How Can EVERYONE Win? Imagine your child is in a race, a 100 yard dash with 12 other children. She trained very hard for weeks. She finishes the race in last place, but runs the distance faster than she ever had before. Did she win or did she lose?
Now imagine your child is in another race the very next week, a 100 yard dash with 12 other children. But this time she comes in first place - faster than everyone else. You look at the stop watch however, and see that she ran much slower than she is capable of. In fact, she only took first because the kids she ran against were younger, smaller and less skilled. Did she win or did she lose?
Consistently placing importance on personal performance and effort is not always easy in the competitive culture we live in. We have to choose what we really want our kids to value. And we must be clear and consistent when teaching values.
Research makes two things very clear:
The main reason kids play sports is to have fun.
The main reason kids quit their favorite sport is an overemphasis on winning.
The recreational gymnastics programs offered at TGA helps children define winning as "my personal best" as opposed to the traditional competitive definition of "being better than everyone else."
By redefining winning to allow every student the opportunity to achieve a victory, self-esteem is raised and the gym environment becomes more positive.
One of our primary objectives is to teach children the value of "Personal Success" instead of better than others.
Toledo Gymnastics Academy's approach to teaching gymnastics is unique and works to build self-esteem and confidence by providing success experiences for each child.
Gymnastics offers many physical, cognitive and psychological benefits. Skills children gain from participation in gymnastics will continue benefiting them throughout their lives.
Gymnastics instructors have a tremendous influence on young children in their care. How we teach children is at least as important as what we teach. We are more than educators and great care must be taken to assure that fear, difficulties and failures are dealt with positively and constructively.