Claire’s been in gymnastics since June 2007, and her teacher, Allison, is wonderful. She won’t let Claire bounce around and not pay attention, but Allison isn’t always there. For a few weeks earlier this year she hurt her back and was out for a few weeks. Claire paid less attention than we’d liked during that time, but Allison returned and continued to push Claire. Claire gets it. She knows how to do most of what she needs for her level, but then goofs off too much when those around her are doing the same.

Last week Allison was sick, and for some reason a class that was usually 2-3 kids turned into 6 kids with two passive instructors! My kid got NO direct instruction. More like, "Claire, go do this." "Ok, now go do that."  As a teacher, I know that their method sucked. I talked to the front desk afterward, and they deferred back to Allison who is the gymnastics director at the center.

This week when I walked in, there were 3 instructors and 7 kids! I was displeased, but I saw Allison there and knew she’d try to make everything work. Claire’s instruction was just average this week, and I knew I would talk to Allison after class. I waited until no one was around and the kids had run off to leave, or play, or see their parents. I approached her with a concern of his large the class had gotten. And she said "I’ve been meaning to talk to you…" She proceeded to tell me that she felt that when Claire was with the younger kids, she acted like a little kid, but when the older kids were around her, she’d do well, emulate them, and act more mature and listen more. She said she’d like Claire to test a Bronze class, which is the next level. If Claire does well with all older kids in a more rigid course, then she’d graduate from Beginning Gymnastics to Bronze! So we set up a date to try to next class this Tuesday on her birthday. Ahhhhhhh, the little girl grows up so fast.