The Challenge:
Over the past 40 years Physical Education in our schools has been on the decline. With the continuing fiscal struggles every school in the country has been forced to make cuts. These cuts have all but eliminated quality physical education programs throughout the nation. Lack of quality physical education is fundamentally harming the youth of America and not allowing them to develop close to their potential. For decades now there has been a continual increase of childhood and adult obesity, depression, disciplinary issues and sports injuries. At the same time there has been a decline in academic performance and children developing healthy habits that they carry to adulthood. The correlation between physical literacy, athletic development, athletic performance, academic performance, confidence, self discipline and whole human development has been all but lost. Most athletic programs superimpose adult training programs for youth. The fact is that children from birth through their teen years are not little adults and can’t be trained and educated as so. Special considerations must be made for motor skill development, biological age, chronological age, psychological and cognitive development, growth periods, and critical / sensitive windows of development as well as special nutritional requirements. The combination of pushing children to specialize in sports too early and training them like adults has resulted in “burnout” with 70% of children quitting sports activities by the age of 13.(Ref.1) It has also resulted in over 3.5 million sports injuries per year for children under 14 of which it is estimated 50% could have been prevented.(Ref.2) This is why it is imperative for all parents to take the responsibility of ensuring that their children have quality and daily physical activity with qualified educators.
Over the past 40 years Physical Education in our schools has been on the decline. With the continuing fiscal struggles every school in the country has been forced to make cuts. These cuts have all but eliminated quality physical education programs throughout the nation. Lack of quality physical education is fundamentally harming the youth of America and not allowing them to develop close to their potential. For decades now there has been a continual increase of childhood and adult obesity, depression, disciplinary issues and sports injuries. At the same time there has been a decline in academic performance and children developing healthy habits that they carry to adulthood. The correlation between physical literacy, athletic development, athletic performance, academic performance, confidence, self discipline and whole human development has been all but lost. Most athletic programs superimpose adult training programs for youth. The fact is that children from birth through their teen years are not little adults and can’t be trained and educated as so. Special considerations must be made for motor skill development, biological age, chronological age, psychological and cognitive development, growth periods, and critical / sensitive windows of development as well as special nutritional requirements. The combination of pushing children to specialize in sports too early and training them like adults has resulted in “burnout” with 70% of children quitting sports activities by the age of 13.(Ref.1) It has also resulted in over 3.5 million sports injuries per year for children under 14 of which it is estimated 50% could have been prevented.(Ref.2) This is why it is imperative for all parents to take the responsibility of ensuring that their children have quality and daily physical activity with qualified educators. The Solution:America’s Best Kids uses a long term athletic development approach known as LTAD in all of its programs. LTAD is a scientific approach to athletic development that utilizes decades of research to ensure that correct and optimal training windows are fully utilized through all phases of human development. ABK’s Athletic Edge Program is specifically designed to address the fitness needs of all youth whether it is to stay active, lose weight, or to compete at the highest level of their preferred sport. Our goal is to teach all of our students to be physically literate in a fun and positive atmosphere so they will continue to have a healthy lifestyle that will allow them to reach their full potential in athletics and in life.
America’s Best Kids uses a long term athletic development approach known as LTAD in all of its programs. LTAD is a scientific approach to athletic development that utilizes decades of research to ensure that correct and optimal training windows are fully utilized through all phases of human development. ABK’s Athletic Edge Program is specifically designed to address the fitness needs of all youth whether it is to stay active, lose weight, or to compete at the highest level of their preferred sport. Our goal is to teach all of our students to be physically literate in a fun and positive atmosphere so they will continue to have a healthy lifestyle that will allow them to reach their full potential in athletics and in life.The Program:ABK’s LTAD program is developed around 5 main pillars outlined below. It is impossible to have complete development without taking all of them into consideration in the program design of the classes. Through proper education and training at the correct development age we can ensure the most effective training for your child.
ABK’s LTAD program is developed around 5 main pillars outlined below. It is impossible to have complete development without taking all of them into consideration in the program design of the classes. Through proper education and training at the correct development age we can ensure the most effective training for your child.5 PILLARS3 Key Components of Wellness
Nutrition, Injury Prevention, Recovery4 Key Components of Human Development
Physical, Cognitive, Psychological, Emotional 5 Key Components of Fitness and Athletic Performance
Flexibility, Endurance, Strength, Speed, and Skills FMS (Fundamental Movement Skills)
ABC’s – Agility, Balance, Coordination, SpeedRJT’s – Run, Jump, ThrowFSS (Fundamental Sports Skills)
KGB’s – Kinesthetic Sense, Gliding, Buoyancy, Striking with ObjectCPK’s - Catching, Passing, Kicking, Striking with BodyFMS + FSS = Physical Literacy
Physical Literacy + 3/4/5 = Whole Human Development and Peak Performance
The Classes: All classes are based on the developmental age of the child, not their chronological age. Due to vastly different maturation rates among children it is possible for a child to have a 1-3 year difference in what is considered average development for a given age group. Typically young ladies will have a 1 year difference in age development over young men for the class programming. During your child’s initial assessment a youth fitness specialists will help determine the best fit based on the 4 key components of development.
All classes are based on the developmental age of the child, not their chronological age. Due to vastly different maturation rates among children it is possible for a child to have a 1-3 year difference in what is considered average development for a given age group. Typically young ladies will have a 1 year difference in age development over young men for the class programming. During your child’s initial assessment a youth fitness specialists will help determine the best fit based on the 4 key components of development. PERFECT START CLASSES (ages 0-5) These classes are part of the ABK Gymnastics, Swim, Karate, Soccer and Dance programs. These classes have specially designed curriculum to ensure proper development of this age group. More information about these classes can be obtained by talking to one of the ABK youth fitness specialists.
