Gymnastic for a shy, risk averse, 5-year-old Boy

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am interested in signing my son up for a gymnastic class. He is reasonably coordinated but not sporty. He is also very physically cautious and risk averse. The background story is that I was terrible at PE class growing up, bad at everything. I want to avoid the same fate for him. I believe that Gymnastic is a foundational sport and can be useful for whatever sports he enjoys doing later on. I would like to hear from the wise Moms on these boards. My preferred location is somewhere near Rockville.

[Anonymous]

One, don't project your childhood issues. (I was crappy at sports too and my kid has coordination issues, so I definitely know where you're coming from.)

Try doing a drop in class and see how he likes it. If he doesn't like the class just do open gyms and shop around for classes that he can get into.

I think yoga's a good choice for a risk adverse kid.

[Anonymous]

Dymanite is pretty mellow for boys. They have several kinds of classes including agility. They allow a trial.

[Anonymous]

I've always heard good things about Dynamite. But we're in CCMD and we have used Silver Stars and been very happy. My 5yo boy was weirdly averse to being upside down - he would howl even at the thought of doing a somersault when I used to take him to My Gym. He started Silver Stars last year and loves it. I'm not sure how, but they helped him get over whatever weird phobia he had about being upside down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dymanite is pretty mellow for boys. They have several kinds of classes including agility. They allow a trial.

It really depends on the teacher.

(A friend's son was bullied there and they will never go back. So try to get a teacher who isn't checked out.)

[Anonymous]

It's too early. He has to advance at his own pace. Make it about him, not your childhood.

[Anonymous]

We've done Silver Stars (Expensive), MarVaTots (insanely crowded in the front and Dynamite (So far the favorite) with my almost-5 boy. He loves it. Jumping, diving, etc.

We even did a 5-day camp this summer too.

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old DS is quite unathletic. He's been at Dynamite (first the regular center, then moved over to agility) for the past few years, and he has had surprising success. It is the only athletic activity that he has stuck with. I would say most gyms do trial classes, so find one that's close to you and do a trial.

You could also check out the Rockville Sportsplex - they have soccer and basketball (and maybe other) classes for that age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dymanite is pretty mellow for boys. They have several kinds of classes including agility. They allow a trial.

It really depends on the teacher.

(A friend's son was bullied there and they will never go back. So try to get a teacher who isn't checked out.)

Agreed, we left once after a bad instructor. Many are checked out but there are a few good ones. Most of them are younger and use it as their social time vs. a real gymnastics center. I also don't like how the teachers talk about the parents (only a few of us there and they were doing their meeting). The management is also pretty checked out too. Silver Stars was terrible for us. Never tried Marvatot.

[Anonymous]

We tried Dynamite but had a poor experience. Teacher barely paid attention to the kids and didn't seem to care whether anyone ran away, was using the equipment dangerously, etc. We went for about a month before deciding it was consistently bad (at least Saturday mornings when we went). On the other hand we went to a birthday party there and it was great.

[Anonymous]

Dynamite Agility, with any teacher other than Joe. We particularly like Russell. Unlike in the regular gymnastics classes, the focus is on getting the kids moving and taking (comfortable) risks, rather than having perfect gymnastics form.

[Anonymous]

Find another activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find another activity.

Care to explain?

[Anonymous]

Not, PP, but Soccer is probably a better option for a risk-averse kid. Sure, a risk-averse kid will be able to do a summersault and a log roll, but eventually, walking across the balance beam or leaping on the balance beam or bouncing on a spring board is going to be a no-go.

Of course, it's fine to try it -- who knows! Maybe he'll like it. But, as a mom of a very risk averse girl (wouldn't step off the sidewalk onto the grass as a 2 yr. old), I understand the inner limitations.

The great thing about soccer is that most kids already have the basic skills -- i.e. they can run and kick. From there, it's a matter of paying attention to the game (rather than the clovers and dandelions) and refining the footwork (which doesn't happen for most until 2nd grade). So, if your kid isn't coordinated or especially athletic, he/she will fit right into most kinderg, 1st, and 2nd soccer clubs. (speaking as the mother of a boy who isn't coordinated and isn't a good player, but he thinks he is and he loves being on a team).

Another option (probably more expensive) would be taekwondo. Not so much "risk" as gymnastics and you go at your own pace with lots of rewarding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We tried Dynamite but had a poor experience. Teacher barely paid attention to the kids and didn't seem to care whether anyone ran away, was using the equipment dangerously, etc. We went for about a month before deciding it was consistently bad (at least Saturday mornings when we went). On the other hand we went to a birthday party there and it was great.

Change instructors. There is a huge range from horrible to just ok to really good.