Dino Muscles & City KidZStep an "edu-taining" answer to youth fitness - includes phone study instructions and quiz

American Fitness, March-April, 1994 by Debbie Ban-Pillarella

Dino-Muscles & City KidZStep is a youth fitness and educational program for children ages 3-12.

This unique program uses a specially designed youth step and rubberized resistive prop in a playful, game-like environment to increase all aspects of physical fitness. Linking the step and resistire prop to age-appropriate exercises and enjoyable activities proves to be a winning combination. Following each workout session, educational information is shared during KidRap. KidRap teaches the Dino-Muscles lessons and allows for open discussion of health and fkness concerns. The Dino-Muscles curriculum teaches anatomy and kinesiology through fun-loving dinosaurs.

HomeLink is the component of the program that allows for the important connection to the children's families.

Research On Youth Fitness

Millions of children face the prospect of serious diseases and shortened life spans because of inactivity and poor nutrition, according to Ken Cooper, M.D., author of Kid Fitness. Consider the following statistics:

* According to research conducted by the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, about 30% of school-age children are at risk for heart or circulatory disease and premature death as adults.

* The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports 40% of children ages 5-8 have at least one heart disease risk factor.

* The American Alliance for Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance reports only the state of Illinois requires all students, kindergarteners through high-school seniors, to attend P.E. classes.

* According to a 1989 study of 12,000 children sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union and the Chrysler Corporation, only 32% of children ages 6-17 meet minimum standards for cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and abdominal and upper-body strength.

* A 1987 Harvard School of Public Health study found since the 1960s obesity has increased 54% among children ages 6 - 11 and 39% among children 12-17.

The above represents a fraction of the alarming statistics regarding the fitness of today's youth. Classroom teachers and parents have the opportunity to provide children with a healthy fitness experience. However, many lack adequate information. By becoming a youth fitness specialist, fitness educators can provide a service parents and teachers will applaud.

Philosophy of Dino-Muscles & City KidZStep

Education for a healthy mind and body empowers today's youth with the knowledge and attitudes necessary to lead a positive lifestyle into adulthood. Education can only be of value to the youth of today if it is meaningful and fun. It is the goal of DinoMuscles & City KidZStep to provide a funfilled physical learning environment that will promote healthy habits and attitudes throughout life. The entire program is based on current philosophies and theories in education. It focuses on challenging activities that are connected to the children's home environment.

The following class formats suggest timeframe guidelines for the Dino-Muscles & City KidZStep program. Though each class situation is different and the time frames can vary, the components should remain consistent throughout.

  EARLY CHILDHOOD LEVEL
(AGES 3-5)
Warm-up
(total body, exploratory,
imaginative) ...................five minutes
KidZStep
(movement and
music) ...........................12 minutes
Warm-down
(imaginative,
expressive) ............  three-five minutes
Stretch/relaxation
(imaginative) .................three minutes
KidRap ...................three-five minutes

Curriculum includes play-like, exploratory games, songs and movements. Activities must be varied due to the short attention spans at this level. Young children are natural interval movers. Therefore, it is imperative activities change every few minutes. To teach step and other activities, early Childhood KidZStep uses the 26 letters of the alphabet, represented by animals in a "Movement Zoo." Each Movement Zoo animal corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. For example, Katie Kangaroo hops around her step, teaching the sounds and recognition of the letter "K." Letter sounds, rhyming and singing are integrated at this level. The children enjoy singing along as they move to the KidZStep music tape.

LEVEL ONE KIDZSTEP

(AGES 6-10)

NOTE: Since chronological age and developmental ages differ, some 9 to 10-year-olds may feel more comfortable at Level Two. Each child will demonstrate which activities fit him/her best.

Warm-up (total body,
playful, games) ..............five minutes
KidZStep ..................  20-25 minutes
Warm-down ............. three-five minutes
Stretch/relaxation ......... three minutes
KidRap .......................five minutes

At this level, children are engaged in movements on and around the step. Still interval movers, these children need avariety of activities in a group as well as with partners in a circuit format. To keep their interest and motivation levels high, "cool" kidapproved lingo is used to represent basic step and exercise terminology. A few examples follow:

* Karate Kick --With a right leg lead, step up with the right foot and kick with the left. Left foot steps down, right foot steps down. Repeat and switch sides.