Non- Traditional gymnastics goes by many names. In England it is called informal gymnastics. Here and in other parts of the world it is more commonly known as educational gymnastics, developmental gymnastics, movement based gymnastics and creative gymnastics among others. There are slight differences in each depending on who you ask and who developed the concept. With all of this it is no small wonder physical educators have become confused. Realizing that, these titles will for the rest of this page be put under the generalized heading of Non-Traditional Gymnastics.

In traditional gymnastics, the children are asked to perform specific skills such as forward rolls or cartwheels according to actions specified by the teacher. In a non-traditional gymnastics class, the teacher sets tasks that allow children to work at their own level. Children should be challenged to discover ways of balancing and controlling their bodies at their level. Children need a variety of activities where the focus is just on doing it and not on pleasing the teacher by having "pointed toes" and "straight legs" as in traditional gymnastics.

" I've had nothing but positive results in all areas with the children and parents including motivation, self-confidence, team building, and striving for excellence (to name a few). Non-traditional Gymnastics is truly a less threatening teaching methodology as compared to traditional gymnastics, at least for us 'non-gymnasts'. "

( Jim Ross, Physical Educator, Orchard School )

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