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Claire McMurrough SENr

This course has been developed for anyone who wants to teach fitness and nutrition to kids and teens. within the following three age groups: Early years, Primary, and Post primary.

You do not need to have any prior skills or knowledge about childhood development, fitness, or nutrition, as the course will teach you everything you need to know. It will provide you with all of the resources you will need to plan and deliver exciting, fun, stimulating and educational fitness and nutrition lessons to children and young people.

This course will teach you:

Read more

This course has been developed for anyone who wants to teach fitness and nutrition to kids and teens. within the following three age groups: Early years, Primary, and Post primary.

You do not need to have any prior skills or knowledge about childhood development, fitness, or nutrition, as the course will teach you everything you need to know. It will provide you with all of the resources you will need to plan and deliver exciting, fun, stimulating and educational fitness and nutrition lessons to children and young people.

This course will teach you:

  • The importance of nutrition education for children and young people

  • The different stages of children's development and the differences between adult and children’s fitness.

  • How to teach children about fitness and nutrition through fun games and activities.

  • The importance of learning through play.

  • How to make a class inclusive to all children

  • How to build children's self esteem and confidence during a class

  • How to confidently deal with challenging behaviors during a class

  • How to plan and confidently deliver a tots 2 teen fitness and nutrition lesson.

You will receive age specific booklets with detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons.

This is a fully interactive course, you will be quizzed on your knowledge of what you have learned within the modules and complete a short assignment at the end of the course.

I will always be available by email if you need to ask me any questions about the course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to Tots 2 Teen fitness and nutrition course
Meet your Teacher - Claire O'Prey
You will learn: the benefits of exercise for children, the issue of childhood obesity, what can be done about it and then begin to understand the different types of exercise children need
Read more
Benefits of fitness for kids
Childhood obesity and its affects on a child's life
What can be done to prevent childhood obesity
Types of exercise children need to do everyday
You will understand how kids are different to adults and why they need a specific program designed for them.
Differences between adults and children development
Key points for a kid’s fitness class program
Growth spurts and exercise

This quiz will determine what you have learned from the information delivered in modules one and two.

By the end of this module, you will understand the key developmental changes children go through as they get older and what this means when planning and delivering an age specific kid’s fitness class
Social and emotional development
Physical development - Motor skills
Development milestones & class considerations for preschoolers (3-4 years)
Development milestones & class considerations for school aged kids (5-10 years)
Development milestones & class considerations for adolescents (11-14 years)
By the end of this module, you will know the steps to promoting positive behavior in your kid’s fitness class and how to deal with challenging behavior if the need arises
Promoting positive behaviour
Dealing with challenging behaviour

This quiz will determine what you have learned from the information delivered in modules three and four.

By the end of this module, you will understand what main components to include in a kid’s fitness class and have an overview of the content and structure of each class depending on the age group you a
5.1 General planning considerations
5.2 Main components of a class
5.3 Age specific class structure and general content
5.4 The mountain peak class design
5.5 Planning - 3 key points
Module 5 quick fire quiz
By the end of this section you will know exactly how to plan and deliver your top tots 4 year old class.
Introduction to module 6
Shyness and tantrums
Warm up, cool down and stretching
Why games are the best way to teach a topic or skill to children
Making games and activities inclusive to all children
Planning the Peak games and activities
Fundamental movement skills
Nutrition games and activities for top tots class
Healthy eating guides
Toms 5 a day activity story
5 Steps to creating an activity story

You can use the same class plan layout for your Top tots and Fit kid classes.

