"Home of Happy
Confident Kids"
Mills Gymnastics USA
13300 Reeck Rd Southgate, MI 48195 (734)283-6550
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Start your Child in Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them
develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It
can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and
concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!
The Right Age
Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me"
class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or
four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class.
Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your
child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability
level.
Finding a Gym
First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. Find one that is a
member of USA Gymnastics,
(Mills Gymnastics is a member of the USA Gymnastics)
the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs
that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability
insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG
Code
of Ethics and
mission.
You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a
visit. (Mills Gymnastics suggest you visit our gym and others before
you choose) Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have --
some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while
others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun
on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, and
trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to
you and your child. Be sure to look for:
A
visitors' viewing area
where you can see your child during his/her class (Mills Gymnastics
offers parent viewing along with areas for siblings to do home work, read,
or play and we always offer free wireless internet connection)
A
well-lit, clean facility
(Mills
Gymnastics is known for its attention to detail. Our customers tell us we
are the cleanest facility they have ever been in, feel free to ask anyone
of our families)
An
office manager and office hours
(Mills Gymnastics offers long office hours 6 days per week) that
will
help you with administrative items (registration, payment,
assistance with any questions that you may have)
A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate.
(Mills Gymnastics has small student to coach ratios) (there is no
magic number, but the children should look as though they are being
monitored at all times by an instructor)
An emphasis on safety:
Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there
is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up
describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are
safety-certified by USA Gymnastics. (Mills
Gymnastic instructors are safety certified and we follow USA Gymnastics
guidelines on safety)
Happy-looking gymnasts
enjoying themselves and the sport. (Mills
gymnasts come and go with a smile on their face)
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