Newbie with questions

[Tumblequeensmom]

Don't let the fact that you received a voicemail at other gyms put you off. Go ahead and leave a message, I guarantee someone will call you back quickly. There's a fantastic gym in our area that only has limited phone coverage during the day. Everyone's busy out on the floor coaching! So do make the phone calls, and go to a different gym! Let us know what happens when you have the conversation with the gym about WHY you're not returning!!

-Lynn

[gym law mom]

I know time and gas are precious commodities these days, but if you don't hear back quickly from a gym and you have the time, stop by and just walk around a little. Usually there is someone at the front desk or they can get a coach out of the gym to talk with you.

For the age of your girls, if you could find a gym that had its own pre-school area or room that would be a huge plus. You should look around any gym to see that they have the smaller sized mats, beams etc. that are all little kid friendly. Ask questions about what is done in each class---could you be out there with the 3 yo while the older one is in another group? How many kids in a class, are make ups allowed for missed classes, background of their instructors? I would not hesitate to relate the experience your 3 yo had at the other gym regarding the beam. Poor thing must have been terrified and another coach should know this so he/ she can work appropriately with her.

Good luck and wish nothing but fun and lots of smiles from those girls!!! Keep us updated.

[MdGymMom01]

I totally agree with everyone that posted as well. I am appalled at how the coaches treated your 3 year old daughter! That is horrifying!!! I would definitley look around at other gyms. Also, it is a good idea to go to these gyms in person and just watch for a while. Check out the coach/child interaction and see how they relate to the pre-schoolers. Talk to some other parents and get a feel for how they like it. I know that my gym has a separate pre-school area that has equipment mini-sized for the kids.

I still can't get over how they would let a 3 yr old stand on a beam that high WITHOUT A SPOT!!! And then upset her like that and not give her help when she cried.

Good luck and I hope you find a great gym for your girls.

[mariposamama]

I just wanted to agree with everyone who said to RUN from that gym and find another. I can't believe they would put them up there and stand so far away. Or make her stand up there crying.

Definitely leave messages at the other gyms. I hope you find them a gym where they can have fun and not be made to cry. Gymnastics should be FUN. Good luck finding a gym that knows how to work with preschool kids.

[momof2gymgirls]

I am in agreement with everyone else. I cant believe that coach treated your 3 year old that way! First of all to place her on that high of a beam without even spotting her is crazy and dangerous, of course she was scared! I really hope that you can find another gym to bring her to. Im sorry that her first experience in the gym was like this but Im glad that she is giving it another try. Im sure that she will do great in a better enviroment!

[KBT]

I wouldn't be happy with that type of treatment, either. I don't take my pre-schoolers on anything above waist-height. We do 95% of our work on low beam just getting the feel for balancing and walking and jumping on beam. I might take them up on "high" beam at the end of a class just to walk across and get the feel for being up higher, but I always hold them by the waist because kids this age are notoriously unpredicatable for when and how they'll fall. I also like holding the waist because I have better control over the kid, they get the feel of using their arms for balance, and I won't yank on a shoulder if they do fall. Of course, they all just want to hold my hand And I do have kids who get very scared. I encourage all of them to at least get up and try, but I'm not going to force a kid that age to walk the high beam. Some are too young to have the coordination and depth perception and balance to handle high beam, and it's just not necessary for them to do high beam at this point in their careers.

About the voicemail - don't worry about that at all! It *might* actually be a good thing. Maybe they don't have a full time front desk person so it keeps their costs down (and also your tuition). If they call back, that's what's important.

[FlipsLeos]

Coming late... as usual...

Judging solely from what I've seen from our gym, if they treated new kids like that (regardless of age!!) they would be out of business VERY QUICKLY. Our preschoolers (who run up to 3.5yrs - 4yrs) are always encouraged but not forced to do things.... and they certainly aren't overfaced like that!!

We have the luxury of a separate preschool room with scaled down equipment (my son is in there), but there has been the occasional time where they've gone to the main floor to get a drink and one of the kids will ask if they can walk across the high beam. The answer is almost always YES and everyone is encouraged to try (with a spot) but not forced. A child who is upset or just plain refuses just watches and almost always has a quick walk across the floor beam back in the preschool room to reinforce that beam is okay.

Good luck finding another gym!!!

[Shawn]

Walking on the high beam was actually one of the criteria to signal a child was ready to move OUT of the preschool program at our old gym. If a child could walk on the high beam, they were allowed to move to the kindergym program instead.

[Blackie6]

Hi,
Welcome to CB! I agree with everything that's been said here about putting your lil gymie on the beam. Poor thing! If she wasn't scared before she sure will be after that experience! I am sure gyms are going to be getting a lot of new kids after the Olympics, but maybe that gym wasn't quite ready yet? That program sure didn't seem like a pre-school program to me. My DD first started when she was about 3 and her session involved a lot of FUN things like trampoline and a little course hopping mats, safety stops, walking the lowest beam, and being helped on a pre-school bar either bringing toes up to the bar or coach helping them flip over. There were plenty of games, hugs, and walks with the coach on the low beam for those that needed it. My DD didn't go near the big beam until 4 and while she wasn't scared at all, I attribute it to the fun & safe coaching she had before she got up there.

If your girls like gymnastics please don't give up on it yet. I am sure there are plenty of gyms with good pre-school programs in place. Go an visit some that are close by, and ask to watch their classes! Word of mounth is good too...do you have any friends who have daughters who go? Sometimes gyms offer a "bring a friend" special too. I wouldn't pay for anything ahead of time either. Most places will let you try a class out or have a money back policy if your child is not happy.

Also, just another thought. Prior to my DD going to the gym she attended a dance school for a creative dance class. It had some light tumbling (learning forward rolls) in it as well as fun dance moves which sort of got her interested in the gym too.

Good luck!

[ginnymac]

Hi, I was wondering if the OP has found a new gym...update please!!