Joy of Sports: Pre-School Programs

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HEALTHY PRESCHOOLERS

Joy of Sports Foundation has over 12 years of experience in providing quality physical activity programs to pre-school aged children. Our programs use stretching, soccer, and various non-sport specific physical activities to teach core life skills to young children. The key to our program is providing a fun, low-pressure environment to engage children in the activities. Healthy Preschoolers programs can be adapted to the needs of a school or organization.

Healthy Preschoolers is an innovative and comprehensive approach to getting young children active in order to teach life skills and prevent obesity. The program is based in pre-schools or Head Start Centers and includes the following components:

Staff Training in Star Power Physical Activity
Star Power Physical Activity for Children: Our coach works directly with the children, using over 60 enjoyable games and activities to get children moving while teaching essential life skills. The only equipment needed for the program is parachutes, tennis balls, and large foam balls.
Family Physical Activity: JSF coaches work with children, siblings, and parents to provide an active environment for all. The program includes elements of Star Power and also teaches basic soccer skills. Exploration and discovery are an integral part of each session. All skills are introduced, demonstrated, practiced, and coached to maximize every child’s achievement. The most influential people in children’s lives are parents and other adult care givers, thus targeting children as well as those people who support and take care of them is essential to change behaviors and establish healthy habits.
Green Light Nutrition: Using physical activity as the basis for learning, JSF coaches teach basic nutritional principles to parents, school staff, and children. The nutrition education leads participants through a series of physical activities and discussions based on the new MyPyramid. The curriculum includes worksheets, activities for families to do at home, and healthy recipe ideas.

JSF works with schools and organizations to create customized Healthy Preschoolers programs that best fit the needs of a particular community. The programs can be a combination of any of the above elements.

Background on Healthy Preschoolers

The program's unique approach to early child development has earned it a great deal of favorable recognition in the media. It has been featured in national magazines such as Children and Families, the Head Start Bulletin, and Montessori Magazine. Healthy Preschoolers has also been seen on CBS and ABC news programs. "Star Power for Preschoolers: Learning Life Skills through Physical Play" was published by Redleaf Press in 1997. This user-friendly instructor’s manual contains detailed descriptions of each activity in the program.

Joy of Sports Foundation has partnered with more than 200 Head Start centers and pre-schools in the San Diego, Las Vegas, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and San Francisco areas to bring Healthy Preschoolers into the lives of more than 15,000 children.

What People are Saying about the Program

“Now I like soccer!” ~Paige

" Because Paige wears glasses, she wasn’t confident about getting involved in team sports. Her confidence level was raised and she really seemed to enjoy playing soccer with other children.”
~ Paige’s mom

“We recommend this program to anyone who works with preschoolers!”
~ Dana Cotter, Training Coordinator, Head Start of San Mateo County

JSF Spotlight: Maria’s Star Power Breakthrough

Maria is four years old and participates in JSF’s Star Power program at a San Diego Head Start center. When Alfredo Smith, one of our Star Power trainers, first came to the center, Maria refused to take part in any of the activities. She never spoke a word and often cried. Alfredo was very patient with Maria, gently encouraging her to join in, but not pressuring her. By the third week, she began to take part in some activities but still didn’t say a word. A couple of weeks later, she played the Star Circle game. When it was her turn, she surprised everyone by confidently walking into the center of the circle, jumping into the Star position (arms and legs outstretched) and declaring, “I am a Star.” The next week, when Alfredo came to the center, Maria’s teacher told him that Maria was now regularly speaking in class, participating in all activities, and seldom crying.