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How Gymnastics Builds Self-Esteem in Children
By Jeff Lulla, President

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.

We recognize childhood experiences that encourage and nurture thinking, self-trust and autonomy are to be valued. As teachers we can help to foster success by challenging children within their ability to succeed. And, since it is the nature of competition to produce more losers than winners, the teaching environment should be noncompetitive. In place of competition, a culture of cooperation and reward for self-improvement is fostered. Everyone can win only when winning is defined as "your personal best" instead of "being better than everyone else".

This definition of winning puts each child in full control of the outcome of their efforts - an important component of self-esteem.

Breaking gymnastics skills down into achievable steps is the basis of a sound curriculum program. These steps, or lead-ups, can also be considered skills themselves. And it is the accomplishment of these lead-ups that help children to experience success early and often.

As children become stronger, more flexible and fit, their performance in all sports improves and they are less susceptible to injury. The feelings of accomplishment children experience from improved performance often carries over to other areas of their lives. As they expect success from themselves, they work harder and with greater effort towards accomplishing their goals. With this improved self-esteem, they are more likely to perceive taking risks and facing new challenges as exciting, instead of scary.