When you think of children's gymnastics, what probably immediately comes to mind is how gymnastics can develop your child's body and mind. However, participating in gymnastics classes offers more than just physical and mental benefits - the benefits of gymnastics classes can extend to your child's emotional well-being and social skills.

In addition to improving strength, flexibility, coordination and overall health, when your child enrolls in gymnastics classes, he or she can also form strong friendships with peers, not to mention ... it's just plain fun!

Early childhood friendships - Why are they important?

The development of early childhood friendships has a significant impact on your child's mental and physical health. Researchers have found that early childhood friendships help children by strengthening their sense of belonging, reducing stress, and helping them develop good emotional and social skills.

The friendships your child develops also affect his or her academic performance. Children with good friends tend to be more successful in school, better able to handle life's stresses, and have higher self-esteem.

Building friendships early is also important for a child's mental development. When children build friendships at a young age, they benefit from valuable contexts in which to learn and practice skills related to communication, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

• In these early friendships, your children can learn
• How to start an appropriate conversation
• How to become receptive to different points of view
• How to behave in age-appropriate ways.

How do children develop these early friendships? It's important to make sure your child has the opportunity to meet children his or her own age so he or she can form lasting relationships.

Here are more ways you can help your child develop social skills and good friendships:

Show your child friendships in action with friends of your own.

Work with your child to develop positive social skills at a young age. Make sure he or she learns the importance of sharing, listening, and paying attention to others' feelings.

Teach children to break the ice so they can learn to start fun conversations with other children.

Help them find new interests (such as gymnastics) to build their confidence.

Help your child find other children with similar interests, such as by attending a children's gymnastics class.

Build childhood friendships through gymnastics classes.

Gymnastics classes are an exciting way for your child to begin building friendships. These classes provide an ideal environment for children to meet and interact with other children in their age group. This is the foundation for developing these important relationships.

Not only do the children have the opportunity to make friends, whether it is stretching for refreshment or waiting in line to use the balance beam, but they also have the opportunity to work with their peers to achieve their goals. Their classes give them the opportunity to work together toward their goals while celebrating their own successes and those of their friends.

Rhythmic gymnastics is not an individualized sport. Athletes may choose to compete individually, especially at the higher levels, but like dancing, it is a skill that is learned as a group. In rhythmic gymnastics, you work not only for yourself, but also for the good of the team. When children spend time with like-minded comrades and are encouraged to work together and support each other, friendships develop naturally.