10/23/2015- At Kids in the Game, our NYC after-school programs, SPORT recess programs and professional performing arts to sport coaches focus on finding what the kids need to enjoy getting fit, learning new skills, and learning coachability through sports, performing arts, and recreation.
Kids in the Game’s Lacrosse program on NYC’s Upper West Side
3 Attributes of NYC’s Best After-School Programs
– Highest Quality Coaches Leading Youth
– Proven Structure and Efficacy of Programs
– Fitness Leads to Cognitive Flexibility, Creativity, and Learning
The best after-school programs for kids in NYC, recess fitness programs, and specialized sport programs should have certain attributes that give back to a child’s ability to learn faster and allow their brain to function on a higher level. New York City after-school sports programs, fitness, and youth exercise initiatives are often under-looked for the general benefits of improving the capacity of a kid’s mindfulness, communication, and learning ability. There is always a push to get kids moving, running, and playing games in an organized, structured way. With structure, kids can learn how to play on a team, find new identities, become coachable, and learn new skills quicker than kids that are stuck on their phones, on the couch, or not being active.
How do we know? It’s in the science (read below).
Getting into motion takes physical effort and in our unique sports or fitness after-school programs, our coaches push for discipline, teamwork, and team play. Kids must have a positive outlet for their energy. With Kids in the Game, they will be introduced to a variety of games, sports, or performing arts mini-classes. Here, they can release the energy in a positive way, which always helps when it is time to sit down and start learning and listening again. Below is an excerpt taken from a book: Spark, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. By John Ratey, M.D.
“In Naperville, Illinois, gym class has transformed the student body of nineteen thousand into perhaps the fittest in the nation. Among one entire class of sophomores, only 3 percent were overweight, versus the national average of 30 percent. What’s more surprising — stunning — is that the program has also turned those students into some of the smartest in the nation. In 1999 Naperville’s eighth graders were among some 230,000 students from around the world who took an international standards test called TIMSS… when its students took the TIMSS, they finished sixth in math and first in the world in science. As politicians and pundits sound the alarm about faltering education in the United States, and about our students being ill-equipped to succeed in today’s technology driven economy, Naperville stands out as an extraordinary bit of good news.” — John Ratey, M.D.
The Best After-School Programs for Kids in NYC Must Haves:
The best after-school programs for kids in NYC start with the quality of people running and coaching the programs. A professional staff of coaches that come from the highest pedigree of college and professional sports. It’s the essence of sport and fitness to know sports inside and out and how to get players to work together, work hard, and begin the journey of building skills. This process isn’t easy, but starts with the coaches, with the people helping teach, mentor, and guide kids understanding what teamwork, handwork, and play really mean. The best after-school programs should hire talented coaches with post bachelor degrees in child psychology, performing arts and sports coaches should have college or professional playing experience.
And mostly, a staff should love helping kids learn how to better students on and off the field.
3 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS IN FITNESS, SPORTS, AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK CITY:
- The research is in. Combining sports, education, and fitness into an after-school program is proven to help kids become better learning students, and teach them the importance of giving their best effort in whatever they do. This recipe for success has been proven.
- “In 2001 fit kids scored twice as well on academic tests as their unfit peers.” ~ John Ratey, M.D.
- Fitness and physical activity can push the brain to grow, adapt, and prime it to learn. But it doesn’t just help kids, it helps adults as well.
Below is more information on the benefits of getting kids into fitness, sports, and NYC after-school programs from Dr. Ratey:
“A notable experiment in 2007 showed that cognitive flexibility improves after just one thirty five-minute treadmill session at either 60 percent or 70 percent of maximum heart rate… Cognitive flexibility is an important executive function that reflects our ability to shift thinking and to produce a steady flow of creative thoughts and answers as opposed to a regurgitation of the usual responses. The trait correlates with high-performance levels in intellectually demanding jobs..”
King Hoops NYC after school program in Lower Manhattan
With Kids in the Game, we really see the benefit with our kids, youth players, and students learning how to become good listeners, positive teammates, and leaders over consistent participation in our programs.
Join our Upper West Side Kids Night Out, after-school ELITE basketball training programs, our Pre-K and K sports fitness programs or our partnership for Inner City Education Volleyball Clinics and start to see a difference!
This starts with parents knowing physical activity is synergistic with better learning. Let’s continue to give our kids the best in coaching with the best sports after-school programs in the New York City. NYC needs us to answer the call of our next generation’s fitness, learning, and how they go hand in hand!
Kids in the Game wants to feel the pulse of our NYC after-school communities whether it be kids, parents, or school administration… tell us what you THINK or NEED by leaving a comment!
If you have any questions about joining Kids in the Game’s after-school programs for kids in NYC, please email or call us!