I have been teaching tumbling for years, and parents are constantly asking me how they can practice with their child at home. Here are some pointers for teaching kids how to do a cartwheel. Just remember to use a mat or practice on a soft surface.

1. Have your child stand with legs just past shoulder width apart with arms extended over head (like an "X"). Your child will be standing sideways on the mat.

2. Start with your child rocking from one foot to the other like a rocking chair. This will teach them to use momentum.

3. To spot your child, stand or kneel behind them. If your child is doing a right-handed cartwheel, you will place your left hand on her right side at the waist. Then cross your right hand over your left and place it on her left side at the waist. Both of your thumbs should be towards her back with your fingers towards the front.

4. You will hold her at the waist as she begins by rocking. It helps to count to three as she is rocking back and forth. On count three, she will place her right hand down followed by her left hand as she kicks up to the ceiling. As she rotates, your hands will rotate with her. Make sure to pull up to support her.

5. Once her hands are on the mat, her legs should be spread apart again (like an "X"). As she lands, her left leg will come down first followed by her right leg.

6. She will finish by bringing her arms back up to the starting point.

That will make a complete cartwheel! Remember to lift up the entire time as you spot her. It also helps to call out "hand, hand, foot, foot" as she is rotating. It is important that each hand and foot placement is separate. Another tip is to paint hand and feet prints on the mat. You can also purchase cartwheel mats that have the hands and feet already on the mat. If you are doing it yourself, the prints should be in a line to encourage a straight cartwheel. Continue to practice, and your child will soon be doing cartwheels everywhere you go!