DailyCandy Kids

November 17, 2008

Just Do It

Just for Kids Sports Classes

When your miniathletes begin slam-dunking heirlooms and using the dining room chairs as goal posts, you’d like to toss them out of the game.

Instead sign them up for Just for Kids sports classes. Run by John Jenkins and his wife, Annie, the group lessons are designed to get city kids (ages 2-6) out of the house and moving around.

Weekly sessions include T-ball, soccer, football, and yoga held outside in city parks when the weather’s nice and at indoor facilities when it’s not.

They also host birthday parties, so you can turn the play calling over to them for the day.

Without any penalties.

The Washington Times

Tuesday, August 20, 2002

by Christian Toto

Excerpts From: Generation "O"  - Obesity in children a growing concern

Growing up in a New Jersey suburb near New York City, John Jenkins carried around a few extra pounds.  The certified personal trainer with Georgetown's Definitions Gym says his Southern-bred parents didn't know the nuances of a nutritionally sound diet back then.

The young Mr. Jenkins did have something many of today's area children don't have - a safe place to run, play and work off at least some sugar-ladden snacks.

His parents would tell him to play in the yard and "come back when it's dinnertime", Mr. Jenkins says.

Not every child in the area has that luxury. Diminishing room to romp is one of the reasons, experts say, that our children are getting heavier.

"I've had parents who come to me and said, "I'm concerned. My son or daughter is among the biggest kids in the class, and they're starting to get teased, Mr. Jenkins says.

To help children stay fit and trim, Mr. Jenkins runs Just for Kids, an hour long program he began three years ago.

Exercises including "Red LIght, Green Light" involve rapid running and stopping movements.

Adults may need prodding to work out properly, but Mr. Jenkins says he keeps the attitude more relaxed around youngsters.

"I'll tell parents, I'm not going to force the kid to do anything", he says. "If they don't want to come, they shouldn't come.  I don't want a child slumped over, knowing this is an hour they will hate."

Mr. Jenkins sees more obese children locally than he used to, and he pins some of the blame on modern lifestyle choices.

"A lot of kids in Georgetown have nannies and baby sitters who sit them in front of the TV", he says.

Add to that the incredible shrinking gym classes - he says some schools offer just 20 minutes of physical education once or twice a week - and one sees a recipe for sedentary children.