Books, Balance and Bunny Hops: How Literacy Meets Gymnastics in Surprising Ways
- wickersgymnasticsc
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
What do songs, stories, and swinging your arms in time to music have in common?
More than you’d think – especially if you're under 7 and wearing a sparkly leotard.
A fascinating new study from Indonesia looked at how literacy-based rhythmic gymnastics – that’s gymnastics with music, stories and singing built in – helps young children develop both their motor skills and their reading and writing skills. And the results? Absolutely worth shouting about (or at least cartwheeling for joy over).
🧠💪 Brain meets body: why this works
Researchers observed Year 1 children at Muhammadiyah Elementary School, who took part in sessions where movements were paired with short stories and songs. So instead of simply jumping, they might “leap like a tiger” during a jungle story or “twirl like a spinning top” in time with a rhyme.
And here’s what happened:
Children improved their coordination, balance and flexibility
They became better at following instructions
They remembered story sequences better through movement
Some even began drawing gymnastics moves to retell what they’d learnt – combining motor, memory, and literacy all in one go.
🎶 Song lyrics + shapes = smarter little gymnasts?
Turns out, combining verbal instructions, fun music, and repetitive, rhythmic actions lights up all sorts of parts of the brain – including those needed for reading comprehension, processing stories, and writing.
In short: movement becomes a memory tool.
Imagine singing about a butterfly as you flutter across the mat – suddenly, that word isn’t just in your head, it’s in your body too.
🗣️ But what does this mean for us here in the UK?
Well, while Wickers Gymnastics isn’t running storytelling-tumble hybrids yet (watch this space...), this research underlines something we see every week in the gym:
Moving the body helps shape the mind.
Whether it’s remembering the steps of a new routine or learning to concentrate long enough to hold a balance – gymnastics teaches discipline, creativity, and confidence.
And if your child is struggling with focus or following instructions at school? Gymnastics just might help there too.
🧚 Final thoughts: the magic of movement
This quirky little study reminded us that gymnastics isn’t just about medals and perfect splits. It’s also about building brains, boosting belief, and bringing joy to learning.
So next time your child is bouncing through the living room singing Twinkle Twinkle in a one-handed cartwheel, smile – they might just be onto something. To read the full study just click HERE