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To get VPK kids moving, WAVE Fitness
coaches incorporate what Klemeyer
calls strategic gameplay. “We generally
employ oversize playing cards, oversize
foam dice, agility rings and hula hoops,”
he explains. “It’s all about teaching them
that being active and exercising is fun.
We also incorporate some mild nutrition
discussions. We talk about what they ate
today and whether they made good food
choices. We also discuss what foods
make them sleep better, feel better and
give them more energy.”
“I think that the overall goal is to get the
kids exercising and moving while having
fun at the same time, so they can see that
exercise is fun!” says Stacey Gentile, VPK
teacher at Palmetto Elementary.
It just so happens that WAVE Fitness
coaches specialize in fun. “The students
have developed a relationship with the
coaches, and they are super excited to
see them each week,” says Cari Whiddon,
program director.
“We adhere to standards-based teaching
and learning, and the WAVE Fitness
program aligns beautifully with the
standards for physical development,
approaches to learning, and social/
emotional development,” says Robin
Thompson, Ph.D., Director of Early
Learning with the School District of
Manatee County. “Our children are
learning through play!”
Strong Re sults
Studies show that health and wellness
programs like WAVE Fitness result
in two major benefits for students,
according to Klemeyer. First, their focus
in the classroom improves. Secondly,
students are more interested in outdoor
activities and sports because they’re
more capable.
“When some of these younger kids
reach obesity status, other kids pick on
them, and it’s not as fun to be on the
playground or play sports,” points out
Klemeyer. “It has this trickle-down effect,
and eight years later they have health
problems. So, the program is aimed at
stabilizing and reducing BMIs in young
population that will translate into better
classroom performance and reduce
healthcare costs.”
Teachers are already seeing major
improvements in their students who
participate in the WAVE Fitness program.
in the children.” says Gentile. “They did a
see who could do what, and students have
already improved so much in every area!”
“Participants in the summer program did
see improvement in primary physical
qualities such as strength, agility and