Gymnastics Center Helps All Children

Parents want their children to welcome new challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. They would like youths to view taking risks with excitement and an expectation of success. Even as adults, taking risks is necessary to try something new, enter a relationship, or open a business.

This important subconscious connection between risk equals excitement versus risk equals fear is established early in life or, if not, takes years to learn.

At times, children may begin to doubt their abilities and perhaps even develop fears of new situations and challenges. They may even begin to say "I can't" prior to attempting new skills.

To help children address these feelings in a positive and constructive manner it often helps to ask them what they mean by "can't." By helping the child replace the word "can't" with more appropriate words like "I'm scared," "I don't understand" or "I need help," the child is empowered to overcome the challenge.

In gymnastics if a child says "I'm scared," an adult can say "You're scared. It's OK to be scared. Scared doesn't mean to stop. Scared means to be careful and pay attention. If we tried it slowly or lowered the bar would it be less scary?"

By reducing the fear the child may be willing to take the risk that is a necessary step to the excitement of learning the new skill. The joy that follows is the reward earned from mastering new challenges, and that is what being a winner is all about.

To reach Fun & Fit Gymnastics in Simi Valley, call (805) 581-4496.