hi jennifer:
I have just started teaching a kids fitness class, however my students are 6th and 7th graders. I have one class of 7 boys and 1 class of 6 girls. I am a CPT and a Certified Aerobics Instructor, neither of which prepared me for teaching kids! The girls are not to bad, but the boys are hopelessly uncoordinated and their attention spans are about 30 seconds long!
I did some research on the web and found most of the info out there is for teaching younger, pre-school age children. Look under some of the education web sites and then search for fitness related activities. There are some good ideas for games that incorporate fitness activities. The American Pediatrics Association recommends that formalized fitness activities for young children mimic their play habits, for example, children run around like crazy for a couple of minutes and then they slow down or rest. Your fitness program should include activities that are similar in style.
I am working with light weights ( 1 to 2 lbs) in my classes. I am stressing proper form telling them that when they are 16 or 17 and can really lift weights that they will be thanking me for teaching them proper technique. I am actually using cathe's slow and heavy style (6 count positive, 2 negative). With the girls I am throwing in some cardio kicks type warm ups. With both classes I am doing plymetric and isometric moves.
It is fun but it is also very challenging. Good luck with the little ones, you have far more courage than I do!
Debbie Russo
