i'm new and my head is spinning!

[sheplaysinthechalk]

Hi. I'm really new to this site. A really wonderful someone recommended it to me via youtube message last night.

I must say that my head is SPINNING! These forums have been very informative, yet they have me a little concerned...

My little girl is 4. working on level 3, 4. I'm not really concerned about that part, but rather this: i've read in several of these posts that children under 5 should not work on back flexibility, splits, back handsprings, etc due to risk of injury to growth plates, joints and spine...my child is doing all of those things on a regular basis and doing them quite well unassisted...i.e...front and back limbers, front and back walkovers, bridges, splits, front and back handsprings....

Currently, she competes in tumbling because she wont be old enough to compete gymnastics for 2 more years. She competed advanced beginner this year and won the state championship for 5 and under. She is currently working on novice passes and whips and tucks on trampoline, but will compete sub novice tumbling next season. This is way too much, isn't it...

After having read some of these posts, i'm wondering if i should have a discussion with her coaches. I understand that my daughter is talented, but she evidently shouldn't be working on skills of this caliber.

And then i was reading some things about burnout. All of it makes sense, but i never in a million years imagined that my girl would get sick of going to gym. She loves it and never stops flipping. She cartwheels and rolls around the house, walking on her hands everywhere she goes and climbing on all of my furniture (using the couches as balance beams and parallel bars). No one is making her do those things, she just does it, i guess because she thinks it's fun. I can't get her to stop.

I guess i'm just wondering if it's okay for her to be doing all of these things. Is it normal or abnormal?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

[MdGymMom01]

I love your username, btw--so cute!!!

My dd didn't start any type or organized (more than 45 min a week) class untill she was 6 years old so I can't really speak on any issues my dd had with back flexibility or anything like that before the age of 6 or so. Since your dd is only 4 I would just let her have fun right now. If she wants to try back walkovers or back bends then that is fine as long as she is not "training" them for hours on end imo.

With the tumbling, I would be a bit concerned just because a 4 year old doesn't have the coordination, air sense and body control that older kids do. I am not an expert or coach or anything, I am just speaking from my experience as an observer parent. I would talk to the coaches and see what they have to say about it.

Good luck and welcome to the Chalk Bucket!!!

[sheplaysinthechalk]

thank you!

i'm really more concerned for her joints at this point in time. my child has uncanny body awareness for her age which i know can't be normal, as most children are learning to skip and run and jump at this age... I'm just afraid that i'm going to end up with a child plagued by pain and injuries before she hits the first grade...that's why i'm wondering...

[starmaker]

Hello I feel like I already know you. I've seen your videos on youtube.

Welcome! This place is full of information. Its a great place to discuss concerns, or just bounce ideas around.

My daughter doesn't tumble like your dd but she does do the front and back limbers, bwo, bhs etc. I am under the impression that if their bodies are able to do it than it must be ok. As long as it's not for hours and hours on end. When dd was 2 months old she would tighten her legs and stand while you were holding her. She hated sitting and would always pull up to standing. My grandparents and other old people were like: "she's too little, her legs are not strong enough to bare weight on, her legs are going to become bow legged etc. Well the little girl was walking by 8 months and isn't bow legged. Another example is the headstand. Olivia can be in a headstand for 5 minutes easily. Its how she watches TV. She can do it on concrete, asphalt, tile doesn't bother her any. Now Julia (my 4yr old) attempts a headstand and I think she is going to break her neck. Headstands are off limit for Jules. Some children are more capable than others. Every child is different and there are exceptions to every rule. Just keep an eye on her. She'll be fine!

Janelle

[mariposamama]

Welcome! It is definitely scary to read all about the back injury, etc, when young ones do excessive back skills. I worry about my DD and she was over 5 when she first started doing any back stuff besides the occasional bridge at gymnastics once a week. I don't think that it lessens the danger any just because they CAN do it or are flexible enough. Overflexibility can be an issue as well as they use that flexibility sometimes instead of the proper way, to do the skill.

It all comes down to decisions we have to make as parents. I am still uncomfortable with my DD doing gymnastics sometimes, and she will be 6 next month. Even now I cringe watching them work on back limbers, front limbers etc. The risks are high and it is a tough decision to make.

I would just read everything you can and go from there. Good luck! She is a cutie.

[gymdog]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mariposamama I don't think that it lessens the danger any just because they CAN do it or are flexible enough. Overflexibility can be an issue as well as they use that flexibility sometimes instead of the proper way, to do the skill.

