Somersaults

[kitkat]

Do you allow your dck to do somersaults while in your care? I'm guessing most of you don't. I'm just looking for a little support because I feel like I'm always the mean one with lots of rules. I don't allow it because I'm afraid they will hurt themselves. That is something they can do at home, just like playing rough. Dcg is in gymnastics and I know I'm going to have to remind her of no somersaults when she comes back. Arg!

[DanceMom]

I am ok with them - only in the backyard and well spread out so they don't kick anyone in the head.
I'm pretty sure if one got hurt and I told the parent it was while doing a somersault they wouldn't be mad at me :confused:

[jen]

I do, but I have gymnastics mats and they can only do them when I have them out and am supervising. We have a balance beam as well.

[Abigail]

Do you allow your dck to do somersaults while in your care? I'm guessing most of you don't. I'm just looking for a little support because I feel like I'm always the mean one with lots of rules. I don't allow it because I'm afraid they will hurt themselves. That is something they can do at home, just like playing rough. Dcg is in gymnastics and I know I'm going to have to remind her of no somersaults when she comes back. Arg!

If you already don't allow it for safety reasons, I wouldn't flat out change your rules because kids are smart and will say "We didn't get hurt when you let us do somersaults, we should get to try .... too". LOL

Also, just reinforce your decision by giving them other exercise and large motor and creative play time. Let them know you don't have safety mats for extra cushion. I wouldn't let the kids know you're afraid someone might get hurt without letting them know that somersaults are an activity that you need room and a mat for.

I personally say it is part of being a kid--I wouldn't attempt a somersault now! ha ha. I would let them do it during "gym" class or exercise class, but not in the house where they could hit a table and knock over a lamp or anything.

[kendallina]

I do allow it in spaces that are big enough. It's great for motor development and a good learning opportunity for how we need to be careful and be mindful about where other children are. It's usually something that when one child starts it, they all want to, so we form a line to be able to do it.

I do have some spaces that we use but that aren't really big enough for this sort of play, so I would just tell them that we can't do it here, we'll do it when we go up to the playroom.

[mac60]

No, if they want to do those things they can do them at home.

[alyssyn]

No, I wouldn't let them while in my care. Just a safety precaution.

[Momof2Boys]

I do, but I have gymnastics mats and they can only do them when I have them out and am supervising. We have a balance beam as well.

I never thought to do this (gymnastics) as an activity! I am definitely going to have to incorporate this into my daycare!

[SunflowerMama]

I do, but I have gymnastics mats and they can only do them when I have them out and am supervising. We have a balance beam as well.

Where did you get your balance beam and mats? I'd love to find something affordable for the kids. They love doing somersaults and my girls are starting gymnastics in a couple of weeks so I think they would get a lot of use.

We do yoga weekly but adding gymnastics would be great too!

[jen]

The kids love gymnastics!

I got the mats from discount school supply when they were on sale and the beam from The Beam Store.

http://www.thebeamstore.com/

We do Yoga too!

[QualiTcare]

my daughter started gymnastics at 18 months old. if her daycare provider told me she got in trouble for doing sommersaults.....i'd think she was nuts.

it's natural for her......if there's a wide open space or a bar, she's gonna be flipping and flopping around.

when i worked with school agers, the girls LOVED making up cheers and showing me their "routines" and i let them. it's what kids do.....especially girls. i don't see it being any more dangerous than monkey bars or soccer. every physical activity involves risks.

[Abigail]

If you go to DiscountSchoolSupply.com you can find many choices for tumbling mats and balance beams at a reasonable price. I don't have any of these, but I certainly like them!

[tenderhearts]

I don't allow them to do it in the house but they can do it outside.

[kendallina]

Where did you get your balance beam and mats? I'd love to find something affordable for the kids. They love doing somersaults and my girls are starting gymnastics in a couple of weeks so I think they would get a lot of use.

We do yoga weekly but adding gymnastics would be great too!

Constructive playthings just had a big gymnastics mat on sale for $94...not sure if you can get it cheaper elsewhere, but I thought it didn't sound too bad.

[professionalmom]

Although I totally agree that we always, always, always have to have safety on our minds, the reality of it is that kids are kids and we can't expect them to not be physically active. And as QualiTcare said, every physical activity involves some risk. I had 2 brothers in my care on the weekends. They were 5 & 7 years old. They ALWAYS tried to rough house with my husband. They treated him like a jungle gym. All my husband had to do was sit there and they would climb all over him and jump off him, etc. I was terrified at first, but at some point, I just let the boys be boys and play. But my husband and I ALWAYS watched them very closely and made they didn't get too rough. If they did, they got time-outs to cool down and relax.

I also agree that it should be an outdoor activity and only when their is ample room so they don't accidentally hurt themselves or someone else.