Tag: Those Runner Kids

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Big Kids Outdoor Classes Available For Summer 2021

Lauren Keating

Those Runner Kids is proud to announce the expansion to include BIG KID outdoor classes this summer in Medford, New Jersey.

Starting the second week of August through the final week that leads into the first week of September, this mini summer season includes four weekly classes. Summer classes are held at Freedom Park at the multi-purpose field behind the playground.

BIG KIDS classes are 45-minutes, and follow the same structure of the toddler classes. This includes stretching, a dynamic warm up, and lots of games and activities that work on gross motor skills, general muscle strengthening, agility, speed, and endurance. The activities are appropriately progresses for kids in this class, best for ages 6-10.

The end of each class is dedicated to playing through the obstacle course. Obstacles change each week and help to work on core strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and general muscle strengthening.

All games and activities are presented as PLAY. While the kids love to race each other during relays and other sprints, this program is all about having FUN. Those Runner Kids does help develop athletic and fitness skills, but the core belief is that children are introduced to exercise in a fun and exciting way.

Class ends with a stretch and cool down.

Those Runner Kids is created by Coach Lauren, RRCA, ACE-CPT, ACE Youth Fitness Specialist. Coach Lauren also has fun summer-themed games and a FOAM PARTY planned for summer classes!

Foam Party on the beach. Cute little girl having fun and dancing.

Classes are outdoors. Masks are not required for running around, but social distancing is enforced. Coach Lauren is fully vaccinated and encourages children who are sick or families that may in contact with COVID stay home. Refunds will be issued for those affected by COVID.

There will be one rain date for August classes. Date and time TBD.

Register for BIG KIDS outdoor classes for summer 2021 here.

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What Skills Do Kids Work On At Those Runner Kids Classes

Lauren Keating

Young children need a healthy and safe environment where they can burn off energy and get their exercise in. What they need is active play mixed with some structure—and hey, maybe even learn a thing or two.

This is exactly why I created Those Runner Kids.

As a mom of two active young kids, I found that there aren’t many activities my littles ones can do together that works on skills that are important for their growth and development. Although we are members of other great toddler programs, there are limited classes that focus on running. And this running momma (or should I say That Runner Mom) hopes that not just my kids, but also all children can learn to love the sport at an early age.

After all, it is such a natural movement for little kids!

The main goal of the kids’ fitness classes I created is to introduce toddlers to concepts of running and fitness in a fun and engaging way. During each class, participants work on various age-appropriate skills that are designed to help them master the basics of movements to set them up for athletic success in the future.

Skills taught at Those Runner Kids include fine and gross motor skills that include: running, jumping, throwing, catching, as well as picking up objects.

Running just to burn off energy so they sleep at night is great, but these classes give kids the tools to work on so many other skills to help in their development.

After studying the psychology behind what motivates kids at a young age, as well as how to present exercise in terms of their age and development, Those Runner Kids classes are tailored for the abilities and needs of toddlers and preschoolers.

This includes working on stability, mobility, and flexibility, and coordination development including balance, spatial awareness, rhythm, and reactivity.

Also included in Those Runner Kids classes are speed and agility. This includes acceleration and deceleration skills, which are important later in athletics in sports like soccer and basketball.

But at the heart of these classes is an introduction to running and concepts of running including form and getting ready to finish the program with a 50- and 75-yard dash (where all runners get a medal!).

Again, all of these skills are taught in an age-appropriate way. Skills are presented as games and are designed to be fun and engaging. It is structured play where kids get to discover their bodies and movement. But they don’t feel like it’s exercise. It’s a great way for them to get close to meeting the recommended 60-minutes of exercise a day.

Each class ends with a cool-down period that includes breathing exercises to get them back at a resting state. Then there is a reading of a children’s book in the health and fitness space to further open them to concepts of living a healthy life.

Make sure to sign up for the full 8-week spring season or mini 4-week season at Morning Glori Farmette that includes feeding the alpacas!

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What is Those Runner Kids?

Lauren Keating

Those Runners Kids is a children’s fitness program that introduces little ones to exercise in a fun way. By taking a playful approach that includes games andobstacle courses, children are more likely to enjoy running and exercise in general as opposed to finding it a chore.

Instead of feeling that exercise is “too hard” or that they are “too tired” to try, Those Runners Kids classes are presented in a way that it feels more like active playtime than a gym class.

Classes are for babies, toddlers, and children ages 1-5. There are sibling discounts, and children are broken up into appropriate ages for specific activities—perfect for a mommy and me class for those with young children of different ages.

Led by certified running coach Lauren Keating of That Runner Mom, all classes include a warm-up, stretches, and various games. The core of the program is running, and at the heart of the program is the beloved obstacle course to showcase different skills taught.

An introduction to running, children are taught running form, breathing techniques, and running strategies from an early age. These are broken down into fun activities that include mini sprints and games designed to get kids running around. By the end of the program, participants become Those Runner Kids as they compete in an Ultimate Obstacle Course and fun run. All participants end the program by earning a medal.

Those Runner Kids classes launch spring 2021 in the Medford, NJ area. Classes are held at a local park, and there is a COVID precaution plan in place. This includes limited participants in each class, hand sanitizer on-site, sanitizing all equipment used before and after each class, and parents are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Come back soon for details on registering.