Little Fit Kids - Tauranga
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“Little Fit Kids”
Target Age: 8-10
Tauranga Domain 16:45pm - 17:30pm & 17:30pm - 18:15pm
When watching our son and his friends playing in the playground, we noticed that certain kids are more agile than others, certain kids take bigger risks whilst others seem clumsier and a lot more cautious. Some of our little ones are more than happy to try new things whilst others prefer to sit quietly and observe and doing anything new is out of the question!
We realized that the little ones who aren’t clambering up jungle gyms whilst permanently giving their parents’ heart failure are perhaps struggling with poor motor coordination as well as poor core strength. This could be caused from varying factors such as premature births, difficult births, low birth weight, family history or hours of bad posture in front of a screen!
The good news is, as a young child, low core strength and/ or bad motor coordination can be easily taught, and so we began the thoughts of a fun and enjoyable program that would help develop these aspects of a child’s development…. Little Fit Kids!
Little Fit Kids is more specifically for ages 8-10 years old. Whilst all of us parent’s love throwing our young children into varying sports such as football, rugby, swimming, karate, athletics (and the list goes on), we sometimes forget that our kids need to be taught the basic fundamental skills for these sports in order for them to excel in the sport they are embarking on, to prevent unnecessary injuries and of course to help them enjoy it more. If your child is confident, then the sport of choice will become so much easier and therefore more fun for them, and isn’t this the ultimate goal for our kids?
Program founder - Claire Horner
Little Fit Kids focuses on the following aspects:
Cognitive Development:
Help the child develop and improve cognitive skills, such as greater concentration capacity, that can in turn help them in the classroom. Cognitive skills on the sports field are extremely important when making decisions ie. When to pass a ball to a teammate
Developmental Milestones:
Reaching milestones that some kids don’t have the luxury of being taught eg. A somersault or standing on 1 leg for 20seconds
Core Strength:
Some children do not have a naturally strong core, and this must be worked on to prevent injuries, for better balance and coordination when playing, climbing, jumping, throwing, running etc. Children who are premature at birth are often very weak in the core. This may hamper their achievements in sport later. A weak core can also prevent your child from concentrating in the classroom because he/she is constantly fidgeting whilst trying to hold his/her core in place.
Speed & agility:
Young children should focus on speed first, endurance later. Agility helps the child move fluently, quickly and easily. Mental agility is the ability to think and understand quickly.
Technique:
Correct technique in running can help with many different sports ie. Athletics, hockey, rugby, football etc.
Talent recognition:
Even at a young age a child will have a reason for playing his/her specific sport. 98% of boys and 955 of girls play purely for fun. Determining why the child plays his/her chosen sport ie. To impress parents shows higher scores of burnout.
To make sure the young athlete continues on the path of success it is essential to develop a love for the sport.
Exposing the young athlete to a large range of movement patterns and activities keeps their interest and develops all muscle groups which is vitally important at a young age.
The aim of Little Fit Kids is for our children to work on all the above aspects whilst having loads of fun and burning off excess energy!
What you can expect for your child...
1. Enjoyable and Fun
- Exciting Activities: Kids are likely to appreciate the variety of activities designed to be engaging and enjoyable. The fun elements, like games and playful challenges, make the learning process exciting.
- Positive Atmosphere: The program’s emphasis on fun helps create a positive and encouraging environment where kids feel motivated to participate and try their best.
2. Sense of Achievement
- Skill Mastery: Kids may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they achieve developmental milestones and improve their motor skills, such as balancing or performing a somersault.
- Confidence Boost: Gaining new skills and improving in areas like balance and coordination can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
3. Increased Physical Enjoyment
- Active and Energetic: Many kids enjoy being active and may find the program a great outlet for their energy. The focus on speed, agility, and fun exercises allows them to be physically active in a structured setting.
- Physical Competence: As they develop better coordination and core strength, children might feel more capable and excited about participating in other sports and activities.
4. Social Interaction
- Making Friends: Group activities and team-based challenges provide opportunities for social interaction. Kids might enjoy making new friends and working together on different tasks.
- Team Spirit: Engaging in group activities can help foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie, making the experience more enjoyable.
5. Varied and Engaging Learning
- Diverse Activities: The exposure to different skills and techniques keeps the program interesting and prevents it from becoming repetitive or monotonous.
- Challenge and Fun: The balance of challenges and fun can keep kids engaged and eager to return for each session.
6. Enhanced Confidence
- Feeling Capable: As children see their own progress and gain new abilities, they might feel more capable and confident both in and out of the program.
- Pride in Achievement: Completing challenges and mastering new skills can lead to a sense of pride and personal achievement.
7. Curiosity and Exploration
- Trying New Things: Kids might enjoy the chance to explore different physical activities and movement patterns, satisfying their curiosity and interest in trying new things.
- Learning Through Play: The playful approach to skill development can make learning feel natural and enjoyable.