Stress has become quite an issue in kids today.
A a major cause of stress during middle childhood [Grade 1-7] is the need to achieve and the surrounding anxiety around achievement or not achieving and the need to please parents and teachers.
This is because the major psychological drivers during this stage of development are “a need to please” and be accepted.
How Gym Wizards Gymnastics Relieves Stress
1. Exercise reduces stress
Many studies have show that regular exercise is a very effective way to relieve stress.
Exercise alters brain chemistry and releases the ‘feel good’ hormones endorphins and serotonin.
Serotonin quietens the brain and makes your child feel that it’s OK to be in the world.
Endorphins protect us from feeling pain. A child with healthy endorphin levels will feel confident and able to cope more easily with life.
The gymnastics exercises relieve tension in their muscles and make children feel relaxed, energized and alert.
2. Gym Wizards Curriculum provides easy to reach “success milestones”
The cause of many middle childhood [5-12yrs] children’s stress is due to feelings of insecurity and lack of confidence around achievement.
Gym Wizards specifically teaches children how to achieve small successes all along the way as they work their way through the curriculum.
Children in these classes learn skills at their own pace and are given positive reinforcement for each success they achieve- even if the acknowledgement is for effort alone.
3. Gym Wizards Coaches and Curriculum Supports Children’s Brain Development- helping them cope with school and life demands
When we learn how to perform a movement pattern that requires us to think deeply about what the body will do, how it will move, where it will move and with whom or what they body will move with (e.g., a dance step, a backward roll in gymnastics and so forth) we are exercising the same areas of the brain that are involved in all of the cognitive functions used throughout the school day.
That’s why I can say with confidence that trained gymnastics teachers can help children to reduce stress by building confidence in their abilities because they’re constantly practicing how to learn many, many new skills.
Kids become proficient. They grasp things quicker. They get ontop of the game. Achieving and coping and performing at school becomes easy. They stop stressing.
4. Gym Wizards Coaches Give Descriptive Praise and Honest feedback
Descriptive praise refers to giving praise specifically and honestly.
“Well done for keeping your legs straight in the cartwheel” is descriptive.
It’s much better than “well done, that was better”.
And believe me, you cannot “fake” it with kids. You have to be honest.
The quickest way to lose respect from the kids (and to make them distrust in themselves)- is to say “that’s good”- when it wasn’t!
Good gymnastics coaches get to the core of the error- explain it in short and sharp easy to understand language, physically guide the kid or demonstrate the mistake- and make them do it immediately again (while the short term memory is still active- i.e within 12 seconds of receiving the instruction).
Then they praise any change that occurs from the last attempt- e.g. “I can see you tried to make the correction there- but you still need to get your foot down faster”…watch me again…”.
5. Gym Wizards Coaches nurture a warm and safe learning environment
Our coaches are fair and teach safety first. The environment is filled with FUN, positive reinforcement and no child is ever made to try things they are not comfortable with. Children are encouraged to ask questions and support each other, which fosters acceptance within the group- a very important thing for youngsters of this age.
6. Gym Wizards draws the support of the Parents
Having our children do displays, open Parent Watching days, shows, mini competitions and inter school meet ups, encourages parents to watch and support their kids- which of course boosts their self esteem.
As long as there’s no pressure being put on the kids by their parents, these events actually gives most kids a bit of “positive stress”, a spring in their step and zestful energy for life.
We also counsel parents when we feel they are putting too much pressure on the child. Sometimes parents get frustrated with seemingly “slow progress”- and so it helps to educate parents about the different stages of development within the Gym Wizards Curriculum.
7. Gym Wizards Advises a Moderate Extra Mural Programme
Grade R to grade 6 scholars should participate in at least 150 minutes of quality gymnastics education each week.
Kids in grades 7-12 should participate in 225 minutes of quality gymnastics education each week (NASPE, 2004).
We don’t advise an excessive program- that’s too stressful!
We advise you choose one or two extra murals and stick with them, giving them your full commitment!
Have one day a week off- just to play.
So- Can Gymnastics Help Relieve Stress in Kids?
In short: I believe the answer is YES….provided that…
- kids are constantly being stimulated to learn at their own pace in a fun and safe environment
- small milestones are rewarded- which boosts confidence and instills a sense of achievement
- parents support and don’t pressurize their children
- the child is not doing too many other extra mural activities during the week
Gym Wizards! Offering Kids Gymnastics lessons in Greater Cape Town including Pinelands [7405], Durbanville (7550), Fish Hoek (7975), Cape Town (8001), Constantia (7806), Llandudno (7806), Sunningdale (7441) and Hout Bay (7806)
