How to Teach a Child a Donkey Kick

Your child doesn't have to be enrolled in a gymnastics program to benefit from the exercise of tumbling. There are many tricks you can teach your young ones at your home. A donkey kick is a fun variation of a handstand that children as young as two can learn. Here's how to teach them the maneuver.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tumbling mats

1. Ask the child to stand upright with his hands extended straight into the air. This is the beginning position for any tumbling pass.
2. Place your child's lead foot in front of the other and point the toe forward. Only the tips of the child's toes should lightly touch the floor.
3. Ask the child to lunge into the leading foot, while placing his hands on the floor in front of his feet.
4. The back leg should kick into the air, followed by the front leg.
5. Bring her legs together at the top. Make sure that she is looking at her hands. Hold this position for three seconds.
6. Lower her leading leg to the ground. When this foot lands on the ground, lower her back leg. Her feet should land together.
7. Move his hands from the ground straight up into the air in a salute.

Tips & Warnings

• Your child will enjoy saying "hee-haw" in the middle of his donkey kick.
• Children should tumble on mats to reduce the likelihood of injury.
• Always supervise children whenever they attempt a new tumbling pass.