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'Zumbatomics' helps keep kids moving
The Latin dance-fitness craze known as Zumba has kids moving to the beat and learning about nutrition at the New Generation child care center this summer.
Winfield Scott Elementary School music teacher Mary Jo Harper has taught two Zumbatomic classes, specifically designed for children, at the center. Harper recently became a licensed Zumbatomic and Zumba basic instructor through a Kansas City-based training program after taking classes in Pittsburg and Joplin, Mo.
"It was fabulous and so much fun," Harper said of the classes.
As a teacher, Harper said she thought it would be "really cool to learn how to do this." She said Zumba beats and steps tend to be complicated and sensual in nature and the Zumbatomic moves are more "kid-friendly and appropriate."
The exuberant dance "classes" range from 50 to 60 minutes, starting with a warm-up. After youngsters are loose, they learn a dance, play a game and have a cool-down.
New Generation Director Amy Boyd said she's an advocate of kids' physical fitness and nutrition education, so when Harper called and asked to do the classes she "was all over it."
"And the kids just love it," Boyd added.
About 10 children spent Tuesday morning dancing to the Latin-style music, constantly moving around the small classroom.
Five-year-old Mackayla Chapman said she had fun and was out of breath during the dancing.
"My favorite part was the Freeze Dance," Chapman said referring to the day's game. All smiles, Chapman hugged her instructor at the end of class.
The educator in Harper emerged throughout the morning as she used cross-curricular teaching to get the youngsters discussing nutrition and healthy eating habits while practicing Spanish language skills learned through the accompanying music.
Harper said she remembers doing aerobic-style fitness classes as a kid.
"I was overweight as a small child and I would always have my parents, my family and friends getting me to do fitness activities," Harper said. "I remember doing Jazzercise in first grade and it was fun; more fun than stretching. But I really loved the dance classes."
"Zumba incorporates all the things I love ... the fitness, the stretching, the high-intensity cardio and the organized part of it," she said.
Whether an adult or child interested in improving their physical health, Harper said, "come ready to have fun.
"I hope they have fun, first and foremost because if it's not fun they wont want to do it again," she said. "If they're not having fun, I'm not having fun."
Harper said she'd like to continue with bi-weekly classes through the summer at the center until she goes back to teaching full time in the fall. Ultimately, Harper said she would like to incorporate Zumbatomics into the school district through the Wellness Committee, eventually weaving the program into the regular school day.
"I've done similar dance routines and exercise classes, but this incorporates so many different aspects of learning ...," Harper said. "And combining fitness and knowledge is a really revolutionary idea and I really like that."
The New Generation child care center serves 84 students throughout the school year, ages 2 weeks through 6 years. During the summer, the kids are typically between 6 and 12.