Supporting Your Child in Gymnastics

Supporting Your Child in Gymnastics

Parents play a crucial role in supporting young gymnasts. Here are some tips we’ve found work well for families in our competitive programme:

• Let coaches coach and parents parent – leave the technical training to us and make home a safe space to decompress, recharge, and create balance.

• Effort and commitment matter most – regular attendance, focus in training, and a positive attitude will take your gymnast further than medals ever could.

• Fuel their body – pack a nutritious snack for break time (if they have one) and make sure they eat soon after training to support recovery. Keep them hydrated before, during, and after sessions. For handy hints, check out our nutrition guidelines.

• Dress for success – tight-fitting, gymnastics-appropriate clothing only. No loose or baggy clothes, and hair must be tied back to keep gymnasts safe and ready to move.

• Be on time – arriving early means your gymnast is ready for warm-up, which is essential for injury prevention and mental preparation. At competitions, arrive at least 30 minutes early so your gymnast has time to adjust to the atmosphere. Events can sometimes run earlier than scheduled.

• Check in, but follow their lead – after training, sometimes your child will want to debrief, other times they’ll prefer not to. Both are OK. Show you care, without pressure.

• Focus on what they can control – effort, teamwork, focus, and having fun. Judging and scores are outside their control (a good reminder for parents, too!).

• Every child’s journey is unique – you may notice some gymnasts progress through multiple levels within a term, while for others progress may be slower, and that’s perfectly normal. Gymnastics isn’t about rushing to the next level. It’s about building a strong foundation—just like building a house. If the base isn’t solid, everything above it will crumble.

• Keep it fun – gymnastics should be something they look forward to. Celebrate progress, friendships, and the joy of movement.

• We are one team – kindness, respect, and inclusion matter both in and out of the gym. While you may not always agree with every decision, remember we all want the best for your child. If you hear concerns from others, or have your own, please talk directly to us—we’re here to listen and support.

• Parental involvement – we love having parents in the gym and encourage you to support from the mezzanine area. Over time, some gymnasts prefer a simple drop-off/pick-up routine as gymnastics becomes their “thing.” Check in with your child about what works best for them.

? We are always here to talk to you, so please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.