All-Star 4-year-old Cheerleader To Be...

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From me? Lol? I hope not! I just saw that someone brought something up from the parent board and the OP pointed it out. :)

haha it said I got quoted by someone and when I clicked the alert there was no quote of my post... not you!
 
Sometimes I quote people by mistake but I don't post it because I realize. Maybe they still get the notification? Don't think I did it to you guys though.
 
@123jump4! Back to the thread...I wish I could go back and value some of the things CP was being taught in those beginner classes. All I was concerned about was getting specific skills but the "silly" things they were doing were actually preparing her to get skills later in life. I'm certainly no tumbling coach and someone here can better explain but I do remember her learning things like handstands against the wall, repeating bridges, walking handstands, jumps to raised mats, etc. which were all building blocks for quality skills.

I guess my point is that coming out of those classes with a BWO or BHS or whatever isn't always the goal. But getting kids strong with good balance and core muscles may be much more prized when she starts actual skills.
 
<gasp> I really hope this is not going to take away from her art time. I've been patiently waiting for the next in the "fat man" series. Now I know why it's not ready!


OMG This. At least once a day we get a phone call from someone wanting to put their one year old in ballet. Because she "really already points her toes! I am sure she's meant to dance!" It is unreal how many moms feel the need to start their kids as early as possible - and then brag about it for the next 16 years.

If I hear one more mom say "Well, she's been dancing for 10 years" about their 12-year-old, I will lose it.

I would say 90% of parents who put their kids in something at the age of 2 or 3 do it for themselves, not the kid.
Definitely. Then again, I am the type of person who would try to give babies "walking privates" to prepare them for tumbling when they get older. :p
 
Definitely. Then again, I am the type of person who would try to give babies "walking privates" to prepare them for tumbling when they get older. :p

Lol! Walking privates.

I'm actually proud to say I held off with CP4. She was in the play gym at gymnastics when she was 2 and some coaches saw her on the trampoline and they said "wow, she's so strong and her balance is great! we have classes for 2-year-olds!". But I said no thanks and just let her continue to play... until she was 3 and actually asked to be in a class. :cool:
 
Kids really can't learn much about anything until age 5. All of the classes up till that point are just to get them used to following directions and getting a feel if they like the activity. Yeah, there is the occasional 4 year old who can do some crazy skills, but for the most part even very talented kids don't start catching on until age 6-7.
 
My 4-year-old doesn't even know what a BHS is... I know, we're way behind.

Note to confused people: There was an old thread called 3-year-old back handspring.
Are there actually people that don't know about that thread? Pretty sure we had it pinned for it's epic-ness.
 
The goal of the tiny/mini programs are very different per gym. Some do not ever have their tiny teams compete (just exhibition) as it is more about getting out on the mat in front of people and remembering what to do. Others have strong programs where you know going in, this is meant to be a competitive team from day 1, no matter age. It is the way of the gym. Most of these teams are probably in the 5 year old range rather than 3 year olds.....
For example, The Stingray Allstars ( UCA 2013 - Stingray Allstars Team Grape - YouTube ) is a gym where going in, you know that the team "Stingrays - Grape" is going to be competing. It is always a strong tiny team.
Central Jersey Allstars is also a well known gym, but their tiny team was exhibition because you can tell just by looking at the kids, it was a much younger beginner group (CJA Tiny Exhibition Jan 12 2014 - YouTube ). 3-4 year olds have to be cat hearded more so, as some have called it & its about just getting out there and doing the routine.
Neither is "better" for all children per say, just different types of teams. Depending on the child & their age, they may crave a very serious team that is competitive, or they may shy away from the competitive aspect and just want something to have fun. All of these children though will succeed in cheer if they stick with it, no matter what team they were on at age 3-5 though.
At such a young age, some of the kids will stick with cheerleading and some may get burnt out. It just depends on the kid and their surrounding enviornment. Is mom putting them in the sport or are they the one asking to go to class everyday? Are they looking up to an older family member that also cheers? How do they handle being in front of others & performing? How do they handle their stress/fears? All factors
My daughter is a 5 year old mini but I still can't believe that other minis lift minis.... But then again there is a lot more maturity from a almost 9 year old than a just turned 5 year old. I just know they are cute to watch and if they are having fun and enjoying it have at it. I am trying to keep my daughter from burnout because she wants to practice more and more but I think 5 hour practice hours a week are enough
 

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