Toddler Gymnastics Classes in Columbia, Rockville & Clarksburg, MD
Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy has created a safe environment where toddlers can engage in movement and play. We help nurture a love for gymnastics at a young age and provide beneficial early physical development for kids. Our gyms are built in a safe and fun environment led by qualified gymnastics instructors. We offer toddler gymnastics programs at our gyms located in Columbia, Rockville, and Clarksburg, MD.
If you want to kickstart healthy physical development but still keep things fun for your child, Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy is the place for you.
Classes for Ages 9 months to 3 Years
Our recreational classes build strong early childhood development for your toddler. We focus on building your toddler’s skills starting with coordination and balance. Your toddler can engage with their surroundings in a fun atmosphere with kids their age. This interaction and supportive teachers help to kick-start their social skills and physical abilities.
Looking for gymnastic programs for your 1 to 3-year-old near you? Dominique Dawes Gymnastic and Ninja Academy provide the learning and the fun for your little one.
Ready to Hit the Mats? Contact your DDGNA location now!
When Can Toddlers Start Gymnastics?
Focusing on physical activity at such a young age may seem like a drastic move. Each child is different when it comes to interests in gymnastics. Starting your toddler with gymnastics helps nurture their physical development. With our teachers, your toddler builds a foundation of physical coordination, balance, and confidence.
A common question we get from parents is “Is my child ready for gymnastics?” There is no definitive answer since every child is different. Keep an eye out if your child:
- Expresses interest in the gymnastics movement
- Is full of energy (likes to climb on stuff, etc)
- Have basics down already (balance, crawling, climbing)
If your child exhibits any of the above, now is a great time to get them started with gymnastics.
Benefits of Gymnastics
Gymnastics provides an outlet for your child to learn to love exercise at an early age—but this is only the beginning. A class at Dominique Dawes builds a foundation for skills that stay with your child for the rest of their lives.
Stimulates both sides of the brain
Engaging in gymnastics requires the use of both sides of the brain. The left side handles logical tasks while the right side focuses on spatial awareness. Both sides work together to develop focus and recall. By using both sides of the brain, your toddler starts building their coordination.
Boosts confidence through achievement
The nature of gymnastics will push your child to overcome fears and self-doubt. Our classes provide a supportive environment to help children move past their concerns and become confident in their bodies. The result is a child who is ready to take on new challenges and enjoy learning about their bodies.
Instills goal-setting skills
Gymnasts do not master the sport straight away. They build up their self-esteem by setting goals. Pursuing those goals creates a sense of accomplishment, building their self-esteem.
Strengthens the entire body
The sport of gymnastics provides challenges that require the whole body. Requiring both sides of the body, gymnastics builds the strength of the entire body. This prepares your child for any future sports they go into.
Encourages bone health
As a weight-bearing sport, children who start early build strong bones. Engaging in the sport early helps to prevent diseases like osteoporosis later in their lives.
Improves balance and stability
Life is a balancing act. Being unable to coordinate the body’s different parts results in injury. Your toddler goes through the trial and error of learning to balance and walk. Gymnastics allow an outlet to enhance their balancing capabilities.
Enhances coordination skills
Gymnastics pushes your child to align their brain and body. By doing so this allows for safe and graceful execution of exercises. Actions like a forward or backward roll build your child’s coordination, giving them an edge for any future sport.
Teaches problem-solving
While it may seem all physical, gymnastics requires the mind as well. Your child becomes a problem solver, trying to figure out the best way to perform something. Figuring out how to smoothly do a backward roll or handstand pushes your child to think critically.
Explore More Opportunities
Have a Blast From Beams to Mats
The goal of our programs is for your child to be active, forge friendships, and have the most fun they can.
Have a Blast From Beams to Mats
The goal of our programs is for your child to be active, forge friendships, and have the most fun they can.
Recreational Gymnastics
Whether your child is a beginner or ready for advanced lessons, the fun never stops. We ensure a safe and supportive environment with a skill progression model, providing an exciting challenge.
Junior Gymnastics
A safe and fun place for your little ones to start their gymnastics fun. From toddlers to kindergartners, our instructors support your child’s active nature.
Ninja Fitness Academy
Taking inspiration from popular shows like “American Ninja Warrior”, we offer obstacle courses and foundational fitness to hone skills. With warm-ups and station work, your child builds confidence for any challenge course we have.
Homeschool Classes
We welcome everyone who wants to learn and enjoy gymnastics. Our safe and fun environment supports all learners in building their gymnastic skills.
Competitive Gymnastics
The competitive environment with a less strict schedule. Perfect for developing your child’s gymnastic skills even further.
Why Choose Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy for Your Toddler?
At Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy, empowering kids and showing how valuable an empowering atmosphere is to parents has been our key goal. Founded by three-time Olympic gymnast, Dominique Dawes, our gymnasiums have built a place to nurture a child’s development. The Academy is built to prioritize the health of your child above competition.
Our team focuses on balancing the time training with time outside of gymnastics. Having that balance paired with a supportive environment builds positive health for your toddler and strengthens their mental health as well. Exercise has never been more fun!
Meet Dominique
- Three-time Olympic gymnast (Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96, Sydney ’00)
- Opened her first academy in the middle of a global pandemic, July 2020
- Former Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, 2010 - 2017
- Wife and mother of 4 young children
Dominique created these gyms to engage each child in a fun yet challenging environment. She committed herself to developing a healthy and compassionate gymnastics culture. A commitment she continues to devote herself to this very day.
Camps & Special Events
Seasonal Camps
School is out and gymnastics are in. Our classes keep your child engaged for 10 weeks. Campers engage in a rotation of activities, even having the chance to explore the academy’s ninja courses. Each day is a new adventure.
School Day Off Camps
Have a day off from school? Our camps provide another opportunity for your child. Our activities help build your child’s confidence while building friendships and opening their creativity.
Birthday Parties
Every birthday is special. The perfect chance to create memories to last a lifetime. Your child can enjoy a day of jumping and flipping in our gyms followed by a dedicated party.
Open Gym
Our gyms are open spaces for kids of all ages to practice their skills and have fun! All the gymnastic excitement with no enrollment is necessary.
Enroll Your Toddler In Gymnastics Today
Seeds
Gymnastics Classes for Children Ages: 9 Months – 3 Years Old
Seed classes are a great opportunity for your tiny tots to embark on fun-filled adventures—bouncing, rolling, and giggling their way to confidence through group activities, stretches, and more.
**Adult participation is required.
Seedlings*
Gymnastics Classes for Children Ages: 3 Years Old (must be potty-trained or wear pull-ups)
Let your toddler tumble into the world of gymnastics. Our Seedling classes encourage your little one to grow in mind and body through super fun stretches, group activities, skill-building, and more.
**Adult participation is required in Clarksburg.
Sprouts
Gymnastics Classes for Children Ages: 4 Years Old
Get ready to watch your little ones tumble and twirl in our Sprouts Gymnastics Classes, where they will learn to balance, bend, and beam with confidence.
Buds
For Children Ages: 5-6 Years Old or in Kindergarten
Buds classes prepare your little one to transition into our much larger Rec Facility. In this class, kiddos will hop, kick, and skip their way into new skills such as handstands and cartwheels, and even get a sneak peek at balance beams, bars, and loads more fun stuff. 6 year olds can choose Buds or Beginner Blooms.
Contact Information
Have Questions or Concerns? Call Our Office at (240)-690-4138
Our Clarksburg Location
22530 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, MD 20871
Recreational Gym – Suite 500
Preschool and Ninja Gyms – Suite 700
Our Rockville Location
5626 Randolph Road
Rockville, MD 20852
