Experienced parents tell me the right way to handle things

[gymmomtotwo]

Just got recent evaluation for DD who is 6 (will be 7 in July). She is currently on track to move to the final level of preteam in May where they get ready for Level 5(new Level 4). She seems to be doing quite well, though there are certain requirements for conditioning type things that she is not passing at this point, as well as some miscellaneous skill requirements on a couple of events. Of course, I don't have a crystal ball to tell whether she will be able to do these things by May. She has some general knowledge that she has to have the typical Level 4 skills to move up, but I don't think she has an idea about the other things (rope climbs, leg lifts, etc). So the question is, do I tell her the content of the evaluation and let her know what she needs to work on, or do I just let the coach handle it? I'm not inclined to let her know the content of the evaluation as I just want gymnastics to be fun and I feel like she is really young to feel graded or pressured at this point. I feel like if she could do these things, she would be doing them,. Or is that fair to her as an athlete? Should I go over it with her or just let it be.

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[wallinbl]

just let the coach handle it

^^^^^^^^^^

[hickory]

I'd let her know. My guess is the girls know the evaluations went out. She might even ask you!

[MaryA]

Leave it to the coaches. It sets a good precident... you're the cheerleader, the coaches are in charge of the gym stuff. Keeping it fun is more important than whether or not she moves up this spring, and anything you say to her isn't really likely to change the outcome anyway, unless it stresses her out.

[cbifoja]

As a teacher, I believe it is only fair for a child to know what they are being tested on. Knowledge doesn't create pressure but ignorance may create resentment.

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[OzZee]

If I had a 'report card' with their marks for skills then I know 100% all of my kids would want to see it and know what they need to improve on/ how they are going (same as they want to see school report cards/music exam results and comments etc).
gym wise I'm sure they would have a reasonable idea of how they went but they'd want to know exactly. But if she was just evaluated surely she knows what they are being tested on?

[emorymom]

As a teacher, I believe it is only fair for a child to know what they are being tested on. Knowledge doesn't create pressure but ignorance may create resentment.

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Well, but you don't want to say to them "You can move up if you can do XYZ." 'Cause we know in gym, that may seem true to the coach in Jan, but in May, the coach has been replaced, or the group composition has shifted and it makes more sense to leave her with a lower group, or etc. You can say, they are hoping you can do these things in the coming months. But no, don't tell her there's some objective measure of moving up. 'Cause those of us who have been around the block know that it's more complex than that.

[rosettasmom]

I agree with emorymom. BTDT on the telling a kid she's moving up only to have the coaches change their minds when the time comes (and we only said it after the HC and gym owner told us specifically that it was happening). lesson learned!

[cbifoja]

I agree that you don't have to put the consequences of the test front and center. I'd just handle by saying that the coaches are going to look at your X, Y, and Z to see how you're coming along and what the next class you should be in next term. Something low key so they don't feel like there is some dire consequence if they aren't able to perform skills "good enough" but give them enough information to help them feel prepared and so they have an idea what they will be doing.

[GymBee97]

at 6yo she really just has to go in there and have fun and if she gets the skills she will move up and if she doesn't then she won't. I would just let the coach handle it. I know my kids could care less about those evaluations from the gym. They know what they need I'm sure the coach tells them what they have and don't have all the time the evaluations is really a tool to let the parents know where their kids are at rather than the gymnasts.

Remember its just gymnastics and she is young with plenty of time to get the skills she needs.