Toddler gymnastics might seem like a stretch for your little one, but there’s a lot of learning that happens in these sessions for younger kids. The activities in these toddler classes help kids develop mentally, physically, and socially.
There’s a lot more to it than just letting your kids tumble around and have a great time with their friends — although, that’s a big part of the fun! Here’s a closer look at some of the top ways gymnastics can benefit your toddler, and why it’s a great idea to get them signed up for a class now.
Benefit #1 – Helps Toddlers Develop Healthy, Strong Bones
You likely hear it often from your pediatrician – kids need to be building strong, healthy bones now. While proper nutrition is one part of the equation, physical activity is another.
Toddler gymnastics involve weight-bearing exercises that are designed to be suitable for younger children. That use of the body and applying pressure to the bones stimulates bone density. While they’re having fun learning gymnastics, developing a strong, healthy skeletal system is just one of the ways gymnastics can benefit your toddler, now and in the future.
Benefit #2 – Teaches Toddlers Balance
Balance is critical for toddlers, especially as they get older and want to get involved in other sports, ride a bicycle, or climb a tree. Developing good balance is one of the key benefits of taking gymnastics as a toddler. Developing a good sense of balance now can equip your child to confidently, safely get involved in a wide variety of activities.
When kids develop good balance, they also have a smaller chance of falling. If kids fall while climbing up to their tree house or while riding a bike, there’s a risk they’ll be seriously injured. Developing a great sense of balance while young can be key in preventing injuries.
Benefit #3 – Aids in the Development of Coordination
While there are numerous ways for toddlers to develop coordination, gymnastics brings with it complex movements and unfamiliar positions. Even toddlers begin to master fairly complex movements in a short time with the help of toddler gymnastics. Practicing also helps improve your toddler’s focus along with their mind-to-muscle connection, making it easier for them to develop control and coordination physically.
Along with helping kids while they’re young, developing good coordination will continue helping them as they grow older. Activity, good coordination skills, and a great mind-to-muscle connection will come in handy as they age, and may even help prevent slips, trips, and falls in their senior years.
Benefit #4 – Improved Posture and Strength
Gymnastics classes for toddlers are excellent for helping them build strength. As kids learn to use their skills on mats, balance beams, and other apparatus, they learn to support their body weight in various movements and positions. This type of training helps them develop both major and minor muscle groups that allow them to control and stabilize their movements.
A benefit of developing strength in both major and minor muscle groups is that it often improves posture in kids. Especially as your toddlers move on to school age, they’ll have the core strength to support their frame, reducing the negative effects of slouching, which can result in repetitive strain injuries as they grow older. Beyond sitting, other activities like running become safer when kids have good posture.
Benefit #5 – Overall Disease Prevention and Improved Health
Toddler gymnastics offers so many health benefits, from developing better coordination to building stronger bones to improve overall body strength. Being introduced to the joy of gymnastics helps kids learn how fun physical activity can be, and when they feel confident in their physical abilities, they’re more likely to get involved with other sports, too.
Physical activity offers many benefits, helping to develop excellent cardiovascular health, bone health, muscle strength, and more. Staying active also ensures kids avoid the negative health consequences that can come with a sedentary lifestyle.
Increased physical activity is linked to a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious diseases, and getting kids active in gymnastics early sets them up for a lifetime of better health.
Bottom line: There are so many great ways gymnastics can benefit your toddler. But beyond all the physical and mental benefits, there’s the important fact that it’s just tons of fun. Whether they’re tumbling on the floor, using a mini trampoline, or learning other skills, toddlers get the chance to find out how fun it can be to move their bodies.
When it’s fun, they’re more likely to turn regular activity into a habit. Learning fun new skills with other toddlers is a perfect way to set your toddlers up for a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. Be sure to book your child in a Lake City Twisters gymnastics class today!
