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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So  I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.[/quote]

I think this is definitely part of it.  At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all)  5 and 6 year olds  should still be exploring the world!  If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about.  There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school.  But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.
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No one believes it until they have one of those kids. My ds started preteam at age 5 and started competing at age 6. At that age he had practice 2-3 times a week and couldn't wait until he could go every day. At 11, he trains 6 days a week and still loves it. We're on vacation right now and he can't wait to get back. I have had several talks with him over the years about how he's going to look back on his childhood one day and 90% of his memories are going to be gymnastics, and is he sure this is what he wants to be doing with all of his time. He's sure, and as long as he's sure, we're going to let him keep following his dream. [/quote]

Yes, exactly. I think PP need to keep an open mind; some kids do show a passion for tumbling at an early age. I'm kind of convinced there is some sort of chemical rush they get. My kids don't do it, either, but I know kids who do and it's remarkable. [/quote]

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