Exercise

[warrior mama]

I am thinking of signing my 3 year old dd for a gymnastics class.
I want to instill good habits for exercise now.
Is she too young though?

[textbookcase]

I think 3 is fine for an unstructured tumbling class...I would wait on a rigid gymnastics program though.

[ma_vie_en_rose]

Three is a great age to start a pre-k gym class. Something that is aiming to get the moving and working on coordination is fantastic.

[InDaPhunk]

Gymnastics isn't just exercise, it's a skill. Sign her up. Starting her on the road to an exercise habit is a different endeavor, IMO.

[JayGee]

I think you should definitely sign her up. In my experience though, the best thing you can do to instill the "exercise habit" in children is to model it yourself. When my kids see DH playing adult soccer league, and me training for races, they want to do the same.

[warrior mama]

Thanks guys.
I think I will be signing her up - she'll also love it!
maybe I should sign myself up too! My exercise right now is running....after the kids

[dianna11]

3 is a great age for that sort of thing. DD has been in "tots" Taekwondo since 3 y3mo and she adores it.

[cuttiebearmom]

Ok, I may be alone here...but I think a lot of these classes aren't really needed at all when kids are so young. I really recommend "The Hurried Child" by David Elkind (http://www.amazon.com/Hurried-Child-...9080645&sr=8-1).

He talks a lot about the surge in children getting involved in sports/activities outside of the house before they are even 'school' age and the things that motivate a lot of parents to the decision that these are good things for them at such a young age.

Just my opinion. It's hard because 'everyone' else gets their kids involved in these activities all the time. I often question if I 'should' be doing it too. For what it is worth, my 5 y/o has yet to be to any organized exercises classes and is very very active and in great shape. It's all that biking, hiking, running, dancing, and swimming all over the place !!!! My husband and I are pretty serious athletes and they observe that; however, they just don't need it at this point in their life!

[greeny]

Try it out. If she likes it, keep doing it.

I also think that by example is one of the best ways to lead. If she sees you exercising regularly, she'll grow up with that mentality and will be more apt to do it herself. (This is just my theory - I have no studies or anything to back it up! )

[2M's Mom]

DD and DS both took parent participating "gymnastics" (really play and tumbling) classes when they were pretty young. Now, DD (4), DS (3) and I all take dance classes. They love it, and they love that I also take a dance class.