There are in the field of Physical Education, just as in politics, extremists on both sides of the issue of traditional and non-traditional gymnastics. Theirs' is the one and only way to teach and there is no gray area.

This is where you as a Physical Educator in the schools can have an advantage. You can fill in that gray area in any way you like. Depending on your experience, education, equipment and the children at your school you can choose either direction or stay in the middle. You can have the best of both worlds if you can keep an open mind.

You as the teacher (and you are a teacher) are as diverse and unique as the students you teach. You each have your own distinct styles of teaching. You each have your own specialties and limitations, therefore you cannot be expected to teach in exactly the same manner as your contemporaries. Whatever theory you ascribe to, remember that they are tools and just tools, nothing else. You as an educator must use various tools in order to reach the children you teach.

The main question you must ask yourself is " Are the activities I'm teaching developmentally appropriate for the child ? ". Basically this means teaching the right skill, at the right time, the right way, to the right child. What might be developmentally appropriate for one child might not be be for another child of the same age, as not all 6 yr olds are created equal.

"EVERYBODY--heavy and wide; thin and narrow; middle and muscular, male and female, hesitant or outgoing--can benefit when as a child they are given fun body management and body awareness activities of the physical education type. In developmental appropriate gymnastics not everybody does every thing. The teacher has things to offer for everyone to find success in."

( Darrell Williams Uni. of Texas 1997 )

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