AGES 3-4
This class is a fun introduction to gymnastics for our youngest participants. Kids will work on basic movement, balance, coordination, body control, strength, and beginner gymnastics skills while becoming comfortable in a structured class setting.
AGES 5-6
This class continues building on the gymnastics foundation developed at a younger age. Kids will work on more advanced skills and progressions while developing strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence on the gymnastics equipment.
AGES 7-8
This class gives older kids the opportunity to continue building their gymnastics skills and work toward more advanced progressions. Participants will continue developing strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and body control while working on skills across the different gymnastics equipment.
This class is designed to challenge kids as they grow while still keeping gymnastics fun and encouraging.
SKILL PROGRESSION
Our gymnastics program is built around skill progression. We want children to continually learn new skills and build on what they have already learned throughout each session.
Instructors will introduce age-appropriate skills and provide progressions based on each child's individual ability. As children become comfortable with a skill, they will be challenged to work toward the next step.
Children will not all progress at the same pace, and that's okay! Our goal is to meet each child where they are and help them continue to grow from there.
MOVING UP TO THE NEXT AGE GROUP
Children will typically progress through our gymnastics classes based on their age. However, we understand that every child develops differently. In some circumstances, a child may be ready for the skills and challenges of an older age group before they reach the typical age requirement.
If our gymnastics staff feels that a child is ready to move into an older age group, special permission must be given by the gymnastics staff before registering for a different age group. This allows us to make sure the class is an appropriate fit for the child's current skill level, development, and needs.
Please do not register your child for an older age group without first receiving approval from our gymnastics staff.
As children move into older age groups, the skills and progressions will continue to become more challenging as they develop the strength, coordination, and confidence needed for the next level.
PROGRESS CARDS
At the end of each 6-week session, children will receive a progress card showing the skills they have been working on throughout the session.
Progress cards will help parents see:
- Skills their child has learned
- Skills they are currently working on
- Skills they can continue practicing
- Areas where they can continue to grow
These progress cards also help our instructors track each child's development and determine what skills and progressions to focus on in future sessions.
Our goal is not for every child to be at the exact same skill level. Instead, we want to see individual growth and progress from each child.
The goal isn't perfection, it's progress!
WHAT TO EXPECT IN CLASS
Classes will include a variety of stations and activities using gymnastics equipment. Children will work on skills such as:
- Balance and coordination
- Strength and flexibility
- Body control
- Jumping and landing
- Rolls and gymnastics skills
- Bars
- Beam
- Floor
- Other age-appropriate gymnastics skills
Skills may be practiced multiple times throughout a session. Repetition is an important part of gymnastics and allows children to build strength, coordination, muscle memory, and confidence before moving on to more advanced skills.
As children progress, instructors will introduce new challenges and progressions that build on the skills they have already learned.
CLASS SIZE
We keep gymnastics classes small so instructors can provide individual attention and instruction. Our goal is for every child to feel supported, encouraged, and comfortable asking questions and trying new skills.
PARENT INFORMATION
Parents are welcome to watch their child during class. We ask that parents allow the instructors to lead the class and work directly with the children.
Some children participate better when they are able to focus on their instructor and classmates without a parent directly involved, so it may take some children a little time to get comfortable in a new class.
Our instructors are here to create a safe, positive, and encouraging environment where every child can learn, grow, and have fun.
OUR GOAL
At the Hastings Family YMCA, gymnastics is about more than just learning how to do a cartwheel or walk across a beam.
We want children to build confidence, try new things, develop new skills, and be proud of how far they have come.
Every child will progress differently, and we want to celebrate those individual accomplishments. Whether it's mastering a new skill, becoming more comfortable on the equipment, or simply gaining the confidence to try something they were nervous about — that's progress!
