What Is Developmental Gymnastics?

You’ve probably heard of gymnastics. Olympic flips, chalky hands, balancing on beams… the works. But developmental gymnastics? That’s a whole different game—and it might just be the best-kept secret in your child’s physical and emotional growth.

At The Little Gym Windsor, developmental gymnastics isn’t about medals or perfect routines. It’s about building confident, capable, resilient kids—from the inside out. And it starts with movement.

Movement Is the Magic

Kids aren’t meant to sit still all day. They’re born to move, wiggle, roll, climb, and explore. Their brains are literally wired to develop through physical activity. That’s why, at The Little Gym, we use movement as our superpower.

In every class, we blend fun gymnastics skills with carefully designed activities that support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development—all without kids even realising they’re learning. They think they’re playing. (And honestly? They are.)

So, What’s the Difference?

Here’s the deal:
Traditional gymnastics is about performance and competition.
Developmental gymnastics is about progression, confidence, and joy.

Our classes are tailored to your child’s age and stage—not just to teach handstands, but to build balance, focus, coordination, and courage. We cheer effort, not perfection. And we don’t just grow strong bodies—we grow strong minds and happy hearts.

Real-Life Skills, Not Just Gym Skills

Developmental gymnastics builds more than core strength and flexibility. It helps your child:

• Listen and follow instructions
• Work cooperatively in groups
• Bounce back from mistakes
• Take safe physical risks
• Develop independence and self-belief

Whether it’s learning to wait their turn on the beam, trying a forward roll for the tenth time, or high-fiving a new friend, these moments are all part of the magic.

The Teachers Make All the Difference

Here’s something you might not know: our teachers aren’t just passionate and playful (though they’re absolutely that too!)—they’re experts. Every coach at The Little Gym trains for four to six hours every single week. Yes, every week.

Many have competed at national or international level—but that’s not what makes them extraordinary. What sets them apart is their deep understanding of child development. Our teachers don’t just teach movement—they understand how movement shapes everything from motor skills and confidence to emotional regulation and learning readiness.

In fact, we’re so passionate about this that we also train school and nursery teachers on how movement supports child development. That’s how powerful this approach is—it doesn’t stop at the gym floor.

So when your child’s at The Little Gym, they’re not just flipping and balancing for fun. They’re being guided by educators who know how to meet them exactly where they are—building them up, step by step, with the right support, skills, and spark.

Ready to See the Glow?

We see it every week. That sparkle when a child nails a new skill, the confidence in their voice as they say “I did it!”, the giggles between cartwheels. It’s what makes developmental gymnastics so special—it builds kids up, in every way.

So if you’re looking for something more than just an after-school activity…
You’ve found it.

Let’s help your child move, learn, and grow—one joyful jump at a time.
Call 01494 937 136 or email handycross@thelittlegym.co.uk to get started!

Author:
Matina Macintyre
Co-Owner & Lead Teacher
The Little Gyms of Windsor & Handy Cross