The Balance Boost: How Gymnastics Supports Young Children’s Development (According to Science!)

Is it just us, or do preschoolers have an incredible ability to trip over absolutely nothing?

Good news: science says we can help them grow out of it — with gymnastics.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology has confirmed something we see at Wickers every day: regular gymnastics training significantly improves balance ability in children aged 3 to 6. And we’re not just talking about walking along beams or standing on one leg — we’re talking about better body awareness, stronger coordination, and long-term physical development.

Let’s break it down…

🧠 Why Balance Matters (More Than You Might Think)

Balance is about more than just staying upright — it’s a vital skill that supports:

• Coordination

• Confidence

• Gross motor development

• Even things like getting dressed, climbing stairs, and concentrating in school

In children aged 3–6, balance skills are developing rapidly. But with more time indoors, screens, and less free play, many kids aren’t getting the chance to practise balance in meaningful ways.

This is where gymnastics comes in.

🧸 What the Study Found

Researchers studied two groups of 3–6 year-olds over 12 weeks. One group followed a structured gymnastics programme; the other just carried on with normal play and movement.

✅ The gymnastics group practised things like:

• Standing on one foot (static balance)

• Walking on beams and soft blocks (dynamic balance)

• Rolling, jumping, crawling and bouncing (our foam pit says hi 👋)

  
  

🧪 The results? Children who did gymnastics showed significant improvement in both static and dynamic balance — much more than the control group.

💡 Girls, Boys and Balance: A Fun Fact

Interestingly, the study also found:

• Girls tended to be better at static balance (like standing still on one foot)

• Boys often excelled in dynamic balance (like walking beams or reacting quickly)

That doesn’t mean boys can’t stand still (questionable though…), or girls don’t love to leap — it just shows how balance training can be tailored to every child’s strengths.

🧘‍♀️ Why Gymnastics Helps (And Why It's Better Than Random Running Around)

Not all physical activity is created equal. While general play is brilliant, gymnastics offers:

✨ Targeted movement – Kids challenge their whole body in ways that support balance development.

✨ Structured progression – Movements get more complex over time, building strength, coordination, and brain-body connection.

✨ Engagement through fun – Let’s face it, “jump like a starfish onto a foam pit” beats “stand still” any day.

👨‍👩‍👧 What This Means for Parents

This study adds to the growing pile of evidence that gymnastics isn’t just “a fun thing to do” — it’s a key part of early childhood development.

At Wickers, our preschool and early years classes are designed to:

• Build physical skills

• Support mental focus

• Foster confidence and independence

• And yes, help kids stop falling over their own feet quite so often

So if you’re wondering whether a gymnastics class is worth it for your little one… this study says: absolutely.

🧾 Want to Read the Full Research?

You can read the full academic study here:

Effect of Gymnastics on Balance Ability in Children Aged 3–6 – Frontiers in Psychology, 2025

👉 Ready to Try It Out?

Check out our preschool and early years classes at www.wickersgymnastics.co.uk/classes — or come along to one of our relaxed, parent-supervised open gym sessions.

Because a little wobble now… leads to a lifetime of balance.