Complete Guide to Primary Gymnastics

Many teachers hold the misconception that gymnastics is risky and difficult to teach in primary school settings. But author Lindsay Broomfield, an international gymnastics competitor, senior club coach and gymnastics tutor, lays to rest those misconceptions in Complete Guide to Primary Gymnastics.

Noting that gymnastics is accessible to all and straightforward to teach, Lindsay provides clear instruction for primary teachers and club coaches—even those with little or no experience—to teach gymnastics skills. In fact, this book and DVD package covers everything a teacher or coach needs to know and deliver. Its progressive approach that builds on the basics also allows for a smooth transition for pupils entering year 7.

Both novice and experienced teachers will find this an invaluable resource offering

• step-by-step instruction for teaching gymnastics skills;

• a systematic approach that focuses first on the five basic gymnastics shapes (stretch, tuck, star, straddle and pike) and then applies actions to them;

• a comprehensive source of creative ideas and themes;

• a progressive scheme that builds from year to year; and

• a DVD that shows video clips of all the gymnastics shapes and techniques covered in the book.

With the video clips, teachers don’t have to worry about being able to perform the shapes and techniques perfectly themselves. They also have access to a complete bank of lesson progressions on the DVD, which covers the entire primary curriculum. Teachers can count on needing less planning time while knowing that the plans are geared to a logical progression scheme and that pupils enjoy the lessons. The DVD also contains an image bank with eye-catching pictures, health and safety guidelines, and set-up diagrams of the apparatus to be used.

This comprehensive resource explains how physical development patterns influence learning, provides warm-up and cool-down activities and themed games, details how to teach the shapes and techniques and explains how to incorporate large apparatus and hand apparatus into lessons. All of the games and techniques are accompanied by photos or illustrations. Pupils learn the correct use of gymnastics vocabulary, and they expand their social, leadership and communication skills as they work in small groups. They not only develop foundational skills that will benefit them in any sport they choose, but they also learn about their bodies, develop cognitive skills, and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem as they learn new skills.

Complete Guide to Primary Gymnastics will help teachers meet the early learning goals and primary curriculum guidelines for gymnastics. More than that, it makes gymnastics accessible, fun and rewarding for all pupils and teachers. This handy resource is perfect for primary school teachers, coaches and the children they instruct.

Lindsay Broomfield has been working alongside primary school teachers since 2003. As a youngster, Broomfield competed at national and international levels in artistic gymnastics. More recently, she has specialised in grassroots gymnastics through her own gymnastics club, developing children’s basic elementary skills and fitness levels alongside gymnastics-specific skills.

Broomfield is a gymnastics tutor and has delivered Teachers Awards at primary and secondary levels. She has written teaching resources for UK Gymnastics and she tutors for the delivery agency in Wiltshire, delivering TOP Gym as part of the Primary Teachers’ Continued Professional Development Programme. She is also qualified to tutor fundamentals and sports acrobatics.

Broomfield has been a part-time lecturer at the University of Winchester, delivering modules on physical development and physical education.