THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013
Book Review: Head Over Heels About Gymnastics
I was super pumped when a package in the mail from a the UK arrived. That meant Head Over Heels About Gymnastics Floor Skills had made it safe and sound to Singapore. From their website:
Head Over Heels About Gymnastics is a child friendly book that provides step-by-step instructions and top tips explaining how to perform a large variety of gymnastic floor skills via simple language and eye catching photography. This book is a must-have for budding gymnasts of all ages and abilities, covering many different elements of the sport from balance to strength, flexibility, co-ordination, speed and control in addition to positive body awareness.
The book begins with example warms-ups and stretches, moving on to cover posture and all basic gymnastics shapes, which are instrumental in performing more complex skills. These skills are then covered in the next sections; Jumps, Skills, Rolls and Leaps. Bringing all of these skills together, the book then demonstrates how combined, these skills can be used to create routines.
I didn’t waste any time and introduced this fantastic book to my little Funky one. At 19 months, I was a little apprehensive letting her handle the book. If you’ve seen any of the books we have in the house, you would be too. She was so excited because I was excited and handled this lovely flip book designed awesomeness with the upmost care. From beginning to end, this book was a joy to watch her follow along with the pictures. Pointing to the pictures to say “pike” and “strahell” (straddle). I should have taken video for grandma because it was so darn adorable.
Basic Shapes & Stretches |
Handstand Work |
Oh, that’s how it’s done! |
I LOVED every part of this book from a professional standpoint. 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.
Do you have any gymnastics books to help teach your little ones?