Help me decide. Ballet or gymnastics?

[peanutter]

My parents had us do gymnastics, from the belief that there would be less risk of injury, and less focus on hair, makeup, etc.

We loved it

[Santosha]

My DD did a dance class from 2.5 and a ballet class (at her request) from 4. She loved it. And it did teach her a great deal in terms of attention to detail and following the teacher. I think she is relatively coordinated in no small part thanks to her dancing experience. But the messages about what it means to be a girl that came with the territory? YEUCH. And looking to what was to come, I felt that it was just going to get worse.

A friend of hers does gymnastics and invited her to do a trial class and (much to my delight) she LOVED it and asked to switch. Had she insisted on ballet, I would have honored it. I feel like we can discuss the gender issues as they arrise and they don't negate the benefits and the joy of doing something that you love. But oh, gym sits so much better with me. Equal ratio of boys to girls, everyone's just wearing comfortable clothes and the emphasis is on kids being capable with their bodies (boys and girls are strong, energetic, take risks, be creative, balanced...) and on having fun.

I agree with others though, do a trial class and see what clicks for her. Something as simple as the teacher, the class size or the environment can make all the difference in building confidence and their enjoyment, regardless of what type of class it is.

[Heaven]

I would ask her what she wants to do!