Gymnastics for Kids

Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport. However, it can be an exciting opportunity for children to meet like-minded kids and participate in something as a group while learning new skills. Even though gymnastics can be physically and mentally rewarding, it does carry risks that parents need to be aware of.

Gymnastics Types

Kids' gymnastics classes are available in a variety of types and styles. For very young children, there is tumbling, which gets little kids used to doing somersaults and other basic moves. Regular gymnastics classes usually start at about age 5 and offer a variety of challenges, including balance beam, rings, floor exercises and parallel bars.

Health and Fitness

When kids participate in gymnastics, they experience many health benefits. It offers cardiovascular and strength exercise, which maintains muscle tone, prevents obesity and helps kids develop healthy habits they can take into adulthood, like exercising regularly.

Social Skills

Gymnastics can also improve kids' social skills since they are constantly put in a situation with children their own age participating in an activity they all enjoy. The class environment teaches discipline, improves listening skills and helps children learn to respect one another and adults.

Warning

Gymnastics is an exciting activity that can benefits kids, but it also involves injury risk. According to the April 2008 issue of "Pediatrics," gymnastics has one of the highest injury rates of all sports for girls, and about one in five kids is treated at some point for a gymnastics-related injury. To help prevent injury, make sure your child warms up properly before class and does not attempt activities she doesn't feel physically capable of doing.