How to Teach Your Child a Cartwheel

Its a request that reaches the ears of many parents today. This request sometimes turns into a frustrating attempt at a gymnastics session in the living room, that may, or may not, result in a well-performed cartwheel. Other times, the parent doesn't even pretend to know how to perform, much less teach the trick, and before they know it, they have enrolled their child in gymnastics class at the local gym.

Teaching this basic gymnastics trick is not an impossibility, no matter what your coordination or skill. It doesn't have to be frustrating, and it doesn't require expert gymnastics coaching. Instead, this can be a rewarding time for you and your child to spend together. Bear in mind, however, that more patience and practice is will required, rather than than great strength or skill.

To begin, make sure your child stretches. You may want to stretch as well, since you will be spotting your child, or guiding her body through the cartwheel, as you teach the trick. Your child may be using muscles for a cartwheel that they have never used before, so a thorough stretch is a must. Once you are both nice and loosened up, cartwheels commence!

The Lunge
The standing position to begin a cartwheel is called a lunge. Gymnasts begin and end cartwheels in a lunge. If your child is a "righty", have them put their right foot in front of their left, with at least a foot of space in between. The taller the child, the further apart they should spread their feet. For "lefties", the left foot goes in front. (If you are unsure whether your child is a lefty or a righty, give your child a slight push from behind, and see which foot she used to catch herself. Or, watch her go up a flight of stairs, and take note of which foot she uses on the first step up. This is usually her stronger foot, or her "good foot", in the gymnastics world, and should be put in front for almost all gymnastics skills, including the cartwheel. With feet in place, have you child bend her front knee. The back knee stays straight, and they arms go up straight, by the ears. Lunge complete!

Hand positioning
Whichever foot is in front, the corresponding hand should go down on the floor first. For righties, the right hand goes first. For lefties, the left hand. Fingers should face towards the right side of the room for righties, and yes, you guessed it - for lefties, fingers face left. Once your child's hands are on the floor, fingers facing the right direction, she is ready to kick over.

The Kick
You'll need to give your child's body some direction as she kicks her legs over. The best way is to hold onto her hips, one hand on each side, and give a gentle lift as she kicks, just in case she isn't yet strong enough to support her own body weight. Once your hands are in place, and you feel secure, give the go ahead for her to kick. Instruct her to kick her back leg first, followed by the front leg, directly over her head. Sometimes, children will kick their legs around to the side, either because the lack the strength to kick overhead, or because they are scared. This makes for a not-so-pretty cartwheel, and can be a hard habit to break. With you, the parent, spotting her, your child should feel safe enough to kick hard and go straight over the top.

The Landing
As mentioned before, gymnasts land their cartwheels in a lunge as well. The only difference is that their feet will be opposite from the way they began. So righties will land with their left leg in front. Lefties, with the right leg in front. Bend the front knee, and throw the arms straight up overhead!

Congratulations! Cartwheel accomplished!