extension of their minds.
5.Tumbling and dance training allows for basic movement sequences to develop and be stored for later activities such as competitive sports. Competitive sports programs do not take the time to perfect movement sequences with every child. This is why some will always sit the bench while other play.
6. Tumbling and dance allows for motor programming of two or more muscles at a time giving the athlete simultaneous control of two or more actions. Tumbling and dance ARE athletic and are considered sports.
7. The motor programming that a person receives up to age 10 years is the level that most experts believe is carried throughout adulthood. How well they balance on a log at age 10 years will be the how well they can balance on a log in adulthood. More balance is obtained after age 10 years, but as we age and start loosing balance skills, some kinetic specialists believe you only loose back down to age 10 years.
8. Today, athletes study dance as part of their training for several sports. Over the years, dance forms have been adapted and integrated into training for a variety of sports. Dance has been an important part of gymnastics and figure skating for years, but in the 1980's, football, basketball, skiing and diving teams began to study dance disciplines and to recognize them as an important part of training programs.
9. Professional dance companies have featured popular sports stars in their productions. World-class athletes such as Olympic gold medalist diver Greg Louganis, basketball star, Michael Jordan, professional football players such as Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker and former Chicago Bears player Willie Gault have studied and been featured with professional dance companies.
10. In the past two years, a collegiate study was conducted in California as to who was stronger. Athletes or dancers? Dancers each time stood out as the strongest in being measured up against collegiate athletes.
The facts state the obvious. Developmental tumbling and dance training beats ALL OTHER sports programs hands down for children ages 2-12 years of age. Development specialists state that a program offering skipping, jumping, hopping, balancing, throwing and rhythmic movements should be chosen over competitive programs for ages 2-10 years of age.
Want to give your child an edge over the other athletes later or just in life general? Then highly consider registering into a dance and or tumbling program right away.
Because it is a fact:
1.Tumbling and dance provide a variety of physical challenges that encourage the development of agility, flexibilty,balance and coordination.
2.Tumbling and dance are based upon control of the body, as well as the timing, positioning, balance and coordination of movement that defies gravity.
3.In tumbling and dance, the motor and sensory systems in the body are provided an excellany opportunity to develop basic functional relationships that carry throughout adulthood.
4.Tumbling and dance students are more aware of their body as an extension of their minds.
5.Tumbling and dance training allows for basic movement sequences to develop and be stored for later activities such as competitive sports. Competitive sports programs do not take the time to perfect movement sequences with every child. This is why some will always sit the bench while other play.
6. Tumbling and dance allows for motor programming of two or more muscles at a time giving the athlete simultaneous control of two or more actions. Tumbling and dance ARE athletic and are considered sports.
7. The motor programming that a person receives up to age 10 years is the level that most experts believe is carried throughout adulthood. How well they balance on a log at age 10 years will be the how well they can balance on a log in adulthood. More balance is obtained after age 10 years, but as we age and start loosing balance skills, some kinetic specialists believe you only loose back down to age 10 years.
8. Today, athletes study dance as part of their training for several sports. Over the years, dance forms have been adapted and integrated into training for a variety of sports. Dance has been an important part of gymnastics and figure skating for years, but in the 1980's, football, basketball, skiing and diving teams began to study dance disciplines and to recognize them as an important part of training programs.
9. Professional dance companies have featured popular sports stars in their productions. World-class athletes such as Olympic gold medalist diver Greg Louganis, basketball star, Michael Jordan, professional football players such as Heisman trophy winner Herschel Walker and former Chicago Bears player Willie Gault have studied and been featured with professional dance companies.
10. In the past two years, a collegiate study was conducted in California as to who was stronger. Athletes or dancers? Dancers each time stood out as the strongest in being measured up against collegiate athletes.
The facts state the obvious. Developmental tumbling and dance training beats ALL OTHER sports programs hands down for children ages 2-12 years of age. Development specialists state that a program offering skipping, jumping, hopping, balancing, throwing and rhythmic movements should be chosen over competitive programs for ages 2-10 years of age.
Want to give your child an edge over the other athletes later or just in life general? Then highly consider registering into a dance and or tumbling program right away.
