MIAMI, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Sports are great for building kids’ confidence. But what if your child isn’t athletic? A new approach is helping kids get the boost needed to cross their own finish lines.
Who knows? There may be a budding Olympian among some third and fourth graders!
Terri Braun, the Founder of Kidokinetics said “it’s important because not every child is an athlete.”
Braun founded the physical education program called Kidokinetics that introduces kids to sports, regardless of their athletic ability.
“There just isn’t enough of a program out there that’s not competitive, that allows children to try all kinds of sports, and just get a feel for it.” She explained.
Kidokinetics recently partnered with ‘marathon kids’, a national program sponsored by Nike, to give students a goal.
Braun said “We encourage kids throughout the school year to run 26.2 miles.”
A big challenge many in this group didn’t think was possible.
“I remember the girls running a half mile the first day and saying I’m never going to get there, and some of them are now on their seventh mile.” Braun reminisced.
The budding marathoners are encouraged to run past their last best run, fueled by a growing sense of ‘I can do it!’
They also do exercises to build leadership skills. Parents say the program teaches kids they can do anything they set their mind to.
Michelle Niksa, a parent, said “You can become anything because you pushed past those obstacles.”
“Nothing is impossible!” exclaimed 9 year old Paulina Garcia.
Each child gets a keychain with every mile accomplished. Terri encourages parents to run or walk with their child even if they’re not in the program. For more information on Kidokinetics or marathon kids, log onto www.kidokinetics.com.
Contributors to this news report include: Janna Ross, Producer; Judy Reich, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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