by Dreidle Flare

Created on: February 13, 2009

Is your two or three year old climbing all over everything? Bouncing off the walls? Are you afraid to take your eyes off her for a second for fear that you don't know what she'll be getting into next? You might have a typical two or three year old child. But you might also have the makings of a gymnast on your hands!

Many parents put their children in gymnastics classes when they are very young. Its an excellent choice for little ones. Gymnastics teaches gross motor skills, flexibility, perseverance, dedication, hard work, time management skills, and so much more. But did you know that there are some gymnastics skills you can teach your child at home? The following will detail how to teach your child how to perform one of the most basic gymnastics skills: The Forward Roll.

Some call it a somersault, but the correct name for this skill, in gymnastics, is a forward roll. Teaching your child this trick can be a great way for the two of you to spend time together, and a wonderful way for her to learn to trust you, and you, to praise her for a job well done.

To begin: Stand behind your child and have her stand up facing away from you. Say, "Reach for the sky!", and lift her arms high up straight over her head. Next, help her bend over and put her hands flat on the floor. Tell her to look at her bellybutton. This will help her put her head down, in the correct rolling position, so that she doesn't injure her neck. Once she is looking at her bellybutton, gently lift her up from the back of her thighs or her hip area, and slowly roll her over onto her back. As long as she keeps looking at her bellybutton, she should roll smoothly, without flopping onto her back. Stand her up and celebrate for a job well done!

Repeat these steps until you feel that your preschooler is getting the movement on her own. Then, loosen your grip a little, and allow her to try to push off of the floor and begin the roll on her own. Be ready to catch her, though, if she starts to topple over or doesn't have her head perfectly straight, as this could cause neck injury.

Soon, your child will be able to roll all by herself, but until then, always spot her, and be sure her chin stays tucked down to her chest as she rolls. Your child will love doing her rolls with you. She'll be saying, "Mommy, watch this!" constantly. And, who knows, in a few years, she could be the next Wheaties kid!

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