Soccer, Dance, Tumbling, Ballet Oh My!

Updated on June 19, 2012
M.J. asks from McHenry, IL
6 answers

My daughter is 4 and I want to keep her active, do you know of anything within 20miles where I can sign my daughter up for either of those mentioned above?

My daughter shows interest in the above, I figured she'd enjoy them with other little people

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You might want to revise this Q to be relevant to your local area only.....

As for activities--what does she like?

Really, at 4, just playing is fine.
I can never figure outs why so many parents are eager to get on the Activity Hamster Wheel of life!

5 moms found this helpful
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R.R.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried your park district? Mine has a lot of fun activities like the ones you are thinking of for a cheaper price.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I think the best organized activity at this age is gymnastics. Then run, jump, bounce, flip and fly (trampolines, trapezes, bars and foam pits oh my!) It is great exercise and little kid heaven on earth! Google gymnastics in your area for info.
Four is still pretty young for sports and dance, as my BIL who coaches young children says, it's like herding cats! They lose interest quickly, and it's usually a big waste of money.
It's easy to stay active. Take her to the pool, to the park, or on a hike. Get together with other moms and kids so it's fun for you too.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Gymnastics is good, it is the foundation a child needs to have before starting tumbling. Gymnastics can be started as early as 18 months, in mommy and me classes where it is for fun and activity. Where basic skills are taught through play instead of a structured class. For instance instead of sitting and stretching they will walk like a bear or monkey to stretch out.

Most gyms have general gymnastics and once they are proficient and have achieved a certain level of skills then they may start tumbling. Ours won't let them start "serious" tumbling until the are around 7.

Gymnastics is a natural sport for kids. They love to turn cartwheels, do flips, bounce, and balance on just about everything, even toddlers want to roll around on the floor.

Your children will develop in the areas of spatial awareness, body awareness, self-confidence; as well as increasing areas like strength, flexibility and endurance. They will be taught basic skills that will enhance their balance, strength, and flexibility. Gymnastics also develops bone strength that will last throughout their life.

Some of the equipment used at good gym's are:
inflatable (air floor mats) floor mats
triangle-shaped incline mat
Balancing beams of various heights
tumble trak
spring floordeck
skill shapes, look like huge bolster pillows and are used to support beginning flips
rock climbing wall, foam cubes, air mountain
uneven parallel bars

Gymnastics is a sport both boys and girls can do. Taking gymnastics classes is a great way for children to develop coordination, gain confidence, and stay healthy.

The discipline, poise and self confidence gymnasts develop are important to kids at any age. Training in gymnastics provides all of this wrapped in a fun package that they really enjoy!
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Dance

A good dance studio should offer classes in beginning ballet, en Point ballet, tap, jazz, high steppers, hip hop, ball room dances, and more.

Dance classes are usually offered starting at 3 years old and continue through adulthood.

Dance lessons foster a positive self image in both boys and girls. The student will gain self confidence, self discipline, poise and grace. They will also develop a love of music and artistry, a love of rhythm and movement. Dance classes are FUN!!!

Choosing dance will give them ample opportunities to gain stage experience, learn basic skills, and develop technique. The class sizes should be kept kept small so that the student can receive personalized instruction during class time.

Many graduating students are awarded prestigious scholarships to Universities and Colleges based on their dance and performance skills.
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As for soccer, it is a fast moving and active sport. BUT they spend half the game sitting so everyone on the team can play. It can be terribly overwhelming to do a team sport that young but I have seen others who thrive on it and fall in love. They play outside for hours doing nothing but working on dribbling the ball. It keeps them active and teachers so much about teamwork. It is a good sport for any child.
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T-Ball, very slow moving and boring. BUT the best part is when the ball rolls right up to the flower picker and they realize everyone is yelling at them to get the ball. When that clicks they start paying more attention. Ours was a cartwheeler, she was out in the outfield just flipping and flipping. The boy sat and dug holes to China. Some of our fondest memories are of them playing T-Ball. It is so non stress. It's totally for fun.

Most leagues that have T-Ball don't even keep score since everyone gets to bat until the hit the ball and their are no outs.

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J.T.

answers from New York on

Good luck finding something in your area! I would choose Gymnastics... it helps coordination and balance. And it typically rotates through different activities in each class so there is no loss of interest issues as time passes.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Go to your park district and sign her up for two. The park district will be cheap, and it's a great place for her to try things out.

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