https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:22:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2584350 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:41:58 +0000 caterw 2584350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2.5 year old has been doing solo somersaults for probably 9 months or so. She also learned at a little gymnastics class and started wanted to do them every time she got on a carpeted surface. She has never hurt herself- sometimes she can't kick over so she just kind of flops to the side. She tucks her chin down and doesn't get stuck with her weight on her neck so I think she is fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2584242 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:10:27 +0000 Littlebit7 2584242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a subset of children who aren't supposed to forward roll at a young age: those with down's syndrome. The atlanto-axial joint is unstable and it can cause a subluxation in those children.<br /> For other children, (barring any other medical issues that might contraindicate it), its totally fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2584194 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:30:14 +0000 PawPrints 2584194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's fine. It's normal and fine for your husband and MIL to feel nervous. It's normal for anybody to feel nervous seeing their kid practicing a new physical skill. But that's a different question than whether it's safe, which I definitely think it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583990 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:34:15 +0000 JenGirl 2583990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, your MIL would think I'm nuts. I let my 9 month old crawl over me and half the time he lands on his head (not hard) and crumples over to the side. He uses his head as an extra limb when trying to get leverage and crawl around on stuff. And he's perfectly fine. I think somersaults are fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583970 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 08:46:29 +0000 catlady 2583970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I let my LO do this but I was a gymnast and taught toddler gymnastics classes when I was younger, so I just check her form. As long as his head is tucked, he is probably fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583942 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 08:10:26 +0000 SweetiePie 2583942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys! Sounds like we have the same train of thought. </p> <p>I think that my husband and MIL's concern was his neck, but I did explain that he is tucking his chin so that's why I wasn't worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583939 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 08:06:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2583939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont know what the harm would be. We've actually encouraged it for our kids that age because they understand how to put their head safely down and tuck their chin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583935 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:55:06 +0000 Adira 2583935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure what the harm could be? Xander took gymnastics at 2 and does somersaults (and is successful at them at 3). Logan is 19 months and likes to copy him, so he attempts somersaults now too (although isn't usually successful). I think it's great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583934 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:53:04 +0000 LuLu Mom 2583934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD2 is almost 16 months old and is doing somersaults all the time, her older sister is in gymnastics, and she likes to copy. I'm always right there, but she does it on her own with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583932 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:47:51 +0000 nana87 2583932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My lo sort of does something similar-- she does "yoga," or downward dog position, and then kind of rolls onto her head/tucks it in and topples over, like she's trying to do a somersault except without really the right form. It's a little concerning and I try to stop her/at least get her to tuck her head, but she's experimenting with her body and I think that's okay... Idk... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583930 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:39:54 +0000 littlebug 2583930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>D (who is 3.5) has been doing this since at least 2. He still doesn't always get over quite right. I'm not concerned. Their bodies are much more flexible and forgiving than ours are!</p> <p>Just a super quick google search: "Summersaults or body rolling have been tied to developing reading skills. These are considered more advanced skills yet; encourage your child to try them. Teaching your two year old to do a somersault is a movement that will benefit both the brain and the body. Many two year olds are not ready for a full somersault until they are closer to three." NO idea how valid those exact statements are, but in my quick search, somersaults at 2 is not a big deal and pretty common in toddler gym classes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/forward-somersaultsrolls-ok#post-2583928 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:34:14 +0000 SweetiePie 2583928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is 22 months. In his gym class they have started teaching forward rolls/somersaults. They usually do it on a padded wedge with adult assistance (he knows to tuck his head and I or the teachers help him get through the roll).<br /> He recently started trying to do the forward roll at home on his own. We have a play mat with roads and stuff to drive his cars on and I think because it's cushy like a gym mat it reminds him of class. </p> <p>Anyway, I didn't think much of it. He was tucking his head properly and just couldn't always get over. He might fall to the side instead or just give up.<br /> My MIL and husband were terrified by it. My mom saw it on FT and just said "is that safe?" But didn't say anything else when I said they do it in class. </p> <p>Am I being overly lax about this? I guess I just figured that if they teach it in class it can't be all that bad if he's using the same skills he learned. Maybe since I've seen it I'm not worried but since all 3 of them haven't been to class it was concerning? Or is there some major danger I just don't know about? Should I be discouraging it at home? </p>