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Homeschool gymnastics--Is it worth it?


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If you've ever done a homeschool gymnastics class, do you think it was worth the money and time? We signed dd up because she really wants to do gymnastics, but all they really do is play on the equipment. Dd is having a great time but this is $50 a month! Not to mention the time involved in getting her there and the effort involved in entertaining the 2-year-old and caring for the baby. I'm thinking of dropping it after this month, but I feel bad because dd loves it so much.

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The school my boys attend has a homeschool class that I considered signing them up for so we could have class during the day and make some local homeschooled friends. The school owner advised me against it because he said it is just basic tumbling and some time on the equipment. He said the focus was more on physical fitness and having fun but not as much on true gymnastics skills.

 

Perhaps your dc will be better served in a traditional gymnastics class?

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DD's coach said the same thing-that the HS gymnastics class, since it's multi-age and multi-level, ends up being less skill focused than the regular class, and since it costs the same per month as a regular recreational level 1, 2, etc class, it's better to stay in the regular classes. FWIW, at our gym the 4:00 class is often heavy on homeschooled kids because so many of the PS kids don't get out of school until after 3:00 and it's just too fast of a turn-around.

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If you've ever done a homeschool gymnastics class, do you think it was worth the money and time? We signed dd up because she really wants to do gymnastics, but all they really do is play on the equipment. Dd is having a great time but this is $50 a month! Not to mention the time involved in getting her there and the effort involved in entertaining the 2-year-old and caring for the baby. I'm thinking of dropping it after this month, but I feel bad because dd loves it so much.

 

 

One possibility-does your gym have an "Advanced preschool" or "Kinderclass" that meets during the day? At 5, she'd fit into those age groups well, but it would be an earlier schedule, and usually a smaller class with fewer kids in the gym than you'd have for a level 1 class in the evening, but they'd be doing the same skills.

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My kids did homeschool gymnastics for years and it was worth it because they worked on their Cangym levels and earned their badges. They were regular gymnastics classes held during the day.

 

It would not be worth it if all they did was play on the equipment. We could go to a playground for that.

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The school my boys attend has a homeschool class that I considered signing them up for so we could have class during the day and make some local homeschooled friends. The school owner advised me against it because he said it is just basic tumbling and some time on the equipment. He said the focus was more on physical fitness and having fun but not as much on true gymnastics skills.

 

Perhaps your dc will be better served in a traditional gymnastics class?

 

I agree.

 

And yes, it's worth the time and money!! I blogged on that topic yesterday, outlining why we believe it's worth the drive time, money, etc.

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We tried HS Gymnastics years ago and I was extremely frustrated with how little they taught or expected the kids to do. It was essentially a very low level PE class with almost no instruction. I realize now that the multiple age levels and expectations of parents make it hard for instructors to truly run a gymnastics class. I just wish they would not advertise it as gymnastics.

 

I see it somewhat like some co-ops I've been to. Too many various ages, too many different ideas about what the class should be and not a lot gets accomplished. If you want real gymnastics you have to sign up for a traditional class.

 

You really have to sort out what your goal is for your Dd. Are you wanting her to just have fun and get a little exercise? Or, do you actually want her to learn gymnastics? If it's for fun, then it might be worth the money for you. Plenty of homeschoolers at our local gym just wanted a little exercise & fun and were pleased with the classes offered. I was not and neither were my kids. Their idea of fun is learning and they were frustrated at not being taught all the fun and interesting things they knew were part of gymnastics. Even at the low rate we were paying, costs add up over time without any real learning. I opted for park day when they were little for fun & exercise---it's free.

 

We fared much better with local homeschool ice skating lessons. No one else signs up, so my kids have a coach all to themselves and receive a private lesson at almost 1/2 of the group lesson rate. And they are really learning.

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The regular classes are actually $80. :( Maybe we should do one, though...

