Afterschool programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America are an integral part of keeping kids active. In an era where technology and screens and practically taking over, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of children’s physical activity.
It’s difficult for program directors to find fitness activities that actually interest the participants with all the distractions these days. Resources like Skillastics make learning and physical activity an effortless and enjoyable experience for kids.
What Is Skillastics?
Skillastics is a teaching resource for schools and programs to utilize that promotes learning through physical activity. Physical education classes, afterschool programs, and Clubs of all sizes can take advantage of Skillastics’ various virtual and in-person activities.
The mission of Skillastics is to make physical activity a positive experience for children of all ages and abilities. The program aims to establish a healthier and more educated generation using fitness activities. Activities can range anywhere from soccer and tennis to cup stacking and character-building, but they always represent our company’s core values.
Our core values include:
- Integrity
- Empowerment
- Respect
- Compassion
- Punctuality
- Passion
- Accountability
- Innovation
- Learning
- Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
- Finally, fun!
The fitness programs from Skillastics help get children moving physically while simultaneously incorporating critical social skills. Skillastics offers fun, energetic activities, making it easy for afterschool programs like the Boys and Girls Club to get children moving and honestly excited about fitness.
Skillastics Teaches Kids to Develop Healthy Habits
Skillastics programs are a tremendous asset to any club, afterschool program, or physical education course. The Skillastifcs products are perfect for rainy day activities, Friday fun, or a school-wide family game night. The great thing about Skillastics activities is that they function for both large and small groups.
Another positive aspect of Skillastics programs is the health benefits, both physically and mentally. Playing Skillastics games gives children the tools to function well with other students and people after school, in the classroom, and beyond. Below, we take a closer look at how Skillastics uses physical fitness to form healthy habits in Boys and Girls Club participants.
Physical Benefits of Skillastics
Children need daily play and movement to meet health guidelines. Otherwise, they may suffer adverse health consequences such as diabetes, heart conditions, obesity, or depression. Skillastics is a fantastic tool for Boys and Girls Clubs to teach kids healthy habits surrounding fitness and nutrition.
Skillastics programs, both virtual and in-person, include activities that encourage several fitness skills in students. Programs span from basketball and martial arts to mindfulness and yoga, meaning there’s a program to suit every type of student. Skillastics helps improve and encourage:
- Dexterity
- Motor skills
- Balance
- Hand-eye coordination
- Flexibility
- Endurance
- Healthy eating habits and lifestyle skills
Exercise for kids is crucial to building a healthy and strong body. Utilizing Skillastics programs in your Boys and Girls Club curriculum is a great method to get kids moving.
Making Mental Improvements With Skillastics
Everyone knows that if your body feels good, your mind probably will too. In fact, regular physical activity in children is often linked to improved mental health into adulthood, as reported in the New York Times. Skillastics is an excellent tool to help improve mental health and expand upon cognition and skills.
Playing Skillastics games involves more than just movement from the body. Students have to participate in both mental and physical challenges to be successful. Some of the areas students can improve on include:
- Teamwork or team building
- Cooperation
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Cognition
- Social skills
- Mental health
Skillastics also allow students to explore different interests, such as STEM academics, in a safe and fun setting. Giving children the chance to try new things and find small successes can boost their self-confidence and encourage them in the classroom as well. Boys and Girls Clubs are the perfect setting for kids to learn and play with Skillastics. The psychological and social benefits of exercise are endless.
Hear It Firsthand: How Skillastics Can Help Your Boys and Girls Club
Around the country, you will find physical education programs in schools, afterschool programs, and Boys and Girls Clubs utilizing Skillastics. The versatile virtual programs and in-person games help children form a positive relationship with physical activity. Students of all abilities can enjoy Skillastics.
The experience of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in Burlington, North Carolina, is just one snapshot of how Skillastics is helping clubs across the country. Sherri Henderson, the executive director of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, attests to the success of Skillastics within their program.
Some of the key highlights of Mrs. Henderson’s praises surrounding Skillastics programs include:
- The ability to pay for Skillastics with grants. Learn more about grants in our FAQs.
- Skillastics is great for all age groups and abilities.
- You can play Skillastics with group sizes ranging from 6-100 students.
- Skillastics fits in both big gymnasiums and smaller spaces.
- It is an excellent resource for keeping program participants organized.
- Most importantly, it gets kids moving at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club (and at other clubs around America).
Clearly, Skillastics programs are an asset to this Boys and Girls Club in North Carolina. But Skillastics doesn’t stop there; it is a top-rated resource for teachers, afterschool programs, camps, and other large group activities. There are training opportunities available to give educators the knowledge and information they need to run Skillastics smoothly in their programs.
If you’re still uncertain if Skillastics will be valuable in your club, it might help to hear about real people’s experiences. You can read Mrs. Henderson’s review, along with other testimonials here.
In Conclusion
There is no doubt that any Boys and Girls Club can benefit from Skillastics. The programs go way beyond simply teaching sports skills. Instead, Skillastics helps hone important physical, mental, emotional, and social skills that students will benefit from in everyday life.
Putting Skillastics activities into regular rotation at your Boys and Girls Club is a great way to get children excited about education, fitness, and healthy lifestyle habits.
About the Author
Sandy Slade is the CEO & Founder of Skillastics®, the #1 on-site and virtual physical activity resource for groups of children of all sizes. The on-site programs are designed around Skillatsics Activity Kits. These Activity kits include an innovative technique of play, executed on an oversize mat, where up to 100 children can play at one time.
The virtual programs provide students with an amazing variety of physical activity experiences that consist of 30 days of content lasting 30-40 minutes a day taught by national experts.
Skillastics® is enjoyed by over 10 million students in more than 25,000 Physical Education and After School settings nationwide.
For more information, email info@skillastics.com or check out www.skillastics.com.
