Tumbling Time for Toddlers

Introduce your toddler to the wonderful world of gymnastics, and watch him or her develop flexibility, balance, agility and an increased sense of self-confidence—all while having fun.

The sport of gymnastics should be introduced to your child at a young age. Preschool gymnastics and basic motor development sets a foundation for a positive experience to be active and fit. More importantly, brain development is greatly enhanced through early motor-skill development, and children who have participated in movement-education activities have longer attention spans, increased communication skills, general problem-solving skills and improved self-esteem.

At Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, a group of instructors teach children how to bounce, roll, jump, play, take turns and follow instruction in a positive, safe and supportive environment.

“If you hold your child accountable for actions they are capable of achieving, there is going to be success,” Manuela Larios, one of the instructors, says.

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center’s preschool programs are designed to introduce motor skills and basics of gymnastics to children 18 months through 5 years of age. Parent-participation classes include Starbabies, for babies 6-18 months; Kinderstars level 1, for toddlers 1½-3 years; and Kinderstars level 2, for toddlers 2½-3 years. Starbursts is for 3-year-olds, and Risingstars, for 4-5 year-olds, and these are non-parent-participation classes. 

In each of these classes, children are exposed to a large variety of movement. Teachers keep instruction exciting by moving equipment around and creating new obstacle courses for the children. Activities include circle-time, song, dance, parachute, balls, hula hoops, bean bags, and basic gymnastics skills on floor, beam, bars, trampoline and vault.

My 3-year-old son, Jackson, and I are regulars of Larios’ Kinderstars level 1 class. Every Monday, he looks forward to her class more than anything! 

“Is it time to go yet, mommy?” he asks every 5 minutes (even though his class isn’t scheduled to start for another three hours). It's enough to drive a mother crazy!

Larios will start a new session of Kinderstars level 2 in March and welcomes new participants.

“This is a structured class for parents who have 2½- to 3-year-olds who want them to gain self-confidence in everyday life,” she says. “We teach them to socialize, jump, play and follow direction.”

At Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, new skills are introduced in a fun and progressive manner. Through developing gymnastics skills, its students enhance their strength, flexibility, and fitness. Gymnastics classes are great cross-training for other sports too.

Gymnastics provides children with the skills they need to participate in later sports. Many children who begin with tumbling and gymnastic programs grow up to compete in other sports such as football, dance, soccer or baseball. A good gymnastics program will teach a child rhythm and coordination and provide them with a strong sense of body awareness. 

Santa Cruz Gymnastics offers several other classes and options for your aspiring athlete, such as open gym, lunch bunch for toddlers, parents night out, birthday parties, field trips, camps and, of course, classes for the competitive athletes, up to 18 years of age.

For more information, go to Santa Cruz Gymnastics.