I agree, ability doesn't seem to play much of a role in overuse injuries. I know someone with a very talented young daughter (Diamond athlete, very strong and flexible) who had to pull her out as a 7 yr old L6 because of chronic overuse injuries in her back. She had been able to do everything but it didn't make much difference. Her daughter was extremely talented and after an extended break took up trampoline which was easier on her body and then eventually (with supportive and aware coaches) got into tumbling. It's not a given, but it's impossible to predict the consequences down the line and even anecdotally I think we have pretty good indications that we want to limit certain movements with preschoolers. However from a medical and scientific standpoint, it is a pretty good argument as well that all gymnastics is not necessarily compatible with the development of a preschooler's body.

Everyone has to evaluate their own situation, but I would limit such movements on hard or unforgiving surfaces because of the impact on growth plates that haven't stabilized. Unfortunately it is impossible to predict what the effect will be but we are urged to err on the side of caution because generally what's been found is that with talented young gymnasts, after proper lead up exercises that are not considered as risky, these skills can be developed quickly anyway. Therefore you can argue that the cost/benefit ratio is favorable on the side of caution, because the potential costs outweigh potential benefits. I would at least probably limit bridges and tumbling skills at home and encourage her to work on other stretching or silly movements such as different animal walks, making up dance routines, turns, etc.

[ellabella]

Anyone on this board who has coached for many years or had a child who has done gym for many years and reached a high level can tell you how much it doesn't matter what they can do at 4, 5 or 6 years of age. Gymnastics isn't a race. I have seen so many little wonderkids and they are never the ones that end up making it in the long run. Of the kids I've watched grow up and become elite gymnasts and/or get college scholarships none were the little amazing 4 year old. They were mostly average kids who have put in years and years. I think if you have hopes for a little one to go far it's best to limit their training until they are older.

[Ingymmom]

Welcome shesplaysinthechalk (very cute name) - I am so thrilled you decided to join!

I think its important to remember that no 2 children are created equal . Your daughter is obviously very athletic & doing fantastic. She clearly loves what she is doing. I know (and know of) quite a few gymnasts that tumbled at your dd's age and are still doing gymnastics today - many are now Level 8's or above, a few are elites. Sometimes you just can't stop a child from advancing. Just take it one day at a time.

[gymdog]

Gymnasts certainly succeed after showing talent young. To be honest, I have seen basically no rhyme or reason as to who is "left standing" at the higher levels and older ages. In my experience, it's basically been a mix of kids who at 5 could do everything you asked, kids who showed potential but lacked some refinement, and kids who kept moving along by sheer enthusiasm and somewhere along the way started to look really good. There are usually some kids you can pick out as having something, whether like they look like the best one in that group or not.

But a lot of the girls I trained with at the end who did higher levels at younger ages were definitely plagued with more overuse injuries than I was (started late, L4 at 11.5 and then moved up quickly). We're lucky because we've been getting softer floors, better equipment really and more pits and resis. I think we do need to limit repetitions on the harder surfaces for talented young gymnasts who are pre or early competition age (under 8 or so). I've witnessed classes of young pre-team or early team gymnasts doing BHS after BHS on floor with no mat, and I think we need to question the necessity of this. I like to see at least a sting mat and I am in love with 4 inch mats for the purpose of RO BHS or BHS reps for the little ones.

[gym law mom]

What scares me about the OP dd is that it was stated she was 4 and had won her state title in tumbling. This means she was starting to do these skills when she was 3! This is ridiculous and the coaches should really take a reality check on what they're trying to get this very young child to do.

Why does she need to compete at age 4 or even 5 in tumbling? If the goal is artistic gymnastics at age 6(as a L4) then focus on an appropriate pre-team class where she gets work on all 4 events and doesn't have the constant pounding of all that tumbling. The tumbling not only stresses her back, but also her wrists, ankles, knees and hips. Can anyone predict which kid will have growth related or overuse injuries---not really. We can't see them grow(talking about length in bones etc), young ones really don't even know what is "hurt" or pain yet. Most of these injuries are slow to develop and may not be noticed until this little one is 7 or 8.

Ingy--I do have to disagree that you can't stop some kids from advancing. With a 4 or 5 yo, who has the car keys and checkbook? The parents do. If you think its too much, then back off. Will your dd be upset? Maybe/maybe not. They may find other activities to try or just enjoy the extra time to be a little girl. Remember, they only have 1 spine, 2 knees etc. that has to last them for a very long time.