Pedagogical Analysis of Children's Physical Culture and Health Programs in Fitness Clubs
Levchenkova T.V.
There is an increased demand for Health and Sports programmes for children in local clubs and fitness clubs, they are now becoming more popular. This is due to a shift in parents' attitudes toward physical education of children of different ages. They can now choose classes depending on the family's needs and the child's interest. The aim of the study is to analyse how the classes for children in fitness clubs are organised and carried out, and how the children are instructed. The results have demonstrated the following aspects of successful programmes for children in fitness clubs: because the classes for children in fitness clubs are very diverse, specially-purposed rooms have to be assigned; the schedule should account for the age of children, their daily routine and availability for classes. The article suggests a content for Health and Sports programmes aimed at children of different ages (1 to 16 y.o.). In groups where children of different ages participate simultaneously, for the instruction to be most effective it is recommended to use a technique where the younger kids follow what the older kids do in exercises, as described by M. Montessori. An analysis of a pool of children's instructors in fitness clubs has shown that Health and Sports instructors and teachers working with children should possess higher professional education, be able to work with children of different ages, and have command of teaching techniques to help them work with groups containing different-aged children.
Key words: fitness club, children's programmes content, techniques for conducting classes with groups of different-aged children, children's schedule, requirements for kids' fitness instructors.
Science and Education, 2014, No.4, pp.95-99