As a coach, one of the most common questions I am asked is, “would gymnastics be good for my child?” The answer is always a “yes”. There are so many benefits of gymnastics for children. Here I discuss my top 6.
1. Strength, Fitness, Coordination, Balance, Body Awareness and Body Control
The most obvious reason that gymnastics is good for all children is that gymnastics is going to help build strength, fitness, coordination, balance, body awareness and body control. At gymnastics, gymnasts work at their own pace within their own ability range. Every lesson plan includes progressions and regressions as well as the standard activity so that there is an appropriate and achievable level for everyone. Not everyone develops at the same rate. As long as everyone is moving forward in their skill development, they are achieving goals.
2. Self-confidence and Social Skills
One of the most important benefits is that gymnastics helps gymnasts to build self-confidence and social skills with peers and adults alike. Gymnastics provides opportunities to practise listening, turn-taking, encouraging others, and asking for help. This is especially beneficial for children who have had limited experience with people outside of their family unit, or for those who may be a little bit shy or reserved.
3. Routine and Discipline
Routine and discipline are additional benefits. The routine of attending their session each week as well as the routine of working all of the activities in a zone help young gymnasts to identify what is expected. The discipline aspect relates to sticking to the routine and identifying expectations and being able to meet those expectations. For example, moving in a particular direction to complete all activities in a zone, following coach instructions, and treating peers with respect.
4. Perseverance
Gymnastics also helps with development of perseverance. Gymnastics classes should always provide challenges, some that are achievable immediately and others that will be achievable over time. Identifying a particular skill and working towards achieving that skill through practise and perseverance allows gymnasts to realise that although they might not be able to do something immediately, if they work consistently, they will eventually reach their goal. This is a transferable life skill. And the joy on a gymnast’s face when they do finally achieve something they are working towards is priceless! One of the best things about recreational gymnastics is that gymnasts don’t have to be the best in the sport – they only have to be their best!
5. Identification of Capability
The challenges presented in the gymnastics class allow gymnasts (and often parents) to realise that they are capable of more than they think. This is an important skill not only for gymnastics but also a life skill. Being able to identify when something is a little bit scary and to work through that fear with support helps gymnasts to realise that if they take a chance, they may well be able to do something that they did not think they could. Young children will often take risks themselves knowing their own limits. Fear is often a learned trait that comes from adults limiting the ‘safe’ risks that children naturally want to take. Supporting children to work through their fear and realise their potential is an important characteristic of gymnastics. Of course, this is still done within the individual ability of each gymnast, and no one is encouraged to take risks that are not safe for them.
6. A Fun and Safe Environment for Risk Taking
Above all else, gymnastics is a fun and safe environment to take risks! Children need opportunities to practise safe risk taking so that they can problem solve and become more aware of their own skills and become confident in the use of their body. Balance, climbing, swinging, jumping, landing, distance judgement, choosing an appropriate action, and even making mistakes are all important skills that can be practised safely in the gym.
These are but a few of my favourite benefits of gymnastics. The list could go on and on and no doubt you might have identified others that are equally important. Gymnastics is at the very least a perfect foundation sport for all future sporting endeavours. And for those of us who love the sport, it could just become a lifelong passion…
