Newbie with questions

QCGymMomx2 · #1 08-23-2008, 11:58 PM

Hello,

First I would like to say I am soo glad I found this site.

2nd, I have a question or two, but first a little background.

I have two girls Anna (4.5 year old ) and Gabbi (3.3 yr old). After watching the olympics and seeing gymnastics and Anna trying to copy them in my living room, I decided to check into getting them into some classes. I found a place went and looked, and decided to try their free first lesson. So we went this past thrusday.

The girls had a BLAST! Anna took to everything right away. Was even doing flips on the bars all by her self after the coach helping once.

Gabbi love MOST of it. The only part which she did not like was the beam. They put both my girls on the same beam, they both walked it once, then Gabbi decided she was scared. Upon trying to get the to do a little hop Gbbi just stood there and cried. The coach took her down and walked her over to me and said nope she can't do this. In order for her to be in the class she has to do the beam. Just watching everyone else was not an option and her standing up there and crying was distracting to others. *note there was at least 6 other classes in various stations through out the gym*

I had a talk with Gabbi who wanted to jump on the trampoline. I told her she could not jump on the tramopline, until she did the beam. I told her they would not allow her to come back to the class at all unless she did the beam. After getting her calmed she finally said she would do the beam. I sent her back to the coach. The coach put her back on the beam, facing away from me but you could tell she was crying again. She tried to reach out for the coach to help her but the coach would not do it. Left her standing there for a few mins and then took her down and set her on the floor while she helped Anna and another little girl finish up the beam.

They moved on through the other stations and at the end they said they did great except Gabbi on the beam.

I don't think they gave her a fair hake really. I mean this was her very first time on anything like that. It was not at it's lowest level. It seemed to me they expected her to come out the gate with out fear.

I *think* I have them talked into giving her a few weeks. There are only my 2 girls and one other little girl in this session. The coach says she does not have the time to give individual attention. I *think* we came to te conclusion Gabbi can continue to come class and see if she can overcome the fear until the session fills up, at which point if Gabbi still refuses to do the beam, she will not be able to attend class until she is older.

I really just don't get this. I think she is being treated unfairly. She's a child who have never done anything like that before. Isn't that the point of a class is to learn things?

Is this standard procedure? Is the beam right for a 3yr old and 4 yr old? Should they have been on their own beams?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

They started at the end closest to the camera. This is them walking to the other end, the only Gabbi would do. After that she would just stand and cry.

Yes I am aware jean shorts are not proper attire. I thought they would be ok for the first free trial lesson. *blush*

kgymn · #2 08-24-2008, 01:45 AM

Wow if they treat a 3 year old that way how mean are they to the older girls??

To be honest with you my recommendation for you is to find a different gym. I simply cannot believe they would put a three year old on a beam that high their first time ever and stand that far away! If I was coaching a pre-school class (mind you I haven't, others on this board do coach pre-school classes and will have more input) I'd start them on a floor beam a couple of times before moving to even a low beam, and when moving to a low beam (where the bottom of the beam is barely off the floor) I'd place a folded mat at the end that they could stand on and wait their turn, and have one cross at a time, standing right next to them in case they wanted a hand to help steady them.

Proportionally, that beam she is on is nearly as tall to her as a high beam is to me. I'd never expect a three year old to even stand on a beam of that height the first time without a spot.

I just don't find this whole situation you described to be developmentally appropriate. Is there a different gym you could try instead?

~Katy

#3 08-24-2008, 02:00 AM

This is outrageous and unacceptable behaviour!!! If I were you I would not even consider letting my children into a gym like this. Although kids have to be tough to be in this challenging sport, it should be about fun at this age, your daughter is only three years old - of course she is scared! This is exactly why we do not allow under five's to do serious gymnastics in GB!

I can assure you not all gym's are like this, and this behaviour on the coaches part is highly unproffesional, I would move gym's immediatley, there should be other good gym's nearby that treat young children with respect and comfort, I am thoroughly disgusted that anyone who calls themselves a gymnastics coach can treat any child like that.

gymmomntc2e6 · #4 08-24-2008, 06:09 AM

This would bother me as well. Our pre-school kids walk on the training beam which is 6" wide and only about a foot or a foot and a half off the floor - if they are in the big gym. The do have a standard 4" beam in the preschool room but again it is VERY low. then they also have these two 'crayola' beams that look like crayons that are 4 in on the top where they walk but wider at the base so they can't tip.

I would look for another gym if that is an option. I just don't see how they can toss a 3.5 yr old on that beam and expect them to just go for it.

flippymonkeysmom · #5 08-24-2008, 06:15 AM

Are there other gyms in the area you could try? That would make me really nervous. Our preschool classes start out on the floor beams and work their way up as THEY are comfortable. At the ages your girls are - they should be going there to have fun - not having someone tell them they aren't cut out for it based on one trial class. I would definitely have them try a class at another gym if possible. Good luck - and welcome to CB.

Shawn · #6 08-24-2008, 06:56 AM

I agree with a big resounding no to that gym. What does the coach mean that she "doesn't have the time to give individual attention?" Isn't that her job??? ALL gymnasts, even the high level ones, need individual attention to learn new skills, and everything was a new skill for your babies. Run very quickly to a different gym.

gymch34 · #7 08-24-2008, 07:56 AM

Wow! Very inappropriate on the part of the coach! I hope you take your kids to another gym and get to experience a kind TEACHER who realizes all kids are different and be willing to do her job to teach your daughters!

The conversation you had should NEVER take place in regards to a recreational prreschool class. We make accomidations for little kids all the time!

ginnymac · #8 08-24-2008, 08:29 AM

I have taught preschool through level 7. I am also a pediatric physical therapist. In my opinion, it is absolutely not developmentally appropriate to place a child that age on a beam of that height and not be much closer for safety. If she were to lose her balance, how would the instructor know if your dd could jump down safely after having just met her?

In preschool programs that I have worked at, kids start low and work their way up slowly in height. How comfortable would most adults be in that situation...(did you see Meredith Viera on the Today Show with Shawn Johnson, lol)

That teacher really took a risk there...not to mention that her attitude could affect your daughters comfort level on beam for a long time.

QCGymMomx2 · #9 08-24-2008, 09:05 AM

Thank You everyone for your replies.

As much as I would like my girls to do gymnastics, they wll not be returning to that gym. I will be calling Monday and let them know they will not be returning, and WHY. I am glad I found this board.

I will be calling to other gyms, there seems to be several in the area or as far as I was going to drive to this gym. When calling around this gym was the only one that answered the phone. All others were a voicemail or answering machine.

I am glad I found this board, and was able to get good advice from parents and coaches! I am an unfit mom who was never given the oppertunity to do anything like gymnastics, dance or anything.

My youngest daughter is built like me, and has a big appetite as well. I need to get her in some sort of sport, fitness thing soon so she has a chance to be healthy. I will continue looking.

gymmomntc2e6 · #10 08-24-2008, 09:46 AM

Don't give up on a gym just because you get voicemail. When I was looking into gyms for my DD, I had to leave a message at the two that are closest to home. One called back. One did not.

Guess which one we picked

We are lucky. We are at a small gym w/ a head coach who obviously loves what she is doing and all the kids (recreational or team) that come to her gym. At that age. that is what matters.