How Precious is Encouragement
June 14, 2025
How Precious is Encouragement
Theadora has been doing gymnastics since she was in the womb. Not really, I just coached while she was growing inside of me. I’m pretty sure she heard all the “point those toes!” or “airplane arms!” or “jump on two feet!” pointers I called to my little gymnasts. Fast forward about three or four years and this little gymnast want-to-be would stay in a three hour gymnastics class (our Gym-N-Learn preschool program) with Coach Stacie but would do maybe 3 minutes of my recreational preschool stretch and announce, “I’m done listening” and run back to Mrs. Tina in afterschool. About three or four months ago, Theadora became super serious about working out in her gymnastics instead of goofing off. She begged to be waitlisted for “my favorite coach Tyler” in a Saturday class (Coach Tyler had been her make-up class coach several times & she knew her from camp). In May, about 6 or 7 weeks ago, we got off the waitlist and she started doing her classes on Saturday. My constant question of my new 6-year-old was, “were your listening ears on?” and “did you listen well?”
After every class, she would buzz with “Coach Tyler said…” usually suggestions on how to improve and “Coach Tyler said I did good at…” mostly this was listening! Thea worked out in between each class with comments on how she wanted to get xyz skill “just perfect” so she could “show my Coach Tyler” and she would remind me, “Coach Tyler said I need to work on” something (usually push-ups, v-ups, sit-ups, stretching, or lunges) which Thea would consistently practice in the yard and in the morning before camp at gym.
Today, she raced up to the desk with a skill ribbon. Excited, jumping up and down, “Mommy! Mommy! I got it, look, I got it! I got my back hip circle! Coach Tyler said it was good! She gave me my favorite ribbon!” She wanted me to take her picture with her ribbon (which she attached to her water bottle, certain to show off to everyone I’m sure, I love how it was instantly her favorite ribbon.). One of her friends made the same skill today too – she told all of us about their ribbons and high-fives.
This beautiful picture reminded of how big of an impact one person’s encouragement plays in a child’s life. My little Thea needs someone to encourage her, challenge her, and be excited for her that is not mom, dad, and siblings. Yes, we are a background force. But never underestimate how big of an impact your smile, high-fives, encouragement (and extreme patience) has on little ones in your charge. She loves her Coach Tyler. She works very hard for her coach. She wants to do everything better for her coach.
Thea has had several coaches in her short life. (Yes, one was me) And no one has ever inspired her as much as Coach Tyler now. Maybe, it’s just the right stage in her life. Maybe, she’s starting to actually listen. Maybe, she’s thriving because the person who pours into her little life for 50 short minutes a week makes her feel like she can do it and inspires her to work.
The truth is that this happy kid-face happens in any student’s life when they accomplish something and attribute it to a teacher/coach/mentor helping them. In gymnastics gyms, Sunday school classrooms, volunteer reading programs, tutoring, or any activity where you are able to breathe encouragement. You may only see them once a week or less, you may have to double check the roster to remember how to pronounce their name, but you care for each of them and see their potential. Your tiny sliver of time, care, happiness, encouragement, and love has a huge impact on each and every child.
Do you bring your bright smile that makes your students believe you love them and want to be there to coach them? Thea thinks that Coach Tyler coaches because she loves all of her gymnasts (Coach Tyler loves seeing me do gymnastics, that’s why she’s a coach). Yes, your coaching is a job, but to your students, you are there just for them. One of my preschool gymnasts, a sweet girl I keep watching as she grows in the gym, gave me a little bag (I use it as my competition mom-bag for my girls and the rest of our competitive team mini emergencies) that is printed with “Behind every successful gymnast is a coach who believed in her.” That is so very true. Believe in your gymnasts and watch them grow.
Thea believes that Coach Tyler believes in her.
I am so happy to be able to see this wonderful world of gymnastics from both the coach side and the gymnast mom side. I was never in any formal gymnastics classes (good luck not having as heart attack if you see me do a backward roll), but I’ve learned how to coach the sport and I have four girls and a boy who love it (can’t count Laud yet, although he’s been out on the floor with Coach Paul, runs wild in open gym, and loves the bars, beam, and pit).
Consider the people you touch in your life. Consider those you remember as making an impact on your life.
I thank God for the coaches He has put in the lives of my children and pray for them daily. I pray I am an encouragement to those whose lives I touch.
I’m so happy for my Theadora and her accomplishments. I’m so thankful for “her” Coach Tyler.
Who are you encouraging?
Thank you for reading!
Type at you later!
~Nancy Tart
