DYK? Gymnastics Can Help Kids Succeed in School!

With the start of a new school year fast approaching, parents everywhere are thinking about how to help their kids succeed. You may be checking out the latest research on power breakfasts, elementary-school style, or whether tutoring will enhance your child’s math skills. But did you know that regular gymnastics activity, in addition to being good for children physically, is a great way to give them a boost in school, too?

Physical Activity Relates to Academic Success

Numerous studies have shown that physical activity is good for kids in all kinds of ways. Not only does it help growth and development, it helps prevent health problems later in life as well. This page from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC, summarizes some of this information.

Why Gymnastics?

Now that you’ve learned about the benefits of physical activity, you may be wondering why gymnastics in particular, is helpful. If you’ve ever watched a gymnast in competition, you’re aware that these athletes develop strength through their workouts. It can also be inferred that they know how to eat healthy meals that provide energy without loading up on extra calories. However, gymnastics also gives kids a host of social, psychological, and cognitive benefits. This article from the US Elite Coaches Association, for women’s gymnastics, outlines just some of them.

Social Growth

Whether your child ever competes or simply enjoys a regular gymnastics class for fun, she will be gaining social skills. From the earliest levels, classes help kids learn to wait their turn and support their fellow students. They learn to cope with the frustration of struggling to learn a new skill and, if they move into competition, how to accept defeat. Kids make new friends that may not go to their school, thus widening their social horizons.

Psychological Benefits

While social skills are good to have, and will be useful throughout life, it’s the psychological growth that occurs through participation in gymnastics that has the greatest effect on academic performance. Children who participate in gymnastics programs gain in self-esteem, a trait essential to academic success. Gymnastics activities provide lots of opportunities for trying new things, while well-taught classes maximize that chances that those efforts lead to success. When your child feels good about her abilities at gymnastics class, she’ll likely transfer those feelings to school as well.