 

I know, but for your $80 you will be getting a lot more. $50 to run around a gym and have fun with some friends is a lot of money. JMHO

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My older two do a homeschool gymnastics class. It meats once a week and amounts to $10 per one hour class per child. They do real gymnastics instruction but with it being a mixed age/level group lots of the instructor's time gets focused on teaching new skills to the oldest girl (who is probably the most rewarding to teach) while the other kids practice something on their own without anyone watching or correcting them. I still haven't decided if we're going to keep doing it or not. It's 45 minutes away and I have to entertain the younger kids for the hour in a waiting area with bleachers that drop 8' to hard floor at the top step.

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We had a good experience with HS gymnastics. I could take both kids during the school day and they had class at the same time for a lower rate. They only did it for two years when they were 3 and 6. After that, my son's delayed motor skills made it frustrating for him, and my daughter was moved to a girls accelerated group (not team).

 

For my family, it was a positive experience for a season. It was cheap, fun, good exercise, I got to chat with other moms, and we made it home in time for Cyberchase. Those were our priorities back then :) That was 9 years ago.

 

ETA: The gym WAS only five minutes from home. That's huge for me.

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I highly recommend gymnastics for children. Even if they don't have a natural ability for it, it helps with so many things. That being said, not all homeschool gymnastics classes are equal. Think about your goals and your budget and observe some classes. Some are glorified "play dates" with the kids running around and jumping on a pad.. and for some that meets their goals. Some people desire that their kids get that type of play and have a fun first exposure. I personally couldn't justify spending the time or money on that because it was not one of my goals. However, my oldest two (just turned 6 and 4) are in a wonderful homeschool gymnastics class that is quite structured and they work on flexibility, strength, coordination, following directions, self-confidence, and trying their best. The owner also trained where I did as a child so I am confident with the type of instruction. Also, my children only do floor which is fine, especially at this age, as I don't see them going professional in the future.

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Hmm... I guess for me it would depend on if you have other activities with other homeschool kids. I think gymnastics would be a fun place to make friends. Park days are nice, but sometimes kids go off with the kids they already know or end up really spread out at the park. Another bonus would be that you can hang out with other homeschool parents as well. :D

 

I guess it depends on what you are looking for long-term for gymnastics. Are you in for the long term (teams, multiple classes per week, meets, etc.) or more for fun/exercise?

 

Also, what are the dynamics of the homeschool vs regular classes? What are the kids like? I know sometimes it is nice for my kids to know other homeschoolers since their friends in the neighborhood and other activities are all in public/private schools.

 

Anyway, I say if you dd enjoys it I would stick with the homeschool class. If she gets to a point later where she wants to join a team or have classes more than once a week, you can look into the regular classes then. :001_smile: Or, if you can tell that the class is just way to easy for her and she needs more challenge you could make the switch at that point.

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I reread your original question and it seems more like a decision to keep homeschool gymnatics or quit completely. It that more what you are asking?

 

In that case, I would say it is worth it if she loves it and she is getting good exercise (building strength, balance) from the class. But to save your own sanity, maybe you could do it seasonally (a few months each fall or winter) instead of year-round.

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I think a laid back can be great if you're talking about mostly beginners needing a physical and social outlet. Some coaches do great with kids at many levels and ages and some don't. I think homeschool classes can be great or they can be a complete dud, depending on expectations. I know we've hung with a couple short term classes that weren't a perfect academic or physical fit because it was a great social fit.

 

If you really want your child to advance, they'll probably need a more structured, leveled class. Preferably meeting a couple times a week.

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My parents pay for my son's gymnastics classes. He has done preschool, homeschool and recreational. The homeschool class was about having fun and that did not fit with my what my son wants.

 

He wants something more intense that will really push him physically, I called around and found another gym that has regular classes for the same price as homeschool classes.

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  • 2 weeks later...

If you are going to ASI no it isn't worth it. If you go to a reputable small local gym the classes should look identical to the regular classes. We do a homeschool class at our gym and it is literally identical to the regular classes we do for our other 2 classes.

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If you go to a reputable small local gym the classes should look identical to the regular classes. We do a homeschool class at our gym and it is literally identical to the regular classes we do for our other 2 classes.

 

I agree (we use a different gym than Anna). I cannot imagine that our coach(es) wouldn't do the same.

It may be harder, but they'd find a way (there are several options from splitting ages to a second coach to a second class to whatever).

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