Class development Parent/toddler program. A parent/toddler program incorporates parents into a fitness and tumbling class for toddlers (18 months to three years). This type of class is designed to introduce young children to the joys of fitness and to encourage healthy lifestyles that will hopefully last a lifetime. The curriculum focuses on children enjoying motor development and rhythmic activities, group games and lots of exploration. Parents enjoy uninterrupted play with their child in a group setting, and the class is a great way for parents to meet other parents in their community. The best time to offer toddler classes is mid-morning, around 10 a.m. Often, parents will take an 8 a.m. aerobics class and then participate with their child afterward. An alternate time is 6 p.m., which is popular for working parents and may fill up quickly. The average parent/toddler class has 12 to 16 children. For best results, market this class through pediatricians, family practitioners, local businesses, preschools and community papers. Preschool. At some point in the day, your child care center is likely crowded with preschoolers. Most parents are thrilled with the idea that, instead of plopping their children in a nursery, they can put them in a fitness class. Kids begin to look forward to the routine of going to the club and attending their own class while mom and/or dad go to their classes. This way, both parents and children can do something positive for their health.

At 3 to 5 years old. Kids are ready for a class of their own. For the younger children, this may be their first time in a class setting without a parent. For others, it may be their introduction to a fitness class. Classes should teach motor skills, tumbling, creative movement and group games in an enjoyable setting. Programs should build self-esteem and begin teaching kids about nutrition and health.

Elementary school. Use your club's special features to attract children at the elementary school level. Pools, tennis courts and rock climbing walls are all a draw for this age group, and more traditional classes such as karate, ballet, basketball and soccer will also secure participation. (Kids will be participating in these activities anyway, so why not at your facility?) Tap your staff for kids' programming ideas; you may have an instructor with a special skill you're not even aware of.

Keep in mind, though, that to provide a well-rounded kids' program, you'll need to offer more than specialty classes. Special attention should be paid to unfit kids, making sure not to group them only into basketball or soccer exercise. Start kids with low fitness levels and sports skills with basic fitness facts to get them interested in becoming and staying healthy. As with adults, fitness levels should be determined, and an individualized plan (taking into account likes and dislikes) should be set in place.

It's also important to teach kids how to monitor their exercise program. This can be done in an organized class environment using stations, group games and class discussions on healthful lifestyles. Learning basic sports skills like dribbling, kicking, throwing and catching are important, but the emphasis should be placed on getting kids moving and understanding the benefits of exercise. Stations work well in teaching this age group fitness concepts and specific motor skills.

Quality staff

Finding expert staff should be one of your top priorities. Hire a program director who is qualified to teach all ages of children and who has the experience to promote and direct your program. The ideal person should be athletic, fun-loving, reliable, energetic and experienced with a background in physical education, early childhood development or a related field. The program director should serve as the lead teacher in your program. By teaching classes, the director will be familiar with the programs and families, and will be more qualified to train new staff. Two to six other staff members can be assistant teachers, with one to run the parent/toddler program. (A parent can be a good choice since he or she will likely be comfortable with children and adults.) Training new staff should include sharing your mission statement, philosophy and objectives.

Safe equipment

Put together an equipment budget and order early since it can sometimes take up to eight weeks for supplies to arrive. Buy safe, colorful, durable and easy-to-store equipment, particularly if your program shares a room with other exercise classes. Children are naturally drawn to objects that evoke a desire to play, such as mats for rolling and jumping, balance beams for walking, hoops to jump into and scarves for dancing. Each child should have his/her own small piece of equipment like a jump rope, hula hoop, bean bags or balls. This takes away from competitiveness among children when working on specific skills and activities.

The average cost for equipment for toddler and preschool programs is approximately $1,500. Additional equipment for older children is about $600, and should include music, resistance bands, and balls to dribble, throw, catch and kick. (See the included lesson plan for an idea of what kind of equipment you will need.) When ordering, you may want to ask whether your club name or logo can be put on equipment.

Space

Space is often the biggest obstacle to starting a children's fitness program. Ideally, one room should be designated for kids' fitness. This makes it easier on staff since equipment does not have to be moved, and allows for the area to be decorated with children in mind. It also communicates to your members that kids' fitness is important. Rooms should be approximately 800 square feet and allow 16 kids to fit comfortably. To get maximum exposure for your program, an unused racquetball court is ideal. Since courts have tall walls, paint fun murals to counteract the "canyon" effect.

If one room cannot be designated solely for children's fitness, find a space that is safe and enclosed. Children must be contained so instructors can concentrate on teaching them, not corralling them. It is best not to have adult equipment in the room, as children will be tempted to climb on it or try to use it. Make sure you have a closet for storage that includes shelves and hooks.

Lesson plans

Lesson plans help ensure a smooth class and appropriate sequence of learning (see the sample lesson plan). They should be written for every class and changed for each age group. Included should be the class theme, equipment needed and skills to be learned. Posting an overview of each class helps instill confidence in parents that the program is fun and organized, and helps generate interest among other members. It also gives a basis for the parents to ask their children questions about their participation.

Weekly themes

A healthy childhood usually leads to a healthy adulthood, so it is important to teach children at a young age the benefits of exercise and eating right. Incorporating a theme into each class that focuses on one or two aspects of healthful living is a great way to introduce good habits to children. Themes should be written into lesson plans and discussed at the beginning and end of every class. Topics can range from Vitamin C and water, to car safety and smoking. Themes can be reinforced at home by sending notes to parents and letting them know what is being emphasized that week. After all, by creating a kids' fitness program, you are basically entering into a partnership with parents -- a partnership that will likely lead to healthy kids, healthy adults and healthy families. FM

Sample Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan for Preschool & Kindergarten Class

Session: I
Week: Three -- Vitamin C Week

Nutrition fact/fitness discussion: To teach kids how the body works to heal itself, ask Giggle Bugs if they have scabs on their bodies. Let kids know that if they eat fruits and vegetables with vitamin C, their bodies can form scabs to heal wounds. Show them pictures of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C. Ask them to share what some of their favorite fruits are. 

1. Circle songs: "Won't you be my friend." Have kids say their names. Remind them to drink lots of water during the class.

2. Group warm-up (4 minutes): Warm up with hula hoops. Kids can get in the hoop or drive the hoop like a car. Put on some upbeat music and let the kids drive their "car" around the room. Remind kids to be aware of their personal space and not to bump into each other.

3. Special activity or skill: Quiz children in a fun way on how many fruits and vegetables they need to eat every day. Let them get the right answer and do five jumping jacks, alternating with crunches, modified push-ups, ski jumps, moving jumping jacks, etc.

4. Balls and small equipment activities: Have children do beanbag tosses. Can they catch three in a row? Can they catch one moving in a circle? On their knees? Balancing on one foot? Can they put a bean bag on their heads and walk around the room?

5. Group activity: Toss scarves in the air and catch them. Can they toss and dance to music? Watch kids be creative with the scarves and music. Move around the room and point out kids who are moving in a fun and safe manner. Use names when praising.

6. Group game: Obstacle course: Toss bean bags into cans, jump to dots or tape, throw tennis balls at milk carton, jumping jacks, hula hoop, jump rope, hop scotch, jump around, forward roll.

7. Closing circle discussion & song: Discuss also doing these activities at home. Thank kids for bringing water bottles. Review how vitamin C helps their bodies.

8. Skills learned: Divide into categories such as tumbling and motor, balance, motor, other, etc., and include comments about each.