Sport Training IS for Babies!

Babies training for sports.  Is that crazy?  Many people think so, but I don’t.  In fact, adults have a responsibility to teach babies and toddlers sports skills.  How many adults and teenagers do you know who watch from the sidelines because no one ever taught them how to be active.  Sad, right?  And preventable.  

Most parents avoid teaching sport skills because they don’t know how or they don’t understand the importance of it.  Gymtrix DVDs empower parents to teach sports skills to their babies, starting at 6 months.   Can 6 month old babies really learn much?  Absolutely!  The human body is an amazing machine, and babies are capable of SO much more than adults think.  Adults underestimate babies because the infants can’t talk yet.  In contrast, the babies I work with at Gymco and Gymtrix are literally leaps and bounds ahead of their peers, and they love it.  Little ones love to master new skills.  Each new skill is a step toward greater mobility, independence, and confidence.  So, why would we deprive babies and toddlers of this very real reward?  While adults are wringing their hands and wondering what to do about the obesity epidemic, there IS an answer.  Teach kids the skills that they need to be active!  Just as we put babies on our laps and read to them to begin academic literacy, we must also begin Physical Literacy the same way.   Gymtrix is the first and only comprehensive curriculum to teach parents about Physical Literacy.  We don’t need to be afraid of teaching sports skills if we understand the right approach!

Babies will develop positive emotional feelings about sports when the learning is positive and fun.  This means no shouting, coercion, drilling, threats, or competitions!  It means teaching a broad range of skills: throwing and catching; batting and racquets; kicking and foot dribbling; jumping and agility; fine motor skills; rolling and twisting; balance; and going upside down.  When we nurture a positive and healthy approach, these sport skills and confidence will keep kids moving throughout their lives.  I have seen this happen for the 35 years that I have worked with children.  Now, my former students are active adults who share their stories about how powerful this training has been in transforming their lives.

We are not powerless in the face of this obesity epidemic.  Inactivity is preventable if we start early in life.  And, babyhood is the perfect time to begin!