Tips Archives - Skillastics

Five ways to Boost Your Physical Activity Program Even with Limited Staff

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Sandy Slade

There are a multitude of reasons why an After School program may have staffing limitations. As cold weather approaches in the winter months, staff levels may be affected by illnesses,

Seven steps to starting an Afterschool Program, even on a limited budget

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Sandy Slade

So you want to start an afterschool program. Whether it’s your lifelong dream to provide a safe space for kids to gather after school, or you’ve been voluntold by your

Quick Tips for Making Fitness Fun, Educational, and Meaningful in your Afterschool Program

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Sandy Slade

No matter what generation you identify with, if you watched TV while you were growing up, you probably had a pretty cool fitness icon to look up to. Whether it

Vision to Reality – 5 Tips To Transform Your Afterschool Program

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Sandy Slade

It’s no secret the American workforce has experienced some rocky turmoil over the past year. As if the pandemic weren’t enough, employers faced The Great Resignation and then “The Great

Seven Key Ingredients For Improving Student Motivation

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Some educators use the words motivation and engagement interchangeably, but they’re very different. Motivation, from the Latin word motivus–meaning moving–is the force or thing that prompts you to act where

Five Ways to Increase Student Movement and Engagement

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Kids today are drawn to entertainment. Brought up with iPads, tablets, smart phones and video games that switch from video to video after 30 seconds, it can be hard to

Ways to Recognize Children to Encourage More Physical Activity

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Sandy Slade

There’s a constant battle in the mind of a child these days. The pull of electronic devices seems to be stronger than any force on the planet. When iPads, iPhones,

Five Before School Fitness Ideas That Work

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Sandy Slade

Enter your text here…There’s no doubt that kids who engage in physical activity before school have a leg up on kids who don’t engage in physical activity. Studies have shown

Fun Ways To Keep Kids Active in Your Boys and Girls Club

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Since 1860, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America has been an essential part of learning and fitness for children throughout the country. The national organization’s mission is to enable

5 Fun Fitness Tips for Your YMCA Program

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Sandy Slade

It’s no easy task to engage children and teens in an active lifestyle. In recent years, as toddlers clutch tablets and keep their eyes glued to screens constantly, there has

Five Key Reasons Why Continuing Virtual Physical Activity Learning On-Site Is So Important

Posted on October 12, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Everyone looks forward to the day when students can go back to school full-time. Parents, teachers, and students alike will be elated to return to normalcy! Still, there are benefits

5 Fitness Ideas for After School Programs

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Keep Kids Moving In-Person and Virtually These days, the challenges of encouraging children to incorporate exercise into their daily lives are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Different states are at

10 Reasons Why Kids Need Exercise in Their After School Program

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Exercise and fitness are crucial to the physical well-being of kids and adults alike. However, when a child does not have adequate physical activity incorporated into their daily routine, there

10 Unfortunate Facts About Childhood Obesity

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Sandy Slade

One of the saddest conditions for a child to experience is obesity. The discomfort from excess weight and the limitations that obesity causes are difficult to bear. Unfortunately, we are

Guide to Healthy and Active Students

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Sandy Slade

Students today experience unparalleled pressure compared to previous generations. The stakes are higher for education and college entrances, a college degree likely won’t be enough preparation for a career, and

Tips And Tricks To Make Exercise Fun For Kids

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Sandy Slade

There is nothing like the feelings of elation and accomplishment after exercising, but too many people never get there because they never get started in the first place. If exercising

5 Tips for Creating Basketball Lesson that Kids Love

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Sandy Slade

It’s that time of year again! Gyms echo with the squeaks of sneakers as we kick off Basketball Season. During PE and after school this time of year, it’s all

The Benefits of Student-Led Activities

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Sandy Slade

It may come as a surprise to learn that leadership doesn’t begin at the high school level. In fact, educators are creating opportunities for young leaders at the primary age

Surprising Consequences of Physical Inactivity

Posted on April 10, 2022 by Sandy Slade

You don’t need a degree in sports medicine to know that some consequences of physical inactivity are as plain as the nose on your face. Obesity–both as a child and

A Guide to STEM Academics (And How You Can Improve Student Retention)

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Sandy Slade

It’s in a child’s nature to be curious, ask questions, explore new things, and expand their interests. These days, it’s unsurprising that so many kids show interest in science and

20 Hard Facts About Childhood Fitness

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Sandy Slade

As children engage in activities that get them moving, there are significant side effects that participating has on their lives. From better health overall to long-term benefits into adulthood, childhood