Can those of you with older children tell me a bit about cheerleading as a sport? My dd4 has just started cheerleading class. They have started to do "routines" in class and the routines seem a bit, well..."inappropriate" for young children. They are girating their hips and what not. I thought we were signing up for "Go Team Go!". What am I missing?
Cheerleading?
- Thread starter emma'smom
- Start date
Not sure but I am interested in your answers. 
My 5 almost 6 year old DD likes cheerleading too. This summer she went to a "cheercamp" at our lifetime gym. She did "rah rah go team cheers". Clap hands, slap legs, jump up and down stuff. It was really fun and she enjoyed it. We plan to let her go again next year.
It was a local teen or college student who worked there and was in cheer.
I don't think I would let DD continue what you are describing. Not for a 4 year old. It does sound a lot like what HS cheers are like now a days. I was in Cheerleading in HS. It was a bit more tame then and we did a lot of "mounts" I was short was I was always the girl at the top of the pyramid. I think they have stopped that since then, too much liability. Funny thing is a broke my leg in gymnastics, not cheer.
My 5 almost 6 year old DD likes cheerleading too. This summer she went to a "cheercamp" at our lifetime gym. She did "rah rah go team cheers". Clap hands, slap legs, jump up and down stuff. It was really fun and she enjoyed it. We plan to let her go again next year.
It was a local teen or college student who worked there and was in cheer. I don't think I would let DD continue what you are describing. Not for a 4 year old. It does sound a lot like what HS cheers are like now a days. I was in Cheerleading in HS. It was a bit more tame then and we did a lot of "mounts" I was short was I was always the girl at the top of the pyramid. I think they have stopped that since then, too much liability. Funny thing is a broke my leg in gymnastics, not cheer.
NY Disney fan
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I never understood putting 4 year olds in cheer class. I always thought cheerleading is something one learned starting in Junior High.
If you want them to grow up to be cheerleaders, they should (at this age) be taking gymnastics and dance. So by the time they want to try-out in school they will have an edge over the other girls.
If you want them to grow up to be cheerleaders, they should (at this age) be taking gymnastics and dance. So by the time they want to try-out in school they will have an edge over the other girls.
Ariel8676
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My 5 yo is in "competetive" cheering, her routine and dance is to a High school musical mix..its so cute...i dont think i'd go for girating hips at all.
They do a 2 1/2 minute routine dance/cheer combo and its definitely not too "old" for their age( they are 4 and 5 yo's) She cheer's for a team called The Jersey Devil All Stars....Good luck, maybe gymnastics would be better, or find another cheer center.
They do a 2 1/2 minute routine dance/cheer combo and its definitely not too "old" for their age( they are 4 and 5 yo's) She cheer's for a team called The Jersey Devil All Stars....Good luck, maybe gymnastics would be better, or find another cheer center.
My DD7 has been in competitive cheer for 2 years. Yes I see a lot of moves and songs that are not right for the young girls, for example Save a horse ride a cowboy with 6 year olds. My DD's routine is always age appropriate. If your DD likes it try to find a cheer club that works for you. They are popping up all over. Just beware it can be very expensive when you add in uniforms that include everything from briefs to phony ponys and competition fees can range anywhere from $15-$50 and can take up a whole weekend. I have to get DD on the bus. If you have anyother questions just ask/
We are using HSM too. I think everyone will be this year. We are the Just Kickin' Starz. Our colors are black and hot pink.
amylevan
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I coach two teams and never let my girls (7/8 grade team & a high school team) do any of the girating type moves. I admit that I do let my high schoolers get away with a little more than I do my 7/8 graders, but I would never let little ones do anything remotely inappropriate. If you are uncomfortable with what they are doing, find another gym/program where you are more comfortable.
As for what you signed up for: cheerleading is quite different than it was in the past, and different types of programs will do concentrate on different types of things. School teams are more "Go Team Go" like the past, but still do much more complicated stunting and tumbling, and many compete. Recreation teams are similar. All Star programs (usually out of a gym) are usually very little to no "Go Team Go" and are all about competing/performing.
Also, please check that the coaches have some sort of certification. When they start stunting/tumbling it's important to have a knowledgable coach and many coaches (especially on school teams) have little to no training.
As for what you signed up for: cheerleading is quite different than it was in the past, and different types of programs will do concentrate on different types of things. School teams are more "Go Team Go" like the past, but still do much more complicated stunting and tumbling, and many compete. Recreation teams are similar. All Star programs (usually out of a gym) are usually very little to no "Go Team Go" and are all about competing/performing.