Top tots class plan
By the end of this section you will know exactly how to plan and deliver your fit kids classes for children aged between 5 and 7 years and 8 and 10 years
Introduction to module 7
Fit kid behaviours
The Warm up and cool down
FitKids nutrition lessons
'Peak time' fundamental movement games
By the end of this section you will know exactly how to plan and deliver fitness classes to adolescents and teenagers (the older kids class)
Introduction to the Tween & Teen fitness classes (adolescents)
Class circuit training guide for Tween & Teen classes
Teaching nutrition to the Tween and Teen age group

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teach kids: Food & Fitness through games and activities with these activities:
Review 'Anatomy for Kids'
Reinforce your understanding of children's anatomy to better design age-appropriate fitness activities.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Anatomy for Kids'.
  • Read the chapters related to skeletal and muscular systems.
  • Take notes on key anatomical differences between children and adults.
Review Child Development Milestones
Refresh your knowledge of child development milestones to better understand the physical, social, and emotional capabilities of children at different ages.
Show steps
  • Find resources on child development milestones for different age groups.
  • Review the key milestones for early years, primary, and post-primary children.
  • Make notes on how these milestones impact fitness and nutrition activities.
Design a Nutrition Education Game
Solidify your understanding of nutrition education by designing a fun and engaging game for children.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific nutrition topic (e.g., healthy eating, food groups).
  • Develop game rules and objectives that are age-appropriate.
  • Create game materials (e.g., cards, board, props).
  • Test the game with children and gather feedback.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop an Inclusive Fitness Class Plan
Apply your knowledge of inclusive practices by creating a fitness class plan that caters to children with diverse needs and abilities.
Show steps
  • Research inclusive fitness strategies and adaptations.
  • Identify potential barriers to participation for children with disabilities.
  • Modify exercises and activities to accommodate different needs.
  • Incorporate strategies to promote social inclusion and positive interactions.
Review 'Nutrition for Kids'
Expand your knowledge of children's nutrition to create more effective nutrition education programs.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Nutrition for Kids'.
  • Read the chapters related to macronutrients and micronutrients.
  • Take notes on key nutritional requirements for different age groups.
Volunteer at a Youth Sports Program
Gain practical experience by volunteering at a youth sports program and applying your knowledge of fitness and nutrition.
Show steps
  • Find a local youth sports program or organization.
  • Offer your assistance as a coach, assistant, or volunteer.
  • Observe and assist with fitness and nutrition activities.
  • Reflect on your experiences and identify areas for improvement.
Create a Presentation on Childhood Obesity
Deepen your understanding of childhood obesity by creating a presentation that summarizes the causes, consequences, and prevention strategies.
Show steps
  • Research the latest statistics and trends on childhood obesity.
  • Identify the key risk factors and contributing factors.
  • Develop evidence-based prevention strategies and interventions.
  • Create visually appealing slides and present your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Teach kids: Food & Fitness through games and activities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Physical Education Teacher
A Physical Education Teacher educates students about physical fitness, health, and sports in a school setting. This course helps in understanding the benefits of exercise for children and what can be done to prevent childhood obesity. The course includes age specific booklets with detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons. The course is designed for anyone who wants to teach fitness and nutrition to kids and teens, and no prior experience is needed.
Children's Fitness Instructor
A Children's Fitness Instructor leads exercise and physical activity programs specifically designed for children. This course helps you understand the importance of nutrition education and design age appropriate fitness classes through games and activities. The course teaches you everything you need to know, even without prior knowledge. If you want to make a difference in the lives of young people by promoting healthy habits, this is a great place to start. The course modules, particularly those covering development milestones for different age groups, will be invaluable in tailoring your instruction.
Early Childhood Educator
An Early Childhood Educator works with young children in preschool or daycare settings, focusing on their social, emotional, and cognitive development. This course helps understand the importance of nutrition education for children and young people, and the differences between adult and children’s fitness. It teaches how to teach children about fitness and nutrition through fun games and activities. The course covers the different stages of children's development and how to make a class inclusive to all children.
Health Educator
A Health Educator promotes wellness by developing and implementing health programs. This course provides a foundation for educating children and teens about fitness and nutrition. The course includes age specific booklets with detailed activities. It teaches how to build children's self esteem and confidence during a class and how to confidently deal with challenging behaviors during a class.
Youth Sports Coach
