Fall classes promise fun for children of all ages

Fall classes promise fun for children of all ages

School’s back in session, but that doesn’t mean things have slowed down for kids at the JCC. Several programs are rolling out this fall geared at keeping our youth healthy, active and learning new things. Check out these and other opportunities to get kids involved.

Girl Power

These days, girls are bombarded with a confusing barrage of thoughts and images about their bodies. It can be alienating, self-esteem depleting and lead to lifestyle habits that aren’t healthy.

Instructor Tara Stone developed Girl Power last year as a way to start young girls on an early path to well-being, physically and emotionally. These six-week classes, offered for girls in kindergarten through second grades and girls in third through fifth grades, provide health education along with a full body work out.

The girls learn about muscle groups, nutrition and the importance of building a healthy self-esteem before engaging in fun work outs. They eat lunch together before the class begins and they end each class with a compliment circle where every girl is invited to pay another girl a compliment. The older girls get some introduction to team sports as well.

“It’s a fun time for girls to be girls within their peer group where they feel comfortable,” Stone said.

Stone said the classes are purposefully kept small (no more than 10 girls) so a sense of closeness and camaraderie forms.

Last year, the class proved popular and sold out.

“They girls loved it,” Stone said.

Lego Fun

Building strong minds is just as important as strong bodies. Lego Fun, a class from Bricks 4 Kidz, uses building blocks to expand imaginations and minds of all ages. This very popular program provides an atmosphere for participants to build unique creations and play games while building self confidence at the same time.

Children’s Basketball

No one can accuse Kentuckiana of not being an epicenter for basketball. And kids here get hooked early. These six-week classes are designed to provide kids ages four to six and six to eight years old with a solid introduction to our region’s favorite obsession.

They get two weeks of instruction about the game and then four weeks of playing time that approximates a league experience.

Tom Wissinger, JCC’s senior director of membership and wellness, said that for the younger kids, the class is a great exposure to team sports in general, “which may be new to them.”

For older kids, it can help them enter area leagues or school teams with more advanced skills and understanding of the game.

School’s Out

Parents know how hard it can be to find somewhere safe and fun for their kids to go when Jefferson County Public Schools is closed. JCC has the answer.

School’s Out Days are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with optional early drop off and late pick up services. All days include sports, arts and crafts, swimming and other enriching activities.

“It’s another option for kids rather than just being home on the couch, watching T.V.,” said Mike Steklof, teen director.

Steklof said he and his team brainstorm new themes each year so the kids can always expect a fresh experience.

Dates and registration information for all of these programs can be found online at jewishlouisville.org/children.

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