Also, please check that the coaches have some sort of certification. When they start stunting/tumbling it's important to have a knowledgable coach and many coaches (especially on school teams) have little to no training.
you might want to also check out what the 'average' participant that's stayed with the program is doing a couple of years down the line. reason i say this is cheer like dance and gymnastics seems to be one of those activities that allot of little girls develop a real passion for-and they want to continue on with it as they age. that being the case i think it's important to find out just how time and $$$ intensive the activity is to see if it's reasonably possible for your child to continue on.
we've got some good cheer programs in our area-some are linked with dance studions/some not. in both cases the bulk of the kids that stay on after the first couple of years are doing much more than just the basic classes-they are taking gymnastics and one or two dance classes as well (seems jazz and hip-hop are the most popular). these classes come with their costs, costumes and time committment over and above the cheer classes and competitions. some programs are just set up such that once the kids get beyond the very early stages they will need (or want) additional additional skills to be able to do the increasingly complex routines.
just as an example-one of ds's former preschool classmates started cheer at around age 4 or 5 at one of the places local to us (good place, well respected-not the highest end price wise or competativly). initialy there were some sporadic local competitions the girls went to-which while they did eat up some weekends were'nt too much for the parents to handle. gradualy the parents realize that dd is'nt keeping up quite as well as the other kids-talk to the coach and learn that for the most part all the other kids are taking dance classes so they have some existing experience with the moves. so the dd is next enrolled into dance classes (more time plus the performances the dance class does). by a couple of years into the thing the dd is doing 2 dance classes a week, her cheerleading and traveling during peak times at least twice a month all over the state (there were some times when it was every weekend). parents are investing more time plus some of the events are far enuf away they have to put out money for lodging-and a by now a baby sitter for the younger sib. another year or so into it and the dd's reached a level where they are doing more out of state things-initialy only one big trip a year but it was one that entailed quite a time and cost outlay by the parents for airfare, accommodations and the sitter for the little one. they finaly dropped out about a year ago (about 4 years into the thing). it had gotten to the point where dd 'had' to be taking the dance lessons (no longer the norm-the expectation), was starting to take gymnastics (needed to learn the stuff for the more advanced moves)-and they were expected to travel to 3 out of state competitions a year (i think the last year they did it they had traveled to hawaii and hershey penn. from california, so not an inexpensive endeavor) as well as different competitions and performances at least every other weekend for months on end. it just got too much time wise-and it got way too costly (and they made VERY good money)-and they were looking at the now 4 year old younger sib who had grown up watching older sis doing this who was now chafing at the bit to get in on it.
it was a realy hard decision for them-they liked the sport, and their dd loved it. it was a realy hard adjustment for her when the parents took her out (she's still in the dance classes but you can tell she misses what she was 'used to' and the friends she made)-the younger one was also pretty upset that what she saw as a given for her just is'nt going to happen.
in hindsight they say they wish they had opted to go with one of the local offerings by the community rec department for the cheerleading programs affiliated with local youth leagues. they felt their dd would have enjoyed it just as much but the cost and the schedual would have been better suited that if she wanted to progress (non competativly) it was reasonable that she (and the younger one) could have.
figure out what kind of program you want/are willing/able to committ to (cuz while it may be disappointing for you to have to pull out a few years into it, a 5, 6 or 7 year old will take it much harder).
we've got some good cheer programs in our area-some are linked with dance studions/some not. in both cases the bulk of the kids that stay on after the first couple of years are doing much more than just the basic classes-they are taking gymnastics and one or two dance classes as well (seems jazz and hip-hop are the most popular). these classes come with their costs, costumes and time committment over and above the cheer classes and competitions. some programs are just set up such that once the kids get beyond the very early stages they will need (or want) additional additional skills to be able to do the increasingly complex routines.
