Gymnastics: Should I Bump My Son up to the Next Higher Class?

I'd follow the instructor's lead until given a reason not to.

Unlike team sports, individual sports (like gymnastics)are MUCH more about grouping by ability. Age groupings are far more in the way of "guidelines" in most classes.

It was his first class, I would take him a couple more times before deciding, to see if he fits in well there.

My daughter had just turned 4 when she was moved into the 5-6 year old gymnastics class. Her coach always tells me that she "keeps up" with everyone else and has positive energy. I don't see why you shouldn't move him up if he is able.... otherwise, he might get a touch bored with the younger class if it gets too basic and routine (in keeping it appropriate for the 3-4 yo beginners and not suited for his abilities).

Can he handle the harder gymnastics? Will they let him try and if it doesn't work out let him go back to this level? I understand you want to challenge him but you want him to enjoy it more.

I was a gymnastics instructor for 4 years, and our gym had classes by age and ability.

That being said, if the instructor is saying for him to give it a try, I'd do it. We evaluated kids before they enrolled, and sometimes you had a really quick student that was ready to move on (often the ones you loved teaching the most).

What's the worst that can happen? #1 - he loves it and thrives OR #2 - he's not as comfortable and returns to the original class. I personally think he'll be fine. The instructor wouldn't move him on otherwise.

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I'd leave him right where he is, with 4 yo peers.

We signed our son and daughter up for gym when they were 2 and 3 yrs old - just for an activity to do. Well, my son is actually doing really well with it and has fun with it (great way for him to burn off energy) so we have stuck with it. He was "bumped" up early. He is the only 4 year old with the 5 and 6 year olds. He is already on his 2nd session with the older kids and won't be 5 till Dec. He is doing great and loves it. I say go for it!!

Have fun!

I used to coach summer camp and parties and I think if the instructors are suggesting move him up I would go for it. In camp we normally had a variety of ages 4-12 some weeks and they all got along fine and worked well together. If he is ready for the older class he may get bored with some of the things that the younger class is doing. I would at least try the class that is more at his level.

I wouldn't assume anything just on the first "trial" class.
I would watch and wait.
He may be a star gymnast, you never know, but getting bumped up after one lesson could be more pressure than fun.

Just my opinion.

I coach gymnastics myself, and, as a coach, we only recommend kids move up if they are ready. If the coach thinks he is ready, then I would go for it. It was probably recommended b/c the 3-4 yr class would most likely be too easy for him. The way I look at it is, that on a gymnastics team, you may have various ages working at the same level. As much as gymnastics tries to go by age, I think it's more important to go by level. If they are bored b/c it's too easy, most kid will quit. Like others have said, if it's not working out in the older class or some reason, you can put him back down. Good luck!

I coach both recreational preschool and competitive school age gymnastics. We run our classes in the same format (3 and 4 year olds together, 5-7 etc.) If he is tall for his age, and was following directions fine, there is a reason the instructor recommended the older class. However, USA gymnastics recommends that children under 5 do not perform any bridge activity (falling back into a bridge etc) so just make sure that the gym follows age appropriate USA gymnastics guidelines for safety of young children, as their bones are still developing etc... Good luck and great job for your son!

How many other 4 year olds is in that class? Or will he be the only one?

If the coach recommended moving him up then do so. If not you will be wasting your money because he will get bored. (spoken from a gym owner) My girls are 4 and 2. The 4 year old is with a group of 5 year olds and the 2 year old is in a group of 3 year olds. Both are doing very well

If you have concerns, start him in the 3-4 class and watch him. If the instructor still thinks that the older class is better for him and you think the 3-4 class is a good fit, switch!

It is by ability, not by age necessarily. I would defer to the instructor's judgement with the caveat that he can bump back down if he feels overwhelmed. He sounds talented, enjoy!

I work for the local Gymnastics/Dance studio in my town, in their clothing store. If the instructer suggested it then go for it. They have years of experience and know when a child is ready. If you are really happy with the time and day and don't want to move him then don't but it seems that the teacher is really looking out for your son.

In the 3-4 year old class they are going to be working on standing in line, taking their turns, following the teachers directions, having a good time doing as much actual gymnastics as possible, which won't be much. In the next class up they will actually be working on doing things like shooting stars, penny drops, turns on the tumble track, rollingover the rolls and arm and leg positions, they'll be working on walking the beams the correct way and turning while on them, etc...doing actual gymnastics type activities. Four year old kids actually can pay attention and follow directions very well, if the techers give short precise directions that is.

At the very least let him attend one or two of the classes and see how he fits in.