Preparing Your Child for Their First Gymnastics Class

A Parent's Guide to What They Should Wear, Bring, and Expect

The excitement of starting gymnastics is unmatched- with term starting back soon, it's time to help your child prepare for their first gymnastics class. Here's everything you need to know to ensure they’re ready to jump, roll, and cartwheel their way to fun and fitness!

What to Wear

Choosing the right attire is key to your child’s comfort and safety during class:

• Leotards: A snug-fitting leotard is ideal as it allows for full range of motion without getting in the way we have an onsite leotard store at our main gym (available through www.dazzleemgymanstics.com). Wearing leotards with shorts or tights are great options for increased comfort. 

• Flexible Clothing: If you don’t have a leotard, close-fitting leggings or shorts paired with a fitted t-shirt or tank top work well. Avoid baggy clothing, as it can get caught on equipment or block vision when upside down.

• Bare Feet or socks: Artistic Gymnastics is typically done barefoot to provide better grip and stability. Make sure your child’s feet are clean and free of lotions before class. Trampoline, Moveskills and Rhythmic skills classes should bring socks to wear on the mat or tramp to protect their feet while spinning and bouncing.

• Hair and Accessories: Long hair (shoulder length or longer) should be tied back securely to avoid distractions. Avoid clips, beads, or metal hair accessories that could fall out or cause injury. Jewelry, watches & other technology should be left at home for safety reasons.

What to Bring

Packing the right items will help your child feel confident and prepared:

1. Water Bottle: Hydration is essential, so pack a spill-proof water bottle to keep them refreshed during breaks. They will take this into the gym when they are called down to class.

2. Small Gym Bag: A lightweight bag is handy for keeping everything organized. Label it with your child’s name and place it with their shoes in the white cubbies under the stairs when you arrive.

3. Comfortable Layers: If the weather is chilly, bring a sweatshirt or tracksuit for warm-ups and the journey to and from the gym.

4. Snack: For longer classes, check if a small, healthy snack is needed to eat before gymnastics class, so your child has energy for a longer format class.

5. Positive Attitude: Encourage your child to bring a smile and a willingness to try new things. A positive mindset goes a long way in building confidence and enjoying the experience.

What to Expect

For many children, their first gymnastics class is a mix of excitement and a little nervousness. Here’s what you can prepare them for:

• Class Starting: Gymansts are asked to wait in the mezzanine area for their class to start. When it's time for class to begin a coach will collect gymnasts from this area by calling out which class is starting. If you arrive after class start time please accompany your child to the glass doors and help them enter the gym.
• Group Activity for Warm up: Team games and group exercises encourage social interaction and teamwork, making it a great way for your child to make new friends while warming up their bodies.

• Stretch Time: Classes usually start with stretching and basic movements to prepare their bodies for activity after the game. It’s a fun way to get the wiggles out while preventing injuries and learning foundational gymnastics shapes.

• Skill Introduction: Beginners will learn fundamental skills like balancing, rolling, and jumping. Coaches will guide them step by step to build their confidence.

• Interactive Equipment: From balance beams to trampolines, your child will have the chance to explore gymnastics equipment in a safe and supervised environment.

• Positive Coaching: Coaches create a supportive atmosphere where effort is celebrated, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Remind your child that it’s okay to try and not get everything perfect right away and that they can talk to their coach if they feel nervous.

• After class: Once class is finished gymnasts will be released from the glass doors into the foyer area. We ask that for saftey reasons you please collect your child from inside the gym each week and assist them across the car park as it is shared with other council facilities and can get quite busy.

Tips for a Smooth First Day

1. Arrive Early: Getting to the gym 10-15 minutes before class allows your child to settle in, go to the bathroom, and get familiar with the environment. Please wait upstairs on the mezzanine while you are waiting for your class to start

2. Discuss the Class: Talk to your child beforehand about what they might do and reassure them it’s all about having fun and trying their best. Tell them who their coach is going to be if you know and make sure you and your child know which class they are booked into.

3. Stay Nearby (If Needed): For younger children, parents may want to stay upstairs for the first few lesson to help their child feel secure. We ask that you do not enter the gym area without direction from the coach at anytime.

4. Encourage Independence: Help your child feel confident by letting them handle tasks like putting their shoes away or carrying their own bag.

Starting gymnastics is an exciting adventure, and a little preparation can make all the difference in ensuring your child feels ready and eager to participate. Term starts back soon, so don’t wait—get their gear together, talk up the fun ahead, and get ready to watch them have a blast in their first class!

We can’t wait to see your young gymnast in action- It's less than 2 weeks to go!