Make the Most of Summer-Keep Kids Engaged and In Shape

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer. As a parent, part of your summer plans will be about keeping your kids busy and active. It’s tempting to think they deserve some down time after nine months of school, but we all know that trap: After a week everyone in the family will be climbing the walls.

Of course, there are many alternatives to a summer of inactivity that will please both you and your children. The best ones benefit your kids while the youngsters think they’re just having fun. Still not sure? Are you remembering days spent outdoors in the sticky heat fighting with wasps for your lunch? Don't worry, unless you choose otherwise, most camp participation at Tumblebees will be experienced in air-conditioned gymnastics facilities.

There are many benefits to be gained from eight weeks of tumbling, jumping, running, and twisting at a gymnastics summer camp. First, there are the cognitive and social gains to be made. Gymnastics and tumbling promote development of cognitive skills such as problem solving and spatial awareness. Gymnasts have to figure out how to make their bodies turn and twist to do a trick and still end up facing the right way. They also have to estimate if a given space is large enough to allow them to do a particular trick, such as executing a forward roll without running into the wall. You’ll see your child’s social skills and confidence growing as well while they negotiate the ins and outs of new friendships, teamwork challenges, and partner drills.

Physical growth will also most likely happen with kids who attend a regular gymnastics program. No, they won’t come home taller after the first day, but a gymnastics session is a full body workout. Strength and coordination improve with every skill and trick learned. Trampoline time improves balance and coordination while promoting the development of healthy bones.

If you’re worried that five days of gymnastics will be too tiring, maybe a half-day session is the way to go. Certainly if you’re considering a gymnastics summer camp for a preschooler or young elementary-school age child, a half-day session is probably a good choice. Older kids may be able to handle the full day easily. And remember, camps offer lots of breaks for snacks, drinks, lunches, and less strenuous activities.

Tumblebees' Pritchard Places Sixth at Olympic Trials Event

Congrats to Stewart Pritchard for placing 6th over the weekend in his first Olympic Trials event, the Winter Classic in Michigan. We are very proud of you! Pritchard, who competes all over the world in tumbling and trampoline competitions, has trained at Tumblebees for more than 13 years. 

We are very proud of you, Stewart! Thanks for representing Tumblebees well.

Trampoline Explained: What Your Child Can Learn From One of the Newest Olympic Sports

Gymnastics has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896. That’s 120 years of twisting and tumbling, at least for the men. Women’s gymnastics first appeared in 1928, and has been included in every Olympic Games since 1936. The specific events have changed a bit over the years. For instance, rope climbing has fallen by the wayside, as has club swinging. The newest gymnastic event is trampolining, added in the 2000 Games at Sydney, Australia.

If you’re wondering if the trampoline is something your child would enjoy, let’s just say this: Jumping on a trampoline is fun! No doubt about it! However, there’s a lot more going on with every jump than you might think. Trampoline as a sport, is beneficial in several important ways. For one thing, it improves cardiovascular function more than running, according to a 1980 study conducted by NASA, without the negative impacts on legs and joints. Jumping also involves the entire body and forces the right half to work with the left in order to stay balanced.

While jumping on a backyard trampoline is fun and gets your kids moving, a structured class or workout will add greater benefit. Close supervision by trained coaches will help your child learn:

•    Greater muscle control leading to improved coordination and learning. Yes, learning! Kids with better motor control are better able to pay attention in school.
•    Spatial awareness, a skill that comes into play throughout life. Think about parking your car at the supermarket; that’s using spatial awareness.
•    Persistence, which grows with practicing a new trick repeatedly.
•    Self-confidence that comes with a sense of achievement and physical self-awareness.
•    That a healthy way to de-stress is the best way.

Your child will also learn that some activities are best done in a safe and structured environment. Remember how your mother yelled when you jumped on your bed? Mom knew it was dangerous. A well-run gym with experienced instructors has the proper equipment so your child leaves in the same condition as when she arrived.

Learning flips and twists under the eye of an experienced instructor means your child knows how to do them correctly and safely. And knowing the risks are minimized will help you breathe easier as you watch the latest trick demonstration.

Staff Appreciation Week at Tumblebees

This week is Staff Appreciation Week at Tumblebees. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated team committed to helping children grow and learn in gymnastics, parkour, trampoline & tumbling, dance, karate, rock climbing, cheerleading and diving.

This adorable video was created five years ago by one of our parents. It's very appropriate for #tbt, but still extremely relevant today. Enjoy!

#MondayMotivation: Building Strength, Both Inside and Out

Recreational gymnastics does so much more than just teaching children gymnastics. Children gain confidence, self-respect and discipline. Learning new skills inspires students to keep trying and get better. We hope our students will take what they learn at Tumblebees and apply it to all areas of their lives.

#MondayMotivation: Growing together, building friendships.

At Tumblebees, we pride ourselves on building children up and helping them grow. One added benefit to our class structure is children form special bonds with the others in their class. Children grow together, building friendships that can last a lifetime.