Graphics are superb. Gymnastics correct. High quality paper and binding.

It would make a great gift for a young gymnast.

Head Over Heels About Gymnastics is a child friendly picture book written by Gemma Coles that introduces aspiring young gymnasts to the basics of gymnastics. Through photographs and easy to follow steps, the author guides you through the essential floor skills, and includes little helpful tips along the way!

… Overall I found this book very well written, and I would certainly recommend it to any parent interested with helping their young gymnast succeed.

Triple Twist

Click through for links to the book itself.

Coach Gemma Coles runs a successful gymnastics club in the U.K.

Watch a preview of the episode premiering May 15th, 2013.

(via Gymnastics Coaching)

Tumbl Trak’s 1-day clinics celebrating their 25th Anniversary are now registering. Focus will be on best practice for precompetitive and advanced recreation girls coaches.

Click through for details on the one closest to you.

May 2013
Thursday, May 23 Tumbl Trak Headquarters – Mount Pleasant, MI
Click here to register now!

June 2013
Fri, June 21 YMCA National Gymnastics Training Center – Huguenot, NY
Click here to register now!

Saturday, June 22 M & M Gymnastics – New Berlin, WI
Click here to register now!

Thursday, June 27 Leading Edge Gymnastics – Everett, WA
Click here to register now!

July 2013
Saturday, July 13 Twistars Gymnastics – Dewitt, MI
Click here to register now!

Sat., July 20 High Performance Training Camp – Coeur D’Alene, ID
Click here to register now!

John Smith at HPTC Idaho 2012

Saturday, July 27 Atlanta Gymnastics Center – Atlanta, GA
Click here to register now!

Sunday, July 28 Arizona Sunrays – Phoenix, AZ
Click here to register now!

As a Tumbl Trak Ambassador, I’ll be clinician at the three in bold.

There will be FUN. More reps, less stress.

(via Tumbl Talk)

Dr. Sylvia Barkan Rimm (born 1935) is an American psychologist specializing in parenting, child development and learning. She has written books on raising gifted children, success for girls, and communication skills.

… In a recent study of 15 countries, including the United States, the U.S. had the dubious honor of being ranked first in the prevalence of overweight and obese adolescents. …

Overweight children were five times as likely to describe their self-confidence as poor compared to average-weight children. They were much more likely to describe themselves as lonely, sad, fearful, and different.

Overweight girls were less likely to describe themselves as popular or beautiful. Overweight boys were less likely to describe themselves as athletic. Overweight children were much more worried about almost everything, and very over-weight children were three times as worried about their futures than average-weight children. …

The Six-Step Healthy Rescue Plan

Be a coach, instead of a judge.
Go for the goal.
Recruit additional support.
Design a nutritional plan.
Organize an exercise effort.
Celebrate strengths.

Rescuing The Emotional Lives of Overweight Children

I’m dubious.

Things will continue to get worse before they get better.

Some overweight children can handle the extra social pressures.

It may even be more normal to be heavy at a young age than it was in the past.

But best practice would be to get your children early into good exercise and eating habits.

you have to love kids.

Energy, Vitality, Zeal, Zest

Eye Contact

Work with ALL the children

Get involved, be attentive, be a constant part of the action

Maintain a high level of energy

Work on a variety of events and stations – mix it up

BE CONSISTENT

Supervise and control your class – don’t allow them to run amok

Communicate effectively and use positive reinforcement

Have Fun

read more … 10 Best Qualities of a Great Gymnastics Teacher

Click PLAY or watch her on YouTube.

What’s your excuse?

… Some psychologists do believe that if you practice good “positive discipline” techniques, by stating facts rather than demands, using distraction to steer kids away from danger, and working out solutions as a family, you shouldn’t need timeouts, or at least not very often. And timeouts can be ineffective, psychologically damaging, and make behavioral problems worse. …

Yet …

… plenty of research suggests that timeouts are safe and useful when parents employ them properly and in the right situations. …

Slate – Are Timeouts Messing Up Your Kids?

Only if you’re doing them wrong. (And yes, you probably are.)

An interesting read.

For example these custom invites on Zazzle.

Coach Cassie – How to Throw an EPIC Gymnastics Themed Birthday Party for Boys

… The author, Gemma Coles, does a fantastic job of making directions clear with regards to safety. The pictures are superb and the design is fantastic. A parent can easily help their child achieve these gymnastics exercises and shapes in the comfort of their own home. It also gives these great tips to transform any parent into a knowledgeable facilitator of movement. …

Book Review: Head Over Heels About Gymnastics