Kids jump into sports at Youth Center

  • Published
  • By Kee Ross
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Most kids have a strong urge to run, jump, throw things and just play. But, for some reason, getting started with organized sports team is not always easy.

"Some kids get intimidated when they join youth sports," said Robert Bailey. "Some may not have developed the social skills."

To smooth the transition from unorganized play to organized sports, he teaches a six-week program called "Start Smarts Sports."

For an hour each week he leads organized playtime for about a dozen kids, age 3 to 5, and their parents. During the first session, which happened on Feb. 19, the kids and their parents gathered in a circle and held the edges of a colorful sheet, or parachute.

Bailey led the kids in a count down from five, and then the kids ran under the parachute while the parents held the it over their heads.

With the amount of crazed laughing, screaming and running around it may be hard to believe the kids were learning to play a role on a team, but they were, Bailey said.

Amid the fun, they were following instructions, working together and becoming more coordinated, he said.

Over the next several weeks, the kids will be introduced to basketball, baseball, soccer and a number of other sports.

"We taught them basic motor skills, distinguishing left and right and hand-eye coordination," Bailey said. "A lot of it is stuff the parents already teach their kids at home but don't realize they're doing it."

Cathy Wilson -- who brought her son, Isaac, 3, to the introductory class -- said she likes to see her son socializing and she thinks it'll be a great class for him. She discovered the class when she was signing Isaac's older siblings up for sports.

"It gets him out and active with other kids," she said. "I'm just glad there is something for his age-group."

The class has been held for 10 years, and Bailey has instructed it for most of that time. He said it's extremely rewarding to see the kids improve and get more confident.

"It's the enjoyment of seeing the children progress and learn," he said. "It's just tremendous. They develop skills at an early age that are just so much fun to watch."