Help me decide. Ballet or gymnastics?

**Rowellen** · July 21st, 2014, 08:56 PM

I'm trying to choose an activity for dd age 3. She already does swimming. She also does dancing at kindy. I was thinking of putting her in a class for dancing as she loves it. But then I thought maybe gymnastics would suit her better as she's already doing dancing and she could broaden her range of skills by doing something different.

Please share your thoughts, opinions and experiences. TIA.

**myturn** · July 22nd, 2014, 12:12 AM

Have you considered calisthenics? Kind of a cross between the two.

**~Kim~** · July 22nd, 2014, 12:28 AM

Have you asked her what she'd prefer? Is there an option of a trial class at each/either?

**Khaleesi** · July 22nd, 2014, 12:47 AM

At that age it's really just for fun, I would try out Gymnastics seeing as she does Dance already.
My DD1 really enjoyed Gym as it was a broad range of activities.
Around here they have a Circus program which looks really good for kids, they might have something similar around your area

**peanutter** · July 22nd, 2014, 01:54 AM

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** · July 22nd, 2014, 11:13 AM

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.