just as an example-one of ds's former preschool classmates started cheer at around age 4 or 5 at one of the places local to us (good place, well respected-not the highest end price wise or competativly). initialy there were some sporadic local competitions the girls went to-which while they did eat up some weekends were'nt too much for the parents to handle. gradualy the parents realize that dd is'nt keeping up quite as well as the other kids-talk to the coach and learn that for the most part all the other kids are taking dance classes so they have some existing experience with the moves. so the dd is next enrolled into dance classes (more time plus the performances the dance class does). by a couple of years into the thing the dd is doing 2 dance classes a week, her cheerleading and traveling during peak times at least twice a month all over the state (there were some times when it was every weekend). parents are investing more time plus some of the events are far enuf away they have to put out money for lodging-and a by now a baby sitter for the younger sib. another year or so into it and the dd's reached a level where they are doing more out of state things-initialy only one big trip a year but it was one that entailed quite a time and cost outlay by the parents for airfare, accommodations and the sitter for the little one. they finaly dropped out about a year ago (about 4 years into the thing). it had gotten to the point where dd 'had' to be taking the dance lessons (no longer the norm-the expectation), was starting to take gymnastics (needed to learn the stuff for the more advanced moves)-and they were expected to travel to 3 out of state competitions a year (i think the last year they did it they had traveled to hawaii and hershey penn. from california, so not an inexpensive endeavor) as well as different competitions and performances at least every other weekend for months on end. it just got too much time wise-and it got way too costly (and they made VERY good money)-and they were looking at the now 4 year old younger sib who had grown up watching older sis doing this who was now chafing at the bit to get in on it.
it was a realy hard decision for them-they liked the sport, and their dd loved it. it was a realy hard adjustment for her when the parents took her out (she's still in the dance classes but you can tell she misses what she was 'used to' and the friends she made)-the younger one was also pretty upset that what she saw as a given for her just is'nt going to happen.
in hindsight they say they wish they had opted to go with one of the local offerings by the community rec department for the cheerleading programs affiliated with local youth leagues. they felt their dd would have enjoyed it just as much but the cost and the schedual would have been better suited that if she wanted to progress (non competativly) it was reasonable that she (and the younger one) could have.
figure out what kind of program you want/are willing/able to committ to (cuz while it may be disappointing for you to have to pull out a few years into it, a 5, 6 or 7 year old will take it much harder).
Motherofboys
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I'm sorry, I just have to say this, I won't even let my kids listen to a song like "Save a Horse..." who in the h--- would let their little girl do a dance/cheer routine to that song??? Honestly, someone please explain this to me??? If a coach even suggested that I would have some serious concerns about their common sense!!!
Like you I am a mother of boys, so this goes right over my head. My niece did it for a couple of years, she's 11 now. I think she quit and went into horseback riding. Or maybe it's the other way around. She used to do dance and I would have to bite my tongue when she would do her routine. No way if she was mine. DH about fainted, SIL thought nothing of it.
I don't know that song, or what it is about. My guesses aren't good though.
My oldest takes a dance/gymnastics class once a week. They are dancing to a song from Shrek. It is pretty cute. Very 5 year old appropriate.
NotUrsula
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The song is "Save a horse, ride a cowboy." It's a country song. You don't even have to know the lyrics to get the point -- just think about it for a minute.
However, if you WANT to see the lyrics, here they are: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bigrich/saveahorserideacowboy.html
I was the prude in my H.S. who ratted out my drill team for the song they had chosen for a routine. The song and the routine they had come up with to go with it were vulgar, and I said so and flat refused to participate in any performance of it (this was in the funk era.) When they tried to throw me out of drill for that, the principal, the school board and all of their parents took my side once they saw the proposed routine.
However, if you WANT to see the lyrics, here they are: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bigrich/saveahorserideacowboy.html
I was the prude in my H.S. who ratted out my drill team for the song they had chosen for a routine. The song and the routine they had come up with to go with it were vulgar, and I said so and flat refused to participate in any performance of it (this was in the funk era.) When they tried to throw me out of drill for that, the principal, the school board and all of their parents took my side once they saw the proposed routine.
belle&beast
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I have friends and family who have had their little girls involved in competitive cheerleading and it definitely was not the cheerleading I did years ago! Even the 6 year olds were wearing full makeup and tummies were showing while they really shook their booties. Parents were getting their little girls involved in multiple tumbling classes so they could do more gymnatics tricks and practice stunting. The expense was ridiculous and the competitions among the parents for who gets on what squad was crazy! Needless to say, my friends are no longer part of this. I will say that we do have cheerleading classes at out local YMCA that are not geared toward competition and there are some gyms that are more modest in their dance routines and uniforms. I am not encouraging cheerleading for my daughter at this point even though I cheered (for my school, not competitively) and coached. Just be sure to research what you are getting into before you sign up.
Wow! Who knew what I was getting my dd into!
She does take gymnastics (that's how this all got started- it's offered at the same place and dd's little friend is fascinated with the HS cheerleaders). Well, I think we'll just let her finish out the session and be done with it.
Dd is already involved in gymanstics, ballet, and soccer at various times in the year. We don't really have "cheer" on a radar screen as a long-term goal....just thought it would be fun to try.
