Pre-schoolers create a dilemma for tennis teachers. Are three to five-year-olds too young to start learning tennis? Generally speaking, yes, at that age children are too young to really learn how to “play tennis.” BUT, now let’s pose the question another way: Are pre-schoolers too young to be introduced to motor skills and games on a tennis court which will help them in any sport they choose?
The obvious answer is yes, and it’s been proven successful by dozens of entrepreneurs running single location and chains of learning centers for kids. In Dallas alone, there are dozens and dozens of storefronts and programs. A few names and their advertising descriptions are as follows:
1. “Gym Kids” – Their ads read: “Let your child experience gymnastics and sports skill development in a fun, positive, caring environment.”
2. “Gymboree” – Their ads read: “Early experiences with music and movement help build the foundation for future math, reading and language skills.”
3. “The Gymnastics Place” – They offer a broad range of programs for all ages. The pre-school program is called “Monkey Business” and is described in their ads as “a new program being offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays for mothers to have a day out.”
4. Other programs are offered at YMCA’s and YWCA’s, private schools, churches, etc. with the primary focus on fun and motor skill-building in a positive, supportive environment.
At tennis clubs, we have the facilities, and most of us have the time. And, although most tennis pros may not be best suited to teach these three to five-year-olds, it will be easy to hire someone for the position if you don’t look for someone who can also teach tennis!
The pre-school enrollment statistics in the United States may now be helpful to take a look at. In 1970 31% of all three to five-year-olds were enrolled in pre-school programs. But, for many reasons we are mostly familiar with, by 1998 this figure nearly doubled! Now parents are enrolling 61% of pre-school age children in some sort of organized daily program. In other words, parents are eager to find activities for their children of pre-school age. They are eager to prepare their children to be as successful as possible in today’s competitive world (as well as just to get them out of the house). And, they also are considering physical activities as one of the important criteria for a well-rounded healthy child.
This is where tennis centers come in. Sure, some larger indoor clubs have baby-sitting services. But, how many clubs organize and promote pre-school-specific programs with names like “Little Bodies in Motion” or “Pre-School Play Days.” Describe the programs to be well-rounded activity sessions designed by professionals to help three to five-year-olds develop skills for all sports and physical activities: balance, agility, flexibility, movement, and throwing, catching, and kicking skills. Further promote the activities as helping children develop self-esteem and confidence, teamwork and cooperation skills, and explain how your program prepares them to succeed in any endeavor, all in a friendly and supportive environment.
Where to look for trained staff to teach these programs? A local college that offers teacher training for pre-schoolers would be one contact to make. Another suggestion is to directly contact some of the better pre-schools in your area to interview a few candidates who would want a part-time job in a sports environment.
Strange as it might seem, I believe we should restrain ourselves in setting up the plan for pre-school programs and only introduce tennis as a very small part of the overall program, maybe just 5%. The logic behind this is simple: Emphasize soccer, baseball, football, or even basketball lead-up skills to the parents and you will accomplish your hidden agenda (of getting the kids eventually interested in tennis) more quickly anyway. Get everyone in your community to see your pre-school program not as a tennis-specific pre-school program, but rather as a top-notch high-energy professional pre-school program which happens to be conducted at a tennis facility.
And, some of you may even offer introductory tennis classes or fitness classes for the parents at the same time their child plays in their pre-school program. Now that’s creative multi-tasking!