Body Autonomy As Part of Preschool Gymnastics Coach Training? Let's Talk Consent to Spot

Body Autonomy As Part of Preschool Gymnastics Coach Training? Let's Talk Consent to Spot

Should we be asking for permission to spot preschoolers?

Everyone has the right to decide who touches their body and when (and, inversely, who does NOT get to). Even preschoolers.

I believe we should be making consent to spot part of every gymnastics class, no matter how young gymnasts may be. Here’s why…

7 Ways to Help When You’ve Got a RUNNER

7 Ways to Help When You’ve Got a RUNNER

I had my class in a line, flying like birds down the tumble strip on our way to pit time. Beside us were some level 8 girls working their passes into the pit. I saw him out of the corner of my eye. He was excited to get to pit time. Before I knew it, he BOLTED, sprinting and jumping into the pit. 

The Ignorer Vs. The Narrator: A Gymnast-Coach Superhero Battle

The Ignorer Vs. The Narrator: A Gymnast-Coach Superhero Battle

“Ok crew! Time to line up!

Ok, we’ve got everyone except...Ainsley

Time to stop and line up, Ainsley

AINSLEY!

No, don’t keep jumping into that pit, it’s time to go!

C’mon Ains, line up!

Ok, you’re going to lose your stamps if you don’t line up in 3, 2, 1……

Ok, you’ve lost your stamps…”

Sound familiar?

But They're Babies! Why Preschool Gymnastics Progressions Matter

But They're Babies! Why Preschool Gymnastics Progressions Matter

It can be tempting to push preschool gymnasts through a skill just to check it off the lesson plan. This, however, will not be beneficial in the long game of gymnastics. Without proper progressions and solid foundation skills, they may be able to complete a higher-level skill, but it won’t be pretty (or safe). If we want them to tumble out of a front tuck someday, we need to teach them perfect forward rolls in preschool.

How to Get Kids to Listen to Your Coaches From the Start!

How to Get Kids to Listen to Your Coaches From the Start!

The rotation clock is ticking, the gym is busy and you don’t have much time to get all of your preschoolers going on their beam stations. One had to potty, another had to blow her nose, and another, well, she’s waving fanatically at her mom in the lobby- we’ve all been there!

5 Parents in Every Parent Tot Class & Tips to Support Them

5 Parents in Every Parent Tot Class & Tips to Support Them

You love your involved parents, but sometimes it can get a little challenging to coach a class of two-year-olds while managing parents too. There are some simple strategies to make every coach feel more confident about teaching one of the hardest classes in the gym! *This post is meant to give you a giggle and be helpful. My intention is not to offend anyone with stereotypes! :)

4 Steps to Creating Perfect Parent Tot Stations

4 Steps to Creating Perfect Parent Tot Stations

Creating engaging, age appropriate parent tot stations is a challenge. Sometimes, it can seem overwhelming to create stations for such young gymnasts...and their parents. But what if you bought some lesson plans that included parent tot modifications for each week? Done! In one week, I’ll be releasing a new batch of Happy Gymnastics lesson plans (Yippee!) Parent tot stations and modifications are included with each plan.