A Youth Sports Coach trains and mentors young athletes in a specific sport, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. This course will give you a more holistic view of youth development. You will learn about the importance of nutrition education, the differences between adult and children's fitness, and strategies for teaching fitness and nutrition through engaging games. In particular, the sections on promoting positive behavior and dealing with challenging behavior, and making classes inclusive to all children, will be very helpful in managing a team effectively and fostering a supportive environment.
After-School Program Coordinator
An After School Program Coordinator plans and organizes activities for children after school hours. After school program coordinators that have taken this course will be able to build children's self esteem and confidence during a class, and confidently deal with challenging behaviors during a class. Additionally, you will have access to detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons.
Nutrition Educator
A Nutrition Educator teaches individuals and groups about healthy eating habits. This course focuses on nutrition education for children and young people. It offers detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning lessons. The course also teaches how to make a class inclusive to all children and how to build children's self esteem and confidence during a class.
Adapted Physical Education Teacher
An Adapted Physical Education Teacher modifies physical education programs for students with disabilities. This course will teach you how to make a class inclusive to all children and plan and deliver a fitness and nutrition lesson. You will learn the differences between adult and children’s fitness and how to build children's self esteem and confidence during a class. This is useful for adapted PE teachers looking to hone their skills and improve inclusive practices.
Wellness Coordinator
A Wellness Coordinator develops and implements health and wellness programs for organizations or communities, often including a focus on children's health. This course will give you the tools to create effective and engaging fitness and nutrition programs for young people. You will receive age specific booklets with detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons. Modules on childhood obesity and its affects on a child's life will benefit you in promoting well being for kids.
Community Health Worker
A Community Health Worker serves as a liaison between community members and health and social services. This course may benefit someone who wishes to promote health and fitness among children and teens. The course will teach you the importance of nutrition education for children and young people and how to plan and confidently deliver a fitness and nutrition lesson. This will be useful for those who aim to make a positive impact in their communities.
Recreation Leader
A Recreation Leader plans and supervises recreational activities and programs at community centers, parks, or other recreational facilities. This course may be useful in finding new and creative ways to engage children in physical activity. You will learn how to teach children about fitness and nutrition through fun games and activities and how to make a class inclusive to all children. This knowledge, coupled with the age specific booklets provided, positions you to bring added value to the community center's programming.
Camp Counselor
A Camp Counselor supervises children in a summer camp setting, organizing activities and ensuring their safety and well being. As a camp counselor, this course may broaden your understanding of how to teach children about fitness and nutrition through fun games and activities. You will get access to age specific booklets with detailed activities, games and exercises to use for planning your lessons and create a class inclusive to all children. Teaching nutrition to the Tween and Teen age group will benefit those who will be working with older kids during the summer.
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
A Pediatric Occupational Therapist helps children develop skills needed for daily living and school performance. While this role typically requires a master's degree, this course may offer valuable insights into children's developmental stages and how to incorporate fun activities into therapy. The course specifically focuses on children and teens. Learning about the importance of nutrition education for children and young people can also enhance your holistic approach to therapy.
Pediatric Physical Therapist
A Pediatric Physical Therapist helps children with physical impairments improve their movement and function. A pediatric physical therapist usually needs a doctoral degree in physical therapy. This course may be helpful in learning how to make a class inclusive to all children and how to plan and confidently deliver a fitness and nutrition lesson. This course also teaches about the importance of nutrition education for children and young people.
Healthcare Social Worker
A Healthcare Social Worker provides support and resources to patients and their families in healthcare settings. Social workers typically need a Master's degree if they want to work in healthcare. This course will teach them the importance of nutrition education for children and young people, and the differences between adult and children’s fitness. This insight will permit a more holistic approach to treatment and patient well being.

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Teach kids: Food & Fitness through games and activities.
Provides a fun and engaging introduction to human anatomy for children. It covers the major body systems and how they work together. Understanding basic anatomy will help you tailor fitness activities to different age groups and developmental stages, ensuring they are safe and effective.

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