She does take gymnastics (that's how this all got started- it's offered at the same place and dd's little friend is fascinated with the HS cheerleaders). Well, I think we'll just let her finish out the session and be done with it.
Dd is already involved in gymanstics, ballet, and soccer at various times in the year. We don't really have "cheer" on a radar screen as a long-term goal....just thought it would be fun to try.
slduck
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My dd 5 is set to start gymnastics in the summer. She really wants to cheer like her cousin on one of the competitive squads. I understand your concerns. As a former coach and cheerleader, I worry about starting that pressure at an early age. We probably won't allow her to join a competion squad until at least 7.What are your opinions on this?????
CampbellScot
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Another coach here! I coach a high school squad and my 7 year old step daughter's squad. I first want to say that Cheerleading is a wonderful sport to be involved in! But as someone said you need to be aware of the kind of squad you are working with and the kind of coach you have. They need to have credentials and experience.
I was absolutely horrified when i saw an HBO segment on little girls cheer squads and they were doing a cheer that required them at one point to turn their backs to the crowd, flip up their skirts and wiggle their little bottoms.
Men were actually whistling from the stands...The "coach" said it was so that everyone could see the words on their bums. She also instructed the girls to FLIRT with the crowd. She also told them some garbage about "flirting with the judges" at competitions and pretending the other squads were like a girl who liked the boy YOU liked and you have to show them you are cuter and prettier...oh good LORD, it was sick. This is NOT the kind of thing you want to see on a young squad...any squad really. It's demeaning and the exact kind of stereo type that cheer squads have to fight every day.
The basic groundwork for competitive cheerleading is tumbling and dance. Those are the most important things, the next is showmanship but that does NOT need to include suggestive movements or words in the cheers. PeeWee squads do NOT need to pander to the crowds like little showgirls. They SHOULD be doing a lot of "Go Team Go", working on getting everyone to move in unison,making sure movements are precise, projecting those voices etc. These kissy face, bobble head routines where the girls's faces are covered in glitter and make up are more and more popular these days. It's a very distressing trend for those of us who work so hard to teach these girls that it's about dedication and drive and athleticism, not about looking sexy or FLIRTING.
SO, all that being said...if you do not approve of what your little girl's coach is having them do, then SPEAK UP. If your concerns are not addressed then find her another squad. I would not allow anyone to teach my little girl that wiggling her hips and being suggestive is a good way to get attention...she'll hear those sorts of things soon enough! When I am coaching the little girls I say things like "STRONG faces ladies" "Let's hear those POWERFUL voices"...I say the same things to the high school squad. Cheerleading is about being strong and powerful, it's being a leader and role model...not a mini show girl!
can you tell I've got an opinion or two on this subject?
I coach a high school squad and my 7 year old step daughter's squad. I first want to say that Cheerleading is a wonderful sport to be involved in! But as someone said you need to be aware of the kind of squad you are working with and the kind of coach you have. They need to have credentials and experience. I was absolutely horrified when i saw an HBO segment on little girls cheer squads and they were doing a cheer that required them at one point to turn their backs to the crowd, flip up their skirts and wiggle their little bottoms.
Men were actually whistling from the stands...The "coach" said it was so that everyone could see the words on their bums. She also instructed the girls to FLIRT with the crowd. She also told them some garbage about "flirting with the judges" at competitions and pretending the other squads were like a girl who liked the boy YOU liked and you have to show them you are cuter and prettier...oh good LORD, it was sick. This is NOT the kind of thing you want to see on a young squad...any squad really. It's demeaning and the exact kind of stereo type that cheer squads have to fight every day.The basic groundwork for competitive cheerleading is tumbling and dance. Those are the most important things, the next is showmanship but that does NOT need to include suggestive movements or words in the cheers. PeeWee squads do NOT need to pander to the crowds like little showgirls. They SHOULD be doing a lot of "Go Team Go", working on getting everyone to move in unison,making sure movements are precise, projecting those voices etc. These kissy face, bobble head routines where the girls's faces are covered in glitter and make up are more and more popular these days. It's a very distressing trend for those of us who work so hard to teach these girls that it's about dedication and drive and athleticism, not about looking sexy or FLIRTING.