These classes are part of the ABK Gymnastics, Swim, Karate, Soccer and Dance programs. These classes have specially designed curriculum to ensure proper development of this age group. More information about these classes can be obtained by talking to one of the ABK youth fitness specialists. FUNDAMENTALS CLASS (ages 6-9) These classes are the first entry point for ABK’s ATHLETIC EDGE classes. The classes focus on the development of the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) and an introduction to the Fundamental Sports Skills (FSS). These are fun filled classes that let the child explore a wide range of movements and sports motions with an outcome based approach. These classes are perfect for all children as either primary physical education or as a supplement to other activities. In addition these classes utilize our academic achiever program, life skills for character development and eat to win nutritional system.
These classes are the first entry point for ABK’s ATHLETIC EDGE classes. The classes focus on the development of the Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) and an introduction to the Fundamental Sports Skills (FSS). These are fun filled classes that let the child explore a wide range of movements and sports motions with an outcome based approach. These classes are perfect for all children as either primary physical education or as a supplement to other activities. In addition these classes utilize our academic achiever program, life skills for character development and eat to win nutritional system.LEARNING & TRAINING CLASS (ages 10-13) The learning and training classes are designed to help the student develop more complex motor skills and sports skills in a positive, fun and enjoyable atmosphere. This class builds the foundation for proper technique and knowledge of exercise motion. Proper technique and knowledge is essential in preventing injuries and helping students reach their goals as they move from childhood through adolescence. Like the Fundamentals Class these classes are perfect as either a primary fitness program or for sports performance. These classes also incorporate the academic achiever program, life skills for character development and eat to win nutritional system.
The learning and training classes are designed to help the student develop more complex motor skills and sports skills in a positive, fun and enjoyable atmosphere. This class builds the foundation for proper technique and knowledge of exercise motion. Proper technique and knowledge is essential in preventing injuries and helping students reach their goals as they move from childhood through adolescence. Like the Fundamentals Class these classes are perfect as either a primary fitness program or for sports performance. These classes also incorporate the academic achiever program, life skills for character development and eat to win nutritional system. FIT FOR LIFE CLASSES (14 and up) Fit for life classes are designed to keep teens active and educate them about fitness and nutrition so they continue with health habits through their life. Much like the Learning and Training classes the teens will build a solid foundation for proper technique and knowledge of exercise motion. Due to the fact 70% of all children quit sports by this age it is imperative that they have classes that they want to attend and are appropriate for their development level. These classes are meant to be fun and challenging and are taught by youth fitness specialists that are experts at working with this age group.
Fit for life classes are designed to keep teens active and educate them about fitness and nutrition so they continue with health habits through their life. Much like the Learning and Training classes the teens will build a solid foundation for proper technique and knowledge of exercise motion. Due to the fact 70% of all children quit sports by this age it is imperative that they have classes that they want to attend and are appropriate for their development level. These classes are meant to be fun and challenging and are taught by youth fitness specialists that are experts at working with this age group.PERFORMANCE CLASS (14 and up)At this level great attention is spent on the individual athletic goals of the teenager. Due to unique aspects of the sports they may be participating in, we can’t use a one size fits all approach. We must look at the number of sports they are participating in, the frequency and type of training they are doing, and their competitive level. It is essential that we don’t contribute to overtraining and allow adequate recovery time. These classes focus on advance speed, agility, endurance and strength training as well as individual training regiments for specific goals. These classes emphasize proper nutrition through the Eat to Win System and works on the psychological aspect of competitive sports.
At this level great attention is spent on the individual athletic goals of the teenager. Due to unique aspects of the sports they may be participating in, we can’t use a one size fits all approach. We must look at the number of sports they are participating in, the frequency and type of training they are doing, and their competitive level. It is essential that we don’t contribute to overtraining and allow adequate recovery time. These classes focus on advance speed, agility, endurance and strength training as well as individual training regiments for specific goals. These classes emphasize proper nutrition through the Eat to Win System and works on the psychological aspect of competitive sports. Instructors: All of the instructors at ABK’s Athletic Edge Program have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with youth. All instructors are Certified Youth Fitness Specialists through the IYCA (International Youth Conditioning Association), the only governing body that specializes in youth fitness entirely. In addition, our team of instructors have a multitude of other certifications in youth nutrition, speed training, and strength and conditioning. This team meets weekly to ensure continual education for all instructors so they can provide the highest quality of instruction for you and your child.
All of the instructors at ABK’s Athletic Edge Program have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with youth. All instructors are Certified Youth Fitness Specialists through the IYCA (International Youth Conditioning Association), the only governing body that specializes in youth fitness entirely. In addition, our team of instructors have a multitude of other certifications in youth nutrition, speed training, and strength and conditioning. This team meets weekly to ensure continual education for all instructors so they can provide the highest quality of instruction for you and your child. How Do I Start? All new students start with a FREE Athletic Edge private lesson and assessment. The assessment is based around the 5 Pillars of ABK’s LTAD model and help our youth training specialist determine what program and classes are best suited for them based on their development and goals. We also use the assessment as a starting point to monitor their progress and is used as a comparison for future assessments as they progress in their classes. The assessment time also allows you to meet the instructors, see them interact with your child and ask any additional questions.
All new students start with a FREE Athletic Edge private lesson and assessment. The assessment is based around the 5 Pillars of ABK’s LTAD model and help our youth training specialist determine what program and classes are best suited for them based on their development and goals. We also use the assessment as a starting point to monitor their progress and is used as a comparison for future assessments as they progress in their classes. The assessment time also allows you to meet the instructors, see them interact with your child and ask any additional questions. 
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