The preschool years are far too early to choose just one sport. Kids are testing out what they enjoy and, quite rightly, change their mind at the drop of a hat. Yet most kids sports focus on just one discipline.
Rather than parents having to run round various after school activities, preschool multi-sports program Ready Steady Go Kids has answered this dilemma.
Covering a range of sports, little ones get to try their hand every core sport yet in the same regular format and location.
“We cover 10 different sports over two terms. We do each preschool sport for two weeks which allows children to build on the skills but maintain their interest by trying different sports,” says Rebecca Seach, owner of Ready Steady Go Kids, Sunshine Coast.
Ready Steady Go Kids includes basketball, athletics, golf, rugby, t-ball, soccer, tennis, hockey, AFL and cricket.
“Our mix of sports not only allows kids to try many different sports, it also means they develop different gross motor skills too,” says Rebecca.
As kids love a routine, the sessions always follow a similar structure.
“Kids really love the predictable structure of warm up, stretches, sport skills and the circuit,” says Rebecca.
“Our circuits are set up to practise our balancing, running, hopping, crawling in or under and stepping over things. We change the circuit every week depending on the skills we’ve learnt for the core sport and to keep children guessing what will be set up today,” says Rebecca.
Adding to that continuity, this approach to preschool sport also means that the kids have the same coach every week, no matter what the sport.
“I love building relationships with the children throughout the term. We have our little inside jokes like instead of saying ‘ready, steady, go’ we say ‘ready, steady bananas or mushrooms’ and they think it’s hilarious. I love seeing them improve week after week and then giving things a go even if they think it’s too hard. Nothing beats that ‘I did it!’ face once they’ve had a go,” Rebecca says.
A great thing about the Ready, Steady Go Kids program is that kids are gaining school readiness skills without even realising!
“Our program incorporates basic counting and colour concepts, encourages team work and sportsmanship, builds social skills and develops listening skills and concentration. All which improve your child’s preparation for school,” says Rebecca.
Parents find it is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with their child too.
“As a past parent of a Ready Steady Go Kids class, I loved spending that time with my daughter each week switching off from the world and getting lost in sports fun,” says Rebecca.
Sessions held in Maroochydore, Caloundra and Cooroy.