SO, all that being said...if you do not approve of what your little girl's coach is having them do, then SPEAK UP. If your concerns are not addressed then find her another squad. I would not allow anyone to teach my little girl that wiggling her hips and being suggestive is a good way to get attention...she'll hear those sorts of things soon enough! When I am coaching the little girls I say things like "STRONG faces ladies" "Let's hear those POWERFUL voices"...I say the same things to the high school squad. Cheerleading is about being strong and powerful, it's being a leader and role model...not a mini show girl!
can you tell I've got an opinion or two on this subject? My daughter (7) started doing competitive cheerleading this year. Like others have said it is time consuming and $$$$ consuming. We practice twice a week and have private lessons once a week. However, it is no more time consuming than my 8 year old's soccer, baseball and basketball schedules.
She loves it soo much that the time and $$ are no big deal. Her squad dances to a remix of several songs (I can't remember them right now) but nothing inappropriate at all. They have the same uniforms as the older squads, but their tummys don't show. They wear minimal make up (the only reason is so that they don't look washed out under the lights) and this is optional for her squad.
We compete about once a month from October to April. Most of them are around our area and most that we do have to drive to are close enough that we have the option of staying the night or not. The furthest one that we have is in Destin, FL (about 6 hours from here).
As others have said, there is other money that can be involved also. Right now she is doing private lessons to learn her back handspring, if she does not have that down by May, she won't be able to move to the next squad with all of her friends. Once she has gotten the back handspring, we will stop doing the private lessons.
She loves it soo much that the time and $$ are no big deal. Her squad dances to a remix of several songs (I can't remember them right now) but nothing inappropriate at all. They have the same uniforms as the older squads, but their tummys don't show. They wear minimal make up (the only reason is so that they don't look washed out under the lights) and this is optional for her squad.
We compete about once a month from October to April. Most of them are around our area and most that we do have to drive to are close enough that we have the option of staying the night or not. The furthest one that we have is in Destin, FL (about 6 hours from here).
As others have said, there is other money that can be involved also. Right now she is doing private lessons to learn her back handspring, if she does not have that down by May, she won't be able to move to the next squad with all of her friends. Once she has gotten the back handspring, we will stop doing the private lessons.
tnkrbell
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Time to find another team!!! I would not want my 11 year old doing moves like that!! We have been with an allstar team for 4 years now. I am ALWAYS proud of how our teams look on and off the stage!! Our coach would NEVER let our girls do inapropriate moves.
Yes..... I agree the time of "go team go" is gone!! They are true athletes they practice ATLEAST 5 hours a week!!!
If your daughter enjoys cheerleading then like I said find another team that does appopriate motions for your daughters age group!! Dont give up and good luck!!
CHEERS!!!!
This is a sore spot with me as well, I am living in the south and cheerleading both competive and recreational is huge here!
My DD7 has been begging me to let her join. I am against (for soo many reasons)the whole make up thing, tummies showing, inappropriate songs and dance moves etc...
Plus the money they want is crazy!
I am very happy to say that we signed her up this season with a program called "upward "thru a local chuch. Many churches have these programs I believe..
The cost was $85 which included the uniform which is VERY cute, the kind we had when we were younger.. vest, turtle neck, skort/skirt, pom poms and mega phone!
It is a great program, very impressed and nothing inapropriate at all.
The only thing is I think the youngest age is K5..
There definitely are some great teams/leagues out there but there are also alot of "what are these parents thinking" too
My DD7 has been begging me to let her join. I am against (for soo many reasons)the whole make up thing, tummies showing, inappropriate songs and dance moves etc...
Plus the money they want is crazy!
I am very happy to say that we signed her up this season with a program called "upward "thru a local chuch. Many churches have these programs I believe..
The cost was $85 which included the uniform which is VERY cute, the kind we had when we were younger.. vest, turtle neck, skort/skirt, pom poms and mega phone!
It is a great program, very impressed and nothing inapropriate at all.
The only thing is I think the youngest age is K5..
There definitely are some great teams/leagues out there but there are also alot of "what are these parents thinking" too
tnkrbell
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That sounds like you found the perfect program for your child!
I agree with not liking the belly showing uniforms. Im so glad our teams do not wear them. As far as the makeup in the all-star world it is a must. They perform on a stage with lots of lighting and you would not be able to see their reactions(facials) on stage which adds to the over all score.
Hope your daughter has a ball with her new team and gets lots of life long friends as my daughter has!!
I agree with not liking the belly showing uniforms. Im so glad our teams do not wear them. As far as the makeup in the all-star world it is a must. They perform on a stage with lots of lighting and you would not be able to see their reactions(facials) on stage which adds to the over all score.
Hope your daughter has a ball with her new team and gets lots of life long friends as my daughter has!!
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