Portsmouth Developmantal
Team Program

  "My kid has talent? So what, she's only 5!"

"My Daughter was invited . . .Now what?"

Your daughter was invited to a new class because she demonstrates qualities that set her above her peers.  The physical qualities we look for are strength, flexibility, and a natural tendency to gymnastics tricks.  The social qualities we look for are developed listening skills and the ability to work well with other gymnasts and coaches.  It is our intention to group together young gymnasts with these qualities because they are ready for more of a challenge than we can offer in our regular preschool or recreational class.

Our invitation only classes are part of our developmental team program. 
There are 4 developmental levels to travel through before anyone would be
considered for a competitive level. 
The developmental classes are as follows:
Goldfish (1hr) $67 Tuesday 11:00, Thursday 4:45 (ages 3.5 to 5)
Guppies(1.5hr/week) $84.50 - Saturday 8:30 (ages 3.5 to 5 who can handle a longer class)
Piranhas(2hr/wk) $103/month - Friday 3:30 (ages 4 to 7)
Sharks(4hr/week) $205/month - Mondays AND Wednesdays 3:30-5:30pm (ages 4 to 8)
Pre Team Class (4hr/week) $205/month - REQUIRED PICK 2 CLASSES
Monday 5:30-7:30pm or Wednesday 5:30-7:30pm or Saturday 11:30-1:30am (ages 7 to 11)

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is different about these classes vs. the regular preschool or recreational classes?
When we put a group of children together who have similar skill level and developed social skills we can learn gymnastics at a faster pace.  The developmental track classes also cover a broader range of gymnastic skills - we spend more time on conditioning (like chin-ups, pushups, leg lifts, press handstands) and flexibility (splits and other types of stretches).  We also spend time putting gymnastics skills into sequences to practice for learning routines later on in their gymnastics training.

2. Why are the developmental classes longer than regular classes?
Typically the children that have been invited love being in the gym and cannot get enough (i.e. they are always bouncing on the couches and doing handstands out on the lawn).  They have an attention span for gymnastics and we have so much to learn in the gym that the time flies by.  It is also important for progress to be consistent with practice - it takes a large number of repetitions of any skill to master it.

3. How long will my daughter be in this class?
The developmental classes move forward much like the recreational program.  When a gymnast masters a skill set and is ready for a harder skill set we will ask her to move to a new class.  The mastering of more complicated skills could take a gymnast two months or two years depending on the individual so movement will be dependent on your child's learning style.  In our developmental program age is less of an indicator for movement - it is primarily skill level and motivation that moves a gymnast forward.

4.  Does my daughter have to commit to competitive gymnastics because she is part of the team developmental program?
No.  The program is designed to prepare gymnasts to be able to participate in a competitive program if they desire.  We will educate them about strength, flexibility, skill level, and team work and through the course of these classes your family can decide if competitive gymnastics is something you want to pursue. If a developmental class gymnast decides at any time that the classes are too challenging and they would like to go back into the regular preschool/recreational program we can find classes that will suit them gymnastically but with less intensity.  We have non competitive track classes that can serve the needs of any level gymnast. 

5. What is the price difference?
A one hour class in the developmental program is the same price as a one hour preschool/recreational class.  If your child joins a class that increases in time to your current class there will be an increase in price.

6. Who can I contact if I want more information?
Jen Pelland is the developmental team program director.  She is also a competitive team coach.  You can reach her via email at jen@atlanticgym.com