Little Sportz ~ Micah Style

Since we were not able to find a Mother’s Day Out Program once we moved here (let’s all bow our heads for a moment of silence for me, please), I decided to see if there were any little classes Micah could take this school year through the Phoenix Rec Department.  After going through their catalog, I decided on Little Sportz (not sure why they couldn’t have just spelled it correctly ~ I guess the “z” lends a bit of street cred).  It is a class for 3-5 year olds that teaches the basics of sports such as soccer, basketball, floor hockey, etc.

We are about half way through the session, and so far I am not impressed.  He doesn’t love it either.  There is a lot of sitting around while some rather young teenagers talk to them about how to play these sports, and then they wait forever in line to take their turn at trying it.  Last week it was taught by someone else, and it was much better.  However, I think she is not the normal teacher, so I will just have to lower my expectations.

If nothing else, Micah is learning to sit and listen, follow instructions, and gets to run around a little bit with other kids.  Tonight they learned about Lacrosse.  Lacrosse!!!  That does not strike me as a great game for 3-5 year olds.  You could see the kids were a little confused.  Basically they practiced running (about 2 feet) while holding the stick properly and then shooting the ball into the goal.

I think the most fun part of the class for us parents to watch is the stretching at the beginning.  There is not a lot cuter than a bunch of 3-5 year olds sitting on the ground stretching like adults.

Tonight on our way home I asked Micah what he thought about Lacrosse.  He said, “Mommy! (in an exasperated voice) that stick and that game is not called a cross, because a cross is what Jesus died on!!”

After I explained the difference in the words, he seemed to calm down.  And then he told me he never wanted to go back to that class.  Then I told him we finish what we start.  And then we had a Popsicle, which is what I bribed him with to get him to go back and finish the class.

At least he’s paying attention in Sunday School.

Micah other favorite Little Sport ~ wrestling his (mostly) willing sister.

Play What You Know

As a play therapist, I have long known that children use play like adults/teens use language.  For instance if an adult client comes to me for therapy we talk about the issues and how to solve them.  If a child clients comes in for therapy they play out the issues in my play room and we play out those solutions.  It is just how kids work.

The cool thing is that kids don’t just use play to communicate in the play room.  They do it every day, right in your house.  If you are looking for it, you will find it.  Micah provided me with a perfect example of this the other day.

It was a normal morning at home.  Here is the play by play.

Micah: Okay, we are going to play a game, so sit down.

Me: (Now sitting down)

Micah:  Hi, welcome!  Is this your first time here?

Me: Um, yes! (still not really sure where this is going)

Micah: Great!  We’ll need to get you registered.  Fill out this form for me.  Now how old is she (pointing to Savannah).

Me:  (Starting to get the picture) She is 1 1/2.

Micah:  1 1/2 great, great.  She will go in the 1 1/2 year old room.  Here is a ticket for her (hands me a balloon).  And how old are you?

Me:  Me?  I’m 32.

Micah: 32, and how old is Daddy?

Me:  32 too.

Micah:  Great!  You guys will be in the same room and there are firetrucks in there! (he says in a really excited voice)

Me:  Okay . . .

Micah:  Let me show you where you guys are going.  Don’t forget the tags.  Savannah will have a lot of fun in her class, so don’t worry about her at all.  Thanks for visiting us this Sunday!

 

Can you tell what we’ve been doing a lot of?