Gymnastics And Giftedness

[catesmom]

Another vote here for gymnastics and school work going hand in hand. My dd was never a star student in the lower grades, but as the work has gotten tougher, and the practices longer, her grades have gone way up. I believe it is a combination of the desire to stay in gymnastics, grades come first. And the dedication that she has learned in gymnastics, carrying through to her studies.

I was woried in the lower grades because I knew from experience that homework would get tougher as we went forward. My dd attends a private school which is doing work two years ahead of the public schools in the area. After 8th grade she will join the public school system, as we do not have a private school in the area, and I see no way to get her to a private school 45 minutes from the gym and still make it to gymnastics. Thankfully my cousins have taken the same track, and have done well in both high school and college. And at the high school she will be able to go into the gifted program which will keep her learning at the same level.

Our children deserve to be admired for the dedication that they put into their gymnastics and school "careers". Not that I don't let her know when I think she could do better, but for the most part I am in awe of what my 12 year old can accomplish. Now if I could only get her to clean her room.......